Forge Medical Practice

31/10/2026

Symptoms of brain tumours can look different from child to child and are often caused by other conditions.

If you’re worried, trust your instincts and speak to your GP. Find out more from 👉 bit.ly/3YUtH7T

31/10/2026

💖 It’s time to look after yourself

Did you know a mammogram only takes 10 mins? ⏱️ It’s quick, easy and the best way to detect breast cancer early, before any signs or symptoms appear.

So, women between the ages of 50-71 years, next time you receive your breast screening invitation letter, why not take 10 minutes out of your day to look after yourself?

💇‍♀️ You go to the hairdressers when your hair gets too long, 👓 you go to the opticians when your eyesight needs checking, so why not attend your breast screening appointment to check your breast health? It really is that simple!

🌐 For more information visit the QE Gateshead website: https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/services/breast-screening/

📞 Or contact the screening centre on 0191 445 2554 if you need to rebook or change your appointment.

The Gateshead Breast Screening Service covers Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Chester-le-Street.

30/10/2026

Do you know how many calories your body needs each day? 🍎

Calorie needs are different for everyone. Your age, s*x, height, weight and activity levels can all affect how much energy your body needs each day.

The Patient.info Calorie Calculator can give you a personalised estimate of your daily calorie needs based on these factors. It can help you understand approximately how many calories you may need to maintain, lose or gain weight. 🥗

Remember, a calorie calculator provides an estimate rather than an exact target. Your metabolism, body composition, health and individual circumstances can all affect your energy needs. If you have a health condition or need personalised dietary advice, speak to a healthcare professional or dietitian. 🩺

Try the Patient.info Calorie Calculator:
https://patient.info/healthy-living/calorie-calculator?utm_source=chatgpt.com

28/10/2026

Symptoms of brain tumours can look different from child to child and are often caused by other conditions. If you’re worried, trust your instincts and speak to your GP.

Find out more from 👉 bit.ly/3YUtH7T

28/10/2026

How healthy is your heart? An NHS Health Check can help you understand your risk of cardiovascular disease. ❤️

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as heart disease and stroke. Your risk can be influenced by several factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, age and family history. Some factors cannot be changed, but there are important steps you can take to reduce your overall risk.

An NHS Health Check is a free check of your cardiovascular health. It usually includes checking your blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as discussing your family history, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use and other factors that may affect your health. 🩺

High blood pressure and high cholesterol often have no symptoms, so having them checked can help identify potential problems before you know anything is wrong.

NHS Health Checks are generally offered every five years to eligible people aged 40 to 74 who do not already have certain pre-existing conditions. If you're eligible but haven't been invited, you can contact your GP practice. 💙

NHS Health Check information:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check/

26/10/2026

Breast screening can help find breast cancer before you notice any signs or symptoms. 🎀

NHS breast screening uses X-rays called mammograms to look for breast cancers that may be too small to see or feel. Finding breast cancer earlier can mean treatment is more likely to be successful.

If you're eligible for NHS breast screening, you'll be invited when it's time for your appointment. When you receive your invitation, please take the time to read the information provided and arrange your screening.

Screening is for people without symptoms. If you notice a new lump, changes to the size or shape of your breast, ni**le or skin changes, or anything else that is unusual for you, do not wait for your next screening invitation – contact your GP. 💗

NHS breast screening information:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/

25/10/2026

🎀 Women (registered with an NHS GP) between the ages of 50-71 will be invited to attend free breast screening every 3 years.

Breast screening is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, before signs and symptoms appear. Early detection saves lives. 💗

⚠️ However, approximately 25% of the eligible women in your local area did NOT attend their screening appointment. Don’t be one of the women who miss out! If you receive your invitation letter, don’t delay, it could save your life.

🌐 For more information visit the QE Gateshead website: https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/services/breast-screening/

📞 If you’ve missed your appointment or need to change it for whatever reason, don’t worry. Just contact your local screening centre on 0191 445 2554 to book another appointment at a date and time to suit you.

The Gateshead Breast Screening Service covers Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Chester-le-Street.

24/10/2026

🎀 Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the UK, with 1 in every 7 women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

If breast cancer is detected early, treatment is more likely to be successful and the chances of survival are higher.

🩺 One of the best ways to detect breast cancer early is to regularly attend breast screening. A mammogram is able to detect changes before any signs or symptoms appear, which is why it’s important to attend breast screening even if you feel fit and healthy.

📬 Women (registered with an NHS GP) between the ages of 50-71 will be invited to attend free breast screening every 3 years. So please, if you receive your breast screening invitation, don’t delay, attend straight away.

🌐 For more information visit the QE Gateshead website: https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/services/breast-screening/

📞 Or contact the screening centre on 0191 445 2554 if you need to rebook or change your appointment.

The Gateshead Breast Screening Service covers Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Chester-le-Street.

23/10/2026

National Health Education Week is a reminder that good health information should be useful and accessible to everyone. 💙

For people with a physical disability or limited mobility, staying active can sometimes require a different approach, but there are many ways to adapt exercise around your individual abilities and needs.

Physical activity can support heart health, strength, joints, maintaining a healthy weight and mental wellbeing. Everyday movements can also form part of staying active, and exercises can often be adapted so they can be completed seated or with mobility aids.

Start with manageable activities, listen to your body and gradually build up what you do. There is no single exercise plan that will suit everyone, so consider speaking to a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise routine if you're unsure what is appropriate for you. 🩺

Focus on what you can do and find activities that work for your body. Every bit of movement counts. 💙

Patient.info guide to exercising with a physical disability:
https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/how-stay-fit-if-you-have-a-physical-disability

21/10/2026

Did you know you can manage appointments through the NHS App? 📱💙

The NHS App can make it easier to keep track of your healthcare. Depending on the services available through your GP surgery and healthcare providers, you can view upcoming appointments, manage GP appointments and access information about hospital and specialist appointments.

For patients who use British Sign Language (BSL), NHS App guidance videos include the option to turn on BSL, including a video explaining how to manage upcoming GP and hospital appointments. 🤟

Using the app can also make it easier to cancel an appointment you no longer need, helping the appointment become available for someone else. If you need to change a GP appointment, you may need to cancel it and book a new one. 📅

NHS App information and BSL support:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/