Southend Medical Centre

22/11/2025

A new Men's Health Strategy has been launched this week by Department of Health and Social Care.

In terms of cancer care this includes benefits for men being monitored for prostate cancer - with prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing being developed for home use.

Chiara De Biase, Director at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "We’re pleased to see the government prioritising improvement of men’s experience of prostate cancer care as part of the Men’s Health Strategy. Vital changes like giving men more control over their health and providing them with personalised support is long overdue."

The strategy also mentions about risk factors linked to developing cancer and about the importance of the lung cancer screening programme

Find out more about the new strategy at: https://tinyurl.com/499d2x2c

Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System NHS SNEE ICB - Ipswich and East Suffolk BLMKHealthandCare Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex

22/11/2025

The festive season is fast approaching 🎄Christmas can bring so much joy, but it can also be a time of huge stress. If you have any tips on how to cope through the festive period, when things get a bit too intense, pop them in the comments.

Although stress isn't a mental health condition, the two are closely related – stress can lead to poor mental health, and poor mental health can cause stress. Find out more about stress and how to look after yourself on our website💙

22/11/2025

Keep your medications handy and take them as prescribed 💊

Make sure you request your repeat prescriptions in good time so that you don’t run out and always follow your asthma or COPD action plan.

To find out more winter tips, visit our website: https://orlo.uk/fiV8v

22/11/2025

22/11/2025

Show your support this by getting tested for HIV 🩸

Next Friday 28th November we'll be hosting a HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea testing drop-in at Westcliff Library 📚

No appointment booking needed -- just visit us between 1-4pm.

Thanks to Southend Libraries for your support!

of your sexual health: brook.org.uk/campaigns/take-charge

22/11/2025

22/11/2025

Stop by Southend Victoria Plaza today, 10.30am - 2.30pm where over 25 local groups are ready to talk to you about volunteering opportunities!

22/11/2025

22/11/2025

The best way to understand your blood pressure is to check it regularly.
Our online blood pressure tool will help you understand what your numbers mean and give you tips on how to manage your blood pressure.
➡️ www.nhs.uk/blood-pressure-tool

22/11/2025

Did you know?

💜 Important information for those aged 71 and over regarding breast screening 💜

While it is important to continue to self-check every month, attending routine mammograms is essential.

Under the NHS Breast Screening Programme, anyone registered with a GP as female between the ages of 50 and 70 are automatically invited for a mammogram every three years. Those registered with a GP as male, will not be invited for a mammogram. (source: Public Health England)

However, once you turn 71, you will no longer receive an automatic invitation.

But screening doesn’t stop there: it is vital that you you still book a free mammogram every three years as the risk of breast cancer increases with age.

To arrange this, simply NHS South Essex Breast Screening Service 📲 0300 443 5422 to arrange an appointment.

Please note - if you live outside of South Essex, please contact your GP for your local screening phone number.

What you can do:

➡ If you’re 71 or over and haven’t had a mammogram in the past three years, consider booking one through your local screening unit.
➡ Continue being breast aware by looking out for any changes and speak to your GP if something doesn’t feel right
➡ Share this information with friends and family. Many people are unaware they need to book manually after 70

At Lady McAdden, we’re always here to guide, support and empower you to make the choices that are right for your health.

To book an appointment with one of a our dedicated nurses, call 📲 01702 343288 or book online https://ladymcadden.org/book-an-appointment/

22/11/2025

If you’ve got an idea to make your community a safer, happier and healthier place to live, and would like to apply for funding, we would love to hear from you!

Big Sparks is providing a £40,000 fund to the ‘West Central’ locality, which includes Blenheim Park, Chalkwell, Milton, Prittlewell, St Laurence and Westborough wards.

✅ Up to £1,000 for individual resident projects (residents must live in the locality in question)
✅ Up to £5,000 for organisations based in the locality in question

To find out more about Big Sparks, please visit: https://orlo.uk/M5WkU

19/11/2025

As winter pressure continue please remember to utilise pharmacy first services who can diagnose and treat some common illnesses without the need to see a GP.