Porter Brook Medical Centre

03/09/2026

🌿 Tai Chi Thursdays! 🌿

Looking for a gentle way to look after your heart and mind? Join us for Tai Chi on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month! ✨

📍 Location: The Green Space behind General Cemetery
(off Montague Street, S11)
⏰ TODAY - 1:30pm – 2:15pm

Everyone is welcome — we’d love to see you there! 💚

02/09/2026

Need advice about a common health condition? Your local pharmacy could be your first stop 💊💙

Highly trained pharmacists can provide expert advice, recommend treatments and, for some common conditions, offer NHS treatment through the Pharmacy First service without you needing to see a GP first 👍

Pharmacy First can help with seven common conditions, including:

• Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
• Shingles (aged 18 years and over)

Pharmacists are also available to help with many other everyday health concerns, including coughs, colds, hay fever, aches and pains, digestive problems, medicines advice, healthy living support and more 🌿

If your condition needs further assessment, your pharmacist will make sure you're directed to the right NHS service. They can also identify when symptoms may need urgent medical attention ⚠️

Choosing Pharmacy First can help you get expert advice more quickly while helping to keep GP appointments available for people who need them most 💙

Find out more:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/

01/09/2026

Persistent gut symptoms should never be ignored 💜

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and early diagnosis can make a big difference

Symptoms can include ongoing diarrhoea, stomach pain, blood in poo, weight loss, and extreme tiredness 💬

Many people delay getting help due to embarrassment or uncertainty, but getting checked early is important 🤝

Find out more about symptoms and standards of care here:
https://www.whatsupwithmygut.org.uk
https://ibduk.org/ibd-standards

31/08/2026

Trying for a baby? Understanding your menstrual cycle and when you ovulate can help you identify the days when you're most likely to become pregnant 👶💙

Ovulation usually happens around 10–16 days before your next period starts. This is when an egg is released from the o***y and is available to be fertilised 🥚

Because s***m can survive in the body for several days, there is a "fertile window" during each cycle when pregnancy is more likely to occur 📅

An ovulation calculator can help estimate when you may be ovulating based on the length of your menstrual cycle, making it a useful tool if you're trying to conceive 👍

Remember that every person is different, and factors such as stress, illness and irregular periods can affect ovulation 💫

If you've been trying to get pregnant and would like further advice, speak to your GP or healthcare professional 💙

Try the ovulation calculator here:
https://patient.info/pregnancy/ovulation-calculator

28/08/2026

With the Bank Holiday approaching, it's important to know how to access NHS services if you need help over the long weekend. 💙

Many GP practices will be closed on Bank Holiday days, but there are still a range of NHS services available if you need medical advice, treatment or urgent care. 🏥

✅ Use NHS 111 online for medical advice and support
✅ Call 111 if you need urgent medical help but it's not an emergency
✅ Visit your local pharmacy for advice on common illnesses and minor injuries
✅ Use NHS online services to manage prescriptions and access health information
✅ Call 999 or attend A&E for life-threatening emergencies only

If you take regular medication, remember to order any repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before the Bank Holiday to avoid running out. 💊

Planning ahead can help you enjoy the long weekend and ensure you know where to turn if you need healthcare support. ☀️

Find NHS services near you:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/

Get help from NHS 111:
https://111.nhs.uk/

Learn how pharmacies can help:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/

27/08/2026

📢 Patient Participation Group (PPG) Drop-In Session

Want to help improve your GP practice? Members of our Patient Participation Group (PPG) will be in the waiting room area on Monday 28th September between 10:00am to 11:00am to talk about the group's work and gather patient feedback.

Whether you're interested in joining the PPG or simply want to share your thoughts and experiences, come along for a chat! We'd love to hear your views!

26/08/2026

Have you been invited for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening? It’s important to attend 💙

AAA screening is offered to men in England during the year they turn 65. The screening test looks for a swelling (aneurysm) in the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body 🩺

An abdominal aortic aneurysm often causes no symptoms, which means many people don't know they have one. If an aneurysm grows and bursts, it can be life-threatening, which is why early detection is so important ⚠️

The screening itself is quick, painless and similar to an ultrasound scan. Most appointments take less than 10 minutes and can provide reassurance or help identify any problems early 👍

You'll usually only need to be screened once, unless an aneurysm is found and requires monitoring 👨‍⚕️

If you've received an invitation, don't ignore it. Attending your appointment could save your life 💙

Find out more:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/

25/08/2026

🌟 Drop In Employment Support Session – All Welcome! 🌟
We’re hosting a monthly drop in session with Pathways to Work to support anyone who has a health condition and/or disability and wants help with employment.

Come along and chat with specialist advisors from Connect to Work and Work Well. They’ll be on hand to talk through the support available and help you find the service that’s right for you.

📅 We will be holding our session TOMORROW - Wednesday 26th
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Drop in — no appointment needed!

Take the next step forward with confidence!

24/08/2026

⚠️ Important advice for parents and carers

The MHRA advises not to use re**al catheters (gas and colic relievers) in babies for colic, trapped wind, bloating, or constipation. Parents and carers should stop using these products and safely dispose of any unused devices.

There is insufficient evidence that these products work, and there are concerns about possible injury and delays in diagnosing more serious conditions.

If you're concerned about your baby, speak to your health visitor, GP, or NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

For more information please visit here:

Do not use re**al catheters sold for personal use (gas and colic relievers) in infants, including for colic, gas-related discomfort or constipation. Stop using these products immediately and dispose of any unused devices.

24/08/2026

Did you know you can access a range of NHS services online through your NHS account? 💙📱

Your NHS account securely stores your health information and makes it easier to manage your healthcare whenever and wherever you need it 👍

There are two ways to access your NHS account:
• Through the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet 📱
• Through a web browser on a computer, laptop or smart device without downloading an app 💻

Once you've set up your NHS login, you can:
• Order repeat prescriptions 💊
• Manage appointments 📅
• View your GP health record securely 🔒
• Register your organ donation decision ❤️
• Find your NHS number 🏥

Having an NHS account gives you quick, secure access to important health information and services, helping you manage your care more conveniently 💫

Access your NHS account here:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/account

Create an NHS login here:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-login/