Willington Medical Group

11/03/2026

Today is No Smoking Day 🚭

If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking, there are lots of free tools, medications and therapies that can help

📞 Contact the surgery to book with our Stop Smoking Advisor today

A smoke-free life starts with a smoke-free day

06/03/2026

Where will you hear the bell at 6pm? 🔔

At 6pm today, Greene King Brewery pubs across the UK will ring their bells early for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, to highlight that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK.

In just five years, the number of men living with prostate cancer in the UK has surged by 20%, so we’re encouraging everyone to take a moment, start the conversation, and find out more about the signs and symptoms - because catching cancer early can make all the difference.

If you or someone you care about have received a diagnosis and have questions or need support, the Macmillan Support Line is there to help and free for anyone to call.

From Macmillan's helpline and 24-hour peer-to-peer support on its Online Community, to its interpreter service and in-person Information and Support Centres across the UK, support is available for everybody living with cancer, whoever they are, wherever they live.

So, when the bell rings, how will you start the conversation with the men in your life? Let's get clued up on the symptoms and remind loved ones to get checked. 💚

06/03/2026

🚭 A smoke-free life starts with a smoke-free day, and No Smoking Day is coming up soon

✔️ Make Wednesday 11th March your quit day

05/03/2026

NHS Talking Therapies treatment gives you practical skills and techniques to overcome panic disorder and other conditions.

Search NHS Talking Therapies to find out more or to refer yourself.

05/03/2026

March is ovarian cancer awareness month 🩷🎀

Understanding the symptoms of ovarian cancer is so important for early detection. Common symptoms include:

➡️Persistent bloating
➡️Pelvic or abdominal pain
➡️Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
➡️Changes in urinary habits
➡️Fatigue
➡️Unexplained weight loss or gain

Ovarian Cancer Action have a downloadable ovarian cancer symptoms tracker, to help conversations with your GP:https://ovarian.org.uk/documents/465/OCA_Symptons_diary.pdf

02/03/2026

If Type 1 Diabetes is left undiagnosed, it can get really serious, really quickly. But knowing the signs can avoid a medical emergency and save lives

🚽 Toilet: Going for a wee more often
🥤 Thirsty: Non-stop thirst and drinking more than usual
💤 Tired: Feeling more tired and having less energy than usual.
⚖️ Thinner: Unexplained weight loss

Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-1-diabetes/symptoms for more information, or contact the practice if you are concerned about Type 1 Diabetes

26/02/2026

🧡 Eating Disorders Awareness Week 🧡

Right now, at least 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder - and this doesn't include the partners, friends and family members affected too

You are not alone

If you’re affected by an eating disorder, Beat Eating Disorders has a helpline open from 3 to 8pm Monday to Friday: 0808 801 0677

Or visit their website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

23/02/2026

☎️ Helplines Awareness Day ❤️

Helplines play an important role in supporting you through distressing or uncertain times

If you or someone you know could benefit from extra help, you might find the following helplines that we have put together useful:

Macmillan Cancer Support
📞 0808 808 00 00

Mind
📞 0300 123 3393

Prostate Cancer UK
📞 0800 074 8383

Lymphoma Action
📞 0808 808 5555

If U Care Share
📞 0800 094 8282

Stop Smoking Durham
📞 0800 122 3644

Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services Durham
📞 0300 002 1116

Citizens Advice Bureau
📞 0800 144 8848

Best Start Family Hub
📞 03000 261 111

Multiple Sclerosis Society
📞 08088 008 000

12/02/2026

🚨 We are still very short staffed today and will be for the rest of the week. We are covering as best as we can with the staff available.

We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate everyone's understanding. Please bear with us as it may take longer for phone calls to be answered

11/02/2026

Children’s Mental Health Week 🩵

If a child or young person is finding things tough, help is available and they don’t have to cope alone. An appointment can be made with the GP for support.

Other resources and contacts for Children & Young People:

Visit:
🔗 YoungMinds: www.youngminds.org.uk
🔗 Recovery College Online: www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk

Call:
📞 PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 – 0800 068 4141
📞 Childline – 0800 1111
📞 Samaritans – 116 123

Text:
📱 SHOUT to 85258
📱 Papyrus on 88247

For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option

11/02/2026

🚭 Thinking about quitting smoking and don't know where to start?

Answer simple questions to get a personalised 8-step quit smoking plan

It will help you prepare for your quit date, show how much money you can save, and give tips for managing smoking triggers

Visit:

Get your free Personal Quit Plan to help you quit smoking. Quitting is easier with the right support. Stop smoking for 28 days and you're 5 times more likely to quit for good.