Avon Valley Practice

16/09/2026

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 is a great reminder that it's never too late to take steps towards better health. 💙

Staying active as you get older can help you maintain your independence, improve your balance, strengthen your muscles and bones, reduce your risk of falls, and boost your mental wellbeing. 🚶‍♀️

The NHS recommends that older adults should:
• Aim to be physically active every day.
• Do activities that improve strength at least twice a week.
• Include exercises that improve balance and flexibility, especially if you're at risk of falling.
• Reduce the amount of time spent sitting by getting up and moving regularly. 💪

You don't have to join a gym to stay active. Walking, gardening, dancing, swimming, gentle exercise classes or even doing household chores all count towards a healthier lifestyle. 🌼

Small changes can make a big difference to your health, confidence and quality of life. Why not start today? ❤️

🔗 NHS Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/

14/09/2026

𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. 💙

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, but when it's found early, it's much easier to treat. That's why the NHS offers bowel cancer screening to people who are eligible. 💩

The screening test is simple, quick and can be done in the privacy of your own home. It looks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo that you may not be able to see yourself. 🏠

If you receive your bowel cancer screening kit through the post, don't put it to one side – complete it and return it as soon as you can. Even if you feel fit and healthy and have no symptoms, taking part in screening can help detect problems early. ✅

If you notice symptoms such as blood in your poo, a persistent change in your bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or ongoing tummy pain, don't wait for your screening invitation—contact your GP. 📞

Taking a few minutes to complete your test could make all the difference. 💙

🔗 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/

12/09/2026

Persistent gut symptoms should never be ignored 💜

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and early diagnosis can make a big difference

Symptoms can include ongoing diarrhoea, stomach pain, blood in poo, weight loss, and extreme tiredness 💬

Many people delay getting help due to embarrassment or uncertainty, but getting checked early is important 🤝

Find out more about symptoms and standards of care here:
https://www.whatsupwithmygut.org.uk
https://ibduk.org/ibd-standards

11/09/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗔𝗽𝗽. 📱💙

Whether you use an iPhone or an Android device, downloading the NHS App is quick, free and secure. Once you've set up your NHS login, you can access a range of NHS services anytime, anywhere. 🌟

With the NHS App you can:
✔️ Order repeat prescriptions.
✔️ View your GP health record.
✔️ Book and manage appointments (where available).
✔️ View test results.
✔️ Access NHS 111 online.
✔️ Receive messages from your GP surgery and the NHS.
✔️ Find your NHS number.

If you need a little extra help getting started, the NHS has a step-by-step video, including a British Sign Language (BSL) version, showing exactly how to download the app on both iPhone and Android devices. 🤝📲

📱 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗔𝗽𝗽: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

🎥𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗦𝗟 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/videos/

09/09/2026

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲.

Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate.

Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day.

You can also call these helplines for advice if you're worried about someone else.

𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝟭𝟭𝟭
Call 111 – 24 hours every day

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘀 – 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲
Call 116 123

𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 (𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗠)
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat page

𝗣𝗮𝗽𝘆𝗿𝘂𝘀 – 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝟮𝟰𝟳
Call 0800 068 41 41
Text 07860 039967
Email [email protected]

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 – 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵
Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill

𝗦𝗢𝗦 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 – 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲
Call 0808 115 1505 – 8pm to midnight Monday to Friday, 4pm to midnight Saturday and Sunday
Email [email protected]

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other serious health conditions. The good news is that it's easy to check and, if needed, it can often be managed with lifestyle changes or treatment.

During Know Your Numbers! Week, everyone is encouraged to find out their blood pressure reading. Whether you're 20 or 80, knowing your numbers is one of the best ways to take control of your health. This year's theme is "You know your age, do you know your numbers?"

You can have your blood pressure checked:
💙 At your GP practice
💙 At many local pharmacies
💙 At home using a validated blood pressure monitor

If your blood pressure is high, don't panic. Your healthcare team can support you with advice, lifestyle changes and treatment if needed. Small changes, such as eating less salt, being more active and maintaining a healthy weight, can make a big difference. 🌿🚶

Don't wait for symptoms – because there often aren't any. Know your numbers and take control of your heart health today. ❤️

Find out more:
https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/know-your-numbers-week/

04/09/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆. 🤰💙

Regular physical activity can help you adapt to the changes happening to your body, support your overall wellbeing and prepare your body for labour. 🏃‍♀️

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, you can usually continue with your normal daily physical activity or exercise for as long as you feel comfortable. Activities such as walking, swimming and pregnancy-friendly exercise can all be great ways to keep moving. 🚶‍♀️🏊‍♀️

𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿:
• Always warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards.
• Keep well hydrated, particularly during warmer weather. 💧
• Avoid exercising in very hot conditions.
• Don't exhaust yourself – you should still be able to hold a conversation while exercising.
• Avoid activities where there's a risk of falling or being hit.
• After 16 weeks, avoid exercising while lying flat on your back for long periods.

If you weren't active before pregnancy, don't suddenly begin strenuous exercise. Start gently and build up gradually. 👍

Every pregnancy is different, so speak to your midwife or healthcare professional if you're unsure which activities are suitable for you. 💙

NHS pregnancy exercise advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/

02/09/2026

Need advice about a common health condition? Your local pharmacy could be your first stop 💊💙

Highly trained pharmacists can provide expert advice, recommend treatments and, for some common conditions, offer NHS treatment through the Pharmacy First service without you needing to see a GP first 👍

Pharmacy First can help with seven common conditions, including:

• Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
• Shingles (aged 18 years and over)

Pharmacists are also available to help with many other everyday health concerns, including coughs, colds, hay fever, aches and pains, digestive problems, medicines advice, healthy living support and more 🌿

If your condition needs further assessment, your pharmacist will make sure you're directed to the right NHS service. They can also identify when symptoms may need urgent medical attention ⚠️

Choosing Pharmacy First can help you get expert advice more quickly while helping to keep GP appointments available for people who need them most 💙

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