July 2024 Patient Newsletter




💪🏼 Banish aches and pains with our in-house physio
Are your morning aches and pains starting to be a daily hindrance? Has watching the Euros 2024 left you with an armchair injury? (Yes, it’s happened already, you’re not alone!) Sid, Apex’s in-house first-contact physiotherapist could be the help you need to banish those niggles.
Did you know that physios train for longer than GPs on problems with muscles, bones and joints so they’re the best people to see for musculoskeletal problems? You don’t need to see a GP first which often means you’ll be seen faster and if you need a sick (fit) note or medication following your appointment, Sid can arrange all of these for you while you’re there with a GP.
For an appointment with Sid, let us know when you contact us.


🦷 Finding an NHS dentist
We know our patients know we can’t help with dental problems as GPs, but we also know how difficult it has been to find an NHS dentist, especially for children under 17.
The NHS.uk website is the best place to look for local dentists taking new patients on, as most dentists tend to keep these profiles up to date, and there are some in the area taking on at the moment.
- Don’t forget your local pharmacist can offer patient advice and treatments over the counter for pain relief while you get a dentist appointment.
- There’s also some helpful info about caring for your child’s teeth from this page: Help for early years providers: Oral health (education.gov.uk)
- And if it’s urgent and you don’t have an NHS dentist, contact the emergency dentist/out of hours service. Details here: https://www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/dental-emergency


🍻 Are you alcohol-aware?
A glass of wine or beer in the garden is something most of us enjoy and look forward to in the summer but it’s important to remember the risks of combining heavy sun exposure with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol in warm weather increases your risk of dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you do fancy an alcoholic drink, make sure you drink lots of water too, and keep track of the alcohol you consume – long summer evenings can easily lead to an increase in alcohol consumption so know your limits!
Remember the factor 30 and stay safe in the sun too – check out these tips from Cancer Research UK.


📰 Important news for patients with diabetes
Good news for patients who live with diabetes. You can now book and manage your diabetic eye screening appointments online. When it’s time for your next appointment, you’ll be invited to choose and book a time using the new NHS Kent & Medway Diabetic Eye Screening online portal. The new portal allows you to cancel, rebook, change the location and view the results of your diabetic eye screening appointment too.


🤧 Achoo! Hayfever season in full bloom
Now summer has finally decided to show up, we have seen a rise in patients with strong hayfever symptoms. Thanks to schemes like Pharmacy First, your local pharmacist can often treat your hayfever symptoms without having to see a GP first which means you can go back to enjoying the summer before it disappears again! Simply pop along to your local pharmacy for advice and a consultation – no appointment needed


🌞 Summer activities across Medway
With school out later this month, check out some of the fun activities happening across Medway
- Sports camps are back at Medway Park and Strood Sports Centre (for children aged 7-11)
- Things to do in Medway this summer for the whole family.
- Cozenton Park Sports Centre opens on 17 July too! Their summer fitness taster sessions have already started – well worth a look.


💟 Samaritans 24/7

