Friendly Family Surgery

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Dementia diagnosis is too slow.

On average, people wait 3.5 years from first symptoms to a diagnosis, missing vital opportunities for early help.

There are a lot of reasons why getting a dementia diagnosis can take so long.

Stigma and a lack of understanding of symptoms means people don’t always go to their GP straight away.

And when they do, four in five GPs said they often encounter patients with signs of dementia who are reluctant to discuss it.

With no national system to ensure early memory problems are followed up and monitored, warning signs for progression to dementia can be missed.

Access to diagnosis often depends on where you live, with service variation and workforce pressures having an impact.

There is also limited diagnostic infrastructure.

The system is failing people at every stage - symptoms are missed, diagnosis is delayed, and support often comes too late. In the meantime, dementia progresses - stealing time, independence and dignity.

04/06/2026

Last week's heatwave gives way to wet, rainy conditions, with the chance of thunder in parts of the UK.

Although rare, thunderstorms can trigger your asthma, causing asthma attacks and making symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing and coughing worse.

We have a personalised summer wellness guide for you on our website, https://orlo.uk/Pcf9S

Do you find your asthma symptoms worsen during thunderstorms?

04/06/2026

Are you a carer for someone who uses a wheelchair in Derbyshire?

We want to hear about experiences of using wheelchair services since the provider changed on 1 April 2025.

Your insights help us understand what’s working, and what could be better.

Take our quick survey (5–8 minutes): https://bit.ly/4nqXtyh

In 2024 we reached out to people who use wheelchairs and their carers, to learn more about their experiences of Derbyshire wheelchair services. Since then, the provider of the service has changed.

Now we want to hear from you again.

If you’ve had an appointment with wheelchair services since 1 April 2025, we’d really value your feedback.

We’re asking about:
✔ Communication from Blatchford
✔ Your appointment experience
✔ Overall satisfaction

The survey takes just 5–8 minutes and will help to inform improvements to the service.

Share your experience here: https://bit.ly/4nqXtyh

Survey closes: 24 June 2026

04/06/2026

🍳 MEN’S BREAKFAST

Hungry? Fancy a brew? Need a catch-up?

🥓 Full English
☕ Coffee & Tea
👍 Friendly Conversation

📅 Saturday 6th June | 9:00am
📍 Bolsover Methodist Church

FREE | Donations welcome

Bring a mate and join us!
No need to book

01/06/2026

Vaccination Clinic 29th June 2026 💉

If you are outstanding any of the following vaccinations you will receive an invite to attend our vaccine clinic on 29th June 2026! If you are eligible we will contact you. Find out more information about the vaccines and why they are important here:

Shingles - https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/

Pneumococcal - https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/pneumococcal-vaccine/

RSV - https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine/

If you have any questions or want to know more please send us a message here:
https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/C81655/flow/medical-request

01/06/2026

This is a very useful website about moving more. You can search by different symptoms or conditions such as diabetes:

https://everybody.movingmedicine.ac.uk/who-we-are/

01/06/2026

Diabetes UK have launched a really helpful leaflet for people living with diabetes and health professionals to alert us all on when to act quickly with a new foot symptom.
You can order them or download them from this link:

My diabetes footcare urgent access business card 'Z' fold leaflet – When you live with diabetes, regular foot health checks are part of your essential care to see if diabetes is affecting your feet. This leaflet includes information for you and your health care professional if you develop a foot p...

01/06/2026

Cancer care should be inclusive, but it doesn’t always feel that way. Luckily there are a whole host of organisations working to provide services that help the LGBTQ+ community feel supported, heard and understood through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

To mark Pride month, we are sharing a handful of the services listed on Cancer Care Map that provide cancer support specific to the LGBTQ+ community.

OUTpatients is a charity that supports LGBTQ+ people affected by cancer. It offers online and in-person support groups to help you meet other LGBTQ+ people affected by cancer. It’s proudly run by the community for the community.

Pink Therapy is a directory of LGBTQ+ friendly therapists and counsellors providing support for people in LGBTQ+ communities. It is also run by people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Shine Cancer Support has resources for the LGBTQ+ young adult community: Videos, blogs and podcasts for people who identify as LGBTQ+ living with cancer in their 20s, 30s and 40s, covering topics of particular relevance for younger adults with cancer.

Birmingham Carers Hub has a support group offering practical information and a safe and informal space for LGBTQ+ unpaid carers. Meeting in person usually on the third Tuesday of the month, 12pm to 2pm, and you are welcome to bring the person who you support. They also have a WhatsApp group and run online meet ups.

For more, type your postcode or the keyword ‘LGBTQ’ into the Cancer Care Map homepage.