Melbourne & Chellaston Medical Practice

29/10/2026

World Psoriasis Day, 29th October

Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition in which the immune system is overactive. It causes a person’s skin replacement process to speed up, so that it takes just a few days to replace skin cells, when it usually takes 21-28 days. This results in a build-up of immature skin cells, which are visible as raised patches of flaky skin covered with silvery scales (known as ‘plaques’), which can also be itchy.

There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be managed with the right treatment and advice. It is a complex condition, and there are many aspects which are misunderstood, under-treated and under-appreciated. World Psoriasis Day aims to get accurate information to a wider audience.

The Psoriasis UK website contains more information about psoriasis and this year’s event, as well as volunteer opportunities, fundraising ideas, and opportunities to share your experiences. Visit https://psoriasisuk.org.uk/raising-awareness/default.aspx.

Although psoriasis is a commoncondition, there is still a need forus to raise awareness amongstthe general public, healthcareprofessionals, and policymakers.

25/10/2026

National Cholesterol Month, 1st–31st October

Almost half of UK adults have raised cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. We need cholesterol to stay healthy, but when it gets too high, it's a problem. Anyone can have high cholesterol, even young, slim people who eat well and exercise, because although high cholesterol can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, it can also be genetic.

The only way to find out whether you have high cholesterol is to get tested with a simple blood test. You can find out more about cholesterol and how to get tested at https://www.heartuk.org.uk/cholesterol/overview.

National Cholesterol Month aims to increase awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol. This year’s theme is ‘Cholesterol matters. Every swap helps.’ We are invited to swap out the more unhealthy things we do to make healthier choices and raise funds to support awareness and treatment. Find out how to take part, and see examples of healthy choices to make in your daily life at https://www.heartuk.org.uk/national-cholesterol-month/ncm26.

Find our what cholesterol is, what it means if it becomes too high, and how you can lower it.

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

Infection Prevention Control Week, 19th–25th October

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a practical, evidence-based approach preventing patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infections. It includes hand hygiene, surgical site infections, injection safety, antimicrobial resistance and how hospitals operate during and outside of emergencies. Programmes to support IPC are particularly important in low- and middle-income countries, where secondary infections can affect health care delivery and medical hygiene standards.

This week is is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of infection prevention. It celebrates the impact of IPC and reinforces the essential practices that save lives. The theme for this year’s event is Generations of Infection Prevention | Past. Present. Protected.

You can find out more about the event, read stories, buy merchandise and see the related activities at

OCTOBER 19–25, 2026 Generations of Infection Prevention International Infection Prevention Week honors the dedicated professionals who protect patients, staff, and communities from healthcare-associated infections. This year, we celebrate the journey — from the plague doctors of the 1600s to the...

21/10/2026

•Notice: Half Day Closure for Staff Training •
We want to inform you that the practice will be closed for half a day on Wednesday 21 October 2026 for a staff training session.
Closure Hours: 1:30 to 6:30pm
This training is essential to ensure that our team provides you with the best care possible. We appreciate your understanding and support as we invest in the growth and development of our staff.
If you have any urgent healthcare needs, please contact NHS 111 and they will advise you accordingly.

18/10/2026

World Menopause Day, 18th October

Menopause is the time, usually at some point between 45 and 55 years of age, when periods change, and eventually stop due to lower hormone levels. The process usually takes place over several years, and will happen for anyone who has periods. During perimenopause, the phase when the menstrual cycle starts to change, symptoms can range from from changes to the frequency or heaviness of periods, to hot flushes, mood changes, vaginal and urinary problems, loss of bone density, and muscle pain. Information about menopause and perimenopause and what you can do when you have symptoms is available on the NHS website, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause-and-perimenopause/symptoms/.

World Menopause Day is designed to raise awareness of menopause, and improve the experience of women around the world. This year’s theme is ‘Chronic Pain At Midlife –

From recognition to evidence-based care’. Chronic pain affects a significant proportion of women during and after the menopause transition, yet it remains underestimated in both research and care.

You can find more information about this year’s theme, find tools and resources to share trusted information, and make a pledge to raise awareness at https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day-2026/.

Find out about the different symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause, including hot flushes, a change in periods and mood changes.

15/10/2026

Dyspraxia Awareness Week, 12th–18th October

Dyspraxia is a condition that starts in childhood and causes children to appear clumsy and uncoordinated. It can cause them to drop things, break things, or bump into things. They may also have trouble with skills like using a pencil or eating with a spoon, catching a ball or riding a bike. All these skills can be improved with the right help and training, but many children with dyspraxia will still have some problems as adults. Dyspraxia is not a problem with the muscles themselves, it occurs when the brain struggles to tell those muscles what to do.

This year, the theme of Dyspraxia Awareness Week is ‘Like a girl’, and it aims to to highlight the severe under-diagnosis of and support for women and girls, and the additional problems that arise from the common ‘like a girl’ phrases used to diminish girls and ridicule boys who struggle with coordination.

A number of free online events will take place, including live Q&A panels, webinars and workshops, as well as a social event. You can access all these events live or recorded, and find out more at https://www.dyspraxiamagazine.com/pages/dyspraxia-awareness-week.

Dyspraxia Awareness Week 2026, 12 - 18 October This year, we are promoting our campaign "like a girl" to highlight the severe underdiagnosis and support for women, girls and femme-presenting people and the additional problems that arise from the common "like a girl" phrases used to diminish girls an...

13/10/2026

Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9th–15th October

Every year in the UK thousands of babies are stillborn or die within the first 28 days of life, and there are many more miscarriages. Every baby or pregnancy loss can be devastating for the parents and their families, but very often their grief is not understood or recognised by medical professionals, friends and family or employers. Baby Loss Awareness Week aims to change this.

We are invited to ‘turn blue and pink’ to show support and spread knowledge and understanding, and to join in the global “Wave of Light” on 15th October. You can find lots of ideas and resources to use and share, and discover what else you can do to support the event at https://babyloss-awareness.org/about/.

If you, or someone you know has been affected by pregnancy or baby loss, or has had a very premature baby, or if you just want to learn more, the Tommys website has a wealth of information on current statistics, research and support. Visit https://www.tommys.org.

The Baby Loss Awareness Week Alliance are committed to raising awareness of pregnancy and baby loss, providing support to anyone affected by pregnancy loss and the death of a baby, working with health professionals and services to improve bereavement care, and reducing preventable deaths.