Carmel Medical Practice

30/01/2026

🧠💙 Supporting Parent Mental Health Day 💙🧠

Today (30th January) is Parent Mental Health Day - an important awareness moment created by youth mental health charity stem4 to highlight how parents’ and carers’ mental wellbeing affects the whole family. It’s a reminder that looking after your own mental health matters just as much as supporting others.

Parenting can be rewarding, but it also comes with pressures that can leave many feeling overwhelmed, isolated or stressed - especially in challenging times. Taking time for yourself, connecting with others, and accessing helpful information can make a real difference.

📌 For practical advice and resources on supporting your own wellbeing and that of the young people in your life, check out this page:
👉 https://stem4.org.uk/pmhd/

We’re sharing this to encourage conversation and support — you don’t have to face difficult moments alone. 💬💛

Parent Mental Health Day, founded by stem4, promotes awareness of the critical link between parents’ mental health and family wellbeing on 30th January each year.

29/01/2026

29/01/2026

High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke. It causes about half of all strokes.

This we're proud to support Stroke Association and encourage everyone to check their blood pressure – so that we can stop stroke before it happens. Find out more at stroke.org.uk/stroke-prevention-day

28/01/2026

💚 Macmillan CDDFT HOPE Programme
The HOPE Programme is a free 6-week supportive course developed by Macmillan Cancer Support and Coventry University to help people after cancer treatment. It’s designed to help you regain confidence, manage anxiety, fatigue and uncertainty, use relaxation techniques, cope with stressful situations, and plan for the future.
📞 To book your place, call: 01388 455231

27/01/2026

Have you used maternity or neonatal services in England?

Share your experience with the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation and help shape the future of care for women and families across the country.

Have your voice heard by taking part in the Call for Evidence 👉 matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evidence or scan the QR code in the poster attached.

The Call for Evidence is open to the public until 17th March 2026.

27/01/2026

27/01/2026

27/01/2026

🏠Safe Spaces in Darlington

🗣A Safe Place is a registered venue that has agreed to offer help and support if someone is anxious, scared or believes they may be at risk.

The safe places in Darlington are:
Blush
Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland
Collectables
Costa Coffee
Darlington Borough Council (Town Hall)
Darlington Connect
Darlington Hippodrome
Darlington Library
Darlington Mind
H. Samuel
JD Sports
Newcastle Building Society - Darlington
Next
Oxfam
Puff Puff V**e Shop
Savoury Café
The Black Olive
The Dolphin Centre

📲For more information: https://www.safeplaces.org.uk/

27/01/2026

Today, Tuesday 27 January, marks Holocaust Memorial Day and the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We remember the six million Jews and the millions of others murdered during the Holocaust.

It is a time to reflect on the dangers of hatred, discrimination and indifference, to honour survivors and their stories, and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to promote tolerance, empathy and human dignity.

The NHS is committed to tackling antisemitism.

NHS England has adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, with updated training and resources being embedded across the NHS.

At CDDFT, our Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy and Dignity at Work Policy have been updated to reflect this commitment.

23/01/2026

The NI childhood immunisation schedule is changing giving even better protection with the introduction of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

From January 2026, eligible children will be offered a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) - as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.

As with other childhood immunisations, parents will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange an appointment if their child is eligible. If you are unsure if your child is up to date with vaccinations the easiest way to check is to look at your child’s red book or speak to your health visitor or GP.

Find out more at www.nidirect.gov.uk/childhood-immunisation

22/01/2026

Our friends at Durham County Carers Support are delighted to announce the launch of a Virtual Carers Centre, a new way for unpaid carers to access support and services from Durham County Carers Support anytime, anywhere.

All you need as an unpaid carer is to set up an account to get the support you need! Find out more and create your account today: https://virtualcarerscentre.org/