Abbey Surgery

05/09/2025

Fun Health Friday!
🥦🍫 This or That?
If you had to give one up forever, for your health… which would you choose?
👉 Chocolate 🍫
👉 Cheese 🧀
Comment your pick below and let’s settle this once and for all!
-Team Abbey

04/09/2025

❗️The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is now OPEN❗️

📍Located in the new Dartmoor Building, on the Derriford Hospital site, the UTC will be open every day from 8am – 8pm, for patients of any age, with no appointment needed.
-Team Abbey

03/09/2025

🚨📢 Government Emergency Alert – Sunday 7th of September. 📢🚨
This Sunday, the UK Government will be testing the new Emergency Alert system.
At 3pm, all mobile phones will receive a loud siren-like sound and a message. This will happen even if your phone is on silent.
👉 What is it for?
The system is designed to warn people about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding, fires, or public safety emergencies.
👉 Important note for those at risk of domestic abuse
If you have a secret or secondary phone hidden for your safety, the alert will sound even if the phone is on silent or vibrate. This could put you at risk if you do not wish others in your household to know you have it.
🔕 How to turn alerts off (on most phones):
• iPhone: Settings > Notifications > Scroll to the bottom > Switch off Extreme Alerts and Severe Alerts.
• Android: Settings > Notifications > Wireless & Emergency Alerts > Switch off Extreme Alerts and Severe Alerts.
(Steps may vary slightly by phone model.)
⚠️ Please take steps before Sunday to ensure your safety.⚠️
For support:
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7, free)
• In an emergency, dial 999
- Team Abbey

https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out

01/09/2025

🚨 New Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) Opening 3rd September! 🚨
We’re excited to share that a brand-new Urgent Treatment Centre will open in the Dartmoor Building at Derriford Hospital.
👉 Open every day, 8am – 8pm
👉 For patients of all ages.
💡 What the UTC can help with:
✔️ Limb fractures
✔️ Sprains & strains
✔️ Minor illnesses
✔️ Minor head injuries
✔️ Cuts, bites & stings
✔️ Burns & scalds
✔️ Foreign bodies in eyes
✔️ Infected wounds
… and much more!
🅿️ Parking: 14 drop-off spaces (plus 2 disabled) – 30 mins max. For longer stays, please use the multi-storey car park.
📍 Where? The Dartmoor Building is at the top of the hospital site, opposite Costa Coffee, Boots chemist & the multi-storey.
This new UTC will work alongside the Cumberland Centre (Devonport) and Minor Injury Units in Tavistock & Kingsbridge, giving patients more choice and faster access to urgent care.
✨ Quicker treatment. More convenience. Better care.✨

30/08/2025

🌿 Abbey Surgery — Your Mental Health Support Guide 🌿
Dear patients,
Let's talk, looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical health. Whether you're feeling low, anxious, or simply need someone to listen, help is available—24/7 and entirely confidential.

❗️Emergency & Urgent Help❗️
• In immediate danger? Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
• Need urgent mental health support when the surgery is closed? Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. This service is available nationwide, 24/7.
📞Free National Listening & Crisis Helplines 📱
• Samaritans — Call 116 123 (24/7).
• Shout (Crisis Text Line) — Text SHOUT to 85258 (or YM if under 19), available 24/7.
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) — Call 0800 58 58 58 (5 pm–midnight, every day), especially for men.
• Mind — Talk to trained advisors on 0300 102 1234 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm).
• SANEline — Emotional support every evening; 0300 304 7000 (4:30 pm–10 pm).
• National Su***de Prevention Helpline UK — Listening support from 6 pm–midnight; 0800 689 5652.
• Childline — Confidential, free support for under-19s; 0800 1111 (24/7).

♂️For Men Seeking Community Support🚹
• Andy’s Man Club - Peer-led, supportive meet-ups across the UK, offering a non-judgmental space to talk. As of 2025, over 240 groups meet weekly. Find a group near you.
📍 https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
• Man Down Tavistock - A safe, informal peer-support group for men dealing with mental health challenges
📍Fortnightly on Tuesdays, Tavistock Libary The Quay, Plymouth Rd, Tavistock. PL19 8AB​
• Tavistock men in sheds - Men in Sheds is a project aimed specifically at men aged 50+ and looks to bring men together to put their practical skills to good use and encourage them to be more socially active.
https://tavistockmeninsheds.uk/
📍Kings, Pixon Lane, Tavistock, PL19 9AZ

⁉️Why This Matters⁉️
• The NHS is launching 24/7 specialist mental health emergency units across England to provide more immediate, walk-in support.
• The introduction of a dedicated mental health option via NHS 111 simplifies access to urgent care.

You are not alone—help is here when you need it. Please share this post to support others in our community.
Stay safe and take care of one another,
— The Team at Abbey Surgery

ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s su***de prevention charity offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.

28/08/2025

🍂💉Autumn Flu Vaccination Eligibility 2025💉 🍂
You may be eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine if you fall into one of the following groups:
✅ Aged 65 or over on 31st March 2026
✅ Have asthma or another chronic respiratory condition
✅ Have chronic heart disease
✅ Have chronic kidney disease
✅ Have chronic liver disease
✅ Have a chronic neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson’s, MS)
✅ Have diabetes
✅ Are immunosuppressed
✅ Have asplenia (or problems with your spleen)
✅ Are pregnant
✅ Have a BMI of 40 or above
❄️Protect yourself and those around you this winter. ❄️💉
📞 Please contact the surgery to arrange your flu vaccination if you are eligible.

26/08/2025

🐾 Happy International Dog Day! 🐾
Today we’re celebrating our four-legged friends and the amazing impact they can have on our health and wellbeing.
Dogs don’t just bring joy and companionship—they can also play a big role in supporting our mental health:
✨ Encouraging regular walks and exercise
✨ Providing companionship and reducing loneliness
✨ Offering comfort during times of stress or anxiety
✨ Helping to build daily routines and structure
Whether it’s a wagging tail after a long day or a peaceful walk in the fresh air, our dogs remind us to slow down, connect, and care for ourselves too.
Do you have a special pup that makes you smile? Share a picture of them with us in the comments—we’d love to see your furry friends! 🐶💙

22/08/2025

🦷🪥😁

21/08/2025

🌈✨ August is Happiness Happens Month! ✨🌈
Did you know there’s a whole month dedicated to celebrating joy? 🎉 That’s right – every August we celebrate Happiness Happens Month, created by the Secret Society of Happy People back in 1999. Their motto? “Don’t Even Think of Raining on My Parade!” ☀️
This month is all about recognising the big and little things that bring us happiness – from a perfect cuppa ☕ to belly laughs with friends 😂, or even the satisfaction of finding that missing sock 🧦.
💡 Fun facts about Happiness Happens Month:
• The very first “Happiness Happens Day” was August 8th, and it was such a hit they made the whole of August a happiness celebration.
• It’s a chance to notice, share and spread joy – because happiness is contagious (the good kind of contagious 🥳).
• You don’t have to be happy all the time – but this month reminds us to appreciate those happy moments when they come.
🌻 How to celebrate & boost your wellbeing:
✅ Connect with others – chat with a friend, call a loved one, or share a smile with a neighbour.
✅ Be active – a walk in the fresh air, dancing in your kitchen, or gardening can all lift your mood.
✅ Learn something new – try a new recipe, hobby or skill to spark confidence and joy.
✅ Give to others – even a small act of kindness or compliment makes a huge difference.
✅ Take notice – pause, breathe, and enjoy the little things happening around you.
So let’s make August brighter by spreading positivity like confetti 🎊. Remember, happiness isn’t about having it all – it’s about noticing the little things that make life sweet. 💛
👉 What’s made YOU happy today? Drop it in the comments – let’s start a ripple of joy! 🌊

19/08/2025

📢 Bank Holiday Reminder – Order Your Prescriptions Early 📢
With the upcoming Bank Holiday, please remember to order your repeat prescriptions in good time. 🗓️
✅ Ordering early helps ensure you have the medication you need while pharmacies and GP surgeries are closed.
✅ Don’t leave it until the last minute — request your medication today if you’re due to run out soon.
✅ You can order via the NHS App, online services, or by contacting the surgery between 2:00 - 4:00pm.
💙Let’s avoid the last-minute rush and make sure everyone stays well over the long weekend 💙

15/08/2025

💉 COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility – Abbey & Bere Alston Surgery💉
This autumn, the COVID-19 vaccination is available for:
✅ Anyone aged 75 years and over
✅ Care home residents
✅ Anyone aged 18 years and over who is immunosuppressed.
📞 Please call us on 01822 612247 to book your vaccination if you meet this criteria.
💙Let’s work together to keep our community protected this winter 💙

14/08/2025

❗️💉 Flu & COVID Vaccinations – Book Your Appointment!❗️
It’s time to book your Flu and COVID vaccinations for this autumn.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a message from us with a link to book online.
📅 Clinic Dates
Tavistock: Saturdays 4th, 11th & 18th October
Bere Alston: Fridays 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th October
If you can’t use the booking link or you need your vaccination in your car, please call us on 01822 612247.
💙Thank you for helping us keep our community healthy this winter! 💙