Old Town Surgery

23/04/2026

⚠️ Know the signs of head & neck cancer
Some symptoms can be easy to ignore — but spotting them early could save your life 💙
Look out for:
🔴 A persistent sore throat
🔴 Hoarseness or voice changes
🔴 Lumps or swelling in the neck
🔴 Ongoing ear pain
🔴 Red or white patches in the mouth
🔴 Persistent nasal congestion
If you notice any of these symptoms lasting 3 weeks or more, don’t wait — contact your GP.
Early detection makes a huge difference.
Find out more:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-and-neck-cancer/

23/04/2026

Did you know you can get involved beyond your appointments by joining the Patient Participation Group (PPG) at Wyvern Health Primary Care Network?
The PPG helps patients:
Get involved in community outreach projects
Support and promote health and wellbeing
Share ideas and feedback to help shape future initiatives

🎥 Watch the short video below to find out more.
👉 Visit your practice website for further information on how to join.

23/04/2026

This is a great way to get care quickly while helping keep GP appointments available for those who need them most.
📍 Simply walk into Okus Pharmacy & Health Clinic and speak to their pharmacist.
👉 Please consider using your local pharmacy for these conditions and help us make the best use of NHS services.

💊 Skip the GP – See Your Pharmacist First!

At Okus Pharmacy & Health Clinic, you can now get free NHS treatment for common conditions through the Pharmacy First service.

Our trained pharmacists can help with:

✔️ Sore throat
✔️ Earache
✔️ Sinusitis
✔️ Infected insect bites
✔️ Impetigo & skin infections
✔️ Shingles
✔️ Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

👩‍⚕️ No GP appointment needed
⚡ Fast advice and treatment
💙 NHS service – free if eligible

Simply walk into Okus Pharmacy & Health Clinic and speak to our pharmacist today.

📍 Convenient, local healthcare when you need it.

👉 Visit us today or speak to our team to find out more.

22/04/2026

Diabetic eye screening is an important part of diabetes care and helps protect your sight. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss if not detected early. Screening checks for early signs before you notice any changes, meaning treatment can start sooner and help prevent serious damage.

If you have diabetes and are aged 12 or over, you will usually be invited for screening every 1–2 years. The test is quick and involves taking photographs of the back of your eyes to check for any changes.

Attending your screening appointment can:
• Detect problems early before symptoms develop 👁️✨
• Help prevent or reduce sight loss 💙🩺
• Support long-term eye health as part of your diabetes care 🌿📊

Even if your vision feels fine, it’s important to attend when invited. 💙✨

Learn more about diabetic eye screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/diabetic-eye-screening/

20/04/2026

Smoking affects nearly every part of your body, increasing the risk of serious conditions like cancer, heart disease and stroke. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start almost immediately. It can also have a big impact on your finances, with the cost of smoking adding up over time. Understanding both the health and financial impact can be a powerful motivator to quit. 💷🚭💙✨

Reasons to quit smoking include:
• Improved heart and lung health ❤️🫁✨
• Reduced risk of cancer and serious illness 🎗️💙
• More energy and better overall wellbeing ⚡🌿
• Saving money every week and year 💷📊

Small steps can lead to big changes, and support is available to help you quit for good. 💙🚭✨

Use the smoking cost calculator: https://patient.info/healthy-living/smoking-cost-calculator
Learn about the true impact of smoking: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/why-quit-smoking/understanding-the-true-impact-of-smoking/

20/04/2026

17/04/2026

Don’t let your health check feel like a hurdle! 🏥

If you’d like a little extra support to attend your Annual Physical Health Check (PHC), we are here to help. Our dedicated PHC coordinators are hosting an informal drop-in session to answer your questions and take the stress out of the process.

Whether you need help with booking, getting to the appointment, or understanding the follow-up, come and have a chat!

When: 22nd April

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

We hope to see you there! 👋

17/04/2026

Knowing your blood pressure reading is one of the simplest ways to protect your heart and overall health. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems if left untreated. Checking your reading regularly and understanding what it means can help you take control of your health.

You can help manage your blood pressure by:
• Eating a balanced diet with less salt 🥗🧂✨
• Staying active and moving regularly 🚶‍♂️💪
• Maintaining a healthy weight ⚖️💙
• Reducing alcohol and stopping smoking 🚭🍷
• Managing stress levels 🧠🌿

Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference over time. 💙🩺✨

Check your blood pressure reading: https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/check-your-blood-pressure-reading
Read about foods that can help lower blood pressure: https://patient.info/features/heart-health/foods-to-lower-blood-pressure

17/04/2026

Looking for support with your health and wellbeing? Live Well Swindon offers a range of services to help residents across the borough.

From stop smoking support and health coaching to falls prevention, welfare support, reducing loneliness and volunteering opportunities, the team is here to help you take positive steps towards better wellbeing.

Many services can be accessed through self-referral, although some have specific eligibility criteria and all referrals are assessed individually.

Find out more and see what support is available with the link in the comments.

16/04/2026

👄 A 2-minute check that could save your life
Mouth cancer can be hard to spot — but checking yourself once a month can make a real difference 💙
It only takes 2 minutes to look for early signs like:
⚠️ Ulcers that don’t heal
⚠️ Red or white patches
⚠️ Lumps, swelling or persistent pain
All you need is a mirror, good lighting and clean hands 🔍
If something doesn’t feel right or hasn’t gone away after 3 weeks, don’t ignore it — get it checked. Early detection is key.
Find out more:
https://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org

15/04/2026

If you're waiting for treatment or surgery, the My Planned Care website can help you stay informed and supported while you wait. It provides average waiting times for local hospital trusts, helping you understand what to expect, as well as signposting to advice and support to help maintain your health and wellbeing during this time. Taking small steps to look after yourself while waiting can make a real difference. 💙🩺✨

Find waiting times and support on My Planned Care: www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk

14/04/2026

📣 Get involved and learn more about your GP services
Join our Primary Care Network Patient Participation Group (PPG) to understand how General Practice and the network work, the challenges we face, and how we support community wellbeing.
👉 Simply complete the online form via our website to join.