The Lawn Medical Centre

14/11/2025

📊 Lawn Medical Centre – October 2025 Monthly Statistics

Here’s a look at our activity for October 2025:

• Total appointments: 4,948
• GP appointments: 1,802
• Nurse appointments: 2,761
• Physio appointments: 65
• Pharmacist appointments: 280
• Missed appointments: 249
• Connected calls: 5,064
• Repeat prescription requests: 3,647

Thank you to all patients for your continued support and for attending appointments. Please remember to cancel if you can’t make it – it really helps others get the care they need.

14/11/2025

🧠 How are you doing with your health habits? Take the free quiz! 🎯

Ready to improve your overall health and wellbeing but not sure where to start?

The Healthy Choices Quiz from the NHS gives you a quick score out of 10 based on your lifestyle – covering things like sleep, exercise, diet, smoking and mental health. You’ll get personalised guidance, suggested NHS apps, resources and next-steps.

👉 Take it here: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/healthy-choices-quiz/

This quiz is for adults 18+ and is not a medical assessment. If you’re worried about your health, speak to your GP.

14/11/2025

🩺🔍 Worried you could be at risk of type 2 diabetes? A few changes in your family history, lifestyle or symptoms might mean a lot.
Here’s what to keep in mind:

• 👪 Family history matters – If a parent, sibling or relative has diabetes, your own risk goes up.
• 🍔 Lifestyle factors count – Being overweight, inactive or having higher waist size can all raise risk.
• 🚩 Symptoms might be subtle – Increased thirst, tiredness or needing to wee more may be signs.
• 📊 Want to know your risk? Try this tool: https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start
• 📖 More reading on what to expect and why this matters: https://patient.info/diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-leaflet

It doesn’t mean diabetes is inevitable - taking action now could make a real difference. 💪

14/11/2025

Did you know you can get contraception directly from your local pharmacy? 💊 💙

Many pharmacies now offer a range of free and confidential contraception services, making it easier than ever to access the support you need.

Pharmacies can help with:
✔️ The contraceptive pill (first time or repeat supply)
✔️ Emergency contraception
✔️ Pregnancy tests
✔️ Advice on different contraceptive options
✔️ Sexual health information and support

No need for a GP appointment — just pop in and speak to a trained pharmacist.

Find out more about how your pharmacy can help:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help

13/11/2025

📣 We’re attending the Carers Rights Day Event!

Our surgeries will be at the Pilgrim Centre, Regent Circus, Swindon SN1 1PX on Thursday 20th November, from 10am to 1pm.
If you are a carer whether for an adult, parent, or young person come along and join us!
✅ Get information on services, wellbeing, finance, education, and more.
✅ Ask questions and receive tailored guidance.
Everyone is welcome, and it’s FREE! Drop in and say hello next Thursday.

Just a reminder of our Carers Rights Day drop-in event on 20th November at the Pilgrim Centre, Swindon!

Come and explore stalls offering information and advice on health, finance, leisure, education, and training. Representatives from various organisations and charities will be there to chat about the services they offer and to answer any questions you may have. Don't miss out!

Light refreshments will be provided.

Get your FREE tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swindon-carers-centres-carers-rights-day-2025-tickets-1535002396489?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/11/2025

🥂✨ Not drinking? That’s a valid choice - and one worth celebrating.

is about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable with their own decisions, whether they drink or not.
Some people are cutting back for health, others are taking a break, and some simply don’t enjoy it - and that’s okay 💬🧃

👂 How can we be more supportive?
✔️ Respect someone’s choice without questioning it
✔️ Offer non-alcoholic options
✔️ Keep social events welcoming for everyone

Learn more from:
👉 https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stopsobershaming
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-not-to-say-to-someone-who-doesnt-drink-alcohol
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-sobriety-becoming-trendy

Let’s help make every setting inclusive, whatever’s in your glass 💚

11/11/2025

📢 Missed Appointments in October 2025

We had 249 missed appointments last month, equating to 80 hours of lost appointment time. ⏳

If you can’t attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. You can cancel by:
✅ Using the text link in your appointment reminder
✅ Calling the surgery 📞

Every missed appointment means someone else misses out – help us help more patients! 💙

10/11/2025

💙 It’s Anti‑Bullying Week 2025: Power for Good! Time to stand up, speak out, and build kinder communities 🌟

Bullying can happen anywhere: in schools, workplaces, online, even in organisations up and down the ladder. It affects everyone.

Here’s how we can make a difference together:
👫 Be an ally, not a bystander - if you see something, say something
🏫 In schools: encourage safe spaces, peer support, and open dialogue
💼 In workplaces & organisations: promote respect, zero tolerance, and clear reporting structures
🗣️ Share stories, challenge harmful behaviour, and support those who feel alone

Learn more and access resources:
👉 https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
👉 https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-bullying

Let’s work together for environments where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued 💪

07/11/2025

🌫️ Lung Cancer Awareness Month is here - and this year, we’re shining a light on the connections between lung health, coughs, and family cancer history.

A persistent cough might be dismissed as a cold or heart issue — but sometimes, it’s more than that. If it lingers, gets worse, or you have other symptoms, get it checked.

Key point: family history of cancer doesn’t only mean the same cancer you have. When your doctor asks, they mean any cancer your relatives have had. This information can help assess your risk and guide decisions.

📚 Learn more about cancer risk and genetics:
👉 https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors/family-history-genetics-and-cancer-risk
👉 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/inherited-cancer-genes-and-increased-cancer-risk/family-history-and-inherited-cancer-genes

Stay alert to changes, know your family history, and speak up for your lung health 💨

05/11/2025

🧠🌀 Feeling overwhelmed? Stress isn’t just “part of life” — it can affect your body, mind and behaviour in real ways.

Here’s what you might experience:
✔️ Physical: headaches, muscle tension, stomach issues, chest‑racing heartbeats
✔️ Mental: trouble concentrating, making decisions, constant worrying
✔️ Behavioural: irritability, sleep too much or too little, eating changes, pulling away from others

When stress becomes long‑term, it can lead to burnout — extreme exhaustion, cynicism, reduced performance.

You don’t have to cope with it alone.

👉 Learn more and find help:
https://ow.ly/Hzz150XmylA
https://ow.ly/BYoN50Xmylw
https://ow.ly/KFWn50Xmyly

Take a pause. Talk it out. You matter. 💚

03/11/2025

🎇 Bonfire Night is here - and it’s a time for fun, but also for staying safe! 🔥 Before you light those fireworks and dig into all the good food, here’s what to watch out for:

🍗 Food Safety / Food Poisoning
• Don’t let food sit out too long - especially meats or salads
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate
• Store leftovers promptly at safe temperatures

🔥 Fire & Fireworks Safety
• Always follow firework instructions carefully
• Keep a safe distance
• Never relight a dud firework
• Always supervise children
• Have a bucket of water or hose nearby in case of fire
👉 Safety info:
https://ow.ly/b3YI50XjLhX
https://bonfire-night-safety.co.uk
https://www.firstaid.co.uk/fireworks-safety--first-aid/

🚑 First Aid for Firework Injuries
• Minor burns: cool under running water for 10+ minutes
• Seek medical help for deeper burns, wounds, or if you see smoke inhalation symptoms
• Use sterile dressings, don’t apply creams or adhesives until checked

Have a safe and happy Bonfire Night! 🎆