Category: Looking After Your Health

  • Home First Aid Kit

    It is important to keep your first aid kit and medicine cabinet stocked at home

    Being prepared for common illnesses and injuries is really important. Make sure you have things like pain relief, such as paracetamol & ibuprofen, antihistamines, decongestants and cold and flu remedies, a thermometer, anti-diarrhoea tablets, oral hydration salts, indigestion remedies, alcohol free cleansing wipes, antiseptic cream or spray, plasters, sterile dressings and bandages at home so you can be ready if you or a family member need them.

  • The Word Dispensary

    Anxiety, depression, loneliness are buzz words we hear most days but how many of us get stuck, not knowing how to deal with these feelings. Medication can help as can counselling but maybe something else can help too. Words are extremely powerful. Whether spoken or read, they can be a source of education, entertainment, or comfort.

    In the Word Dispensary, I hope you will find something that speaks to you and offers a voice of advice, some suggestions and just something you can dip into if you are feeling in need of the companionship of words. Try some writing for yourself or explore further to support your own mental health, without the need for medicines.

    The blog will be added to so do check back and see what may be hiding.

    A Word Dispensary

  • CQC Care Quality Commission

    External link

    CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.

    We regulate health and adult social care, we work together with the public, systems and providers of care to protect people, and to promote and improve the quality of care. 

    Everyone receives safe, effective and compassionate care. 

    • Clift Surgery will be expecting  a visit from CQC soon and the PPG is supporting the surgery in its preparation for this.

  • The NHS England 10 Year plan

    External link

    This was published in 2025 and highlights where the NHS should be heading.

    The three main shifts are:

    1. From Hospital to Community

    • Creation of a Neighbourhood Health Centre (NHC) in every community.
    • Centres open 12 hours a day, six days a week, offering coordinated access to:
    • Mental health, dental, rehab, and diagnostic services
    • Social care and advisory support
    • Aim: reduce pressure on hospitals and bring care closer to home.

    2. From Analogue to Digital

    • “Digital by default” for many services, including appointment booking and self‑referral.
    • Expansion of remote monitoring and digital tools that give patients more control.
    • Emphasis on power in patients’ hands through accessible digital services.

    3. From Sickness to Prevention

    • Strong focus on secondary prevention (early detection and intervention) to improve healthy life expectancy.
    • Prevention seen as essential for financial sustainability and reducing inequalities.
    • The PPG is supporting Clift Surgery in working towards these goals by offering support in accessing digital services and offering input into the PCN Health Awareness Days.
    • PPG members regularly attend training sessions to keep up with changes that might affect patients

  • The King’s Fund

    External link

    The King’s Fund is an independent health and care charity in England that works to improve how the NHS and social care system function. It isn’t part of the government or the NHS, but it influences both through research, analysis, leadership development, and policy work.

  • Healthwatch England

    External link

    Healthwatch England is the national, independent champion for people who use health and social care services in England. It exists to make sure the voices of patients, carers, and the public influence how services are designed and delivered.

  • The Patients Association

    External link

    The Patient’s Association is an independent, national charity in the UK that exists to ensure patients’ voices are heard and to improve the experience of health and social care for everyone. It is not part of the NHS or the government, but it works closely with both to highlight what patients need and where services are falling short.

    It is encouraging patients to become members. It is free and you get a weekly newsletter and details of upcoming courses and an archive of previous work.