Primary Healthcare Darlington

25/08/2025

Coping with stress over the summer

Juggling parenting with other responsibilities can make you feel overwhelmed. It’s really important to consider your own wellbeing, to prevent you feeling a little burnt out. Consider taking up a new physical activity, meet some friends in a park for a chat and a playdate, or find local fun days to attend. The six weeks will fly by! https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zx64r2p

It’s the school summer holidays and parents often find themselves managing work, noise and much more! Parental self-care is super important, yet often it’s more likely to be neglected during the summer break. Try scheduling some “me time”, take a long bath and delve into a book once the children are in bed, and incorporate mindfulness into your day.

School’s out for summer, school holidays mean lots of free time for our children, but it can be stressful if you're trying to work and entertain them. Here are 6 ways to get support.

21/08/2025

Travel

Remember if you’re going away this year, particularly around the August Bank Holiday, it’s important to ensure you’ve got enough of your medications to last for your entire trip. Please allow 3 - 5 days when you order your prescription.

Why not use your time away this summer to have a social media break? Evidence suggests that switching off for a period can have a huge positive impact on your mental health. A digital detox can help you to be more present, to focus more on those around you, and it reduces stress and anxiety. Give it a try!
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/...break-from-social-media-improve-mental-health

18/08/2025

NHS App

Not sure where to start with using the NHS App? The NHS App can be so useful for you as a patient, for ordering your prescriptions, for checking your messages and even appointments. If you’re new to using a smartphone, or finding it difficult to navigate, this leaflet is helpful:https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/.../2022-pics/how-to-use-the-nhs-app-leaflet.pdf

If you’d like some one-to-one help, pop in to see our NHS App Ambassador [fill in their details/availability] and they will be happy to help.

15/08/2025

Measles

Measles cases are on the rise in the UK. Vaccination is vital to protect both your own children and those around you who are vulnerable. If you’ve missed a dose, or you haven’t started yet, it’s never too late to catch up. Book an appointment by [add booking details].

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases, and while anti-vaccine stories are often spread on social media, these may not be based on scientific evidence and could put your child at risk of a serious illness.

Facts:
• Vaccines do not cause autism – studies have found no evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism
• They do not overload or weaken the immune system
• Vaccines undergo rigorous safety testing before being introduced – they’re also constantly monitored for side effects

If people are not vaccinated, serious illnesses can spread. Measles can lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis, and may even be fatal. Book your child’s vaccine today.

12/08/2025

Antibiotics

Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts both you and others at risk. Resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern, and it’s important that we control usage to keep them working for when they’re really needed. In some cases, you may not need an antibiotic so ensure you trust your Doctor, Nurse or Pharmacist’s advice as to when they’re required. Take antibiotics as directed and never save them for later use or share them with others.

It’s been dubbed “the end of modern medicine”. BBC Future asked experts to explain how we might avoid the worst effects of antibiotic resistance – a grand challenge of our age.

06/08/2025

Hair Loss Awareness Month, 1st-31st August

Did you know that August is Hair Loss Awareness Month? You may not know this, but it’s normal to lose around 50-110 hairs per day.

Normally losing extra hair is nothing to worry about, but excessive loss can be a sign of an underlying condition so if you’re worried, it’s important to speak to your Doctor.
https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/

Around 40% of women over the age of 50 experience noticeable hair loss and this can impact on both self-confidence and emotional wellbeing. Here are some tips and ideas on treatment options, and options for support:
https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/coping-tips-for-women/

03/08/2025

Psoriasis Action Month, 1st-31st August

Psoriasis affects people of all genders, races and ages, and can appear on various parts of the body at any time. No one really knows what causes it and that’s why it’s so important to understand how to manage it effectively when symptoms arise.

Every individual is unique and finding the right approach can take time. If you’re struggling, book an appointment with your GP or find more information here: https://www.psoriasis.org/

01/08/2025

World Breastfeeding Awareness Week, 1st-7th August

“Invest in Breastfeeding, Invest in the Future” this World Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Showing support and encouraging breastfeeding creates healthy babies and empowered mothers. We’re breastfeeding friendly at [enter clinic name].

Breastfeeding may not always be easy at first, but after some practice, you’ll find it an easy and rewarding way to feed. It has lots of benefits for your baby and you:
• Your breast milk meets all of your baby’s nutritional needs
• Breast milk protects your baby from infections and diseases
• Breastfeeding provides health benefits for you
• Breast milk is available for your baby whenever your baby needs it
If you need help with breastfeeding, speak to your Health Visitor, find local services in your red book or contact here:
https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/help-and-support/

30/07/2025

Emotional Resilience Workshops at Darlington Mind offer a supportive space to explore practical ways of looking after your mental wellbeing.

Each session is relaxed and informal. You’ll have the chance to learn simple tools to help manage everyday stress, build confidence and feel more in control.

We’ll look at things like:

- Managing stress and overwhelm
- Understanding your own emotional responses
- Strengthening confidence and coping skills

🗓️ Next session: Thursday 7th August
💷 £5 per session
📍 Sessions take place at Darlington Mind

You’re welcome to come to just one or join us regularly.

To find out more or book your place:
📧 contactus@darlingtonmind.com
📞 01325 283169 / 07572 888084

As always, please share to help spread the word. You never know who might need a little extra support right now.

28/07/2025

Water safety

When temperatures rise, water accidents are more likely to occur, with nearly half of drownings happening between May and August. If you’re thinking about swimming, always follow the Water Safety Code.
https://www.rlss.org.uk/listing/category/summer-water-safety

While they look fun, it’s so important to never swim in the sea with inflatables. They can easily be swept out by currents or offshore winds, leaving you in danger. Keep them for your local pool!
https://hmcoastguard.uk/on-the-beach

47% of UK accidental drownings occur between May and August.* We also see a heightened risk of drowning when air temperatures are higher.  When UK average maximum air temperatures reach or exceed 25°C... There is a fivefold increase in accidental drowning risk, when compared to days with an...

25/07/2025

Yesterday we put together the first ever Sports Day in our Pain Cafe, despite the competition being fierce, we had a great time with lots of laughs.
Our Pain Cafe is a safe space to come along for activities, education around pain and to how manage it, some laughs, and, most importantly, peer support, to know you are not going through it alone.
If you would like to come along we run from Firthmoor Community Centre every Thursday from 1030-12pm.

Yesterday we put together the first ever Sports Day in our Pain Cafe, despite the competition being fierce, we had a great time with lots of laughs.
Our Pain Cafe is a safe space to come along for activities, education around pain and to how manage it, some laughs, and, most importantly, peer support, to know you are not going through it alone.
If you would like to come along we run from Firthmoor Community Centre every Thursday from 1030-12pm.

25/07/2025

Thankyou to Amy and colleagues at Newcastle Building Society for providing a Financial Education presentation to some of our patients connected to our social prescribing team.

This was an informative talk about current scams and financial safety.