Small Changes, Big Difference - NHS Borders

16/10/2026

Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober.

Come and meet a Wellbeing Adviser at the Borders General Hospital (Stall under the stairs) Wed 28 Oct 11am – 4pm to find out how we can help you…
Stoptober is back, and we're calling on the 0.6 million people in Scotland who still smoke to join millions of others who have quit successfully with the campaign. Smoking remains the biggest cause of preventable illness and death, and quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. The good news is that if you stop smoking for 28 days, you're five times more likely to quit for good.

Quitting smoking doesn’t just improve your own health and wellbeing: when you quit, your family wins too. Whether it's being there for loved ones, protecting them from second-hand smoke or simply having more money to spend on the things that matter, stopping smoking can have a positive impact on those around you.

This free app has helped over one million people quit smoking - and on average, 1 in 2 people reach 28 days smoke free.

It’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right help, and there’s a wide range of free quit smoking support available, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan and from our local NHS Borders Wellbeing Service.
nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services/general-services/wellbeing-service/help-to-stop-smoking/ 01896 824502

16/10/2026

Protect yourself and others around you from illnesses like meningitis and measles.

Check what vaccines you have had and whether you need to arrange more before term starts.

Find out more ➡️ https://www.nhsinform.scot/studenthealth

14/10/2026

Feeling Overwhelmed? Try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique: notice 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste.

14/10/2026

🎗️ October is

If you’re aged 50 to 70 and you’ve missed or forgotten about your breast screening appointment, you can contact your local breast screening centre to arrange a new appointment.

Find the contact details at: nhsinform.scot/breastscreeningcentres

12/10/2026

12/10/2026

Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober.

Come and meet a Wellbeing Adviser at the Borders General Hospital (Stall under the stairs) Wed 28 Oct 11am – 4pm to find out how we can help you…
Stoptober is back, and we're calling on the 0.6 million people in Scotland who still smoke to join millions of others who have quit successfully with the campaign. Smoking remains the biggest cause of preventable illness and death, and quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. The good news is that if you stop smoking for 28 days, you're five times more likely to quit for good.

Quitting smoking doesn’t just improve your own health and wellbeing: when you quit, your family wins too. Whether it's being there for loved ones, protecting them from second-hand smoke or simply having more money to spend on the things that matter, stopping smoking can have a positive impact on those around you.

This free app (https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/) has helped over one million people quit smoking - and on average, 1 in 2 people reach 28 days smoke free.

It’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right help, and there’s a wide range of free quit smoking support available, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Personal Quit Plan and from our local NHS Borders Wellbeing Service.
nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services/general-services/wellbeing-service/help-to-stop-smoking/ 01896 824502

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

10/10/2026

💚 Today is World Mental Health Day.

This year's theme, "Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change", highlights the importance of listening to people whose experiences help shape support, services and communities.

Our Mental Health Information Stations offer a friendly chat, peer support and help to find local mental health and wellbeing services across the Borders.

More about BRAW 👉 nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/braw

09/10/2026

It's World Mental Health Day tomorrow - find out more about the work we've been doing with Flourish - Mental Health Matters to promote the mental health recovery and wellbeing opportunities across the Borders

Ahead of World Mental Health Day (Saturday 10 Oct), we're highlighting the people and lived experiences helping to shape recovery and wellbeing across the Borders.

Borders Recovery and Wellbeing (BRAW) connects people with local opportunities, support, activities and information to help improve mental health and wellbeing.

Developed in partnership with people who have lived experience, BRAW also supports our Clinical Strategy by helping people find the right support, at the right time, closer to home.

Read our full story 👉 nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/latest-news/2026/october/7/world-mental-health-day-celebrates-the-voices-shaping-recovery-and-wellbeing-in-the-borders/

Find out more about BRAW 👉 www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/braw

NHS Scotland The Scottish Government

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

Please be prepared for the upcoming public holiday on Monday 12 October by knowing which community pharmacies are open.

Often your first port of call should be the NHS inform website.

There are lots of self-help guides available for a wide range of ailments and illnesses. Visit: www.nhsinform.

If you need further help and it can’t wait until your GP practice or community pharmacy re-opens please contact NHS 24 on 111.

Further information can be found here: www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/public-holidays