A31 Primary Care Network

09/01/2026

🌟 Health on the High Street – Wednesday 14 January 🌟
📍 New Location Alert! Join us at our new venue for a day packed with health and wellbeing support.

Here’s what’s happening:
✅ NHS App – Learn how to manage your health online
✅ Warm Hub – A welcoming space to stay warm and connected
✅ Social Prescribers – Support for your health and wellbeing needs
✅ Smoke Free Hampshire – Help to quit smoking for good
✅ FEDCAP – Employment and skills support
✅ Dementia Friendly Alton – Drop-in 10:00–12:00
✅ Christians Against Poverty – Debt and budgeting advice
✅ Fresh Start – Addiction recovery support
✅ Ukrainian Group – 12:00–13:00 (Українська соціальна група)
✅ Flu and COVID Vaccinations – Protect yourself this winter
📅 Date: Wednesday 14 January
📍 Location: Alton Maltings, Maltings Close, GU34 1DT
🕘 Time: 10.00-13.00
Come along, meet the teams, and access the support you need—all in one place!

The on-site parking available for those attending Health on the High Street only!

Health Visitor clinic is now at Bushy Leaze 11.00-12.30.

👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

08/01/2026

🟣 Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week
Did you know that some cancers—like lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic, and stomach—have much lower survival rates? Early detection saves lives, but symptoms can often be vague or overlooked.
✅ Know the signs
✅ Seek help early
✅ Support awareness and research
Together, we can help improve outcomes and give hope to those affected.
👉 Follow us for more health tips and local support resources!

Less Survivable Cancer Awareness Week is next week and is about coming together to raise awareness of the need to improve outcomes for the six less survivable cancers. These are lung, pancreatic, liver, brain, oesophageal and stomach.

While some cancers have seen great progress in survivability, these six are just as deadly as they were 40 years ago. They account for 42% of all cancer deaths in the UK each year.

Today, on average, the chance of someone surviving for five years after being diagnosed with one of these cancers is less than 20%. As a founding member of the taskforce, we’re one of the six charities aiming to double survivability of these cancers in the next decade.

You can find out how you can get involved in Less Survivable Cancer Awareness Week by heading to the link below.

08/01/2026

🌟 Dry January – It’s Never Too Late to Start! 🌟
Whether you began on January 1st or today, any day can be your first day. Cutting back on alcohol—even for a short time—can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing.
✅ Benefits of Taking a Break

Better Sleep – Wake up feeling more refreshed.
Improved Mood & Energy – Boost your mental wellbeing.
Healthier Body – Lower blood pressure, reduce risk of liver disease.
Weight Management – Fewer empty calories.
Save Money – More in your pocket for the things you love.
Clearer Mind – Improved focus and productivity.

📱 Helpful Apps & Resources

Try Dry – Official app from Alcohol Change UK.
NHS Drink Free Days – Track your progress and set goals.
Alcohol Change UK – Tips, tools, and support: alcoholchange.org.uk
Local Support Services – Check your GP or community health hub for advice.

Remember: You don’t have to do it alone. Every alcohol-free day is a win for your health!
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

We see you and we hear you - let's break down why you might be feeling this way!💛

For the first few days of your dry month you may feel a bit under the weather as dopamine, a mood-enhancing chemical produced in the brain, is still depleted and your body is replacing glycogen and minerals (energy providers!⚡).

Maybe you're feeling tired because you're not sleeping well? Also totally normal! You may find that it takes a while to drop off to sleep during the first week. If you're used to a night cap you may not plummet into unconsciousness quite so quickly. This can be fixed with a better evening routine - more tips for this on our website.😴

So, if you’re feeling sluggish and low, just remember that this will only last a few days at most and the good stuff is just around the corner - so keep going!🙌

Find out more on our website👇
https://bit.ly/4nD1Apd

08/01/2026

Looking for support or activities for children and young people’s mental health?
There's a range of CAMHS events happening soon — from workshops and drop-ins to fun, creative sessions designed to help young people thrive.
✅ Learn coping strategies
✅ Connect with others
✅ Access expert advice
Check out the full list of events and find what works for you!
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

08/01/2026

📈 Winter Pressures on General Practice
The colder months bring a surge in patient needs—rising respiratory illnesses, flu cases, and worsening chronic conditions—all adding to the already increasing demand on GP services.
Despite this incredible pressure, GPs are working tirelessly to see patients. In November 2025 alone, 43.3% of all appointments were delivered by a GP.
Your local practices are doing everything they can to keep communities healthy this winter. Please be patient, kind, and use services wisely—together we can make a difference.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local health support and community resources!

The rise in patient numbers, respiratory illnesses, flu cases, and worsened chronic conditions during the winter months puts considerable pressure on General practice - on top of the already rising demand. Despite this incredibly high demand, GPs are working hard to see patients: 43.3% of appointments were delivered by a GP in November 2025.

07/01/2026

⚽ Walking Football is BACK at Alton Sports Centre! ⚽
Looking for a fun, social way to kickstart your New Year goals? Come and give walking football a try — for FREE!
✅ Improve your fitness
✅ Meet new people
✅ Get active at your own pace
🗓 Wednesdays
⏰ 10:00–11:00
No experience needed — just turn up and join in!
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

⚽ Walking Football is BACK! ⚽

Looking for a fun, social way to kickstart your New Year goals? Come and give walking football a try for FREE!

Perfect for improving fitness, meeting new people, and getting active at your own pace.

🗓 Wednesdays
⏰ 10:00–11:00

No experience needed — just turn up and join in!

07/01/2026

January is Love Your Liver Month!
Your liver works hard every day to keep you healthy—filtering toxins, aiding digestion, and supporting overall wellness. Show it some love by eating a balanced diet, staying active, and limiting alcohol. Small changes make a big difference!
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

Love Your Liver Month is a reminder to look after an organ that works hard for you every single day. Your liver fights infections, removes toxins, stores and produces energy and helps you heal.

Making small changes like reducing alcohol, eating well, staying active and knowing your risk factors can help protect your liver and support long-term health. There are simple tools and trusted advice available to help you take positive steps today. 💚🍎✨

Learn more about Love Your Liver Month: https://ow.ly/rLbL50XJHN6

Check your risk with the liver screener: https://ow.ly/L3aL50XJHMI

Read advice on showing your liver some TLC: https://ow.ly/iv8f50XJHNc

02/01/2026

🎉 Health on the High Street is moving!
We’re excited to announce that from Tuesday 7 January, Health on the High Street will be at its new home – Alton Maltings, 10am–1pm!

Here’s what’s on offer at our first session:

NHS App support
Warm Hub
Social Prescribers
Smoke Free Hampshire
EHDC Housing
FEDCAP
MHA + Arm Band Exercise (12:00–12:30)
Ukrainian Group (12:00–13:00) Українська соціальна група
Flu and COVID Vaccinations

The Health Visitor clinic will now be 11.00-12.30 at the Bushy Leaze Centre.

👉 Find full details at www.a31pcn.co.uk/hoths
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

27/12/2025

📢 Health on the High Street is moving!
From 7 January, you’ll find us at Alton Maltings, 10am–1pm. There’s free onsite parking and a variety of services each week to support your health and wellbeing.
👉 Full details: www.a31pcn.co.uk/hoths
We can’t wait to welcome you to our new venue in the New Year!
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

22/12/2025

📢 Holiday Surgery Closures
Please note our practice will be closed on 25th December, 26th December, and 1st January.
If you need a pharmacy during the festive period, check our latest post for local opening times. Please plan ahead and make sure you have any essential medications before the holidays.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

21/12/2025

🧠 Need support over the holidays? Kooth is here for you!
Kooth provides free, safe, and anonymous online mental health support for young people aged 11–25. You can access:
✅ 1-to-1 chats with qualified counsellors
✅ Peer support forums
✅ Helpful articles and resources

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or just need someone to talk to, Kooth is available online whenever you need support.
👉 Learn more and sign up at www.kooth.com
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

20/12/2025

💊 Holiday Pharmacy Opening Times
If you need a pharmacy over the festive period, here are the local opening times:

Christmas Day: 14:00 – 17:00 at Anstey Road Pharmacy
Boxing Day: 12:00 – 15:00 at Alton Boots
New Year’s Day: 14:00 – 17:00 at Wellbeing Pharmacy

✅ Please plan ahead and make sure you have any essential medications before the holidays.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!