Howden Medical Centre

08/09/2026

A new group is opening its doors....

25/08/2026

From today, NHS England is rolling out HPV self-testing kits for women who have fallen behind on their cervical screening.

The free kits can be used at home, making it easier for more women to complete potentially lifesaving checks to help prevent cervical cancer.

Eligible women will start receiving invitations today, so check your phone, your email or your post to see if you qualify.

If you're invited, you'll be able to order a free kit through the NHS App or your NHS online account, and get back on track with protecting yourself against cervical cancer.

25/08/2026

💩 Does your child avoid doing a poo on the toilet and only want to poo in a nappy? You're not alone.

Lots of children go through a stage where they’ll only poo in a nappy, even after starting potty training. It's a common phase, and with patience and support, most children move on from it.

💡 Top tip: If your child asks for a nappy to do a poo, try not to say no. Refusing can lead to them withholding their poo, which may cause constipation. Instead, let them use the nappy just to do their poo, while gently and gradually working towards using the potty or toilet.

Here are some things to consider if your child will only poo in a nappy:

Constipation 💩
A painful poo can make children anxious about going again, leading them to hold on and avoid the toilet. Before focusing on toileting behaviour, make sure any constipation is well managed. It can make all the difference. Use our poo diary and poo checker to track your child's poo habits and read our advice sheet to find out how to spot the signs of constipation.

Is your child scared of the toilet? 🫣
Whether it's the flush, splashing water or sitting on the toilet, small steps and lots of reassurance can help build confidence. You can even turn toilet time into a fun game - visit the Toilet Anxiety page on our website for fun ideas.

Learning to sit on the toilet 🚽
Start by taking the pressure off. Sitting on the potty or toilet isn't about pooing yet, it's about helping your child feel relaxed and comfortable. Begin with a few seconds fully clothed, celebrate every sit, and avoid talking about wee or poo. As their confidence grows, gradually build up to regular toilet sits after meals and before bed. Small steps, consistency and plenty of praise can make a big difference. Keep favourite toys or books nearby and reward every success, no matter how small. Find the webinar 'Tips for helping your child relax on the toilet' on the Family webinars page on the website.

What next?

Once constipation is under control and your child is happy sitting on the potty or toilet for 5-10 minutes, it's time to focus on pooing in the right place. Break the journey into tiny, achievable steps, moving from where they currently like to poo towards the potty or toilet. Find more practical tips and helpful case studies here: https://eric.org.uk/children-who-will-only-poo-in-a-nappy-and-other-toilet-avoiders/

Be patient. Progress can take time, but small, consistent steps lead to big wins.
🎉Celebrate every success along the way.

25/08/2026

Are your back-to-school preparations underway? 🎒

If your child lives with diabetes, the start of a new school year can be a lot to think about. From making sure their individual healthcare plan is up to date, to ensuring staff understand how best to support them.

That's why we've pulled together information for parents and carers on diabetes in schools, including your child's rights and what support schools should provide.

➡️ Learn more: https://orlo.uk/diabetes-in-schools_sgDsD

25/08/2026

Upcoming Vaccine Clinics at Howden Medical Centre

We have two dedicated vaccination clinics coming up:

💉 Pneumococcal Clinic: Wednesday 9th September

💉 RSV Clinic: Wednesday 16th September

How to Book:

📲 Received a text invite? Please use the self-booking link in the message, or call reception on 01430 430318 to book your slot.

📲 Received an invite in recent weeks, but not yet been able to attend? Give our reception team a call on 01430 430318, and we'll book you in.

Looking Ahead:

We will be adding further clinic dates in the coming weeks for Shingles, Flu, and COVID-19 for eligible patients.

Please keep an eye out for your invitations being sent out.

📱 Want to receive text invites?

If you don't currently get text messages from us and would like to register for this service, please get in touch with reception.

A big thank you to everyone who has already attended our recent vaccine clinics.
If you have any questions about eligibility or the vaccines being offered, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you!

25/08/2026

Millions of women in England are to be offered HPV self-testing kits as the new service rolls out from today.

The kits will be offered to those who haven’t attended cervical screening following previous invitations, providing a discreet and convenient way to test for high-risk HPV at home.

➡️ https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/08/nhs-rolls-out-discreet-home-testing-kits-against-cervical-cancer-for-millions-of-women/

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

Active play = happy, healthy little ones! 👶✨

Helping babies and young children stay active sets them up for a great start in life.

Regular movement helps to:

🏼 Build strong muscles, bones, and co-ordination
🧠 Support brain development, learning, and social skills
😴 Improve sleep and boost day-to-day mood

Top tip: Every movement counts! Aim for 30 minutes of tummy time for babies under 1 year, and 180 minutes of active play throughout the day for ages 1–5.
Swimming, scooting, dancing, or messy play all count! 🎨🕺

24/08/2026

Had your first MenB vaccination 4 weeks ago? It's time to book your second dose.

MenB vaccination is two doses, given at least 28 days apart. Getting both doses helps complete your protection against meningococcal group B (MenB) disease.

Find out more and book: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-a-menb-vaccination-appointment/

24/08/2026

** FOR YOUR ATTENTION **

BANK HOLIDAY

We will be closed on Monday 31st August for the bank holiday, reopening as usual on Tuesday 1st September at 8:00am.

Whilst we are closed, please call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk/ for non-urgent medical attention that cannot wait until we are open again.

In the event of a medical emergency, call 999.

We hope you have a lovely bank holiday weekend!