Northam Surgery

31/10/2025

🎃🔪 Thinking of carving up a spooky pumpkin this Halloween? Before you do, here’s how to stay safe - and how to keep your sugar intake in check 👻🍬

How to carve a pumpkin safely:
🛠️ Use a clean, dry, well-lit area with a sturdy surface.
🧼 Wash and thoroughly dry your hands and tools to avoid slips.
🛡️ Use a proper pumpkin carving kit (small serrated saws) instead of large kitchen knives.
🔄 Always cut away from your body and use small, controlled motions.
👨‍👩‍👧 Leave the carving to adults; kids can draw the design or scoop out pulp.
⚠️ If you get cut and heavy bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, seek medical care.

Too many sweets can impact your health in more ways than one.
Read how sugar affects your body and tips for moderating consumption:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/how-does-sugar-in-our-diet-affect-our-health/

Balance is everything - carve safely, enjoy treats mindfully, and take care.

29/10/2025

Movember is coming up - and we’re calling on everyone who cares about men’s mental health.

Globally, 3 out of 4 suicides are men. That’s 1 man every 60 seconds.
This isn’t just a statistic - it’s someone’s brother, father, partner, or friend 💔🕯️

It’s time to stop the silence. It’s time to unite.

Together, we can:
🧪 Fund life-saving mental health research
📚 Support training and education
🫂 Provide real help for those in crisis

💥 Ready to take action?
👉 Register, grow a Mo, fundraise or simply spread the word:
https://movember.com/register

✊🏽 Let’s change the face of men’s health together.

27/10/2025

💬 Your feedback matters!

We really value all feedback from our patients and their families, as well as our Friends & Family feedback which is completely anonymous. This helps us hear honestly what’s working well and what could be improved.

Sometimes, feedback includes specific situations that need further investigation. Because anonymous comments do not include your contact details, it can be difficult for us to follow up or fully resolve the issue.

If you want us to look into something in more detail, please speak to reception and leave your contact information. This allows us to investigate properly and ensure any necessary actions are taken.

Thank you for helping us make our service the best it can be! 💙

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, nipple changes, skin dimpling
🔍 Men, don’t ignore changes in your chest or nipple - 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 💪

20/10/2025

This vacancy has now closed early as we’ve received enough applications. Thank you for your interest.

*Job opportunity**
Medical Receptionist
37.5 hours per week for a variety of shifts Monday to Friday
Applicants require experience in a similar fast-paced environment, must have excellent customer care, administration and communication skills, be computer literate and a good team player.
Please call reception or email paulabowers@nhs.net for a job description and application form.
To apply, please send a CV and completed application form to our Reception Manager, Paula Bowers by post or email paulabowers@nhs.net
Closing date for applications: 4pm Monday 3rd November 2025.
Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.

We deliver a wide range of NHS services to support our patients. Use the website to book an appointment, order a repeat prescription and more at our Spindogs surgery.

20/10/2025

🦴🌍 World Osteoporosis Day - 20 October is your moment to take action for stronger, healthier bones! This silent disease often shows no symptoms until we suffer a fracture. But with awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis, we can change that.

What is osteoporosis? It’s a bone condition where bone density drops and microarchitecture weakens - making bones fragile and more prone to breaks, especially in the hip, wrist, and spine.

Risk factors include aging, menopause (due to dropping estrogen), smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition, certain medications, and underlying health conditions.

Preventive steps:
• Eat a bone‑friendly diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, protein 🍎
• Do weight‑bearing and resistance exercises 🏋️‍♀️
• Avoid smoking and excess alcohol 🚭🍷
• Get your bone density checked if you're at risk

Learn more and reach support:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoporosis/
👉 https://theros.org.uk

Together, let’s break the silence around osteoporosis and stand strong for bone health!

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/MQA950XcUIg
👉 How to support someone: https://ow.ly/jEEy50XcUIc
👉 Looking after your health: https://ow.ly/eK1A50XcUIh
👉 How long do symptoms last?: https://ow.ly/MmtR50XcUIt

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

13/10/2025

We are experiencing problems with our internet connection, if you have submitted an online request we apologise for the delay 🙏🏽

13/10/2025

🌐✨ Get Online Week 2025 is coming - 20 - 26 October!
The UK’s biggest digital inclusion campaign is BACK 🙌💻

Whether you’re brand new to the internet or want to level up your skills, this week is all about helping people feel safer, smarter, and more confident online 🧠💪

💡 Why it matters:
✅ Book GP appointments
✅ Manage your money online
✅ Apply for work or access training
✅ Stay connected with family & friends
✅ 97% of attendees say they learn something new! 📈

👥 Who’s being left behind?
• Older people
• Low-income households
• Job seekers
• People without access to devices or data
• Anyone unsure where to begin

🎁 Good Things Foundation can help with:
📱 National Device Bank (free refurbished tech): https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-device-bank
📶 National Databank (free mobile data): https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank
🖥️ Learn My Way (free beginner courses): https://www.learnmyway.com/

🎉 How to get involved:
📢 Spread the word in your community
👨‍💻 Help someone get started
📍 Find your local centre or digital hub: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org

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/F5XF50X9Hil
👉 https://ow.ly/2xbQ50X9Hhi

👉 https://ow.ly/PjoP50X9Hhh

You are not alone 💙