South Brent Health Centre

22/07/2025

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It's recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79.
If you are eligible, please contact reception to book an appointment.
For more information, click below.

Find out about the RSV vaccine, including who it's for, how to get it and common side effects.

09/07/2025

South Brent Health Centre is eager to ensure that local people are actively involved in deciding how the health services they use should develop. You are welcome to come along to our next PPG meeting on Wednesday 16th July @ 18.00

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of patients, carers and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and patient experience to help improve the service.

Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) work in partnership with their practices to:

help patients to take more responsibility for their health.
contribute to the continuous improvement of services and quality of care.
foster improved communication between the practice and its patients.
provide practical support for the practice and help to implement change.
To learn more about PPG in general:

We believe that every person in the United Kingdom has the right to shape the future of primary care. Representing 17.5 million people, we listen to those who are not always heard and unite those who can make a difference.

02/07/2025

❗ Missed Appointments Matter – Here's Why ❗

Every week, dozens of GP appointments go to waste because patients simply don’t turn up—and don’t let us know. Patients at South Brent Medical Centre missed 69 appointments in June 2025. These missed appointments (DNAs) might seem small, but they have a big impact:

➡️ That unused time could have helped someone urgently needing care
➡️ It increases waiting times for everyone
➡️ It puts extra pressure on NHS staff already working flat out
➡️ It costs money that could have been used to help someone who needs care

We understand that things come up—but if you can’t make it, please cancel. It only takes a minute, and it helps us care for more people in our community. You can cancel via the NHSApp, your online login (https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login), our online contact form https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/l83075, or by calling us 01364 72394.

✅ Let’s work together to make every appointment count.

30/06/2025

☀️🌡️ Hot Weather Alert – Stay Cool & Look Out for Each Other

Looks like we're in for a stretch of very hot weather here in the UK 🥵 – and while we all love a bit of sunshine, extreme heat can be tough, especially for older people and those with health conditions like asthma, heart issues, or diabetes.

Here are some simple ways to stay cool and safe over the next few days:

💧 Keep hydrated – Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Try to avoid too much tea, coffee, or alcohol.
🏠 Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day – usually between 11am and 3pm. Keep curtains closed in sunny rooms and use fans if you have them.
🧊 Cool down – Use a damp cloth on your neck and wrists, take cool showers or baths, or place your feet in a bowl of cold water.
👕 Dress appropriately – Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and a hat if you’re out and about.
🧴 Don’t forget sun cream – even in the UK, you can burn quickly in strong sun. SPF 30 or higher is best.

❤️ Please take a moment to check in on vulnerable neighbours, friends, or family members – especially those living alone or with long-term health conditions. A quick call or visit could make all the difference.

Let’s all take care of ourselves and each other. Stay safe, stay cool 😎🌿

24/06/2025

❤️❤️ Women and people with a cervix who are overdue for cervical screening in England will be offered an at-home testing option, in plans to help boost participation in the life-saving cervical screening programme.

The new initiative, announced today by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), will offer women who are six months overdue for screening a self-sampling kit to complete at home and return to a lab via pre-paid mail. Anyone whose sample shows signs of high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus), the cause of almost all cervical cancers, will then be referred to a specialist for follow-up testing.

The rollout is expected to begin in January 2026.

People who are six months overdue for cervical screening in England will now be offered self-sampling kits they can use at home.

16/06/2025

📲 Receive Screening Invitations via the NHS App! 🩺

The NHS is enhancing communication by sending screening invitations for breast, bowel and cervical cancer directly to your smartphone through the NHS App. This digital approach aims to reduce missed appointments and streamline your healthcare experience. Where app messaging is not available, communications will be sent via SMS and then by letter as a last resort. This means that people without access to smartphones and elderly patients can still receive messages through traditional routes, ensuring that no vital information is missed. Those without smartphone access will also benefit from phone lines being freed up, with many patients able to get the information they need digitally.

Key Benefits:

Convenience: Access screening invitations anytime, anywhere.

Efficiency: Receive timely reminders to stay on top of your health.

Environmental Impact: Contribute to reducing paper waste and NHS costs.

How to Get Started:

Download the NHS App: Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Enable Notifications: Ensure you turn on notifications for the NHSApp on your phone to receive updates.

Access via Web: Prefer using a computer? Log in at NHS Online Login to manage your health information.

By embracing this digital tool, you can manage your health more effectively and contribute to a more sustainable NHS.

16/06/2025

🚀 Be part of Research through the NHS App! 🧬📱

The UK is making it easier than ever to participate in life-saving clinical trials, thanks to the 10-Year Health Plan. Now, you can sign up for clinical trials directly through the NHS App and help drive medical breakthroughs.

How It Works:

Download the NHS App 📲. Select 'View all' next to the 'Your health' option. On the 'Your health' screen, choose 'Your health choices'. On the 'Your health choices screen, select 'Be part of health research'. Read the guidance, and follow the instructions to register.

Explore Trials and sign up based on your health profile

Get Updates on new trials and opportunities

Why Join?

Access Cutting-Edge Treatments 🏥

Contribute to Life-Saving Research 💡

Help Make Trials More Inclusive 🌍

Start today and be part of a healthier future!

👉 bepartofresearch.uk
👉 Download the NHS App: App Store | Google Play

09/06/2025

❤️ NATIONAL BLOOD WEEK is here! It’s a chance for us – and the whole country - to say a massive thank you to everyone who donates.

Blood donors make up a huge volunteer force, saving the lives of strangers through your acts of kindness.

But we need more giving types to help!

To keep England’s blood supply secure, over 5,000 donations are required EVERY DAY.

However, fewer than 800,000 people donated last year, representing just 2% of the population.

📢 Do you know someone who could join our team of lifesavers? We want to try and reach 1 million active donors this year, so please share this post and tell your friends and family.

It only takes an hour to donate blood, but it could give someone else a lifetime.

Click here to register ➡️ https://ow.ly/FvtA50W5uTc

22/05/2025

🚴‍♀️Whether you’re a beginner looking to cycle or get fit, or a regular cyclist wanting to commute more and reduce your carbon footprint, Devon is a fantastic county for cycling. With such a variety of green and blue spaces to explore, our beautiful county has something for everyone.🚴‍♂️

Our free adult cycle training sessions can help you get cycling, improve your skills and gain confidence. Find out more and book a session.

20/05/2025

THE PRACTICE WILL BE CLOSED FOR TRAINING FROM 12.00 TODAY (20.05.25)
IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR IN AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 111

09/05/2025

It’s Deaf Awareness Week – time to bust some myths! ❌👂Did you know? Not all deaf people use sign language & hearing aids don’t “fix” hearing loss! There are many misconceptions about deafness. Let's set the record straight. 💡💙

Learn more & get involved: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/

07/05/2025

We are currently experiencing Internet issues which affect our booking system. Please be aware that your enquiry may take a little longer than normal. The IT team are doing everything they can to resolve this problem as soon as possible.