The Lodge Surgery

21/07/2025

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁

Marmalade Trust supports people to build meaningful local connections. The Marmalade Connections Project offers up to 15 weeks of 1-to-1 telephone support, delivered by trained volunteers. This empowering model helps individuals explore their interests, discover local opportunities, and build confidence to take part in community life.

Find out more and make a referal here ⬇
www.marmaladetrust.org/marmalade-connections

Interested in becoming a volunteer? ➡www.marmaladetrust.org/volunteer

17/07/2025

𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 🎗
July 1 - July 31

Sarcoma is often called the "forgotten cancer" because of its rarity and the lack of public understanding compared to other cancers. Raising awareness is crucial because it leads to earlier diagnoses, improved treatments, and more support for research efforts.

𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵🎗
💛Sarcomas account for only about 1% of all adult cancers, but around 15% of childhood cancers.
💛There are more than 70 different subtypes of sarcoma, making diagnosis and treatment complex.
💛Early detection can significantly improve outcomes, but many people are unaware of the symptoms.
💛Sarcoma Awareness Month was established to encourage education, support, and research for this rare cancer type.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with sarcoma, you probably have many questions.

𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗞 are here to help you understand your sarcoma and how it’s diagnosed. They also have information about different treatment options.

𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗨𝗞 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲🎗
The Sarcoma UK Support Line is there for every person affected by sarcoma.
Get in touch for friendly, expert, confidential and free advice on anything to do with sarcoma.

📞Freephone: 0808 801 0401
Open Monday to Friday, 10 - 3 (except public holidays)

📧Email:
supportline@sarcoma.org.uk
We’ll reply within two business days (at most).

📱Text: 07860 058830
For those times you don’t feel like talking.

https://sarcoma.org.uk/

14/07/2025

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

Pure Women's Health gives our patients direct access to a Women's Health First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP). The Women's Health FCP can provide advice and supported pelvic floor exercises to treat patients with various different uro-gynae issues.

Patient must be assigned female at birth and age over 18 to access this service.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲?
The service is designed to assess and treat women with the following conditions:

❤️Overactive bladder

🩷Mixed urinary incontinence

🧡Stress urinary incontinence

💛Post Natal pelvic floor concerns

💚Pelvic organ prolapse

💜Menopausal urogenital concerns (including incontinence and prolapse)

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻?
Patients can book a telephone appointment themselves by asking a receptionist or asking their GP.

10/07/2025

🔸𝗔𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸🔸
7-13 July

www.alcoholchange.org.uk

"This year’s Alcohol Awareness Week theme is 𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. As part of the week, we’ll be opening a conversation about the relationship between alcohol and work to help us better understand it and sharing some helpful tips and advice on changes we can make to improve things for us all.

🟨

Around 10 million of us are regularly drinking alcohol in ways that can harm our health and wellbeing. From headaches, hangovers and sleepless nights to lower productivity and symptoms like anxiety and depression worsening over time, alcohol affects us in so many ways.

⬛️

But how many of us have stopped to think about the impact of the work we do on our risk from alcohol? With longer hours, more stress, the blurring of lines between work and home, and too many workplace cultures that place booze rather than people at the centre of things, there are so many ways work and alcohol are linked.

🟧

This Alcohol Awareness Week, it’s time for us, and the places we work, to feel healthier, more productive and happier."

🟨

If you are struggling with your drinking, help is available and many people seek it every day. Find support that works for you.
Find support ➡www.alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help-now

⬛

07/07/2025

04/07/2025

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

From Monday 23 June, a new weight loss drug called Tirzepatide, sometimes referred to as Mounjaro®, will start becoming available for use in primary care settings.

In line with NHS England guidance, this treatment will only be available for patients who have a body mass index (BMI) above 40 and have been diagnosed with four or more of the following conditions:

🔹Type 2 diabetes
🔸Hypertension
🔹Cardiovascular disease
🔸Obstructive sleep apnoea
🔹Dyslipidaemia

Access will be prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need, as the treatment is intended to support people living with health conditions caused or made worse by obesity.

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board is currently working with colleagues in primary care to ensure this new treatment is offered to those patients who fulfil this criteria.

𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗚𝗣 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

All patients, including those who may be eligible for the new drug, are continued to be encouraged to access NHS-supported healthy living initiatives, such as diet support and activity groups, as part of their overall weight loss journey.

01/07/2025

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸...

Receptionists are not just admin staff - they are patient advocates, navigating complex systems to get people the care they need. They are the gateway to the clinical team, and without them there is no access.

Sadly, a recent survey revealed that 80% of 432 respondents said that their reception teams suffer abuse on the telephone on a daily basis.

Due to the emotional toll and constant abuse, the NHS is rapidly losing skilled staff. A campaign has been launched by the Institute of General Practice Management that calls for compassion and patience for receptionists.

We encourage our patients to watch the below video to help understand the role and variety of calls we get.

Receptionists are not ‘just admin’ — they are patient advocates, navigating complex systems to get people the care they need. They are the gateway to the cli...

28/06/2025

🎖Armed Forces Day🎖
28 June 2025

Celebrating current serving military personnel and asking for veterans to identify themselves to us.

🇬🇧Are you a Military Veteran?🇬🇧
According to the Armed Forces Covenant, veterans should receive priority treatment for a condition which relates to their service, subject to clinical need and they should be cared for in a way that reflects the nation’s moral obligation to them. At The Lodge Surgery, we are committed to following the NHS Patient Charter to ensure that our veterans have access to the help and support they may need following their service.

Please tell us if you are a military veteran so that we can make sure you are offered the support and assistance you may need, now or in the future, as a result of your service. It would help us to know in which of the Armed Forces you served, the dates of your service and whether you were discharged or retired due to ill health.

🪖Thank you for your service🪖

https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

Here is some information on the current support services currently in place for the Armed Forces Community which includes ex-service personnel and their families, Reservists and their families and the families of current serving personnel.

🎖𝗢𝗽 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬
The aim of this service is to provide a point of contact and support to the Armed Forces community family members and carers of those serving or have served in the Armed Forces.

🇬🇧𝗢𝗽 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲
Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the UK Armed Forces and have continuing, physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the Armed Forces.

Any former Service personnel who are entitled to use this service will have been told to ask their GP to complete a referral form for the pathway

🪖𝗢𝗽 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
This is a self referral service to be undertaken by the individual concerned.
It does not matter how long ago you left the armed forces or how long you served for. You can contact Op COURAGE even if you left many years ago.

You can also contact Op COURAGE if you're still serving but have a discharge date.

Find further information on the 3 schemes follow the link below⬇️
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/veterans-service-leavers-non-mobilised-reservists/

26/06/2025

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹-𝗴𝗼𝗲𝗿𝘀

UKHSA have issued advice ahead of festival season to help keep yourself and others safe.

Festival-goers are being reminded to be aware of ongoing health risks so they can enjoy the festivals and other events safely and responsibly this summer.

Here are the UKHSA’s top festival and summer tips:

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗠𝗥
By far the best way to protect yourself and those around you from measles is the MMR vaccine. The UKHSA has recently urged parents of young children, teenagers and adults to check that they are up to date with their MMR vaccines, particularly before they travel this summer and before attending summer festivals where measles can spread more easily.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Hot weather in particular can pose a health risk for some people. Festival guests are reminded to stay safe during periods of hot weather, especially when walking around the Festival.

Remember to carry a refillable water bottle with you and drink it throughout the day, wear sun cream and a sunhat and avoid excess alcohol.

Remember to look out for one another. Keep a look-out for signs of heat-related harm in yourself, your friends, and other people around the Festival.

The signs include:

💚a headache
💛dizziness and confusion
💜loss of appetite and feeling sick
🧡excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
💙cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
🩷fast breathing or pulse
💚a high temperature of 38C or above
💛being very thirsty

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘅
Cases of s*xually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly syphilis are increasing. UKHSA is reminding everyone having s*x with new or casual partners before or at the Festival to wear a condom and get tested regularly, whatever their age or s*xual orientation.

𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲
UKHSA is also encouraging people to ‘be tick aware’ by regularly checking clothing and exposed skin for ticks that might be crawling on you and brushing them off immediately if outdoors this summer.

Safe tick removal:
If you spot a tick, you must remove as soon as possible using a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers. These can be purchased in pharmacies (and on-site?)

To remove a tick, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and firmly.

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
An overdose won’t always look the same but some of the signs to look out for are:

💚falling unconscious
💛very light shallow breathing or no breathing
💜loud raspy ‘snoring’ or gurgling
🧡blue or pale lips or fingertips
💙If in doubt, seek medical attention immediately.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗡! 🎉🎵

https://bsw.icb.nhs.uk/stay-well-festival-goers/

26/06/2025

💉We are hiring!💉

We are looking for an experienced Phlebotomist to join our friendly, busy practice team working 20 hours per week over 4 mornings (8.30am – 1.30pm).

We have worked hard to develop a friendly and supportive environment at Lodge and we are a close-knit team with a focus on staff wellbeing.

Enquiries and applications should be sent in writing to Sarah Hyner, Nurse Manager, at the above address or to: enquiries.lodgesurgery@nhs.net

23/06/2025

🩷𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸🩷
19 - 24 June 2025

Going for your cervical screening isn’t always easy, and everyone’s experience is different. So many changes in life, from big milestones to how we feel day-to-day, can have an impact. But it is best that all women, however you identify, try to not put off cervical screening. It's one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻
The NHS will contact you when it is time for your cervical screening if you are:

💗25 to 64 years old
💗Registered as female with a GP

You do not need screening if you have had surgery to remove your cervix.
If you have had surgery to the cervix, va**na or womb but you are not sure what your operation involved, your GP can find out from your medical records.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲
If you are a trans man or non-binary person and have a cervix, you should have screening too. But, you may not be sent an invitation if you are registered as male with your GP. Tell your GP if you want to have cervical screening, so they can arrange regular tests for you.

You do not need cervical screening if you are a trans woman or were assigned male at birth. The NHS has more information about other types of screening for trans women.

Follow the link to find out more information about cervical screenings, what to expect at your appointment and you can also watch a short video which shows someone having cervical screening. It shows an illustrated view of the inside of the body and explains what happens during the test.

www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

Do you have questions or concerns about cervical screening? Further support can be found on the Macmillan Cancer Support website below⬇

www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/cervical-screening-awareness-week

19/06/2025

𝗦𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀

Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy.

Make sure you:

🌞Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm

☀Never burn

😎Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses

🌞Take extra care with children

When buying sunscreen, the label should have:
🏖A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB
🏖At least 4-star UVA protection

Most people do not apply enough sunscreen.
As a guide, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻?
You should take extra care in the sun if you:

🌞Have pale, white or light brown skin

☀Have freckles or red or fair hair

😎Tend to burn rather than tan

🌞Have many moles

☀Have skin problems relating to a medical condition

😎Are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday)

🌞Are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense

☀Have a family history of skin cancer

www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲
Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:
🔸Move them to a cool place.
🔸Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
🔸Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
🔸Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them.
Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.

Contact 111 if:
you or someone else have symptoms of heat exhaustion that you're struggling to treat or you need advice about.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/