Firsway Health Centre Official

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

October is National Cholesterol Month – do you know your cholesterol levels? ❤️

High cholesterol means you have too much cholesterol in your blood. It does not usually cause symptoms, so a blood test is the only way to find out if your cholesterol is high. Left unmanaged, it can contribute to blocked blood vessels and increase your risk of heart problems and stroke. 🩺

There are positive steps you can take to help manage your cholesterol. Eating a balanced diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and stopping smoking can all support your heart health. Some people may also need cholesterol-lowering medication. 🥗🚶‍♀️

This National Cholesterol Month, take some time to think about your heart health and find out whether you should have your cholesterol checked. ❤️

NHS high cholesterol information:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/

Patient.info cholesterol advice:
https://patient.info/features/heart-health/how-to-keep-your-cholesterol-on-track

14/10/2026

🌟 During September we are delighted to have achieved a 96% Friends and Family Test score! 🌟
The NHS Friends and Family Test gathers feedback from patients about their experience with our practice. A 96% score means that the vast majority of patients who responded rated their experience positively, reflecting their confidence in the care and service we provide. Thank you to all our patients for your valuable feedback and continued support. 💙🏥

14/10/2026

Sinusitis causing pain, pressure or a blocked nose? Your local pharmacy may be able to help. 💊

Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, often following a cold or flu. Symptoms can include pain or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead, a blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache and green or yellow mucus. 🤧

Through Pharmacy First, eligible patients can speak to a pharmacist about sinusitis without needing to see their GP first. A pharmacist can assess your symptoms, provide advice and, where appropriate, offer treatment or direct you to other medical support. 🩺

Mild sinusitis will often clear by itself within four weeks. Resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using suitable pain relief can help manage symptoms while you recover. 💙

NHS sinusitis advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/

12/10/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a reminder to be breast aware and know what is normal for you. 🎀

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK, but anyone can get breast cancer, including men.

Get to know how your breasts or chest normally look and feel. Changes to look out for can include a new lump or swelling, changes in the size or shape of a breast, skin changes such as dimpling, changes to the ni**le, unusual ni**le discharge or persistent pain.

Most breast changes are not cancer, but it's important to contact your GP if you notice something that's new or unusual for you. Don't wait to see if it goes away on its own.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also an opportunity to encourage the people around you to be breast aware and seek advice if something doesn't feel right. 🎀💗

NHS information about breast cancer in women:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/

Breast Cancer Now information and support:
https://breastcancernow.org

NHS information about breast cancer in men:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-men/

12/10/2026

⚠️⚒️🔩🪛🔨⚠️
Firsway Health Centre is pleased to announce that we will be undertaking internal renovation works over the coming months to improve our facilities and enhance the services we provide for the benefit of all our patients. The contractors we have appointed are experienced in working within GP practices and will do their utmost to minimise disruption. However, there may occasionally be additional noise or areas temporarily cordoned off for safety. We appreciate your patience and understanding while these improvements are completed

10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, remember that movement is for everybody. 💚

Physical activity can be a positive way to support both physical and mental wellbeing, and being active should be accessible and enjoyable for disabled children and young people too.

There is no single right way to get moving. Activities can be adapted around individual abilities, interests and needs. This might include swimming, accessible cycling, boccia, wheelchair sports, adapted games or simply enjoying time outdoors. Small changes such as using softer or larger balls, shortening distances or reducing the length of an activity can make movement more accessible.

The most important thing is finding something that works for you or your family and that you enjoy. Being active can also provide opportunities to have fun, spend time together and connect with other people. 💚

This World Mental Health Day, celebrate movement in all its forms and remember that every body can move in its own way. ♿

NHS accessible activity ideas:
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/activities/accessible-activities/

07/10/2026

Did you know you can access documents from your GP surgery through the NHS App? 📱💙

Depending on what your GP surgery makes available, you may be able to view documents and information linked to your health record directly through the app. This can make it easier to find important information without needing to contact the practice each time. 📄

For patients who use British Sign Language (BSL), accessible guidance is available to help you understand how to use NHS App features and find the information you need. 🤟

You will need to be logged into your NHS account to use the NHS App. If you have not used your account for a while, you may need to reset your password or complete identity checks before accessing some services. 🔐

NHS App information and BSL support:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

06/10/2026

High-quality care matters for people living with Crohn’s and Colitis 💜

The IBD Standards set out what good care should look like for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), helping to ensure patients receive the right support at the right time 💬

This includes access to specialist teams, timely diagnosis, ongoing monitoring, and support for both physical and mental wellbeing 🤝

By raising awareness of these standards, we can help empower patients to understand what care they should expect and improve outcomes for everyone

Find out more about the IBD Standards here:
https://ibduk.org/ibd-standards

05/10/2026

Chest infections can be serious – and prevention matters, especially as we head into colder months. 🫁💙

Chest infections affect the lungs or large airways. Common symptoms include a chesty cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, a high temperature, headaches, aching muscles and tiredness. Many improve within around 7–10 days, although a cough can last for up to three weeks.

Respiratory illness also places significant pressure on the NHS. Respiratory disease accounts for around 700,000 hospital admissions and 6 million inpatient bed days each year, with demand often peaking during winter.

Damp and mould can affect your lungs too. Damp and mould in the home can increase the risk of respiratory infections and worsen conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Government estimates linked damp and mould in English homes with around 8,500 lower respiratory infections in 2019.

Help reduce moisture at home by ventilating rooms, using extractor fans, avoiding drying clothes indoors where possible and dealing with leaks promptly. A dehumidifier can help remove excess moisture from the air, but it's also important to identify and address the underlying cause of damp or mould.

If you have a chest infection and feel very unwell, your symptoms are getting worse, you cough up blood, or you've had a cough for more than three weeks, contact your GP. You should also seek advice if you're pregnant, over 65, have a weakened immune system or have a long-term heart, lung or kidney condition.

Chest infection advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-infection/