Latest News
Warmth on Prescription
Keeping warm is vital for your health and wellbeing, especially during the colder months.
Cold homes can increase the risk of health problems such as respiratory illnesses, heart conditions, and poor mental health. It can also make existing conditions worse, which is why staying warm isn’t just about comfort, it’s about protecting your health.
The Warmth on Prescription scheme provides extra support for people who are struggling to heat their homes. Depending on your circumstances, this support may include:
Practical help to improve energy efficiency in your home
Advice on reducing energy costs
Access to grants or schemes that can help with heating bills
Guidance and signposting to other local services
If you are eligible, this service can make a real difference in keeping you safe, well, and independent during the winter months.
Who can apply?
You may be eligible if you have a health condition made worse by the cold, are pregnant, or have young children, or if you are otherwise struggling to afford to heat your home.
How to apply
Speak to your GP, another health professional, or your local council to find out if you qualify and how to access support.
Taking action now could help you stay healthy, prevent illness, and avoid unnecessary hospital visits during the winter.
Bromsgrove Breath Work Event with Bev Nibbs
On Sunday 15th September, Bromsgrove PCN hosted an evening Breathwork Session with Bev, exploring the benefits of using breath as a tool to support health and wellbeing.
Bev guided the group through a range of simple but effective techniques designed to reduce stress, improve focus, and bring a greater sense of calm. The session also highlighted how breathwork can be incorporated into daily life to help manage challenges, boost energy, and support long-term wellbeing.
It was a fantastic evening with plenty of interaction, and the feedback has been brilliant. Many attendees told us they felt noticeably calmer, more relaxed, and better equipped with practical tools they could continue to use at home.
A huge thank you to Bev for delivering such an engaging and inspiring session, and to everyone who joined us and made the evening a real success. We look forward to offering more opportunities like this in the future.
Digital Switch Over
With the UK moving to digital phone lines, it’s important to check your devices now. Taking action early ensures you can stay connected to vital services like your GP and emergency support.
Telephone lines across the UK are switching from analogue to digital by the start of 2027.
This change will affect how you contact services like your GP surgery, emergency support systems like Lifeline, and other devices connected to a landline.
Here’s what you need to know:
Traditional analogue phone lines are being replaced by a new digital system (via broadband).
If you use a landline-only phone, you may need to upgrade your handset or set up a compatible router.
Services like Lifeline, fall alarms, health monitors, and personal alert systems may stop working unless they are updated to work with the digital system.
This change may affect your ability to call your GP or other health services, especially in the event of a power cut.
What should you do now?
If you're not sure whether you’ll be affected, contact your telephone provider for guidance.
If you or someone you care for uses Lifeline or similar services, get in touch with your equipment provider or local council to check what changes are needed.
Need help or more information?
Visit the Ofcom digital switchover guidance page at: ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/digital-phone-switch
You can also find support through:
BT Digital Voice: www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice
Age UK (for older adults needing help): www.ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 678 1602
Please help spread the word – especially to older family members, neighbours or anyone using telecare services. It’s important that everyone is prepared so no one is left without support.
Do more with the NHS App!
Managing your health just got easier. The app is one of the best ways to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and contact your GP, all in one place.
Looking after your health has never been easier and the NHS App puts everything you need right at your fingertips.
Here are a few ways the app can help you day-to-day:
Book appointments with your GP surgery without having to call.
Order repeat prescriptions quickly and easily, then collect from your local pharmacy.
Access your health records securely, including test results and vaccination history.
Send non-urgent messages to your GP surgery at a time that suits you.
Get trusted NHS advice and find local services all in one place.
It's safe, simple to use, and available 24/7 from your phone or tablet.
Let’s make managing your health easier for everyone in our community. Download the NHS App today via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
Stop Smoking Support
A team of specialist advisors are available to help people quit. They provide free, expert advice tailored to an individual’s needs for up to four weeks.
A team of specialist advisors are available to help people quit. They provide free, expert advice tailored to an individual’s needs for up to four weeks.
What we offer:
Everyone's journey to quit smoking is unique, so we offer personalised support. This includes a customised action plan, free vapes, and assistance with any challenges they might encounter. Here's what they can expect:
Initial Consultation: They'll start with a one-on-one session over the phone with a trained stop-smoking advisor who will help them create a plan that fits their lifestyle.
Weekly Support: Regular telephone check-ins will keep them on track and provide encouragement as they work towards their goal.
Free Vape Starter Kit: To help them transition away from cigarettes, we'll provide vape starter kit vouchers at no cost.
Follow-up: Four weeks after their quit date, we’ll check in with them by phone to ensure they’re still on the path to success.
Any adult (18 and over) who lives in Worcestershire or has a registered GP in Worcestershire can use the service.
To find out more go to worcestershire.gov.uk/stopsmoking or call 0800 772 0307 or 01905 928 185.
To refer people directly to the service please go to: healthyworcestershire.org.uk/stop-smoking
You can also go to any library in Worcestershire if you need help to get online to book into the service.
Anyone who is pregnant or lives with a child under three years old can get even more support to stop smoking. Find out more on our website: worcestershire.gov.uk/stopsmoking
How to cope in a Heatwave - Sunscreen & Sun Safety.
With temperatures rising, staying sun safe is more important than ever. Following NHS guidance is the best way to protect yourself and others during the heatwave.
With temperatures rising, it’s important to take care of yourself and others during the heatwave.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe in the sun:
- Use sunscreen. Apply at least SPF 30 and make sure it offers UVA protection. Ensure to reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating. This doesn't stop you from catching a tan, it stops you from burning.
- Cover up. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Stay in the shade. Especially between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest.
- Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid excess alcohol or caffeine.
- Look after others. Babies, young children, older people and those with health conditions are more at risk.
If you or someone else feels unwell in the heat (dizzy, nauseous, very thirsty or confused), move to a cool place, drink water, and seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve.
Let’s keep our community safe this summer.
Bromsgrove Menopause Cafe
Join us for the last Tuesday of every month to talk all things Menopause!
On Monday 3rd March the team at Bromsgrove PCN arranged an information evening for patients and residents in Bromsgrove about Menopause.
Sarah Edwards from Everyday Active discussed the benefits of exercise and movement to help navigate your way through the menopause and how important it is to undertake strength training to help with our bones as we get older.
Natalie, Sarah and Jane from the Bodi Barn discussed the benefits of Pilates and how it can help develop your core and pelvic floor muscles. Our final speaker was Karen Harker who discussed the hormone changes and the importance of a diet that looks like a rainbow!
Karen told us how the menopause in Japan is called ‘Konenki’ which translates as ‘Second Spring’.
We had a great turnout, all guests left with a goodie bag and some more knowledge on how to manage symptoms.
Please see below for some images from the event.
To book your ticket, or find out more information, click the button below!
Smear Saturday Drop In Clinic
As a PCN we feel it is important to help patients who struggle to make time for a Smear Test during the week.
Certain careers such as teaching and public sector services can mean it is more difficult to leave work for health appointments.
We also recognise how challenging it can be for parents and carers who can only attend appointments at weekends.
We decided to hold 2 drop in clinics in January 2025 to help those patients who would like to receive their smear test at the weekend.
Our first was on Saturday 4th January, held at BHI Parkside in Bromsgrove. The clinic was ran from 8:30am - 12:30pm and we were based at Churchfields Surgery.
We saw 5 people at this clinic, feedback was really positive but we wanted more people to attend. We asked those who attended, how they heard about the clinic. The main response was Facebook, so we decided to increase our social media presence and promote our next clinic even more than previously.
The PCN Assistant Manager Laura, and PCN Finance Lead Liz, took to their phones and shared, shared, shared. They targeted community social media pages, the local newspaper and also contacted schools in the district asking them to share the information with their staff.
All of this marketing worked because on Saturday 18th January over 50 people turned up for our clinic at BHI Parkside, this time based at St Johns Surgery.
Sarah the PCN Manager created a feedback form for the 18th January and asked people to complete after their test. We received 28 responses.
It was fascinating to find out that 89% of attendees found out about the clinic by Facebook. This shows what a useful tool social media can be.
29% of people said they attended the clinic for the convenience, and 28% said it saved them having to call their practice to book in.
89% of people said they would recommend the drop in clinic to a family member or friend and we received some really positive comments in the feedback.
Our next clinic is on Saturday 1st March and will be based at Cornhill Surgery, Rubery.
This clinic will run slightly differently because of the capacity available within the surgery. Tickets can be reserved via Eventbrite for free and then a member of the team will call to book an appointment for a specific time slot. We are hoping this clinic will be just as successful as the last!
To book your ticket, or find out more information, click the button below!
Prostate Cancer Awareness Talk 2025
On Tuesday 4th February 2025 we held our first Prostate Cancer Awareness talk of 2025.
This is the second talk held with Kidderminster and Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group. This time we held our talk in the day rather than the evening.
The talk was held at BHI Parkside which is in central Bromsgrove. Tickets were free and could be booked via Eventbrite or by emailing the generic PCN email (hwicb.bromsgrovepcn@nhs.net). On the day we had 15 patients attend which was a great turnout.
There were a few people who attended this talk who had been diagnosed with Prostate cancer either recently or previously. The group on the day were friendly and informal and it was really positive to see so many who attended feel comfortable to share their stories and experiences.
On the day Antonia from our Social Prescribing Team attended to be on hand to help anyone who is struggling with anxiety, loneliness and feels they require signposting to further support. Antonia chatted to a few people who attended and said she had some really positive conversations.
Sue and John from the PCN PPG were there on the day to help set up and support Laura Wilson with directing patients to the room. A big thankyou to them both for their help on the day and the lead up.
We are hoping to hold another Prostate Awareness Talk with KWPCSG in the summer time and potentially look at the concept of a Saturday event.
Please keep an eye out on our events page for upcoming events.
Our first Health Bus of 2025!
On Wednesday 22nd January, Katie Kehoe (PCN Health and Wellbeing Partnership Co-ordinator), helped organise the first Health Bus of 2025.
The event took place at Clent Connect Hub and partners from all across the district attended. Age UK, Lifeline, Healthy Worcestershire and Citizens Advice are just some of the names there on the day.
Katie herself handed out resistance bands to those individuals who are interested in strengthening exercises.
Feedback received on the day was all really positive and there are talks of a Summer Health Bus to return to the Clent Connect Hub with a particular focus on family’s.
The bus provides services such as NHS Health Checks, GP Registration, Signposting, plus more.
For more information on the Health Bus, and where it will be travelling to next, please click the link below :
Prostate Cancer Awareness Talk 24th September 2024
On Tuesday 24th September 2024, Bromsgrove & District Primary Care Network PPG held their first ever Prostate Cancer Awareness Talk.
The PPG contacted Kidderminster & Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group to see if they had anyone who would be able to attend. The group responded to say yes, they have 2 speakers and would be delighted to attend.
The talk was held at Bromsgrove Sports and Leisure Centre which is in central Bromsgrove. They opted for an evening event, 7pm - 8pm. Tickets were free and could be booked via Eventbrite or by emailing the generic PCN email (hwicb.bromsgrovepcn@nhs.net).
On the night over 30 people attended.
The PPG and Assistant Manager Laura Wilson were delighted with this turnout for their first event.
They received lots of great feedback about the talk. It was informative and friendly, and really encouraged men to advocate for themselves and spread awareness of this unfortunately common cancer.
The PPG also invited along the PCN Social Prescribing team to promote their service to those patients who attended. The Social Prescribers can help those individuals who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious and lonely. The PPG felt it was important for patients to know there is support around and that a Social Prescriber can help link them to various other support groups.
A massive thankyou must be given to Mary Symons and Philip Rudd from the Kidderminster and Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group. They attend these events at no charge and give up their own time to help others and spread knowledge.
Laura Wilson would also like to give thanks to Susan Ayres and Mike Webley for their help on the evening, aswell as the Social Prescribing team, Georgia and Sara.
Please keep your eyes peeled for further events alongside the KWPCSG.
