Old Town 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/IjjU50Yf8pq
Learn the truth about va**ng: https://ow.ly/5SJa50Yf8pj
Read about what smoking does to your heart and health: https://ow.ly/5Glx50Yf8pu

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/3rAW50YcPeE
Check your blood pressure reading: https://ow.ly/A7Uf50YcPeF
Read about smoking and your blood pressure: https://ow.ly/sR1U50YcPeA

11/02/2026

Turn on notifications to get messages, appointments and reminders as soon as they’re sent.

You can do more with the NHS App than you realise. Discover what else you can do today.

📱Tap the NHS App

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/9IXz50Ycgum

Explore Parentkind’s online safety toolkit: 🔗https://ow.ly/avVL50Ycguh

Get NSPCC online safety advice for parents and carers: 🔗https://ow.ly/3CwA50Ycgue

Find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week: 🔗https://ow.ly/zHwM50Ycguf

10/02/2026

🏥 Old Town Surgery – Missed Appointments Update

We’re pleased to share that missed appointments decreased in January compared to December at Old Town Surgery, helping us use appointment time more effectively.

📉 Appointments missed in January: 196

Thank you to all patients who cancelled when they couldn’t attend. This small action helps reduce waiting times and supports better care for everyone. 💙

09/02/2026

In January 2026, Old Town Surgery provided 3,771 appointments, handled 3,282 connected calls, and processed 3,187 repeat prescription requests.

Thank you to our patients for attending appointments and for letting us know when you couldn’t attend. Cancelling early helps us use our appointment slots wisely and support more people in our community. 💙

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

Request your repeat prescription quicker than you can say it. When it suits you.

You can do more with the NHS App than you realise. Discover what else you can do today.

📱Tap the NHS App

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/AseQ50Y85VP

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/3GfR50Y82Jj
Learn about NHS screening and early diagnosis: https://ow.ly/lrXt50Y82JH
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer: https://ow.ly/NZHo50Y82Jr

04/02/2026

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤, and Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind are joining thousands of people across the country to open up conversations about mental health. 💚
📅 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟔 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲
📍 Broadgreen Community Centre, Swindon
🕥 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟒𝐩𝐦 | 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬
A range of creative, mindful and mental health-focused sessions open to everyone. 💚
🔗 https://bit.ly/49D9jyy

💬 𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬

Time to Talk Day is all about creating space for open, supportive conversations around mental health - and you’re very welcome to join us.

📅 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟔 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲
📍 Broadgreen Community Centre, Swindon
🕚 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟒𝐩𝐦 | 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬

Pop in for a chat, try some wellbeing art, learn more about understanding emotions, or access friendly advice and support in a relaxed environment. 💚

🔗 https://bit.ly/49D9jyy

03/02/2026

Attention Swindon Residents! 🚭

Thinking about quitting smoking? Swindon Borough Council has teamed up with the Smoke Free app to give local residents a massive helping hand.

If you live in Swindon, you can now get:

6 months of premium access to the Smoke Free app.

FREE ni****ne replacement products or a v**e delivered straight to your door.

It’s a brilliant opportunity to take control of your health and save some money in the process.

How to get started:

Download the app here: https://link.smokefreeapp.com/swindonres

Or scan the QR code in the image below!

Note: You must have a Swindon postcode and be over 18 to receive the v**e/products.