Biddulph Valley Surgery

27/10/2025

Black History Month is a time to honour culture, celebrate resilience, and spotlight important health conversations 🧠💬

🎯 Did you know? People of Black African & Caribbean heritage in the UK are more likely to develop:
🩺 Type 2 diabetes
💢 High blood pressure (hypertension)
❤️‍🩹 And face a higher risk of heart disease, kidney issues & stroke

But knowledge = power 💡💪
Let’s take action together:
🍽️ Eat for your heart & blood sugar (think more veggies, less salt!)
🏃🏽‍♂️ Move that body daily
🧪 Get regular checks - blood pressure & diabetes screenings can be life-saving
🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 Talk to your family - sharing this info could change lives

🧭 Start here:
👉 https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/diabetes-ethnicity

This month, let’s rise together in strength, in knowledge, and in health 🖤✨

24/10/2025

🎗️ ADHD Awareness Month - October is here! Whether you're newly considering ADHD or already navigating life with it - you’re not alone. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can manifest as inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, or all three - presenting differently across individuals and across life stages

Seeking clarity? Begin with ADHD UK’s About ADHD page, offering videos from specialists and a self-screener for adults

ADHD UK also hosts peer support groups, expert-led sessions, and an online marketplace of coaches and tools to help with day-to-day challenges

Why it matters:

• Diagnoses are rising - not because ADHD is increasing, but because awareness is growing and stigma is lifting
• But many still wait long months - even years - for NHS assessments - access remains unequal
• Misinformation online can confuse rather than clarify. Trusted sources like ADHD UK are key

Find support and fact‑checked info at:
👉 https://adhduk.co.uk

22/10/2025

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - a time to learn, support, and advocate for everyone affected 💖

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women. Men can get it too. It can also impact transgender people, who may face extra barriers to awareness, diagnosis, and care.

Here’s what to keep in mind:
🩺 Know the signs in everyone - lumps, changes in shape, ni**le changes, skin dimpling
🔍 Men, don’t ignore changes in your chest or ni**le - although less common, breast cancer can still occur in men
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans and nonbinary people: your risks and body may change with hormone therapy or surgeries - always feel empowered to ask for care and checkups

📚 Learn more and find inclusive support:
👉 https://breastcancernow.org
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-men/
👉 https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/resource-for-transgender-people/

Let’s make awareness inclusive, supportive, and life-saving 💪

18/10/2025

🌡️💬 Menopause brings change — from hot flushes and mood swings to sleep shifts and brain fog. But with the right information and support, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming 💪🌸

This is your reminder: you’re not alone - and help is just a click away 💻💙

📚 Learn more about symptoms, treatment and support from trusted sources:
👉 NHS: https://ow.ly/27nQ50XcUsK
👉 How to support someone: https://ow.ly/kAYb50XcUsB
👉 Looking after your health: https://ow.ly/J7h550XcUsJ
👉 How long do symptoms last?: https://ow.ly/hs0f50XcUtN

Let’s talk, share, and support each other - here's to better understanding and better health 💚

17/10/2025

Notice to all Patients

Work to the building will be taking place on 15th to 17th October.
This will mean that the ground floor entrance by the car park will need to be closed. Could all patients please use the entrance next to the pharmacy on these dates.

Thank you for your patience.

16/10/2025

Notice to all Patients

Work to the building will be taking place on 15th to 20th October.
This will mean that the ground floor entrance by the car park will need to be closed. Could all patients please use the entrance next to the pharmacy on these dates.
Thank you for your patience.

12/10/2025

🧠💥 What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Professor David Scott, Consultant Rheumatologist, explains it clearly:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that primarily affects the joints - especially in the hands and feet 🙌🦶. It can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue, and it can deeply impact daily life 😓

But here’s the good news - with the right treatment and support, RA doesn’t have to define you. You can still work, stay active, and live well 💪🌈

📚 Learn more and find support:
👉 https://ow.ly/wZB150X9HhV
👉 https://ow.ly/AV2j50X9HhW

👉 https://ow.ly/6TvU50X9Hji

You are not alone 💙

10/10/2025

🧠💬 This World Mental Health Day, let’s take a moment to check in on each other - a simple conversation can make a world of difference 🌍❤️

Here’s how to support someone who might be struggling:
1️⃣ Find a quiet space with no distractions - be fully present 🤝
2️⃣ Listen without interrupting and ask thoughtful questions 👂❓
3️⃣ Ask how you can help - it might be booking a GP appointment, helping with chores, or just being there 🫶

📱 Remember: social media isn’t always real.
Feeling low? It’s OK to log off. It’s OK to not be OK all the time.
Less screen time = more time to breathe, reflect, and reset 🌿💚

💡 Mental health matters every day.
Small actions = BIG impact.

📖 Learn more and find support here:
👉 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Banish harmful habits such as smoking, drugs and drinking to feel better: https://patient.info/features/healthy-living

08/10/2025

🧘‍♀️💪 Looking after your back has never been more important - whether you're working from home, on your feet all day, or just trying to stay strong and mobile 🪑🫶

This gentle, low-impact back care class from InstructorLive focuses on improving strength and flexibility in the muscles that support your spine 🌀🦴 It’s ideal for those managing back pain or wanting to prevent it altogether 💥

🎥 Watch the safety video first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcykLowYWGc

06/10/2025

Important Information About our Online Consultation Tool.

We are pleased to be able to offer an online consultation tool as part of our service. They can be a convenient way for you to contact us about your health and can often save you time. However, we want to remind you that online queries are not always suitable for every situation. What follows is advice on how to get the best out of the online consultation tool and, importantly, use it safely.
When using the online consultation tool may not be safe
Using online forms or messages for urgent or serious symptoms can sometimes delay the care you need. For example, online consultation tools are not appropriate if you are experiencing:
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of a stroke (such as sudden weakness, facial droop, or difficulty speaking)
• Heavy bleeding
• Sudden confusion or collapse
• Any situation where you feel your life may be at risk
In these circumstances, please call 999 immediately or go straight to the nearest Accident & Emergency department.
When to call instead
• If your problem is urgent but not life-threatening, please telephone the practice so that we can assess and advise you quickly.
How to use the online consultation tool safely
Online consultation tools work best for:
• Routine queries
• Requests for sick notes for a condition already assessed by a clinician at the surgery
• Non-urgent health advice
• Follow-up questions about existing conditions
By using the service appropriately, you help us to keep it safe and effective for everyone. Please be aware that if the number of queries rises above safe capacity then the queries may be added to a waiting list to be answered at a future date.
Patients are encouraged to check if an alternative service could answer their query.
For example, if the query is about a hospital appointment or visit - contact the hospital department, or if it is about a medication – use the NHS app to request repeats or contact your community pharmacy. More information on the range of services available to you can be found on our website: www.biddulphvalleysurgery.nhs.uk
Thank you for your understanding and for helping us provide the best possible care four you and all our patients.

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

06/10/2025

🫀💥 October is National Cholesterol Month – the perfect time to take charge of your heart health! ❤️✨

High cholesterol often has no symptoms, but it can lead to serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes 😟💔. The good news? You can take action today.

Here’s how to get started:
🥗 Eat heart-healthy foods (cut down on saturated fats!)
🚶‍♂️ Stay active with regular movement
🧪 Know your cholesterol numbers and get checked
🧠 Understand your risks and take control

📚 Learn more with trusted resources:
👉 https://www.heartuk.org.uk
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/
👉 https://patient.info/heart-health/high-cholesterol
🍽️ Tips for eating out with high cholesterol:
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/eating-out-with-high-cholesterol

Every small step counts when it comes to protecting your heart 👣💚

03/10/2025

🍹❌ Feeling like it’s time for a reset? Sober October is your chance to take a break from alcohol, boost your health 💪, sleep better 😴, save money 💷, AND raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support 🎗️💚

Whether you're doing it for your body, your mind, or someone you love - it’s the perfect excuse to say no thanks to that drink and yes to a better you 🌟🧠

⚠️ Be careful of slipping into drinking more than usual - especially once October ends.
If you have a long-term condition, alcohol can interfere with your medication 💊 and make symptoms worse.

Try to build healthy habits that last:
✅ Make alcohol-free days a regular thing
✅ Know your limits
✅ Reach out for support if you're struggling

🛑 Sign up and go booze-free this October 👉 https://www.gosober.org.uk 🍺