The De Parys Group

Planning a trip? Don't let diabetes hold you back!

While travelling with diabetes requires a bit more preparation, it shouldn't stop you from exploring the world or enjoying a staycation. Diabetes UK has put together a comprehensive checklist to ensure you're ready for your adventure. From medication management to travel insurance tips, they've got you covered.

Plan ahead, stay prepared, and enjoy your travels with confidence! Check out their essential guide here - https://orlo.uk/uqbI4

Diabetes UK

If you have any questions or feedback around the move to Enhanced Services Centre from De Parys Avenue Surgery please feel free to email in to [email protected] and we will respond to you in due course.

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but your pharmacist can detect it. They can check your blood pressure for free, and you don’t need to see a GP.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-that-offers-free-blood-pressure-checks/

It's vital that you try to avoid getting sunburn - it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Read our advice on what to look for when buying and applying sunscreen.

➡️ www.nhs.uk/sun

NHS GUIDANCE ON HOW TO COPE DURING A HEATHWAVE

How to cope in hot weather

Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. During heatwaves, more people than usual get seriously ill or die. If hot weather hits this summer, make sure it does not harm you or anyone you know.

Why is a heatwave a problem?

The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

* not drinking enough water (dehydration)
* overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who
* already have problems with their heart or breathing
* heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Who's most at risk?

A heatwave can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable people are:

* older people – especially those over 75 and female
* those who live on their own or in a care home
* people who have a serious or long-term illness including heart or * lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson's disease or * some mental health conditions
* people who are on multiple medicines that may make them more likely to be badly affected by hot weather
* those who may find it hard to keep cool – babies and the very young, the bed bound, those with drug or alcohol addictions or with Alzheimer's disease
* people who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places – those who live in a top-floor flat, the homeless or those whose jobs are outside

Tips for coping in hot weather

Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.

Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.

Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.

Requesting Prescriptions from 12th August 2024

As you are aware from 12th August 2024 De Parys Avenue surgery will be shut to patients, and you will no longer be able to drop paper prescription requests at this site. We encourage patients where possible to order their own medication either via NHS App, SystmConnect or SystmOne online. If paper prescription requests is your preferred choice, then please drop these into the Enhanced Services Centre.

You can continue to drop paper prescription requests to the other De Parys Group sites at Church Lane, Bromham, Pemberley Avenue and Goldington Road.

From Monday 29th July 2024 The De Parys Group will be moving to a new online consultation provider, SystmConnect which is to replace eConsult.

SystmConnect still allows you to request help with a new or existing health condition; follow-up on a recent consultation or send us in a query you may have about your medication. You can also request a letter from the doctor, repeat medications, a new or renewed Fit Note and query recent test results.

You can access SystmConnect through our main website. No login or account is needed, this links with the login for the NHS app as well as SystmOnline. By making your request this way you do not need to phone us, you can provide us with all the information that is needed.

We are committed to providing you with the best care and appreciate your understanding during this time.

Further updates are to follow.

Thank you for your cooperation.
The De Parys Group

We urgently need more O group blood donors to come forward and help boost stocks to treat patients.

With over 12,000 appointments still to fill in donor centres over the next two weeks, register today and book an appointment to donate.

➡️ https://www.blood.co.uk/

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer for both men and women in Northern Ireland. It is more common in older people, especially men.

It is very important to be aware of possible symptoms or signs that may be linked to bowel cancer such as:
• changes in your bowel habit from your usual routine;
• blood in your bowel motions;
• pain or lump in the tummy/abdomen;
• feeling more tired than usual with no clear reason for this;
• losing weight, or noticing your clothes getting looser, with no clear reason for this.

If you experience any of these symptoms for three weeks or longer, it’s always best to get them checked out by your GP.

For more info on bowel cancer and screening, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/bowel-screening

This week we are thinking about the summer holidays!

Today we are focusing on activities you can do whilst on the go!

Credit: Worcestershire Speech and Language Therapy

Children's catch-up vaccination clinics in Bedford Borough in August - walk in so no need to book!!

If your child is struggling to talk and you don't know why, our Speech & Language Therapy website FAQs might help clear things up https://bit.ly/SLTFAQs
Children's Speech and Language Therapy in Luton and Bedfordshire

A dementia diagnosis can come as a shock to the person with the condition and those around them. However, there are sources of help and support for everyone involved: http://nhs.uk/conditions/dementia

Register with The De Parys Group Online - just point your phone camera at the QR code in the image attached and there you go!!

Child Vaccinations Clinics in Bedford Borough

Please note that we will be closed across all 5 sites for staff training TOMORROW 17TH JULY 2024 from 2.30pm and will reopen as usual Thursday 18th July 2024.

Thank you
The De Parys Group

Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, often before there are any symptoms. Early detection could mean more successful treatment.

A visit to a breast screening unit usually takes less than 30 minutes and the mammogram only takes a few minutes.

To find out more about breast screening, visit www.BeCancerAwareNI.info/breast-cancer

Reminder to all Patients/Resident population of The De Parys Group

From 12th August 2024 The De Parys Avenue Surgery is moving to the renovated Enhanced Service Centre, Kimbolton Road, Bedford. MK40 2NT. GP & Dispensary services previously provided at De Parys Surgery site will be delivered from the new facility from Monday 12th August. This is the first part of The De Parys Group services moving to the Enhanced Service Centre. Patients should continue to book appointments in the same way as now. Services will continue to be delivered from Pemberley Avenue Surgery, 2 Goldington Road Surgery, Bromham Surgery & Church Lane Surgery.

By November 2024, Pemberley Avenue Surgery & 2 Goldington Road Surgery will also move to the Enhanced Service Centre. The exact date of the move in November will be confirmed closer to the time. As part of the move, no changes are planned to the branch sites at Bromham and Church Lane.

Further information, including any questions you may have regarding public transport and/or parking in & around the Enhanced Service Centre, can be found via our website:-

www.thedeparysgroup.co.uk.

If you have any questions or feedback, please email:-

[email protected]

and we will respond in due course.

Thank you!!

Walking has lots of benefits for your health including reduced stress and improved heart health.

For more information on the benefits of walking and how you can increase your steps, visit www.pha.site/StepGuide

Did you know... babies learning to sign will babble with their hands in the same way that babies learning to speak babble with their voices?

You can help your child's language development by copying their babble sounds or signs and repeating the full word or sign back to them. For example, if your baby says or signs, “Dada,” you could say or sign, “Dada, yes, Daddy’s coming!”

We have lots of information about communicating with your deaf baby or toddler, along with fun activities, at https://bit.ly/3W3EIVo

We could all benefit from being a bit healthier 🍎

That doesn't have to mean working up a sweat or joining a gym – just a few small changes can make a big difference. Find out more with our Healthy living information guide: https://bit.ly/3XKX92A

Being aware of general signs and symptoms linked to cancer can help in early detection.

This is important because the earlier a cancer is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment.

For more information on spotting cancer symptoms, visit www.BeCancerAwareNI.info

ComKit is an online platform to help support communities following a sudden death that is a suspected su***de, with guidance on the importance of using safe language, social media, memorials and public gatherings within the community.

Find out more at http://comkit.info