Old Bridge Surgery PPG

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

💜 Is someone you love ready to leave hospital?
If your loved one is medically ready to leave hospital, there are some practical things you can do to help:
🚗 Could you collect them from hospital?
If it is safe and possible, support from family or friends can help get loved ones home sooner.
🏠 Could you help get things ready at home?
Perhaps with shopping, food, heating, or making sure they have what they need for their first few days at home.
🤝 You don't have to do everything alone.
Depending on your loved one’s needs, there may be support available to help them get home safely.
This could include:
🏥 Hospital care at home — some people may be able to continue receiving NHS care and support in their own home. Ask the ward team whether this could be suitable.
💜 One-off Personal Health Budgets — in some circumstances, a one-off payment may be available to help put practical support in place to enable someone to return home safely. This could include things such as additional care or practical help at home. Ask the ward team whether this may be an option for your loved one.
🤝 Community support — the Cornwall Community Gateway can help you understand what local support may be available.
📞 Call the Cornwall Community Gateway: 01872 266383. Open 8am–8pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
💬 It’s okay to ask: “When is my loved one going home, and how can I help?”
Once someone has had the hospital care they need, getting home to familiar surroundings can help them recover, regain independence and get back to the things that matter to them.
Getting home from hospital is a team effort. Families, friends, hospital staff and local services can work together to make sure the right support is in place. 💜
🔗 Find out more about going home from hospital: https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/.../helping-get-you-home-for-lunch/
👉 Discharged from hospital: https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/when-am-i-going-home-information.../
👉 Help with costs; https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/2025/10/02/a-helping-hand/
Please share with anyone who has a loved one currently in hospital. 💜

09/08/2026

31/07/2026

Visiting Cornwall? Take a look at our summer NHS advice & share to friends or family visiting:
➕ Think Pharmacy First 💚
A pharmacy can help with a wide range of minor illness, and provide all sorts of services and advice. Most now offer the Pharmacy First service which provides treatment for 7 common conditions, without the need for a GP appointment.
Find your nearest open pharmacy 👀⬇️
https://www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy
🤕 MIU 🦴
Minor Injury Units and the Urgent Treatment Centre (West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance) are for help with injuries that need urgent attention but are not a life or limb emergency.
Always check open times, x-ray and live wait times before you go: https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/miu-waiting-times/
They can help with:
✂️ cuts that need stitches
📷 suspected broken bones
🔥 minor burns and scalds
👁️ eye problems.
Open evenings and weekends, x-ray services, no appointment needed.
💻 Unsure? Use NHS 111 online 📱
If you need help for something non-urgent and it can't wait until your GP surgery is open use https://111.nhs.uk
🚑 In an emergency 📞
Always call 999 or visit the emergency department if it is a genuine emergency that is life- or limb-threatening, such as chest pain, major blood loss, loss of consciousness.

19/07/2026

Did you know the pharmacist can help with 7 common conditions, meaning you don’t need to see your GP?
There are more than 90 pharmacies in Cornwall that can offer medical advice and help on the following health conditions…
• Earache (age 1 to 17)
• Sinusitis (age 12 and over)
• Sore throat (age 5 and over)
• Infected insect bite (age 1 and over)
• Impetigo, a skin infection (age 1 and over)
• Shingles (age 18 and over)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (age 16 to 64)

15/07/2026

Hot weather can affect medicines and how your body responds, posing extra risks if you’ve got a pre-existing condition. Medicines left in the heat – in cars, bags, or on sunny windowsills – might not work properly when you need them. Some medicines can make you more likely to burn in the sun, feel dizzy or get dehydrated, especially if you’re taking diuretics or have a condition like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. More info here . . .
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dont-let-this-heatwave-affect-your-medicines-three-important-tips-from-the-mhra
To stay safe in the heat: Store medicines somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight – especially if you’re out and about. Take extra care in the sun if your medicine makes your skin more likely to burn

27/06/2026

OUCH! 🐝
Here are some helpful tips on what to do if insects bite or sting you this summer . . .
➡️ http://nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/

26/06/2026

Going out in the sun?
☀The best thing to do in the hot weather is stay out of the direct sun, especially during
the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm, as UV rays are strongest during
these hours
☀Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol during the hot weather
☀Avoid extreme physical exertion during the hot weather. If you can’t avoid strenuous
outdoor activity, keep it for cooler parts of the day such as early morning or evening
There's advice on this link on what to do if you have sunburn or the heat has made you ill https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/help-us/where-is-best/

23/06/2026

Important advice from NHS Cornwall for the current heat health alert

🩹 Heatwave first aid kit essentials
Make sure you have these at home during hot weather:
💧 Bottled water or rehydration sachets (to prevent dehydration)
🌡️ Thermometer (to check for fever or overheating)
🧊 Cool packs or cold compresses
🧴 After-sun lotion or aloe vera (for sunburn)
🧢 Suncream (SPF 30 or higher)
💊 Pain relief (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen, if suitable for you)
🪟 A handheld fan or spray bottle with water for cooling
📞 Important contact numbers in case you need help
🏡 How to take care of yourself at home
💧 Drink regularly – small, frequent sips of water throughout the day
🪟 Keep your home cool – close curtains/blinds during the day, open windows at night
👕 Wear light clothing – loose, breathable fabrics help your body stay cool
🧊 Cool down often – take cool showers, use damp cloths, or sit near a fan
🕒 Avoid peak heat – stay indoors between 11am–3pm if you can
🍉 Eat light meals – fresh fruit, salads, and chilled foods are easier in the heat
🛏️ Rest when needed – don’t overexert yourself
⚠️ When to seek help
Get medical advice or urgent help if you or someone else experiences:
Severe thirst or stops passing urine
Dizziness, confusion, or fainting
Headache that won’t go away
Hot, dry skin or very high temperature
Nausea or vomiting
Rapid breathing or heartbeat
📞 Call NHS 111 for advice, or 999 in an emergency.
Looking after yourself in hot weather is simple but important. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and check in on others too 💛

16/06/2026