Elm Surgery

Elm Surgery Patient-focused GP Practice providing exceptional healthcare and diverse services.

Cervical screening can save lives đź’™Cervical screening (previously called a smear test) is a quick and simple test that c...
19/06/2026

Cervical screening can save lives đź’™

Cervical screening (previously called a smear test) is a quick and simple test that checks the health of your cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer đź‘Ť

It’s offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64, with invitations sent every 5 years 📅

The test doesn’t check for cancer itself – it looks for a virus called HPV, which can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes can be treated early to stop cancer developing 💉

At your appointment, a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix by a nurse or doctor. It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll be supported throughout to make you as comfortable as possible 🤝

Even if you feel well and have no symptoms, it’s important to attend your screening when invited – it’s one of the best ways to protect your health 💙

Find out more:
Cervical screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

Looking for a simple way to boost your health and support a good cause?Taking part in a walking challenge like “My WALK ...
18/06/2026

Looking for a simple way to boost your health and support a good cause?

Taking part in a walking challenge like “My WALK IT” can help improve your physical and mental wellbeing – while also raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis. 🚶

You don’t need to be an athlete – you can pick your distance and choose to do it in a day, a few weeks or the whole month of June. Every step you take is one towards a future free of IBD

Join here:
https://crohns-colitis-uk.sync.giving/mywalkit-2026/?utm_source=Social+Media&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=My+WALK+IT&utm_id=Redmoor+Health

18/06/2026

Please be aware there is an issue with the internet connection so you may experience problems when trying to contact us. This is a national problem and engineers are working hard to fix this as soon as possible. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Know your skin. It could save your life đź’™Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but spotting the signs...
17/06/2026

Know your skin. It could save your life đź’™

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but spotting the signs early can make a big difference to treatment and outcomes đź‘Ť

A helpful way to check your moles is the ABCDE checklist:
• A – Asymmetry: one half doesn’t match the other
• B – Border: edges are irregular, ragged or blurred
• C – Colour: uneven or multiple shades
• D – Diameter: larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
• E – Evolving: changing in size, shape, colour or feeling (e.g. itching or bleeding)

You should contact your GP if:
• a mole becomes painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty
• you notice a new or unusual mark or lump that doesn’t go away
• a mole changes or looks different from others

Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, not just sun-exposed areas, so it’s important to check your skin regularly 👀

Find out more:
Melanoma skin cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/
Non-melanoma skin cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-melanoma-skin-cancer/what-is-non-melanoma-skin-cancer/

17/06/2026

Important Notice - Changes to Prescribing Sedatives for Flying, MRI Scans, or Dental Treatment

Following national medical guidance, we no longer prescribe sedative medicines — such as diazepam or zopiclone — for fear of flying, anxiety during MRI scans, or nervousness before dental treatment.

This decision is based on strong safety concerns, explained below.

Fear of flying
Sedatives like benzodiazepines can:

Cause drowsiness, slow reactions, and reduce judgment.

Sometimes have the opposite effect — increased agitation or aggression.

Reduce movement during long flights, increasing the risk of blood clots (venous thromboembolism).

Interact with lower oxygen levels in aircraft cabins (15% vs. 20.9% at ground level), which can worsen breathing problems — even in healthy people.

Why this matters: In an emergency, slower reactions or confusion could put you or others at risk.

MRI scans
We understand MRI claustrophobia is real — around 2 million scans worldwide aren’t completed each year because of it.
Why we don’t prescribe sedatives for MRI anxiety:

Low doses (e.g., 2 mg diazepam) often aren’t effective but can still cause agitation in some people.

Higher doses increase the risk of breathing problems.

The Royal College of Radiologists states sedation should only be given by a trained hospital team, with full monitoring before, during, and after.

GP surgeries cannot provide this level of monitoring safely.

Alternative help
Use online NHS and MRI provider videos to see exactly what to expect.
Speak to the MRI team in advance about your concerns.

Dental treatment
If you need sedation for dental work:

Your dentist can prescribe it directly — NHS dentists for NHS patients, and private dentists for private patients.

Dentists can prescribe sedatives if they believe it’s appropriate, and take full responsibility for that prescription.

Our priority: your safety
This decision follows:
British National Formulary (BNF)
NICE guidance
Royal College of Radiologists recommendations

17/06/2026

Patient Notice

We are currently experiencing staff shortages today as two of our doctors are off sick.

We kindly ask that you contact the surgery only if your medical issue cannot wait until tomorrow. This will help us prioritise patients who need urgent care today.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation.

Men’s Health Week is a great time to learn more about cancers that only affect men 💙Some cancers specifically affect men...
15/06/2026

Men’s Health Week is a great time to learn more about cancers that only affect men 💙

Some cancers specifically affect men, including prostate, testicular and pe**le cancer. These cancers develop in parts of the male reproductive system and can affect people at different stages of life 👨‍⚕️

For example:
• Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland and is the most common cancer in men in the UK
• Testicular cancer often affects younger men and may present as a lump or swelling
• Pe**le cancer is rare but can develop on or under the fo****in

Treatments can vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, but may include surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, with support available throughout đź’™

It’s important to know your body and speak to a healthcare professional if something doesn’t feel right. Early detection can make a big difference 👍

This message is inclusive of trans women and non-binary people (assigned male at birth), who can also be affected by these cancers and should feel supported to seek advice đź’™

Find out more:
Men’s cancers information: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mens-cancer

14/06/2026

❤️ Give blood. Save lives.

Donating blood is one of the simplest ways you can make a life-saving difference. Every donation can help patients in emergencies, during surgery, or those living with long-term conditions đź’‰

It’s quick, safe and takes around an hour, but the impact can last a lifetime. In fact, one donation can help save up to three lives 🙌

Most people aged 17–65 who are fit and healthy can donate, and you’ll be fully supported through the process to make sure it’s safe for you and the patient 👍

Blood is always in high demand, and new donors are needed all the time to make sure there’s enough for everyone who needs it 💙

Ready to make a difference?

Find out more and register:
Give blood: https://www.blood.co.uk/

Carers Week will take place from 8–14 June 2026, and this year’s theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities💙Across the...
10/06/2026

Carers Week will take place from 8–14 June 2026, and this year’s theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities💙

Across the UK, thousands of individuals and organisations will come together to help ensure unpaid carers are better understood, recognised and supported in everyday life 🙌

From schools and universities to workplaces, health and social care services, businesses and community groups, we all have a role to play in making our communities more carer friendly 🌍

Even small changes can make a big difference to carers’ daily lives and future opportunities 💫

Let’s work together to create real, lasting change and support those who care for others every day 💙

Find out how you can get involved:
Carers Week 2026: www.carersweek.org

08/06/2026

Looking to make healthier choices but not sure where to start? The NHS has you covered đź’™

The NHS Healthy Living website is packed with trusted advice, tools and support to help you take control of your health and wellbeing. From eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight, to getting active, improving sleep and boosting your mental wellbeing, everything is in one place đź‘Ť

It’s all about making small, simple changes that can make a big difference over time. Whether you want to move more, eat better, drink less alcohol or quit smoking, there’s guidance and support to help you every step of the way 💪

You’ll also find helpful tools like fitness apps, weight loss plans and mental wellbeing support to keep you motivated and on track 📱

Start your journey to better health today 🌱

Explore here:
NHS Healthy Living: https://healthyliving.nhs.uk

Address

Elm Surgery
Plymouth
PL68UF

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 6pm
Thursday 7:30am - 6pm
Friday 7:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+441752776772

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Elm Surgery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Elm Surgery:

Shortcuts

Share

Category