Petworth Surgery

13/08/2026

Summer Stress for Parents

The summer holidays can be a stressful time for parents. Trying to find childcare or activities can be time consuming and expensive, and some parents feel guilty at not being able to give their children ‘the best summer ever’. So what can you do to make your summer less stressful?

Avoid expensive theme parks and attractions. Why not consider:
- Small, local animal sanctuaries and attractions that may have much cheaper entry
- Free play parks, water play areas, woodland, beaches and riversides
- Local cafes, which sometimes have a free play area
- Paddling pools, sand pits and garden sports
- Cooking or gardening together
- Arts and crafts
- Play dates, picnics, meet-ups in parks with family and friends

If you are struggling with stress, or any other mental health difficulties, the charity Mind has lots of resources specifically aimed at parents. To get ideas, reassurance, help and support, visit https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campai...es/supporting-parents-during-school-holidays/.

11/08/2026

🧘‍♂️ Keeping Active Over the Summer

Exercising can be difficult or even dangerous when the weather is very hot, and can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or the medical emergency heatstroke. But we know it is important to stay active, so how can you and your children exercise safely this summer?

-Choose your time – Exercise early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler.
-Be careful in water – Open water can still be very cold, and can cause our bodies to go into cold water shock. Enter the water slowly, don’t swim alone, and if you go into shock, lie back in the water with your ears submerged and float to save yourself.
-Choose an indoor activity – Many sports centres have air conditioning to keep you cool.
-Make a shady space – Create shade with sheets, parasols and sails to keep children out of direct sun while they play outside.
-Cool down afterwards – following exercise with wet towels, cool drinks, and sitting in the shade, maybe with a fan, is a good way to make sure you don’t stay too hot for too long.
-Find out more about exercising safely at https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20260618-how-keep-exercising-when-its-really-hot and see some family activity ideas at https://purephysiotherapy.co.uk/staying-active-during-the-summer-holidays-with-kids/.

06/08/2026

🌞 This year we are experiencing a very hot summer in the UK. Heat and UV rays can have a significant impact on all our health, causing short-term illness and discomfort, long-term health problems and diseases, and, where care is not taken, or in at-risk groups, death.

Excessive heat can cause heatstroke. Get immediate medical help if someone has the symptoms of heatstroke. You can see the symptoms and what you can do to help and avoid heatstroke at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/.

To stay safe in the sun, follow these handy tips:

Use plenty of 4-star, 30+SPF sunscreen, even if you have dark skin
Remember to reapply sunscreen when you have been swimming
Stay in the shade, particularly between 11am and 3pm
Wear UV-protective sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and loose, long-sleeved clothes to protect your skin and eyes and stay cool
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated

04/08/2026

Our July Statistics 📊

28/07/2026

24/07/2026

Today is 💚 I'm sharing campaign to remind you that Samaritans are always there to listen 24/7.

21/07/2026

Good Care Month is an opportunity to celebrate and thank the dedicated professionals working across the social care sector, and raise the profile of care as a rewarding and essential career. Carers, both paid and unpaid, make a vital contribution to communities by providing support to vulnerable individuals.

If you feel inspired to learn more about a career in care, you can explore your options and find out how you can get into a caring role at https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/care-worker.

16/07/2026

The surgery will be closed from 12:30 today for essential staff update training. There is an urgent GP service on 01293 698088.

15/07/2026

Looking for a reliable Plumber for commercial boiler service and to provide a gas safety certificate

14/07/2026

UV Safety Month, 1st–31st July 🌞

There is no such thing as a healthy, safe way to tan, and a tan does not protect you from UV rays. 90% of UV rays can pass through clouds, so you can get burnt even on a cloudy day.

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/ to find out more about the dangers of UV light, and how to stay safe this summer.