Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
April is bowel cancer awareness month. Did you know bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK?
The main symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
- Changes in your poo, such as having a softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing the poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look black or red
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason
Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions, having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have bowel cancer but if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for 3 weeks or more, don’t be embarrassed, see your GP!
More information can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/
Closed for Easter Bank Holidays
We will be closed on Friday 7th April and Monday 10th April for the Bank Holidays. Please make sure you have enough repeat medication to cover the long weekend.
If during this time you require medical advice or treatment you can:
Visit your pharmacy. Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints. Opening times for local Pharmacies can be downloaded or you can visit NHS Choices.
Access NHS 111. To access the service online simply visit https://111.nhs.uk/ and enter your age, sex, postcode and main symptom, and then you will be guided through a series of questions about your health problems.
To access the service via phone, simply dial 111 from any mobile or landline free of charge and you will be put through to an operator who will run through a few questions regarding your health problem in order to get you the right care.
A&E or 999. For a genuine medical emergency including; loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, persistent and or/severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that cannot be stopped call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
Free workshops for parents in Northwich
Northwich Primary Care Network (PCN), in collaboration with Eden Therapy and Wellbeing are offering a series of workshops specifically aimed at parents and carers providing support with regards to children and young people’s mental health.
Find out more by downloading the poster and leaflet below.
Happy Hearts – Together we can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke during Covid-19
Health services, local authorities, charities and other partners across Cheshire and Merseyside are working together to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Happy Hearts website is aimed at helping you to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack by giving you lots of information and tips on keeping your heart happy. The website shares local, practical information on:
- how to live healthily and stay well
- conditions that increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke, such as
- atrial fibrillation
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- how and where you can get your numbers checked
- how you can help to manage and control these conditions to lower your CVD risk
Visit the Cheshire and Merseyside Happy Hearts website to find out more.
Serious Shortage Protocol for HRT gels
The NHSBSA have released new Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for HRT products.
The SSPs apply to Oestrogel pump gel, Sandrena 0.5mg and 1mg gel sachets and Lenzetto spray.
Pharmacies are now allowed to switch patients to patches if they are unable to obtain a supply of the gels.
Pharmacies are also allowed to restrict the quantities to 3 months’ supply without contacting the prescriber.
Local pharmacies have been contacted to ensure they are aware of the SSPs.
Please note that you do not need to contact your GP, your Pharmacist will be able to look into this for you.
Changes to how to book your blood tests
From April 1st, the Phlebotomy Service at Northwich Victoria Infirmary / Leighton Hospital will change their booking procedure for blood test appointments.
You will no longer be able to book via telephone. Alternatively, they will be using a new online system which will allow patients to easily book an appointment at their preferred location (link below for convenience):
https://patientconnect.uhnm.nhs.uk/booking/services
