Brynhyfryd Medical Centre

04/02/2026

Being told you may have cancer and need an urgent hospital referral to find out one way or the other is one of the most anxious and worrying times in anyone’s life.

Now a suite of five videos has been created which offer information and support and empower people to make positive changes for their health, while they wait for their appointment.

The first video explains the urgent referral process - and emphasises how most people referred to hospital this way do not end up with a cancer diagnosis.

The other videos discuss managing anxiety and ways to improve overall health and wellbeing, including physical activity, nutrition and dealing with harmful habits.

View the videos via this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCo7SZSH_W4PMnWHQqLCUeAtcvvjjLP3

The project has been led by Dr Gemma Eccles, Swansea Bays’ Primary Care Cancer Clinical Lead, supported by Jo Horton, Consultant Therapist and Lead for Cancer Therapies.

The videos are believed to be the first offering health optimisation advice for people who have been referred to hospital on an urgent suspected cancer pathway.

Today is World Cancer Day, and the clinicians behind the videos have talked about why they’ve made them.

Gemma explained: “The vast majority of patients referred into hospital on urgent suspected cancer pathways will not be diagnosed with cancer.

“But understandably patients can feel quite anxious and helpless at this time as they are worried that they may have cancer.

“We wanted to empower them to be able to make positive changes for their health and use their waiting time to get as fit as possible prior to being seen. We also wanted to offer advice on managing the anxious feelings and worry that waiting for an urgent appointment can bring.

“Even if they thankfully do not get a cancer diagnosis, this time is still a great opportunity for people to think about their lifestyle and make changes if there are things they can do to improve their health.”

Jo added: “Urgent suspected cancer appointments can often be given at short notice. We wanted to make videos to prepare people for what to expect so that they are better able to get ready for their appointment.

“We hope that watching the videos will offer some reassurance to patients who are waiting to be seen, as well as giving some simple tips for improving their health and managing the worry that can come with having an urgent referral.”

The videos, which have now been endorsed by the National Cancer Team at NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, can be found on the Swansea Bay UHB website via the ‘Waiting Well’ section, and are also available - in English and in Welsh – via the YouTube playlist already mentioned earlier: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCo7SZSH_W4PMnWHQqLCUeAtcvvjjLP3

29/01/2026

Swansea Bay’s pelvic health physiotherapy service is running free community-based educational sessions about pelvic floor and health.

The sessions are available to women aged 16 and over, and supporting partners are also welcome to attend too.

They will cover information on bladder symptoms, such as leaking when you're laughing, jumping or exercising, or bladder overactivity, bowel problems such as faecal incontinence, prolapse symptoms, and pain with in*******se.

The team will also talk about menstrual health and pelvic floor symptoms to look out for in menopause.

The information provided will be relevant to women at various life stages.

Upcoming sessions will be held at:
👉 Tesco Llansamlet’s community room
👉 Morrisons Baglan’s community room

You can find all of the dates and can book onto any of the sessions here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/pelvic-health-physiotherapy-sbuhb-119936844861

28/01/2026

19/01/2026

Are you living in Wales and taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms? We’re running a voluntary survey to learn more about the care you receive from NHS Wales — especially around treatment reviews and how they could be improved.
Share your experience and help shape future care:

15/01/2026

Women with a urinary tract infection can now be assessed and treated, if needed, at all community pharmacies in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

The service is available to most women aged between 16 to 64, who have symptoms of a UTI.

These can include pain or a burning sensation when p*eing, needing to p*e more often than usual, needing to p*e suddenly or more urgently than usual and lower tummy discomfort, among other symptoms.

You must register for the Common Ailments Service at your pharmacy to be able to access it, which only takes a few minutes.

Pharmacists will complete a clinical assessment in a private consultation room to determine whether treatment is needed. In some cases, a urine test may be required.

If treatment is required, the pharmacist can provide this without the need for you to see a GP.

They can also offer self-care advice and information on what to do should symptoms worsen.

Community pharmacies may ask you to call back or advise you to book an appointment, so please check availability at your local pharmacy.

04/01/2026

Winter is upon us.

It’s a great time for getting cosy and hunkering down, but for many the shorter days and longer nights can take a toll on sleep.

As the daylight hours dwindle, our internal body clocks - or circadian rhythms - can get thrown off balance, leaving us feeling groggy and sluggish during the day, or wide awake at night when we should really be winding down.

But it’s not all bad news. A few simple habits can help you keep your body clock in sync, meaning sounder sleep through these darker months.

1. Maximise morning light exposure
Try to get outside within an hour of waking, even on cloudy days. A dose of natural light helps reset your circadian rhythm and boosts alertness.

2. Use a light therapy lamp
Busy lives mean often waking before sunrise, and then working indoors all day. A lightbox can mimic sunshine – aim for 20–30 minutes of exposure in the morning hours to simulate daylight.

3. Stick to a sleep schedule
Consistency is key. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to stabilise your internal clock and boost sleep quality.

4. Limit screen time before bed
Nocturnal doom-scrolling can leave you feeling emotionally drained, and blue light from phones and computers can delay production of melatonin, the hormone which naturally rises at night to promote sleep. Try switching to night mode, using blue light filters or – better still – switching off entirely.

5. Create a wind-down routine
Instead of staring at a screen, dim the lights, read a book or do gentle stretches before bed. Diet counts, too – avoid caffeine and big meals late in the day.

Help with sleep from NHS Wales

If you need a little extra help nodding off, try SilverCloud programme ‘Space for Sleep’.

It’s an online, self-help programme based on cognitive behavioural therapy, clinically proven to help you feel better.

Anyone aged 16+ can self-refer without seeing a GP. 20 minutes a day, three times a week is all it takes. You can work on it on any mobile device, anytime, anywhere – even in bed!

Learn more and self-refer: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/onboard/nhswales/programs/89/details

22/12/2025

Your Diabetes team will be unavailable 25th, 26th 27th and 28th December and 1st January 2026. However, all other days over the festive period we are open as normal for help and support, our lines are open 08:30 to 16:00, we do not offer a walk-in service.

• Neath Port Talbot 01639 862485
• Singleton 01792 285204
• Morriston 01792 703911

Make sure you are stocked up on all the medications you normally take (insulin, testing strips, tablets), today (22.12.2025) will be the last day to order your repeat prescriptions to be able to collect on 24.12.25. If you require any medication, please contact your GP surgery.

If you become unwell during the festive period, follow your sick day rules, if you need help and advice contact NHS Wales 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you require an out of hours GP appointment, contact 111. In the event of an emergency please call 999 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

There are a number of pharmacies which will be open over the festive break, https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/urgentout-of-hours/pharmacy-rotas/bank-holiday-pharmacy-rotas/

At some point during the festive period, you may find that you have higher blood sugar levels than normal due to being less active than usual, overindulging, or changing your routine. While one or two high readings shouldn’t affect your long-term health or diabetes management, take care not to let your blood sugar levels stay high for long, as you could start to feel unwell.

Although we all love putting our feet up and relaxing over the festive period, it’s important to keep active. Being physically active can help lower your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and blood fats over the Christmas period and help you manage your weight. There are lots of easy and fun ways to fit in some physical activity, even when it’s cold. A brisk walk is a great way to stay active

Eating and drinking at Christmas time is part of the fun, and there is no need to completely miss out on certain foods and drinks. Try to be mindful about your choices, and don’t worry if you eat a little more than usual, or have some less healthy options. A small break from your usual routine is normal over Christmas - enjoy it, and simply return to your regular habits the next day.

To find out more about diabetes and Christmas, visit the Diabetes.org.uk website.

On behalf of the Diabetes team, Merry Christmas.

17/12/2025

💉 Missed your flu vaccine appointments or yet to be invited?

We will be running catch-up clinics across the Swansea Bay UHB area over the month of December at different locations.

These offerings will be for all eligible adults, and children aged 2 to 16 years old (who will be given the fluenz nasal spray 👃).

No appointment needed, just drop in!

🤧 Every year, millions of people in Wales get vaccinated against the flu virus to protect themselves, loved ones and their community.

Flu can be life-threatening, especially for those most at risk of serious illness. This winter, flu is circulating earlier than previous years.

❄️ No one wants to be ill over the winter period. Your best chances of protecting yourself, and to stop the spread of flu to those you care about, is by getting the flu vaccine.

December catch-up clinic information:

Wednesday 17th December – Immbulance at Neath Town Centre Main Square (opposite Costa), New Street, Neath, SA11 1RT. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 17th December - Swansea Mosque, 159a St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4DG. 10:00am – 4:30pm.

Thursday 18th December – Ystradowen Community Centre CGYCC, 38 New Road, Ystradowen, Swansea, SA9 2YY. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Friday 19th December – Penclawdd Health Centre, Beach Road, Penclawdd, Swansea, SA4 3YN. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

22/11/2025

20/11/2025

For patients with diabetes using Libre sensors, if you have an error message or it falls off, you can contact their customer service for technical support and a free replacement:

Lines are open Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm and weekends/bank holidays 9am - 5pm. Or click link below to request replacement sensors online ⬇️

Need help? Fill in our online sensor support form for Patients from United Kingdom for your FreeStyle Libre 2 or 3 sensor today.

16/11/2025

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.

12/11/2025

A handheld device is helping to screen and diagnose people with chronic lung conditions much sooner in the community.

GP practices across Swansea Bay have been given screening devices which help detect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

If a GP suspects a patient may have a lung condition, they will be asked to complete a spirometry test – a lung function test that measures the amount and sp*ed of air a person can breathe out in a single forced breath.

Those who receive a reading that identifies a form of obstruction in the lungs are then referred to a spirometry clinic based at either Estuary Group Practice in Gowerton or Dyfed Road Health Centre in Neath.

The spirometry clinics, which are held on weekends, are helping patients to be seen and diagnosed sooner while also bringing their care closer to home.

It has even gained national attention after being shortlisted in the Clinical Improvement – Public Health and Prevention category at the General Practice Awards, held in London in December.

Dr Kannan Muthuvairavan is the health board’s primary care lead for respiratory diseases and a GP at Estuary Group Practice.

He said: “The spirometry clinic builds on a previously successful community model, where just over a quarter of patients referred to it were diagnosed with COPD.

“This time, we have been able to create an additional clinic in Neath, to make it more convenient for patients.

“Previously, the GPs would refer any patient they thought needed to be screened for COPD to the spirometry clinic where we would screen them.

“We saw around 1,900 patients yet we identified 541 new patients with COPD.

“This time, we have introduced the screening device called COPD 6 to all participating GP practices, so they can screen their patients themselves to help them to decide if a referral to one of our clinics is necessary.”

During the first six months of the clinics being reintroduced, around 310 patients were referred.

200 of them had been screened with the device at their GP practice before being referred to the clinic and 70 per cent were confirmed to have COPD.

The remaining 110 patients were referred from non-participating practices so had not been screened first, and of those 30 per cent had COPD.

During the screening, patients are asked to blow into the COPD 6 device as hard and fast as they can. If there is an obstruction in the lungs as they blow out, it is likely to be caused by asthma or COPD.

November is COPD Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic respiratory condition.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the collective name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

During this month, we'll be highlighting the services, self-management guidance and support available to people living with COPD.

“Using the screening device first means that patients won’t be unnecessarily referred to the clinics to be tested further if it’s not needed,” Kannan added.

“The number of referrals we receive has come down because the device is helping to ensure the right patients are referred to the clinics.

“Once they have been referred to the spirometry clinic, they must blow into the device again so we can recheck their results.

“We then give them a Ventolin inhaler, which should help to open their airways, and ask them to wait 15 minutes before checking it again.

“If the result has improved and they are able to blow more air out than they did previously, we know it’s a reversible obstruction which is asthma.

“But if the condition didn’t improve, then it is irreversible which is COPD.”

The clinics have been helping to diagnose patients sooner, therefore reducing the risk of future hospital admissions had the condition gone undiagnosed.

There have also been large cost savings for the health board too.

Kannan said: “It is helping to reduce GP practice attendances, because undiagnosed patients are likely to attend their GP practice on average twice a year with flare-ups.

“Being able to diagnose patients much quicker will help reduce the risk of their condition worsening in the long run.

“Because we are diagnosing patients sooner, we are saving long-term costs by helping to prevent hospital admissions too.

“The COPD 6 is just a simple tool which costs us around £70 to £80 per device. But if a spirometry test is done in hospital it would cost around £200.”

The success of the clinics has even gained national attention after the health board presented a poster highlighting the project at the National Respiratory Leadership Forum recently held in London.

“AstraZeneca hosts the forum where leaders in COPD from almost every region attend,” Kannan added.

“They asked us to produce a poster about the spirometry clinics and it was accepted and we presented it at the event.

“It piqued a lot of interest and I have had people from across the UK contacting me to find out more about the device, how we have implemented it and if we can share information with them.”

Pictured: Dr Kannan Muthuvairavan and respiratory specialist nurse Rebecca Bevan.