November 2024 Patient Newsletter




🥸 How to support Movember fundraising
And just like that, it’s Movember again! For those of you who don’t know, Movember is a month-long fundraising and awareness campaign starting on 1st November for men’s mental health. Men sign up to grow a moustache for 30 days, getting friends, family and colleagues to donate to their effort. To find out how you can get involved or to support the fundraising visit https://uk.movember.com/support-us


👨🏽👩🏽👧🏽👦🏽 Family Health and Wellbeing in Medway
Better Medway offers comprehensive support for families, from friendly pregnancy groups and help with weaning, to advice on how to introduce little ones to positive, healthy habits that will last a lifetime including free cookery classes for adults and children. You can find out more at Better Medway | Medway Council.


💊 Save time and money by using local pharmacies and
supermarkets for everyday medicine
To reduce costs and improve access for patients, NHS Kent & Medway is asking people to buy everyday over the counter (OTC) medicine directly from their local pharmacy or supermarket rather than getting it on prescription. GPs will also stop prescribing medicines for 35 minor conditions and advise people if treatment for their condition is available over the counter.
There are key benefits to buying over the counter:
Affordability: Over-the-counter medications often cost considerably less than their prescription counterparts.
Convenience: Often no appointment is needed, simply visit your usual pharmacy, and discuss your needs with them.
Accessibility: There are lots of pharmacies throughout Kent and Medway – find your nearest one via nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy.


👄 How’s your mouth doing?
Your mouth is vital for so many things, from speaking and eating to expressing yourself. This November, the Apex team is highlighting mouth cancer, a disease affecting the mouth, tongue, cheeks, lips, and throat. Worryingly, cases are increasing, with over 8,800 diagnoses yearly in the UK. Early detection is crucial, yet many cases are discovered late due to a lack of awareness.
Several factors contribute to mouth cancer, including smoking, chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and the human papillomavirus (HPV), often transmitted through oral sex. Combining tobacco and alcohol significantly increases the risk. HPV-related mouth cancers are also on the rise.
Be vigilant about your oral health. If you notice any of the following, please book a check-up with your dentist or call 111:
- Mouth ulcers that don’t heal within three weeks
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- Unusual lumps or swellings in your mouth, head, or neck
- Difficulty swallowing

☕ Memory Café in Strood
ADSS (Alzheimer and Dementia Support Services) now has a Memory Café in Strood. The café is an informal and social environment for people with concerns about their memory. Everyone is welcome to attend. There are a variety of activities at the cafés including guest speakers, entertainment, and refreshments, all provided free of charge in a safe and friendly environment. More information about the café can be found at https://www.alz-dem.org/social-groups-and-activities/memory-cafes/

🤝 Strood Salvation Army: a warm space and lots of community-based activities
The Strood Salvation Army is opposite the surgery and provides a welcoming, warm space for the community. They also run a great timetable of community-based activities throughout the week. They have “Craft & Chatter” on Mondays, Friday coffee mornings, and Film Evenings every first Saturday of the month to name a few. More details and other groups can be found at Strood | The Salvation Army.

