The Gables Medical Group

27/05/2026

Staying active as you get older is one of the best ways to maintain independence, improve wellbeing and reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke. It’s never too late to start, and even small amounts of movement can make a difference. 💙🚶‍♂️✨

For older adults, the NHS recommends:
• Being active every day, even with light activities 🌿💙
• Aiming for around 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, such as brisk walking 🚶‍♀️✨
• Doing strength exercises at least twice a week to keep muscles strong 💪🩺
• Including balance and flexibility activities to reduce the risk of falls ⚖️🌱

Activities like walking, gardening, swimming or gentle exercise classes can all help improve physical and mental wellbeing, as well as reduce loneliness and support independence.

Find out more about staying active as you get older: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/

26/05/2026

🫁 Struggling with breathlessness or COPD? You’re not alone
Living with COPD or ongoing breathlessness can affect your day-to-day life — but there is support available to help you manage your symptoms and stay well 💙
Small steps can make a big difference:
✔️ Take medications as prescribed
✔️ Attend your regular reviews
✔️ Get your flu and COVID vaccinations
💡 If your symptoms are getting worse, don’t wait — speak to your GP practice.

25/05/2026

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers, and recognising the signs early can make a real difference to outcomes. The most common symptom is blood in your p*e, even if it only happens once or is not painful, and it should always be checked by a GP.

Other symptoms to look out for include:
• Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine 💧⚠️
• Needing to p*e more often or urgently 🚽⏱️
• Repeated urinary infections 🔁🩺
• Pain in the lower tummy or back 🤕✨
• Feeling very tired or losing weight without trying 💙📉

These symptoms are often caused by other conditions, but it’s important not to ignore them. Getting checked early can lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Learn more about bladder cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bladder-cancer/
Read detailed information from Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bladder-cancer

23/05/2026

Did you know you can now get advice and treatment for a range of common conditions directly from your local pharmacy?
The Pharmacy First service means you don’t always need to wait for a GP appointment — your pharmacist is a highly trained healthcare professional who can assess symptoms and provide treatment where appropriate.
👩‍⚕️ What can they help with?
You can access support for conditions such as:
✔️ Sore throat
✔️ Earache (ages 1–17)
✔️ Sinusitis
✔️ Infected insect bites
✔️ Impetigo
✔️ Shingles
✔️ Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
💡 Why use Pharmacy First?
✅ Faster access to care
✅ No appointment needed (walk-in service)
✅ Expert clinical advice
✅ Treatment provided if needed
✅ Helps free up GP appointments for more serious conditions
📍 Simply visit your local pharmacy or ask for Pharmacy First — it’s quick, convenient, and often the easiest way to get the help you need.

23/05/2026

Looking to connect with others who understand life with Crohn’s or Colitis? 💜

Join one of our upcoming virtual social events – a friendly and supportive space to meet others, share experiences, and connect from the comfort of home 💬

📅 Young Adults – Tues 26th May at 6.30pm
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/young-adults-virtual-social-event-tickets-1987064938722?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

📅 North of England – Mon 1st June at 6.30pm
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-of-england-virtual-social-event-tickets-1987058184520?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

📅 Friends & Family – Wed 10th June at 6.30pm
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/friends-and-family-virtual-social-event-tickets-1987603565770?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

📅 South West – Mon 15th June at 6.30pm
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-west-virtual-social-event-tickets-1987617982892?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

📅 It Takes Guts – Sun 21st June at 10.30am
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/it-takes-guts-virtual-social-event-tickets-1988079623672?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

Whether you’re looking for support, friendship, advice, or simply a chance to chat with people who get it, we’d love to see you there 💜💬

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health and wellbeing. Even small changes can make a big difference, helping to reduce your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. 💙⚖️✨

Losing just a small amount of weight, around 5–10% of your body weight, can have significant health benefits, including improving blood pressure, cholesterol and energy levels.

Simple ways to work towards a healthier weight include:
• Eating a balanced diet and making healthier food choices 🥗🌿
• Being more active and moving regularly 🚶‍♂️💪
• Setting realistic, achievable goals 📊✨
• Making small, sustainable changes over time 💙🌱

The NHS Better Health programme offers free tools, apps and a 12-week plan to help you build healthier habits and stay on track.

Start your journey to a healthier weight: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

20/05/2026

If your child or young person has an earache, your local pharmacy can often help without needing a GP appointment. Through the Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can assess symptoms, give advice and provide treatment where appropriate for children aged 1 to 17. 💙👶🩺✨

Pharmacists can:
• Assess your child’s symptoms and check for signs of infection 🔍💙
• Offer advice on managing pain and symptoms at home 🌿💊
• Provide treatment, including some prescription medicines if needed 💊🩺
• Refer you to a GP or other service if symptoms need further care 🚑⚠️

Earache is a common condition in children, and many cases can be safely managed with support from your pharmacist. Getting help locally can save time and ensure your child gets the right care quickly.

Learn how pharmacies can help (Pharmacy First): https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/

18/05/2026

Walking is one of the easiest ways to boost your health and wellbeing, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or gym membership. Even a brisk 10-minute walk a day can improve your mood, increase energy levels and support heart health. 🚶‍♀️💚✨

Regular walking can help:
• Improve heart health and reduce risk of disease ❤️🩺
• Boost mood and reduce stress and anxiety 🌿💙
• Increase energy levels and improve sleep ⚡🌙
• Support weight management and overall fitness ⚖️✨

You don’t need to do hours of exercise to see benefits. Short, regular walks all add up and count towards the recommended activity levels.

Making walking part of your daily routine, whether it’s a lunchtime walk, walking to work or getting outside with friends, can have a big impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. 💚🚶‍♂️✨

Get active with NHS tips and support: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/
Find out more about National Walking Month: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/national-walking-month/

17/05/2026

High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms, but it can significantly increase your risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease if left untreated. The only way to know your numbers is to get your blood pressure checked. 💙🩺✨

The good news is that checks are quick, simple and often available at your local pharmacy without needing an appointment. Many pharmacies offer free NHS blood pressure checks for people aged 40 and over, making it easier than ever to stay on top of your health.

Getting your blood pressure checked can:
• Detect problems early before symptoms appear 🔍💙
• Help prevent serious health conditions 🫀⚠️
• Give you advice on lifestyle changes if needed 🌿✨
• Support long-term heart health 📊💪

Taking a few minutes to check your blood pressure could make a life-saving difference. 💙✨

Find a pharmacy offering free blood pressure checks: https://ow.ly/3t6F50Z04I9