Branch End Surgery

16/02/2026

Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of risk factors, symptoms and the importance of looking after your long-term health.

A family history of cancer, smoking, va**ng, poor diet and long-term acid reflux can all increase risk. Making positive lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking or va**ng, can help reduce the risk of many cancers and improve overall health.

Knowing the signs and understanding risk factors can support earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. 🎗️🩺💙✨

Read about oesophageal cancer symptoms and treatment: https://ow.ly/68P950Yf7ii
Learn the truth about va**ng: https://ow.ly/JPkh50Yf7im
Read about what smoking does to your heart and health: https://ow.ly/KCBu50Yf7io

13/02/2026

National Heart Month is a great time to think about simple ways to protect your heart and improve your long-term health. ❤️🩺💪✨

Checking your blood pressure, understanding your heart age and making positive lifestyle changes like stopping smoking can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Small steps taken today can make a big difference for your future heart health.

If you experience chest pain and tightness, or shortness of breath, call 999 📲

Calculate your heart age: https://ow.ly/sApM50YcOQG
Check your blood pressure reading: https://ow.ly/UhzH50YcOQN
Read about smoking and your blood pressure: https://ow.ly/rJRy50YcOQM

12/02/2026

The practice will be closed from 1pm today for Protected Learning Time.

If you require medical assistance during this time, remember to contact your local pharmacy, 111 online or by phone or in an emergency contact 999.

You can book appointments and order medication via the NHS app.

We will re-open tomorrow 13/02/26 at 8am.

Thank you for your co-operation.

11/02/2026

Children’s Mental Health Week is a great opportunity to think about how we can support children’s wellbeing in everyday life. 🧠💙📱✨

Creating healthy habits around screen time and internet use, having open conversations about what children see online, and knowing where to find support can all make a positive difference.

For families waiting for neurodiversity or mental health assessments, trusted guidance and early support can help while you’re on the journey. Small, consistent actions at home can help children feel safer, more confident and better supported.

Read about talking to children about healthy internet use: 🔗https://ow.ly/jrMb50Ycg1w

Explore Parentkind’s online safety toolkit: 🔗https://ow.ly/c5cz50Ycg2l

Get NSPCC online safety advice for parents and carers: 🔗https://ow.ly/AeLq50Ycg20

Find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week: 🔗https://ow.ly/6pEk50Ycg1q

09/02/2026

HIV testing is quick, confidential and an important part of looking after your sexual health. Many people with HIV do not have symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your status.

Free testing options are available, including home testing and local services, making it easier than ever to get checked. Prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment mean people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. 🧪💙🩺✨

Order a free HIV test: https://ow.ly/WnF450Y8L7R
Learn about HIV Prevention England and prevention support: https://ow.ly/29wo50Y8L7Y
Read about antibody and antigen tests: https://ow.ly/Syh250Y8L7X
Get information about HIV and AIDS: https://ow.ly/ETYf50Y8L7W

05/02/2026

Mind’s Time to Talk Day is a reminder that talking really can change lives. Whether you’re feeling lonely around Valentine’s Day, coping with grief or bereavement, or struggling with your mental health, you deserve to be heard and supported.

If you’re waiting for therapy, there are ways to look after yourself, manage difficult feelings and find support in the meantime. Small conversations, with friends, family or professionals, can be a powerful first step towards feeling less alone. 💙🗣️🌱✨

Read Mind’s advice on coping while on a waiting list for therapy: https://ow.ly/G3ri50Y85Jm

04/02/2026

World Cancer Day is a chance to raise awareness of cancer prevention, early diagnosis and the importance of national screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer. Screening can help find changes early, before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful. 💙✨

Many people diagnosed with cancer now live longer and better lives thanks to improvements in detection, treatment and support. Understanding risk factors, making healthy lifestyle choices and attending screening when invited can all help reduce risk and improve survival. Support is also available for anyone affected by cancer, from diagnosis through recovery and beyond. 🎗️

View cancer survival statistics: https://ow.ly/5P1150Y82FH
Learn about NHS screening and early diagnosis: https://ow.ly/6kte50Y82FI
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer: https://ow.ly/1Jgz50Y82Gi

02/02/2026

Sexual Violence Awareness Week is a time to highlight support for anyone affected by sexual assault or sexual violence, including women and men. 💜

Help is available if you have experienced abuse, are worried about someone else, or need advice on staying safe. Confidential support, medical care, forensic services and sexual health checks (including STI testing) can be accessed through specialist services.

You may also see emergency alert test notifications on your phone during national testing. Opting out can help some people keep phones hidden and safe, as these alerts override silent and do not disturb settings.

You are not alone, and support is there when you are ready. 🕊️🩺✨

🔗 Get personal safety & domestic abuse advice: https://ow.ly/r9z450Y5XQW

🔗 Read about sexual violence against men: https://ow.ly/EhM750Y5XQP

🔗 NHS help after r**e and sexual assault (including SARC services): https://ow.ly/zxBk50Y5XQY

🔗 How to opt out of emergency phone alerts: https://ow.ly/ks0U50Y5XR3

30/01/2026

Turning on NHS App notifications is a simple way to help the NHS save money while staying informed about your healthcare. 💙

Notifications can remind you about appointments, test results, prescriptions and important updates, helping reduce missed appointments and unnecessary letters or texts.

Using the NHS App makes it easier to manage your health in one place, saves time for NHS services and helps resources be used where they are needed most. Making this small change can have a big impact for you and the NHS. 📱

Learn how to manage NHS App notifications: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/nhs-app-account-and-settings/managing-nhs-app-notifications/

29/01/2026

Help Us by Completing the National GP Survey

The National GP Survey is run by NHS England to help improve GP services. Patients are selected at random and may receive an invitation by post, text, or email.

If you have been selected, we would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete it. Your feedback really matters-it helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve.

The survey results are published publicly, and practices are ranked based on responses. You can also see our previous survey results on our website.

We know you’re often asked to complete surveys, but this is a wonderful chance to share your experience and let us know what you love about our practice. Your support helps us continue to grow and provide the care our patients value so highly.

Thank you for helping us-it really means a lot!

https://gp-patient.co.uk/received-survey

28/01/2026

NHS 111 is there to help when you need urgent medical advice but it’s not an emergency. You can use NHS 111 if you’re unsure what to do, where to go, or if you need help outside of GP opening hours. 🩺💙

Find out when to use NHS 111: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/

Trained advisors and healthcare professionals can assess your symptoms, give advice, book appointments, or direct you to the right service quickly and safely. You can access NHS 111 online or by phone, and it’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 📞✨

Use NHS 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk
Contact NHS 111 by phone: Call 111

27/01/2026