Lyme Valley Practice

02/09/2026

“I felt fine…”

Would you still complete your bowel screening test if you felt perfectly healthy?

Thomas shares his story and explains why he completed his bowel screening, despite feeling absolutely fine.

Watch Thomas’ story to hear about his experience and why bowel screening is so important.

Bowel cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages. Screening can help detect signs of bowel cancer early, when treatment can be more successful.

If you receive a bowel screening test, please don’t ignore it.
It’s quick, it’s simple, and those few minutes could make a real difference.

Fit it in. Check within. Look after your health.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

20/08/2026

Two paediatric consultants from Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke have helped lead a major review into the impact of va**ng on children and young people. 🏥🔬

Professor Will Carroll, consultant paediatrician, and Dr Francis Gilchrist, consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine at UHNM, co-authored the review led by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) which found clear links between va**ng and respiratory health problems and strong evidence that young people who v**e are more likely to go on to smoke ci******es.

The review examined more than 14,000 published articles, assessed 325 full-text studies and brought together evidence from 81 studies.

🗣 Professor Carroll said: "Va**ng should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up. The evidence shows clear links with respiratory symptoms, ni****ne dependence and subsequent cigarette smoking, while concerns about wider impacts on young people's health continue to grow.

“We must act to make va**ng less attractive and accessible to children. As stated in our recent State of Child Health report, this should include limiting flavours, bringing packaging into line with to***co products and restricting how va**ng products are displayed."

The review found that va**ng has become much more common among children and young people over the past decade, with rates of regular use rising sharply. It also found that young people who v**e are more likely to experience breathing problems, including coughs, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms and asthma attacks, and are more likely to go on to smoke ci******es.

Researchers also identified possible links between va**ng and other health problems, including poor oral health, anxiety and depression. They found new evidence suggesting va**ng could also affect sleep, eye health and allergies, as well as pose risks to babies exposed to ni****ne during pregnancy.

11/08/2026

Macmillan Cancer Support – Helpful Information & Resources

If you or someone you care about has been affected by cancer, there is a wide range of free, helpful information available from Macmillan Cancer Support.

Their website includes a fantastic suite of booklets, guides and downloadable resources covering everything from diagnosis and treatment to managing symptoms, emotional wellbeing, finances, work and supporting someone with cancer.

💚 There’s information for every stage of the cancer journey, whether you’re looking for practical advice, reassurance or simply want to understand more about what to expect.

Many of the resources are available to read online or download, making them easy to access whenever you need them.

👉 Take a look at the Macmillan website and explore the range of information available. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support

💚 You don’t have to face cancer alone.

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan Cancer Support are here to help. Get information and support about cancer.

31/07/2026

Detect & Protect – Real Stories. Real Lives.

📢 New video series now available

Cancer screening saves lives – but many people don't realise how important it is until it's too late.

We've spoken to local people who have generously shared their own experiences of breast, bowel and cervical screening. Their stories are honest, emotional and inspiring, and show how attending routine screening can make all the difference.

💙 Hear from local people like Steve, Hollie, Hazel, Nichola and Valerie, whose experiences include:

"I'm so lucky my wife nagged me to do it." – Steve

"I was terrified of smear tests... but it wasn't anything like I imagined." – Hollie

"I didn't feel any lump... the mammogram found it." – Hazel

"I felt absolutely fine... but I still had cancer." – Nichola

"It might not be cancer... but if it is, you've caught it early." – Valerie

These aren't actors. These are real local people sharing their experiences to help others feel more confident about attending NHS screening.

📺 Watch the full Detect & Protect – A Spotlight on Screening series on our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/

If you've received an invitation for breast, bowel or cervical screening, please don't put it off. Screening can detect changes before symptoms develop, when treatment is often simpler and more effective.

💙 Local voices. Real stories. Life-saving conversations.

Welcome to Newcastle Central Primary Care Network, working together to provide support for these six Newcastle-under-Lyme based GPs- Wolstanton Medical Centre, Lyme Valley, Miller Street Surgery, Higherland, Milehouse Medical Practise and The Village Surgery.

14/07/2026

💙 RSV Vaccination – Now Available at Lyme Valley Practice 💙

We are offering the RSV vaccine to eligible patients to help protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common infection which can sometimes cause serious illness, particularly in older adults and young babies.

The RSV vaccine is available to:
• Adults turning 75 years old between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026
• Adults aged 75 to 79 years old
• Pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their baby in the first few months after birth

If you believe you are eligible and have not heard from us, please contact the practice.

Protecting yourself with vaccination helps reduce the risk of serious RSV illness and supports our NHS services during the winter months.

08/07/2026

This video explains how to download the NHS App on iPhone or iPad f...

07/07/2026

What is an NHS Health Check?

An NHS Health Check is a free health review for people aged 40 to 74 who do not already have certain medical conditions. Think of it as a midlife MOT for your body. It helps you understand your current health and how to stay well in the future.

The check can spot early signs of problems such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or stroke. By finding these risks early, you can take steps to prevent them and enjoy a healthier life for longer.

You can book a health check if:

You are aged 40–74
You live in Staffordshire
You have not had a health check in the last five years
You do not already have heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or a history of stroke

Contact Everyone Health Staffordshire:

Complete the online form
Text HEART to 60777
Call 0333 005 0095
Email [email protected]
Website Everyone Health Staffordshire

21/06/2026

Father's Day can be a difficult time if you are experiencing grief.

There is no timetable for grief or how you should feel at a particular time of year. Some days may feel manageable; others can feel overwhelming. And everyone experiences grief differently.

However you’re feeling, you don’t have to face it alone.

For help and support with bereavement and grief, visit https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/

21/06/2026

As the weather heats up this weekend, make sure you're using sunscreen!

Even if it’s cloudy, UV rays can still cause sunburn. Follow this advice to stay safe and avoid getting sunburnt, and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

Visit the NHS website for more info on sun safety ➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

09/06/2026

A specialist service supporting thousands of patients who need blood-thinning medication is celebrating ten years at UHNM. 👏🏥💙

The Staffordshire Thrombosis and Anticoagulation Centre (STAC) was created to make it easier for patients across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to access anticoagulation care.

As well as providing specialist hospital support, the team introduced community clinics and a same-day deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis service, helping patients get treatment more quickly and closer to home.

The service currently supports more than 5,000 patients each week across 22 community locations and works with 11 GP centres, alongside specialist inpatient and outpatient care.

🗣 Amanda Pointon, anticoagulation service manager, said: “Ten years ago, many patients who needed anticoagulation monitoring had to travel into hospital for regular blood tests and clinic appointments. Our vision was to create a service that was based at Royal Stoke but delivered out in the community.

“That meant patients could attend clinics closer to where they live rather than always travelling into hospital. For many people, that has made managing their treatment much easier.

“When we started, we were mainly supporting patients on warfarin, which needs careful monitoring. Over time newer medications have become available that don’t always need the same level of testing.

“We’ve adapted alongside those changes and developed a strong nurse-led service supported by a wider multidisciplinary team. Today that includes nurses, biomedical scientists, associate practitioners and administrative staff who all play an important role in supporting our patients.”

The service continues to be clinically led by Consultant Haematologists Dr Deepak Chandra and Dr David Sutton, who have supported the development of new specialist services, including a Cancer Associated Thrombosis clinic for patients who develop blood clots linked to cancer.

The team has also introduced study days to support learning for clinicians involved in anticoagulation care.

Amanda said: “The service has faced a number of challenges, including continuing to support patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients on warfarin still needed regular monitoring during COVID, so our teams had to adapt quickly. We carried out more home visits for patients who were isolating to make sure they could continue receiving safe care.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team and the way they always put patients first.”

Amanda paid tribute to former colleague Sharon Acton, who played an important role in developing the service.

She said: “Sharon was passionate about this service and very proud of what the team achieved. It’s important to recognise the contribution she made in helping build the service we have today.”

“We are very proud of what the team has achieved over the past ten years. The service has grown and adapted alongside changes in medicine, and we have always focused on doing what is safest and best for our patients.

“Our ambition now is to continue developing the service so more patients across the region can benefit from the same high-quality specialist care.”