The Rycote Practice

03/12/2025

International Day of Disabled Persons is the 3rd of December 2025. First launched in 1992, the event has championed three decades of meaningful change for the disabled community. In 2025, the theme of International Day of Disabled Persons is Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.

02/12/2025

National Grief Awareness Week 2nd - 8th December 2025
For more information please visit: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org

01/12/2025

www.worldaidsday.org

28/11/2025

To view a larger print version of this newsletter please visit: https://www.therycotepractice.co.uk/patient-support-team-newsletter-november-2025/

27/11/2025

CHRISTMAS CHARITY ROAD RUN 2025

Sunday 21st December @ 11am (Leaving Thame Showground)
Hosted by Princes Risborough Young Farmers Club

Join us to see a display of vintage and modern tractors along with land rovers and commercial vehicles decorated for the festive season.

The tractors will head through Thame town centre, Chinnor, Princes Risborough, Longwick and finally to Haddenham.

Supporting Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Buckinghamshire NHS Trust Stroke Unit

25/11/2025

16 Days of Activism is a global campaign fighting against gender-based violence

Spearheaded by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign beginning on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concluding on 10th December, Human Rights Day.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world. In the UK it is a ‘national emergency’. It is happening at all levels, in all areas of our society.

25/11/2025

White Ribbon Day 2025: We Speak Up

We Speak Up for change

Letting sexism slide puts women and girls at risk. Sexist jokes, catcalling, staring, and comments might seem harmless, but they are serious because they can lead to violence and abuse.

For White Ribbon Day 2025, we are encouraging you to speak up and create a world where women and girls are safe, equal, and respected.

www.whiteribbon.org.uk/white-ribbon-day

24/11/2025

12 days of Christmas fire safety tips:

🎄 Day 1: Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard.
🎄 Day 2: Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings and don't leave them burning unattended.
🎄 Day 3: Make a fire escape plan – just in case you have an emergency during the festive period.
🎄 Day 4: Decorations can burn easily - Don't attach them to lights or heater.
🎄 Day 5: Always switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed.
🎄 Day 6: Remember! After drinking alcohol, the risk of accidents in the kitchen is greater.
🎄 Day 7 : Most fires start in the kitchen, so don’t leave cooking unattended.
🎄 Day 8 : Drive safely this Christmas.
🎄 Day 9 : If you smoke, make sure that your smoking material is extinguished before you go to bed.
🎄 Day 10 : Use Christmas as a reminder to clean your smoke alarm to remove dust.
🎄 Day 11 : Don’t overload plug sockets.
🎄 Day 12 : Check on elderly relatives and neighbours - make sure they are fire safe.

24/11/2025

Fire Safety

As the colder weather approaches it is so important to make sure you have a working carbon monoxide/smoke detector in your property. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, you can't smell it, so it is very dangerous. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm if your home has:

• an open fire
• fuel burning stove
• gas appliances

Smoke alarms are the best and easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you and your family precious time to escape. They are cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit.

The more alarms you have, the safer you’ll be! But as a minimum if you only have one of each, put them somewhere you will be able to hear it when you’re asleep.

Make sure your smoke alarm meets British Standard 5446, Part 1 (BS 5446-1) and ideally also carries the British Standard Kitemark.

If you are hard of hearing, choose one with an emergency light that comes on when the alarm is triggered.

24/11/2025

Using your electric blanket safely

Though electric blankets can be a great, cost-effective way to keep warm and cosy, it's important to use them with care. Before putting your electric blanket on the bed to use over the winter months, take a few minutes to check that the blanket is safe for continued use.

Your blanket should be replaced with a new one if:

- Fabric is worn or frayed.
- Scorch marks are visible on the fabric
- Wires are poking through the fabric.
- There is damage to any part of the electrical cord.
- The control buttons are making a buzzing sound when switched on and/or is giving off a smell.
- The connector fitted to the blanket is damaged or over-heating.

Follow our 6 top tips:

1. Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless it has a thermostat control for safe all-night use.
2. Never use an electric blanket if you have an air flow pressure relief mattress, or use emollient creams.
3. Never use a hot water bottle at the same time as using your electric blanket.
4. Do not buy second-hand electric blankets.
5. Remember to check regularly for wear and tear and replace at least every 10 years.
6. Store electric blankets flat, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring.

24/11/2025

We have switched from econsultations to a new online service. This is a great way for you to contact our practice for non-urgent medical or admin requests. You can still access this service via our website by choosing 'contact us online' option.

It is very simple to fill out so please do give it a go if you need to contact us. Although the character count is limited on the form, please try to give as much specific and concise information as possible.

We really think it is easier for most people than waiting on hold to speak to a receptionist, but we would love to hear your feedback. If you do not have access to the internet or find it difficult to use a computer or smartphone you can call reception instead.

You can contact us online to seek self-help advice and make medical or administrative requests. Self-help advice on a range of conditions is available at Health A to Z – NHS (www.nhs.uk) .

23/11/2025

Look out for Father Christmas and his team of elves from Saturday 6th December.

Have you ever wanted to be one of Father Christmas’ Elves?

Thame Santa Sleigh is run by volunteers raising money for Thame Round Table. Please contact Thame Round Table if you would like to volunteer to support this fun evening out. ✉️ https://thameroundtable.org/contact/

https://thameroundtable.org/santatracker/