Valley Medical Centre - Stocksbridge

19/08/2026

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects babies and young children 👶💙

It usually starts with red sores or blisters that burst and leave crusty golden-brown patches on the skin. While impetigo is not usually serious, it can spread easily through close contact, towels, bedding and shared items ⚠️

If you think your child may have impetigo, help is available through the NHS Pharmacy First service. A pharmacist can assess symptoms and, where appropriate, provide treatment without the need for a GP appointment 💊

Signs of impetigo can include:
🔹 Red sores or blisters
🔹 Itchy patches of skin
🔹 Honey-coloured crusts forming over sores
🔹 Sores commonly around the nose, mouth, hands or body

To help prevent the spread:
🧼 Wash hands regularly
🧼 Avoid sharing towels, bedding or clothing
🧼 Keep affected areas clean
🧼 Follow treatment advice from your pharmacist

Find out more about impetigo:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/impetigo/

Learn more about Pharmacy First:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/

18/08/2026

A Message to Our Patients ❤️

As a Practice Nurse and Nurse Team Lead, I would like to sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that some of our patients have experienced recently due to cancelled appointments.

Unfortunately, we are currently managing ongoing staff sickness within our nursing team. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on patient care. Our team continues to work incredibly hard, prioritising patients according to clinical need and taking on additional appointments wherever possible to ensure that as many patients as possible receive the care they need.

However, there are times when circumstances are beyond our control. Like everyone else, healthcare professionals can become unwell, and staff sickness is not the fault of the nursing team or any other team within the practice. We are human too, and we ask for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.

We would also encourage patients who are waiting for appointments to check in with us regularly, as appointments can become available at short notice due to last-minute cancellations.

On the other hand, we continue to experience a high number of Did Not Attend (DNA) appointments. This can be particularly frustrating for staff when there are patients waiting to be seen. If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer that appointment to another patient in need.

We completely understand that cancelled appointments can be frustrating, and nobody is more disappointed than the teams who work hard every day to provide your care. Behind every appointment is a person doing their very best in difficult circumstances.

Thank you to all of the patients who have shown kindness, patience and understanding. Your support genuinely means a great deal to us.

If you can be anything, please be kind. ❤️

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Anna
Practice Nurse & Nurse Team Lead
VMC 🌳

17/08/2026

If you receive an NHS screening invitation, don't ignore it – book it 💙📩

NHS screening programmes are designed to identify potential health problems before symptoms appear, giving you the best chance of receiving treatment early if needed 🩺

Screening is offered to different groups of people at different stages of life and can help detect conditions such as certain cancers, abdominal aortic aneurysms and other health concerns before they become more serious ⚠️

Most screening tests are quick, simple and free through the NHS 👍

Even if you feel well, it's important to attend when invited. Screening can provide reassurance or help identify problems early, when treatment is often more effective 💙

If you've received a screening invitation, take a few moments to book your appointment. It could make a significant difference to your health and wellbeing 🌟

Find out more about NHS screening programmes:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-screening/

14/08/2026

Wondering when your baby might arrive? 👶💙

The NHS Due Date Calculator can give you an estimated due date based on the first day of your last menstrual period 📅

While only a small number of babies arrive exactly on their due date, knowing your estimated due date can help you plan for appointments, prepare for your baby's arrival and understand your pregnancy timeline better 👍

Your due date may be adjusted later based on your dating scan, which usually takes place between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy 🩺

Remember, every pregnancy is different and babies can arrive before or after their estimated due date 💫

If you think you may be pregnant or have questions about your pregnancy, speak to your midwife, GP or maternity team for support 💙

Try the NHS Due Date Calculator here:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/due-date-calculator/

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

As temperatures rise, it's important to know the signs of hyperthermia and heat-related illness ☀️💙

Hyperthermia happens when your body becomes too hot and struggles to cool itself down. If left untreated, it can become serious and may require medical attention ⚠️

Signs to watch for include:
• Dizziness or feeling light-headed 😵
• Muscle cramps 💪
• Swollen feet or ankles 👣
• Feeling sick, weak or unusually tired 🤒
• A rapid pulse or fast heartbeat ❤️

You can help reduce your risk by:
• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day 💧
• Staying in the shade where possible 🌳
• Avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day ☀️
• Wearing loose, light-coloured clothing 👕
• Checking on older relatives, neighbours and vulnerable people 👥

Babies, young children, older adults and people with long-term health conditions can be particularly vulnerable during hot weather 🌡️

If symptoms become severe, worsen, or do not improve, seek medical advice promptly 🩺💙

10/08/2026

Have you shared your feedback with the Friends and Family Test? 💙

The NHS Friends and Family Test is a quick and anonymous way to tell us about your experience 👍

Your feedback helps us understand what we're doing well and where we can improve 💬

Every response helps us improve services and provide the best possible care for our patients 🏥

If you've recently used our service, we'd love to hear from you 💙

Search: NHS Friends and Family Test 🔍

07/08/2026

At our surgery, we're committed to providing the best possible care for every patient 💚

This short video, created by members of our clinical team, explains how our services work, why some processes are in place, and how we work hard every day to help everyone who needs us.

We understand that waiting for appointments or navigating healthcare can sometimes feel frustrating. Our team is here to help, and we always aim to treat every patient with kindness, compassion and respect.

In return, we ask that everyone remembers our zero tolerance policy. Abuse, aggression or threatening behaviour towards our staff will not be tolerated. Our team deserves to work in a safe and respectful environment while caring for our community.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video, and help us create a positive, respectful experience for everyone. Thank you for your patience, understanding and kindness.

Valley MC 🌳

07/08/2026

Ever wondered how many calories your body uses just to keep you alive? 💙

Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body needs each day to carry out basic functions such as breathing, circulating blood, regulating temperature and supporting your organs 🫀🫁

Knowing your BMR can help you better understand your energy needs and can be useful if you're looking to manage your weight, improve your fitness or make healthier lifestyle choices 👍

Your BMR is influenced by factors such as:
• age
• s*x
• height and weight
• muscle mass
• overall health 🏃

While BMR is only one part of the picture, understanding it can help you make more informed decisions about your nutrition and activity levels 💪🥗

Use the Patient Info BMR Calculator to find out more about your body's energy needs 💫

Find out your BMR here:
https://patient.info/healthy-living/basal-metabolic-rate-calculator

05/08/2026

August is National Immunisation Awareness Month, a great opportunity to learn more about the vaccines that help protect children from serious illnesses 💉💙

Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to protect against infectious diseases and help keep our communities healthy 👍

The MMRV vaccine protects children against four illnesses:
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella (chickenpox) 👶

These illnesses can sometimes lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, meningitis and other health problems ⚠️

The MMRV vaccine is offered as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme and helps provide important protection during early childhood 💙

Making sure your child receives their vaccinations on time helps protect them and those around them 🛡️

If you're unsure whether your child is up to date with their vaccinations, speak to your GP practice for advice 👍

Find out more:
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmrv-vaccine/