The Parish Fields Practice

03/06/2026

Think that insect bite might be infected? Your pharmacy should be your first stop 🦟

With the NHS Pharmacy First service, you can get expert advice and treatment for infected insect bites without waiting for a GP appointment 💊

Pharmacists can assess your bite and recommend the best treatment to help it heal quickly and safely 👍

Watch out for signs of infection like increasing redness, swelling, pain, or if the bite is getting worse after a couple of days 🚨

This service is available for adults and children aged 1 and over, making it quick and easy to access care when you need it 👨‍⚕️

Search: Pharmacy First infected insect bites 🔍

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

Enjoying the sunshine? Make sure you’re protecting your skin properly ☀️

Sunscreen is important, but it shouldn’t be your only line of defence. Wearing suitable clothing, spending time in the shade, and avoiding the sun when it’s strongest (11am–3pm) can all help reduce your risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage 🌤️

When choosing sunscreen, look for:
• SPF 30 or higher to protect against UVB rays
• At least 4-star UVA protection or a UVA symbol in a circle
• Broad-spectrum protection covering both UVA and UVB ☀️

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen generously about 20–30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating 💧

Even water-resistant sunscreen needs reapplying, as water and towels can remove it more easily than you think 🌊

Find out more:
NHS sun safety advice: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
Choosing the right sunscreen: https://patient.info/features/skin-conditions/how-to-choose-the-right-sunscreen

31/05/2026

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and support is available to help you every step of the way. The NHS Quit Smoking app provides a free, structured 28-day programme with practical tools, encouragement and personalised advice to help you stop for good. 💙🚭📱✨

Using the app can help you:
• Track your progress and stay motivated 📊💪
• Manage cravings and triggers with practical tips 🧠✨
• See how much money you’re saving 💷💙
• Get daily support and encouragement when you need it most 🌿📱

With the right support, quitting becomes much more achievable, and even small steps can lead to lasting change. 🚭💙✨

Get free NHS quit smoking support: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
Download the NHS Quit Smoking app: https://nhsquitsmoking.app.link/better_health_quit_smoking

28/05/2026

SHARPS BOXES / CLINICAL WASTE DISPOSAL *IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR PATIENTS*

We regret to advise patients that we can no longer accept any sharps boxes at the Practice.

Patients who need to dispose of clinical waste/sharps boxes can either contact the local council (see link below), or, in Diss itself, can take NON cytotoxic waste (yellow lid container) to one of the following pharmacies:

- Boots Pharmacy, 9 Market Place, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AG

- Wellbeing Pharmacy, 11 Market Place, Diss, IP22 4AB

Purple lidded sharps bins for cytotoxic waste canNOT be accepted by the Practice OR pharmacies. Instead, patients should request collection direct by the district council:
https://www.gov.uk/request-clinical-waste-collection.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused, and please do not hesitate to contact the Practice if you have any questions regarding this topic.

Arrange for a collection of clinical waste - for items like used syringes, drugs, pharmaceuticals and surgical waste

28/05/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR PATIENTS - SHARPS / CLINICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

We regret to inform patients that we are no longer able to accept sharps boxes at the Practice.

PROCESS FOR PATIENT SHARPS / CLINICAL WASTE EFFECTIVE 29th MAY 2026:

Patients can take NON cytotoxic sharps (YELLOW lid containers) to a number of specified pharmacies or request collection from the district council.

In Diss itself these pharmacies are:

- Boots Pharmacy, 9 Market Place, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AB

- Wellbeing Pharmacy, 11 Market Place, Diss IP22 4AB

PLEASE NOTE:
These pharmacies can ONLY take YELLOW lidded bins containing NON cytotoxic clinical waste.

PURPLE lidded sharps bins containing cytotoxic waste canNOT be accepted by the Practice OR the pharmacies.

Instead, patients requiring disposal of purple lidded containers containing cytotoxic waste should contact the district council to arrange collection.

To request a clinical waste collection (of yellow and purple lidded clinical waste) please visit www.gov.uk/request-clinical-waste-collection

Thank you for your cooperation, and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Arrange for a collection of clinical waste - for items like used syringes, drugs, pharmaceuticals and surgical waste

28/05/2026

Turning on NHS App notifications is a simple way to help the NHS save money while staying informed about your healthcare. 💙

Notifications can remind you about appointments, test results, prescriptions and important updates, helping reduce missed appointments and unnecessary letters or texts.

Using the NHS App makes it easier to manage your health in one place, saves time for NHS services and helps resources be used where they are needed most. Making this small change can have a big impact for you and the NHS. 📱

Learn how to manage NHS App notifications: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/nhs-app-account-and-settings/managing-nhs-app-notifications/

27/05/2026

Staying active as you get older is one of the best ways to maintain independence, improve wellbeing and reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke. It’s never too late to start, and even small amounts of movement can make a difference. 💙🚶‍♂️✨

For older adults, the NHS recommends:
• Being active every day, even with light activities 🌿💙
• Aiming for around 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, such as brisk walking 🚶‍♀️✨
• Doing strength exercises at least twice a week to keep muscles strong 💪🩺
• Including balance and flexibility activities to reduce the risk of falls ⚖️🌱

Activities like walking, gardening, swimming or gentle exercise classes can all help improve physical and mental wellbeing, as well as reduce loneliness and support independence.

Find out more about staying active as you get older: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/

26/05/2026

📱 Need help using the NHS App?

Did you know your local library can help you get started?

Library staff can support you to:
✔️ Book GP appointments
✔️ Order repeat prescriptions
✔️ Access your health records online

Pop into your local library or book a one-to-one session for extra support.

🔗 Find your nearest library: www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries

25/05/2026

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers, and recognising the signs early can make a real difference to outcomes. The most common symptom is blood in your p*e, even if it only happens once or is not painful, and it should always be checked by a GP.

Other symptoms to look out for include:
• Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine 💧⚠️
• Needing to p*e more often or urgently 🚽⏱️
• Repeated urinary infections 🔁🩺
• Pain in the lower tummy or back 🤕✨
• Feeling very tired or losing weight without trying 💙📉

These symptoms are often caused by other conditions, but it’s important not to ignore them. Getting checked early can lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Learn more about bladder cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bladder-cancer/
Read detailed information from Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bladder-cancer