Brynhyfryd Medical Centre

09/09/2025

NEW: *NHS Wales app users* - the Swansea Bay Patient Portal/Patients Know best is now available via the NHS Wales app. Find it under My health/More health records.

Are you over the age of 16 and recently, currently or about to receive hospital outpatient care?

Do you want access to your health information at your fingertips? Manage your healthcare from the comfort of your own home? Get a range of blood test results sent directly to your own smartphone, laptop, tablet or PC, along with your appointment letters and more?

The Swansea Bay Patient Portal (powered by Patients Know Best) is a secure online service which gives you access to your health information, and it’s convenient – you can access it anytime and anywhere.

You can also share some or all of your health information with family members, carers or other health care professionals who need to see it.

Once you sign up to the Swansea Bay Patient Portal you’ll have a wide range of clinical information and resources to support your health and wellbeing - available in your pocket.
Interested? Find out more here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/Patient-Portal-PKB

Details of how to sign up are included in the information drop down list on the webpage. Or if you are an NHS Wales app user, find it under My health/More health records.

If you have any problems signing up, or any further queries, please email: SBU.PatientPortal@wales.nhs.uk Please include your NHS number, if you know it, so the team can assist you as quickly as possible.

08/09/2025

30/08/2025

Forget Joe Wicks’ workout videos… Swansea Bay physiotherapists have filmed their own guide to help older people move more to boost their overall health and wellbeing.

The four-minute video demonstrates six simple mobility exercises, which can be carried out from a sitting position, designed to maintain mobility.

Being active helps to prevent deconditioning, which is a chain reaction of negative effects. For example, inactivity means muscles weaken, so individuals have a greater risk of falling over when they stand up and move around.

Sitting or lying still for too long can also cause pressure ulcers, increase confusion and disorientation and can lead to not eating or drinking enough.

All of these things have the potential to cause further harm and for inpatients, longer hospital stays.

The video has been timed to coincide with the health board’s Active August campaign, which focuses on helping counteract deconditioning - the medical term for the negative impact on your physical and mental health caused by sitting or lying down for long periods of time.

Rebecca Fayle, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, helped produce the video.

She said: “Deconditioning refers to the loss of physical fitness and function, often occurring during prolonged hospitalisation or as a result of periods of immobilisation.

“Individuals can avoid deconditioning by undertaking small steps to maintain their range of movement and strength. These can include regular mobilisation, functional activities and regular exercises.

“This video includes some basic exercises that can be undertaken by individuals during hospital admissions or at home to maintain their strength and mobility. These exercises provide some stretches and strengthening exercises for upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs.”

Physiotherapist Carys Edmunds, who appears in the video, said: “I'd just like to say thank you all for the great experience of taking part in promoting exercise and the importance of movement, especially in our busy department.

“Even though I was a little nervous, it ended up being a lot of fun, and I really appreciate the opportunity.

“Hopefully, both patients and staff will gain a lot from the video. It’s so important that we continue to enhance physiotherapy services and highlight how crucial exercise is in preventing deconditioning, particularly in older adults.”

Physiotherapist Ceiron Browning, who worked on the video, said: “In preparation for the video, having worked in front door services, we really do see the value and importance of exercise and keeping active.

“It's great to use our passion for conditioning and keeping active to support others and facilitate people going home safe and confident, providing them the knowledge to stay independent.”

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofADozJvwIQ

06/08/2025

If you have received a letter inviting you to an appointment with the diabetes prevention team, please book in as soon as possible.

The team is made up of specially trained dietetic support workers who provide a 30-minute intervention.

During that time, they will discuss topics such as physical activity, healthy eating and promote other lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and alcohol reduction.

An increase in physical activity and having a healthy diet are just some of the steps you can take to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

The letter you receive will be from your GP practice on behalf of the diabetes prevention team. To book an appointment, please contact the diabetes prevention team directly. Their contact details will be available on your letter.

There are morning or afternoon clinics available at a number of locations across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

If you previously received a letter and didn’t make an appointment, it’s not too late to book in now.

You can find more information about the service and how it’s helping patients here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/news/swansea-bay-health-news/patients-educated-and-supported-to-help-prevent-developing-diabetes/

07/07/2025

📢 Find information online about the services and support you can access within our Penderi Cluster area.

Discover a variety of support groups and organisations local to you, tips on living a healthy lifestyle and information about a range of services provided by our cluster.

💻 You can find the pages here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/penderi-cluster/

26/06/2025

Just a reminder that when you place an online order for a repeat prescription via the new system it will be at you pharmacy in 48 hours. If you’ve not had a text from them pop in and ask if it’s ready for collection 💊

19/06/2025

10/06/2025

Our April activity data.

10/06/2025

NHS Wales diabetes prevention programme cuts risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly a quarter

An evaluation of the All-Wales Diabetes Prevention Programme shows it’s helping to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by cutting the risk of progression by 23% among those identified as pre-diabetic.

With over 220,000 people in Wales already living with diabetes, expanding access to this effective programme could help prevent thousands more cases in the future.

Read more: https://phw.nhs.wales/news/nhs-wales-diabetes-prevention-programme-cuts-risk-of-developing-type-2-diabetes-by-nearly-a-quarter/

05/06/2025

Diabetes in the UK is rising and making people aware of the signs and symptoms is important. On the week of 9th June 2025, the department of Diabetes and Endocrine will be holding three information stands across our three main hospital sites. There will be helpful leaflets with information about the condition.

Monday 9th – Main entrance at Morriston Hospital (9am - 1pm)
Tuesday 10th – Main entrance at Singleton Hospital (10am – 2pm)
Friday 13th – Atrium at Neath Port Talbot (10am – 2pm)

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high. It can happen when your body doesn't produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces isn't effective. Or, when your body can't produce any insulin at all. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. When you’ve got type 1 diabetes, you can’t make any insulin at all. If you’ve got type 2 diabetes, which is the most common, it’s a bit different. The insulin you make either can’t work effectively, or you can’t produce enough of it. They’re different conditions, but they’re both serious.

What causes diabetes?

The causes of diabetes depend on the type of diabetes you have. What all types of diabetes have in common is that they cause people to have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood. But we all need some glucose. It’s what gives us energy. We get glucose when our bodies break down the carbohydrates that we eat or drink. And that glucose is released into our blood. We also need a hormone called insulin. It’s made by our pancreas, and its insulin that allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and fuel our bodies. If you don’t have diabetes, your pancreas senses when glucose has entered your bloodstream and releases the right amount of insulin, so the glucose can get into your cells. But if you have diabetes, this system doesn’t work.

Symptoms

The symptoms can depend on the type of diabetes you have. But the common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night
• Being really thirsty
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Losing weight without trying to
• Ge***al itching or thrush

Complications

Complications can arise such as heart disease and stroke, retina damage, kidney disease and foot problems if it is not managed or treated correctly. An increase in physical activity and having a healthy diet are just some of the steps people can take to help reduce the risk of developing the chronic condition.

If you have any concerns, please speak to your GP who can complete some investigations and make the necessary referrals.