Newsletter (Soft Blue design)
Author: Rebecca Furnival

20th March 2025
Volume 2, Issue 1

Spring 2025

Welcome to the Spring Newsletter!
I see rain clouds, I see birds’ nests,
Butterflies, too!
Flowers, too!
Everything is growing. The wind is gently blowing.
Spring is here!
Spring is here!
Practice News
Like the changing of the seasons, there has been some changes within our clinical team.
We would like to congratulate Dr Peeta-Imoudu on the birth of her beautiful baby boy and wish them all the best. The team here at Woodside can’t wait to meet him.
We bid farewell to Dr Kanu who has left us for a life down under and making the move to Australia. We wish you all the best for your future!
We would like to welcome Dr Nicol to the team who has been with us for a couple of months now. We hope you are settling in well.
We also welcome Sam to our cleaning team, we hope they are taking good care of you. Welcome to the Woodside team.

Inside this issue
Woman’s History Month 2
HRT 2
Ovarian Cancer Month 3
Asthma 3
Contraception 3
Allergies 3
Stress Awareness 4
Bowel Cancer Month 4
Mental Health Awareness 4

Woman’s History Month (March)

Women’s History month is one of the most important celebrations in the equality calendar. It takes time to recognize the achievements of female academics, adventurers and activists, who have defined society as we know it, but are regularly left out of school curriculums and industry discussions.
In the workplace, it is essential to celebrate Women’s History Month, as it sets a precedent for inclusion and empowers female employers. Women’s History Month is recognized by businesses and government bodies across the globe and is celebrated from 1st March until the 31st March.
Throughout March we will be promoting the importance of Women’s health and celebrating those who came before us to make a difference in the world that we live in today.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT is a treatment used to help menopause symptoms. It replaces the hormones Oestrogen and Progesterone, which fall to low levels as you approach menopause.
HRT can help to treat symptoms such as;
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Sleep problems
Mood swings
Anxiety and low mood
Vaginal dryness
Oestrogen and Progesterone are an essential part of period cycles. They keep your bones healthy. As you get older the loss of these hormones can have a big effect on your body.
If you are over 45 and think you’re having menopause symptoms and are considering starting HRT or even if you are under 45 and feel that you may be experiencing these symptoms. Book an appointment with the GP.

Ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome!

Ovarian Cancer Month (March)

Ovarian cancer month is important as it helps to raise awareness of Ovarian cancer. Currently only 3 in 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live beyond 10 years. This is unacceptable.
With 7500 women receiving an ovarian cancer diagnosis in the UK each year, it is vital that we make faster progress to reach a vision of ovarian cancer being survivable for all women.
That is why, Ovarian Cancer Action, created Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the UK in 2005. This is to empower women, raise awareness of symptoms and change the future for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Understanding the symptoms of ovarian cancer is pivotal for early detection. Common symptoms include:
Persistent bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Changes in urinary habits
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss or gain.
If you feel that you are experiencing any of these symptoms please make an appointment to speak with one of our GP’s.
It is important to act quickly, even if it is just to rule out ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Action recommends you keep a symptoms diary and document the frequency and severity of your symptoms. This will allow your GP to refer for tests, such as; a full blood count, testing for coeliac disease, c-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to the overlapping symptoms between the two conditions.
If you are aged over 50, and have never experienced IBS before then if it unlikely that you will start to develop it now. Generally, IBS develops in people between their 20’s and 30’s.
If you are concerned, please book an appointment with a doctor by calling the practice at 8am for a same day appointment.

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Asthma Reviews

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. Over 8 million people, or approximately 12% of the population, have been diagnosed with asthma. However, some may have grown out of the condition, and 5.4 million people are receiving asthma treatment.
Asthma can affect people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults. There's currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so they do not have a big impact on your life.
Here at Woodside Medical Practice we offer regular asthma reviews for our patients who suffer and for anyone who thinks that they may have asthma. This is so we can ensure that your treatment is working effectively for you and to help increase your quality of daily living and breath a little easier.
If you suspect you have symptoms of asthma, you can book yourself in to be checked by one of our nurses; you do not need to see a doctor for this. If you need treatment for this, our nursing staff can help.

Contraception

There are many methods of contraception for preventing pregnancy. In total there is 15 forms commonly used in the UK. These include, the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, IUD, Implant, Injection, Patch, Condoms, female condoms, etc.
There are some things you should think about when deciding which contraception to use and it also depends on what is important to you. You may wish to consider,
How well it works at preventing pregnancy, for example, the contraceptive implant works very well at preventing pregnancy. It’s over 99% effective if used correctly all the time.
How it is used, for example, some methods of contraception need to be used every time you have sex, such as condoms. Some involve taking a pill daily, changing a patch weekly or changing a vaginal ring every 3 weeks. There are also long-acting ones such as the implant or the coil, or there are more permanent methods such as a vasectomy or female sterilization.
Hormonal contraception and its side effects and risks, some methods contain 1 or 2 hormones, these are oestrogen and progestogen. These types of hormones can cause side effects such as; nausea, headaches and weight gain. It can also increase the risks of blood clots and breast cancer. The risk is very low but means that some hormonal contraceptives are not suitable for everyone.
Non-hormonal contraception and its side effects and risks, some methods contain no hormones, such as condoms or the IUD (copper coil). The IUD can cause pain for a few days after fitting and also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies—this is a rare risk and this is only if the IUD fails.
Effects on periods, some methods can increase or decrease the flow of your period, some can make them less painful and others can cause them to stop all together.

Allergies
Springtime brings longer days and blooming flowers, but for many people, it also marks the start of the allergy season.
Pollen from trees such as alder, birch, and oak is a common airborne allergen during this time, leading to symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes. Grass and weed pollen further contribute to these seasonal allergies.
Up to 44% of British adults are affected by at least one allergy, with nearly half experiencing hay fever symptoms.
Relief for most allergy sufferers is found in over-the-counter medications, including antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Your local community pharmacist should be your first point of contact; they are well-equipped to help you in choosing the right medication to ease your symptoms. The NHS Pharmacy First service enables you to receive consultations and certain medications directly from pharmacies for common conditions such as allergies, without needing to see a GP.
It’s important to know when to seek further help. If your allergy symptoms persist despite over-the-counter treatments, consider speaking to a clinician. For urgent situations, NHS 111 can provide advice, and in the case of severe reactions like breathing difficulties or swelling in your mouth or throat, call 999 immediately.

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Bowel Caner Awareness Month (April)

Stress Awareness Month
The is no health without mental health and stress can lead to numerous health problems. From physical problems, like heart disease, insomnia and digestive issues, to more serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic.. It is the time when we have an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress and open up about our mental and emotional state with friends, families, colleagues and professionals.

Bowel cancer includes both colon and rectal cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in the UK. It is mostly diagnosed in people over 60, but can be diagnosed in younger people.
The bowel is part of the digestive system and is divided into the small and large bowel. Cancer can affect both areas of the bowel.
Doctors do not know the exact causes of bowel cancer, but there are risk factors that can increase your chances of developing it.
Macmillan provide services for people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer diagnosis. This includes help with paying bills, understanding your diagnosis, and offering a listening ear when times are tough.
If you are worried you may have bowel cancer, call to book an appointment with the GP.

Mental Health Awareness Week (12th May)

The theme for this years mental health awareness week is ‘community.’
Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and gives us a sense of purpose.
It is important to take care of both our physical and mental wellbeing.
If you are struggling with your mental health, and would like to discuss some treatments that may help. Please call the practice at 8am Monday—Friday for a same day GP appointment. Alternatively, there are many services that are available to help support you, please see next page for information.

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Mental Health Support
Please see below some of the services available :
IAPT Self-referral Please call 01952 457415.
Crisis Team Text Service 24/7 Text 'SHOUT' to 85258
Samaritans 116123
Online Live chat service Kooth.com
Urgent Help 24/7
0808 196 4501

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Repeat Prescriptions
The easiest, safest and quickest way to order your repeat prescription is online via patient access. There is no need to make a phone call or visit us; instead computer, smartphone or tablet users can request repeat prescriptions anywhere – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also check what medication you should be taking and when.
If you are unable to request your medication online then you can pop into the practice, fill in a repeat prescription request and put it in the prescription box in the foyer. You can also request your prescriptions through your chosen pharmacy.
If you are not already registered for Patient Access or the NHS App, please let a member of the Practice team know you would like to use this service.
Please allow 3 full clear working days before collecting your prescription during normal working hours. The table below will show you when you can pick up your prescription based on the day you request it.

Woodside Medical Practice
Park Lane
Woodside
Telford
TF7 5NR
Phone: 01952 586691
E-mail: patients.woodside@nhs.net

Opening Hours
Monday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Thursday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Friday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
Telephone lines open Monday—Friday from 8am—6pm .

Spring Bank Holidays 2025
Friday 18th April 2025
Monday 21st April 2025
Monday 5th May 2025
Monday 26th May 2025