NHS North East London

Suncream ✅
Sunglasses ✅
Hat ✅
Taking Control of Cancer’s latest podcast ✅

Are you sun ready?

As the weather heats up, Taking Control of Cancer return to tackle one of the biggest challenges in skin health: misinformation.

Last year, there were 1,721 cases of skin cancer diagnosed here in north east London.

Unpack the truth about skin cancer, as the experts help you separate myth from fact and learn more about how to protect your skin and staying safe in the sun.

Listen now to find out more about how to keep you and your family sun safe and prevent the risk of skin cancer.

Visit the link in the comments ⬇️

North East London Cancer Alliance

🌡️ Hot weather – stay safe and well

As the temperature continues to rise over the weekend, it’s important to take a few simple steps to stay well:

💧 Drink plenty of water
🏠 Keep your home cool - close curtains during the day and open the windows at night when it’s cooler
🧴 Wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm

Hot weather can affect anyone, but older people, young children and those with health conditions may be more at risk so don’t forget to check in on older or vulnerable neighbours, friends, and family.
At higher risk yourself? Ask for help if you need it.

Want to find out more about how to stay well in the warmer weather?

Visit the link in the comments below.

☀️ Summer is for spending time with the people you love, and it’s also a good time to think about protecting them.

RSV can circulate at any time of year, and, for older adults, it can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia.

The NHS offers a free RSV vaccine to people aged 75 and over and those living in care homes for older adults.

If you or someone you care about is eligible, getting vaccinated can help reduce the risk of serious illness and bring peace of mind over the summer.

📞 Contact your GP surgery to book your RSV vaccination - you don’t need to wait for an invitation.

The NHS App can help you feel more prepared for GP and hospital appointments by keeping useful health information in one place.

If you are managing a long-term condition, or lots of health issues, the app can help you feel more in control. Just ask Helen from Waltham Forest! Helen wants you to know that “the NHS app is extremely useful if you have multiple health issues.”

You can check details in advance, look back at information from your practice and make a note of what you want to ask, so you feel clearer and more organised on the day.

Being able to plan ahead can help you make the most of your appointment and feel more confident about your care.

To get the best out of it, try checking the app before your appointment, reviewing any recent letters or messages and writing down any questions you want to raise to be more informed.

So why not download the app today to help you manage your healthcare?

📣 It’s not too late to get your spring COVID-19 vaccine. 📣

Protection against COVID-19 can fade over time, and new strains of the virus can spread. If you or someone you care about has a weakened immune system, you could be at higher risk of serious illness.

That’s why it’s important to top up your protection.

You can get your spring COVID-19 vaccine up until 30 June. ⏳

If you haven’t booked your appointment yet, now’s a good time to pop it in your diary.

🚨 The weather will be getting hotter today – are you ready to beat the heat? ☀️ 🚨

🌡️ Did you know?
Hot weather can make some people seriously unwell, especially older people, young children and those with existing health conditions. Check in on anyone who may be vulnerable and ask for help if you’re at higher risk.

💧 Most heat-related illness can be prevented with simple steps - so stay cool, stay hydrated, and take care of each other. Here’s some simple tips:

✅ Plan ahead
✔️ Do physical activity in the early morning or evening
✔️Keep your home cool by closing curtains in sunny rooms
✔️Open windows at night when it’s cooler
✔️Find out about cool spaces near you - indoor spaces for you to shelter from the sun and cool down

✅ Stay safe
✔️Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
✔️Wear light, loose clothing, a hat and sunglasses
✔️Use sunscreen (at least SPF 30+ and reapply regularly)

✅ Stay hydrated
✔️Drink plenty of water throughout the day
✔️Limit alcohol and sugary drinks

🚨 Know the warning signs
✔️Heat exhaustion: tiredness, dizziness, sweating, headache, nausea, feeling very thirsty, high temperature
✔️Heatstroke: a very high temperature, confusion, fast breathing, hot skin, seizure (fit)

Find out more by visiting the link in the comments below.

This week is Men's Health Week. 💙

Many men find it difficult to talk about how they're feeling. Whether it's stress, anxiety, loneliness, low mood or feeling overwhelmed, it can be easy to keep things to yourself and try to manage alone. But talking can make a difference.

Speaking to a friend, family member or healthcare professional can be an important first step.

If you're struggling with your mental wellbeing, NHS Talking Therapies offers free and confidential support for common mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety and depression.

If you have a physical health concern, your local pharmacy is often the easiest place to start. You can walk in without an appointment and get expert advice from a healthcare professional on a range of common conditions, helping you get the right support quickly and conveniently.

Find out more in the comments. 👇

Unsure what vaccines you can have while pregnant?

The decision about whether to get vaccinated during pregnancy is yours and it’s natural to have questions or concerns about whether it’s right for you.

During pregnancy, your immune system is naturally weaker than usual. This means you are more likely to have certain infections and illnesses that can be harmful to you and your developing baby.

That’s why there’s some vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy:

✅ Flu (during flu season)
✅ RSV
✅ Whooping cough

These vaccines do not contain any live viruses and cannot give you or your baby the virus.

We want to give you the information you need to make the right decision for you and your family.

Speak to your GP or midwife if you have any concerns or questions.