Family Health

Pregnancy & Maternity

Pregnancy can be an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time. Whether you are planning a pregnancy, newly pregnant, or have recently had a baby, there are reliable NHS resources to support you at every stage.

Planning and Early Pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy or have just found out you are pregnant, the NHS offers guidance on vitamins (including folic acid), lifestyle, medicines in pregnancy and your first antenatal appointments.
NHS Pregnancy & Birth Guide

Antenatal Care and Birth

You will be offered regular antenatal appointments to check your health and your baby’s development, as well as screening tests and information about labour and birth choices.

After You Have Your Baby

After birth, you may have questions about feeding, recovery, newborn checks, safe sleeping and bonding with your baby.
NHS Early days (after the birth of your baby)

Mental Health in Pregnancy and After Birth

Some people experience anxiety, low mood or other mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after having a baby. Support is available, and it is important to seek help early.
NHS Perinatal Mental Health Support

Local Doncaster Maternity Services (DBTH)

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals provide maternity services including antenatal care, labour ward, birth centres and community midwives.
DBTH Maternity Services

If you have concerns about pregnancy, your baby, or your mental health, please contact the surgery, your midwife or NHS 111 for advice.

Child Health & Immunisations

Children in the UK are offered a comprehensive vaccination programme to protect them from serious illnesses. The schedule is updated regularly by the NHS to ensure children are protected at the right age.

Routine Childhood Vaccinations

Vaccinations help protect children from infections such as measles, mumps, meningitis, whooping cough and more. You can view the current NHS vaccination schedule, from birth to 18 years, on the NHS website.
NHS Vaccination Schedule (Birth to 18 Years)

Child Illnesses & When to Seek Help

The NHS provides clear advice on recognising common childhood illnesses and guidance on when to seek medical help.

Babies & Toddlers – Health & Common Conditions

Healthier Together

Trusted, practical advice for parents and carers on common childhood illnesses, red-flag symptoms, when to seek help, and how long your child’s symptoms are likely to last.
Healthier Together

If you are concerned about your child’s health, please contact the surgery for advice or speak to a healthcare professional.

Child Illnesses

Children commonly experience minor illnesses and infections as they grow. Knowing how to manage symptoms at home and when to seek help can provide reassurance for parents and carers.

Healthier Together

Healthier Together provides trusted, practical advice for parents and carers on common childhood illnesses, red-flag symptoms, when to seek help, and how long your child’s symptoms are likely to last.
Healthier Together – South Yorkshire

Fever in Children

Fever is very common in young children and is often caused by mild infections that improve on their own. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help keep your child comfortable. It is important to know when a fever needs medical attention.
Fever in children – NHS

Head Lice

Head lice are common in school-age children. They do not usually cause illness but will not clear without treatment and thorough combing.
Head lice and nits – NHS

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common in children and are usually mild. Simple first aid is often enough to stop the bleeding, but seek help if they are heavy, frequent or difficult to control.
Nosebleeds – NHS

If you are worried about your child’s breathing, colour, alertness, or if they seem seriously unwell, call 999. For urgent concerns that are not life-threatening, contact NHS 111 online or by phone.

Men’s Health

Men are sometimes less likely to seek medical advice and may ignore worrying symptoms. If you notice a new or persistent change in your health, do not delay speaking to a GP or nurse.

Looking After Your Health

The NHS provides advice on healthy living, mental wellbeing, heart health, and reducing your risk of preventable illness.
NHS Live Well

Prostate Health & Prostate Cancer

Prostate problems become more common with age. Symptoms may include:

• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Difficulty starting to urinate or a weak flow
• Straining, dribbling or feeling unable to fully empty the bladder
• Occasionally, blood in the urine or semen

These symptoms are often due to a non-cancerous enlarged prostate, but they should always be checked.

More information:
Prostate Cancer – NHS
Prostate Cancer UK – Information & Support

Testicular Health & Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is uncommon but is the most common cancer in young men. It is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Check your testicles regularly and speak to a GP if you notice:

• A lump or swelling in one testicle
• A change in shape or feel
• Heaviness or discomfort in the scrotum
• A persistent ache in the groin or lower abdomen

Find out more:
Testicular Cancer – NHS
Cancer Research UK – Testicular Cancer

Sexual Health & Erection Problems

Erectile dysfunction, low desire, or ejaculation problems are common and can be linked to physical or emotional factors. Treatments and lifestyle changes can be very effective.

Further information:
Erection Problems – NHS
Sexual Health – NHS Live Well

If you have concerns about your health, symptoms or wellbeing, please contact the surgery or speak to a healthcare professional for advice.

Women’s Health & Screening

Women’s health covers a wide range of topics including cervical screening, breast screening, reproductive health, menopause, fertility and hormonal conditions. Regular screening and awareness of symptoms can help detect health problems early.

Cervical Screening (Smear Tests)

Cervical screening checks the health of the cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating cell changes before they develop into cancer.

You will be invited for cervical screening if you:

• are aged 25 to 64, and
• have a cervix (this includes many trans men and non-binary people).

The test is usually done at your GP practice or local sexual health clinic and takes only a few minutes.
Cervical screening – NHS

HPV Vaccination

The HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus, including most cervical cancers and some other genital, head and neck cancers.

It is usually offered in school to children aged 12 to 13, with catch-up options available if you missed it.
HPV vaccine – NHS

Breast Screening & Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but many cases can be treated successfully when found early. You should speak to a GP urgently if you notice:

• a new lump or area of thickened tissue in a breast
• a change in the size, shape or feel of one or both breasts
• changes to the nipple (inverting, rash, discharge)
• dimpling or puckering of the skin
• persistent pain in one breast

The NHS Breast Screening Programme normally invites women aged 50 to 70 (and some trans and non-binary people) for routine mammograms.
Breast cancer – NHS
Breast screening (mammogram) – NHS
Breast Cancer Now – Information & Support

Flu Vaccination & Healthy Living

Flu (influenza) is a common viral infection that can make you feel very unwell. For some people, especially those at higher risk, flu can lead to serious illness. The flu vaccine is updated each year to protect against the strains most likely to circulate.

Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Each autumn and winter, the NHS offers a free flu vaccine to people at higher risk, including:

• people aged 65 and over
• people with certain long-term health conditions
• pregnant women
• people living in care homes
• unpaid carers and household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
• some children, who are usually offered the nasal spray vaccine

Eligibility can change slightly each year. We will advertise our flu clinics and invite eligible patients, but you can contact reception at any time to check if you qualify.
Flu vaccine – who should have it and why (NHS)

Eating Well & Being Active

A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of many long-term health conditions, help maintain a healthy weight, improve your mood and increase your energy levels.

Healthy eating advice:
Eat well – NHS
Guidance on balanced meals, food labels, sugar and salt intake, healthy recipes and portion sizes.

Keeping active:
Exercise – NHS
Advice on activity levels, simple ways to become more active and ideas for building movement into your daily routine.

If you’re unsure whether the flu vaccine is suitable for you, or need advice about your health, please contact the surgery or speak to a pharmacist.

Sexual Health, Contraception & STI Testing

Good sexual health includes understanding contraception, preventing infections, having healthy relationships and feeling safe. NHS sexual health services are free and confidential for everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality or relationship status.

If you have had unprotected sex, symptoms, a new partner, or if you are unsure, it is always OK to seek advice, testing or contraception.
Sexual health – NHS Live Well

Contraception

There are many types of contraception, including the pill, implant, patch, injection, coil (IUD/IUS), condoms and more. The best method is the one that suits your body and lifestyle.

Further information:
Contraception – NHS overview
Methods of contraception – NHS
Choosing a method of contraception – NHS

Emergency contraception (the morning-after pill or copper coil/IUD) can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your usual method fails. It is most effective the sooner it is used and is available free from many pharmacies, sexual health clinics and some GP practices.

STIs & Testing

Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV are common. Many people have no symptoms, so routine testing is a good idea if you are sexually active, especially if you have new or multiple partners.

Further information:
Sexually transmitted infections – NHS

Find a sexual health clinic – NHS

If you have symptoms, think you may be pregnant, have had unprotected sex or need emergency contraception, please contact the surgery, a sexual health clinic, a pharmacist or NHS 111 for advice urgently.