Hounslow Family Practice

29/09/2023

Alzheimer’s disease affects many patients and families across the UK. It’s important to be aware of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s, so that you can get the correct care for yourself or family members who may show symptoms. Symptoms can include: forgetting events or conversations, getting lost in familiar places or on a familiar journey, forgetting appointments or specific dates and becoming increasingly disorganised. If you’re worried that you or someone you care about may be suffering with these symptoms, you should get in touch with your GP practice as soon as possible.

Alzheimer’s disease affects everyone differently. However, it has some common early symptoms, including memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties, language problems and changes in mood. These symptoms get worse over time.

24/09/2023

This year’s Migraine Awareness Week is about providing better care for the 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 10 children who suffer with migraines. It aims to stop migraines being considered as ‘just a headache’, and focuses more on the impacts that living with a migraine can actually have on a person's life. You can help by joining in on social media, fundraising and getting involved in your local community. To find out more about how to get involved, please follow the link below.

People with migraine deserve better. Join us to call for action (24-30 September)

20/09/2023

National Fitness Day helps to highlight the importance of fitness across the UK, and leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise. National Fitness Day aims to be the start of a regular fitness journey, not just a one-day event. To get involved, you can buy a NFD T-shirt to wear whilst exercising or to post on social media. National Fitness Day is about each person doing what they can to stay fit, and what fitness means to you. To find out more, please see the website below.

National Fitness Day is a chance to highlight the role physical activity plays across the UK, helping us raise awareness of its importance in helping us lead healthier and active lifestyles.

17/09/2023

World Patient Safety Day: 17th September

World Patient Safety Day helps to promote safety for all patients, and aims to help with eliminating any part of the healthcare system that might cause harm to patients. This campaign focuses on patient safety being a priority all around the world, and aims to help governments to understand ways in which they can make their healthcare systems safer. To find out more, you can see the link below.

World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) is a moment for the global health community to come together to raise public awareness, understanding and engagement globally of the need to work towards global solidarity and action by all to promote patient safety. 

14/09/2023

Sepsis can be fatal, and it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. In adults and older children, the symptoms can be concerning. Symptoms can include: confusion and slurred speech, blue or grey blotchy skin, a rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it, and irregular breathing or shortness of breath. The symptoms can be signs of the fatal reaction and it’s important to call either 999 or 111 if you have any suspicions of sepsis.

NHS information about the symptoms of sepsis in children and adults, and where and when to get help.

25/08/2023

Due to the forthcoming bank holiday on MON 28th August 2023, the practice will be closed. In case you require medical assistance and it's not an emergency, you can call 111 or attend an Urgent Care Centre (UCC).

In case of an emergency please call 999.

For non-urgent requests please continue to use askmyGP https://my.askmygp.uk/?c=E85713

Kind regards,
Drs. PS & KS Garcha

An app to allow patients to contact their registered General Practice

30/06/2023

Slips, trips and falls can become more common as you get older, and can be worrying. Most falls aren’t serious, but some can lead to broken bones and can really knock your confidence. If you have a fall, you should try to keep calm, and if you’re not hurt then you can try to slowly get up. You can roll onto your hands and knees and look for a stable piece of furniture like a table or chair. If you’re unable to get up and you’re by yourself, then you should try to get someone’s attention by shouting or banging on a wall, or, if you have one, using your personal alarm. Once you’re up, you should try to find a blanket or something warm to make sure you don’t get chilly, and to try to make yourself comfortable. If you’re falling regularly, then you might want to get a personal alarm system, or make sure you have a mobile phone in your pocket at all times. To find out more information about how to deal with a slip, trip or fall, you can see the NHS website.

Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition.

27/06/2023

If you have a disability that isn’t visible, you might sometimes struggle with feeling misunderstood, or you may feel like people are being impatient with you. To help with this, you can get a JAM card, which you can have on a lanyard, keep in your pocket, or even have on an app on your phone. A JAM card is a ‘just a minute card’ to tell people in a discreet and private way that you just need some extra time and understanding. To find out how to get a JAM card, have a look at the link below:

JAM Card allows people with a hidden disability like autism or communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily. JAM stands for ‘Just A Minute’ of patience. It is available as a digital app or physical card. Register and get yours by post or download from Goo...

24/06/2023

Armed Forces Day is used as a specific day to say thank you to our British military forces. There are many ways to get involved, such as saluting our forces and sending a video into Instagram or Facebook, signing up to the newsletter, attending an event or organising an event yourself. There are so many ways to show your support! To find out more, please see the website below:

Get InvolvedIt’s really easy to get involved in Armed Forces Day, you can…Salute Our Forces – Pay tribute to the British Armed Forces community by sending us a photo or video of yourself or your friends and colleagues saluting on Twitter (), Facebook or Instagram using the hasht...

20/06/2023

This year’s World Allergy Week is focusing on the idea of managing allergies in a changing environment. Every year a different topic is chosen to be the focus of the week. This week in June provides professionals, physicians and the general public with information about this topic, and encourages further research and understanding. To find out more about World Allergy Week, you can visit the website:

Professor Bryan L. Martin, President of the World Allergy Organization (WAO), warmly welcomes you to World Allergy Week 2023 (18-24 June).

30/05/2023

Multiple sclerosis affects around 2.8 million people around the world. MS is a condition that causes damage to the myelin that insulates the nerves. This damage affects the way that the nerves can conduct impulses to the brain. This can therefore mean that the sufferer can have blurred vision, weak limbs, tingly feelings, memory problems and fatigue. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. There is no cure for the disease, but there are treatments that can make symptoms more manageable or can modify the course of the disease.

Multiple sclerosis news, information, research, and support for everyone affected by MS

23/05/2023

It has been found that many people in the UK don’t know the proper way to apply sun cream; yet knowing this is vital as it ensures the sun cream is protecting you properly. An average-sized adult needs around 6-8 teaspoons of sun cream each time in order to be fully protected. It’s also important to make sure you’re applying sun cream to dry skin so that it can properly protect you, keeping it on for as long as possible[1] . Sun cream should be applied 20-30 minutes before going in the sun, so that it can provide the best protection, and you should reapply every two hours, or after you’ve been in water. These tips can help you to stay safe and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.

Find out how to protect your skin and eyes from UV sun damage, plus advice on using sunbeds and checking moles.

18/05/2023

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is about thinking and learning about digital inclusion and the importance of digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities or learning difficulties. There are 1 billion people around the world with disabilities, the most common of which are sight, hearing, motor or cognitive disabilities. Some examples of adjustments that might need to be made, to make the internet accessible to everyone are: captioning on videos, alternative text descriptions for images, alternative keyboards and uncluttered screens. These measures could make a huge difference to someone’s life, and give them independence. You can help by attending and participating in events and raising awareness about global accessibility.

Thursday, May 18, 2023, help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

15/05/2023

It’s important to know the difference between normal levels of stress and anxiety, and when these become a problem. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on recognising anxiety, and knowing when to reach out and ask for help. The Mental Health Foundation has some tips on how to cope with anxiety. Some of these are: focusing on your breathing, the 4-7-8 breathing technique, doing exercise, challenging your thoughts, keeping a diary, getting support and talking to people, and improving your sleeping and eating habits. These might be small ways of making a big difference to how you feel, and they can start to get you on the path to feeling better. If doing these tips doesn’t work, or you think that you might need professional help, then you should get in touch with your GP and make an appointment.

31/03/2023

The International Trans Day of Visibility aims to shed light on the struggles that transgender and non-binary people face on a daily basis. This year focuses on the ‘I am enough’ campaign. It aims to show acceptance of individuals’ identities without needing to surgically make changes, and to promote self-declaration or gender identity and the visibility of non-binary identities. The campaign is split into two sections: ‘I am enough’ and ‘You are enough’, so everyone can get involved and spread awareness.

Keep LGBT people connected!

26/03/2023

Purple Day aims to raise awareness for people living with epilepsy. Epilepsy affects a significant number of people, whether they’re sufferers or know someone who’s suffering. This day encourages people to wear purple to show their support for people living with epilepsy.

Purple Day is the international day for epilepsy awareness. Find out more about how purple day started, and how you can get involved!

23/03/2023

Hearing loss happens due to the signals from your ear to your brain not working properly. Hearing loss can occur naturally from aging, or it can be caused by a blockage or damage to your eardrum. Hearing loss isn’t preventable, but ensuring that you don’t listen to prolonged loud noise, and do use ear protection when at a concert or in a noisy work environment, may help. If you have concerns about hearing loss, you should speak to your GP.

Hearing loss is a common problem that often develops with age. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

20/03/2023

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month focuses on the symptoms of ovarian cancer, how to spot if symptoms are developing, and what you can do to find out more if you’re concerned. Some symptoms may include: persistent stomach pain, persistent bloating, difficulty eating or needing to wee more often than usual. If you’re concerned that you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, please make an appointment with your GP.

What are the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer? Read our guide on ovarian cancer symptoms to find out what to look out for and what to do if you're experiencing them