Summer Health

Published: 26 June 2018

Normal Opening Tuesday 28th August

Sun protection
Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn doesn’t just happen on holiday – you can burn in the UK, even when it’s cloudy. There’s no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan doesn’t protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects. Don’t rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun’s at its hottest between 11am-3pm. Everyone who’s exposed to UV light is at risk of getting sunburn, but some people are more vulnerable than others. You may be more vulnerable if you:

• have pale or white skin
• have freckles or red or fair hair
• tend to burn rather than tan
• have many moles
• have skin problems relating to a medical condition
• are only exposed to intense sun occasionally – for example, while on holiday
• are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense
• have a family history of skin cancer

Snow, sand, concrete and water can reflect the sun’s rays on to your skin, and the sun is more intense at high altitudes. 

For further information visit www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

Do you want to have your say?
Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) will be meeting at Willingham Medical Practice on Thursday 20th Sept from 1:15pm-3:15pm. If you want to have your say and get involved with important issues concerning the practice, please feel free to join us. Please contact the Practice Manager for further details.

Keeping cool this summer
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot for too long there are health risks. If a heatwave hits this summer, make sure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know. Tips for coping in hot weather:

• Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it is cooler.
• Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat.
• Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and diluted fruit juice. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) or drinks high in sugar.
• Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat and sunglasses if you go outdoors.
• Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

Surgery Donations
We would like to thank our patients, and their friends and families for the generous donations to the surgery equipment fund. We were able to purchase a new hearing test machine for the surgery with donation money received.

Pharmacy
The Pharmacy at Willingham Surgery can help with many of your travel essentials, so pop in for some free advice and get stocked up for the summer.

Carers Support Meetings
Please note there will not be a carers meeting in August due to annual leave. Our next meetings at Willingham Surgery are on Weds 5th September and Weds 3rd October . If you are a carer, please pop along and get some support from other people in the local community. We will put you in touch with other agencies who can advise on benefits, and offer support and relief when you most need it. Refreshments provided, no need to pre-book and completely FREE! Please contact Sue Lawson at the surgery or email her at susan.lawson7@nhs.net for more information.

Cambridgeshire Hearing Clinics
The next Hearing Aid Clinics at Willingham Surgery are 15th August, 19th September & 17th October. No appointment necessary, just pop along for your free NHS hearing aid batteries and for help and advice regarding hearing loss.

Missed appointments
In May there were 95 missed GP appointments in Willingham Surgery. This equates to 19.5 hours in consultation time lost, at a cost of *£2375. Please cancel your appointment if it is no longer required so we can offer it to someone else.(*An average GP appointment costs £25).

A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment. If we are closed, please call 111, who will give advice and direct you to the most suitable local service.