The Thorpe Practice

20/03/2026

20/03/2026

Salt plays an important role in the body, but too much can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Many processed foods contain hidden salt, so it’s easy to consume more than recommended. On the other hand, very low salt levels can sometimes contribute to symptoms like muscle cramps, weakness or fluid balance issues, especially if combined with dehydration.

Staying well hydrated, keeping active and aiming for a balanced diet can help support healthy blood pressure. Understanding how salt affects your body can help you make informed choices. 🧂💧🩺✨

Learn about dietary salt and sodium: https://patient.info/healthy-living/healthy-eating/dietary-salt-and-sodium

Read about salt and your blood pressure: https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure/healthy-eating/salt-and-your-blood-pressure/

19/03/2026

Important Update: Support for the 8.30am Rush – Meet Emma 👋
We’re always looking for ways to improve your experience at The Thorpe Practice, especially during the busy 8.30am period when many of you are trying to contact us.

To help with this, we are introducing Emma, our new virtual receptionist. When you call the practice, you may be greeted and supported by Emma, who will guide you through your request.

Our soft launch starts today (19th March 2026). Emma will be taking a limited amount of calls between 2pm - 3pm. During this time, some calls will still be answered by our reception team as we continue to embed the system.

Please be reassured:

Our team is not being replaced by a computer – our team is still very much here and will be reviewing and responding to all requests.

Emma is simply there to help you get through more quickly and reduce waiting times.

Your request will always be looked at by a trained clinician or member of our team.

If you are struggling or need urgent help, you will still receive the support you need.

How Emma helps you:
📞 Answers calls quickly – no long waits on hold
📝 Helps you submit requests using our secure AccuRx system
👩‍⚕️ Sends your request directly to our clinical team
😊 Frees up our staff to focus on helping you
⏰ Helps reduce the 8.30am rush

Emma can be used for medical queries, prescription queries, fit notes, results and administrative requests.

Please note Emma will not take repeat prescriptions. This can be done via the NHS App.

This is part of our commitment to making access to the practice fairer, easier and less stressful for everyone.

Watch this space for more information coming over the next few days 😊

Thank you for your patience and support as we introduce this new service 💚

18/03/2026

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in places it shouldn’t, often causing symptoms like painful periods, pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, pain during s*x, and fatigue.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/H4Hz50Yvoyk

If you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms that affect your daily life, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional and describe exactly what you’re experiencing. Early recognition, understanding family history and access to support and reliable information can help you get the care you need. Trusted resources are available to help you learn more about symptoms, management and support. 💛🩺✨

Read about endometriosis symptoms and care from the NHS: https://ow.ly/hBV550Yvoya
Could bad period pains be endometriosis? Learn more: https://ow.ly/bVhT50Yvoym
Find endometriosis publications and support: https://ow.ly/ymwe50Yvoyf

17/03/2026

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease have
been confirmed in Kent. It's important to know
the signs of symptoms of meningitis and
septicaemia. Get more info from
http://nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis

15/03/2026

Good sleep habits are essential for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Struggling to fall asleep or waking frequently during the night can affect mood, concentration and overall health.

Simple changes like keeping a regular bedtime, reducing screen time before bed, limiting caffeine and creating a calm sleep environment can help improve sleep quality.

Understanding the possible causes of sleep problems and accessing trusted advice can make a real difference. Better sleep supports better days. 😴🌙💙✨

Get NHS tips on falling asleep faster and sleeping better:
https://ow.ly/bQbv50YtjoE

Understand common causes of sleep problems:
https://ow.ly/fmqE50YtjnT

Watch helpful sleep videos and advice:
https://ow.ly/8xTf50YtjnU

12/03/2026

Symptoms such as ongoing tiredness, swelling, changes in urination or persistent kidney pain should never be ignored. Lifestyle choices, hydration and underlying health conditions all play a role in kidney health.

There is also growing concern about ketamine use in young people, as it can cause serious damage to the bladder and kidneys, sometimes leading to long-term complications. Knowing the risks and acting early can help protect kidney function and overall wellbeing. 🩺💧💙✨

Learn more about kidney health and support:
https://kidneycareuk.org

Take a kidney health check:
https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/kidney-health-information/kidneyhealthcheck/

Read about ketamine risks and organ damage:
https://www.ukat.co.uk/addiction/drug/ketamine/

11/03/2026

Young Carers Action Day shines a light on the incredible young people who help care for family members, often balancing responsibilities at home with school and friendships.

The 2026 theme focuses on Action for Equality, calling for better recognition, improved support in schools, access to training and employment opportunities, and meaningful breaks so young carers can thrive just like their peers.

Some young carers may miss school activities or struggle with their mental health due to caring responsibilities, which is why awareness and understanding matter. Schools, organisations and communities can access resources and posters to help raise awareness and ensure young carers are not held back. 💙🌟✨

Learn more about Young Carers Action Day 2026:
https://carers.org/young-carers-action-day/young-carers-action-day

Access awareness resources:
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/young-carers-awareness-day-2026

10/03/2026

Tomorrow is No Smoking Day, a great opportunity to take the first step towards a smoke free future.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke. Some people turn to va**ng to help them quit smoking, but it’s important to understand the facts, including concerns often raised about “popcorn lung” and other myths.

Getting the right information and support can help you make an informed decision and move towards better health. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your body. 🚭💙✨

Learn what you need to know about va**ng:
https://ash.org.uk/key-topics/va**ng-what-you-need-to-know

Read va**ng myths and the facts:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/va**ng-to-quit-smoking/va**ng-myths-and-the-facts/

Get free NHS quit smoking support:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

08/03/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 is a time to celebrate women’s strength and resilience, and also a reminder to prioritise your health. Attending cervical screening and breast screening when invited can help detect changes early, often before symptoms appear, improving outcomes and saving lives. 💐💗🩺✨

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 : https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺) : https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/

Looking after your mental health is just as important, especially if current media stories feel overwhelming or triggering.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 : https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 : https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/how-to-look-after-your-mental-health-on-social-media

With Mother’s Day approaching, this time of year can also bring up feelings of grief and bereavement for many people, and support is available if you need it. Taking care of your physical and emotional wellbeing matters.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 : https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/managing-grief/grieving-on-mothers-day/

06/03/2026

Important Update: Support for the 8.30am Rush – Meet Emma 👋

We’re always looking for ways to improve your experience at The Thorpe Practice, especially during the busy 8.30am period when many of you are trying to contact us.

To help with this, we are introducing Emma, our new virtual receptionist. When you call the practice, you may be greeted and supported by Emma, who will guide you through your request.

We are currently in a soft-launch phase, and Emma will be officially launched on 19th March 2026. During this time, some calls may still be answered by our reception team as we continue to embed the system.

Please be reassured:

Our team is not being replaced by a computer – our team is still very much here and will be reviewing and responding to all requests.

Emma is simply there to help you get through more quickly and reduce waiting times.

Your request will always be looked at by a trained clinician or member of our team.

If you are struggling or need urgent help, you will still receive the support you need.

How Emma helps you:

📞 Answers calls quickly – no long waits on hold
📝 Helps you submit requests using our secure AccuRx system
👩‍⚕️ Sends your request directly to our clinical team
😊 Frees up our staff to focus on helping you
⏰ Helps reduce the 8.30am rush

Emma can be used for medical queries, prescription queries, fit notes, results and administrative requests.

Please note Emma will not take repeat prescriptions. This can be done via the NHS App.

This is part of our commitment to making access to the practice fairer, easier and less stressful for everyone.

Watch this space for more information coming over the next few days 😊

Thank you for your patience and support as we introduce this new service 💚

05/03/2026