If you’re aged between 56 and 74, you should have received your bowel cancer screening kit through the post. NHS automatically sends a kit every two years to people in that age group. Cancer is detected in nine out of every 5,000 people who use their test kit. If it’s spotted early, the chances of recovering from bowel cancer are higher.

The test can be done at home and only needs a tiny sample of poo to test for signs of cancer. So, keep an eye out for your bowel cancer testing kit in the post and do the test when it arrives.

You can book your Covid-19 vaccination this spring, if you’re aged 75 or over by 30 June 2024, or your NHS record suggests you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment. If you’re eligible you can book from 15 April, with vaccinations starting from 22 April.

To find out more or book your vaccine call 119, use the NHS App or book online.

As the weather gets better we’re likely to come across ticks. Ticks are most common in grassy and wooded areas, so you’re more likely to get bitten if you’re in the great outdoors hiking, cycling or camping. Ticks can also sometimes be found in your own garden, so you need to keep a lookout there too.

 You can reduce the chances of being bitten by:

• regularly checking clothing and exposed skin for ticks that might be crawling on you and brushing them off immediately
• walking on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks may be present
• wearing light-coloured clothing so that ticks crawling on clothing can be spotted and brushed off immediately
• using an insect repellent (for example DEET) that can repel ticks and prevent them from climbing onto clothing or attaching to skin (always follow the manufacturer’s guidance)
• wearing long trousers and long-sleeved tops to reduce the direct exposure of ticks to your skin, making it more difficult for them to find a suitable area to attach.

After spending time outside, check yourself, your clothing, your pets and others for ticks.

Stress is a normal part of life, but too much stress is detrimental to our wellbeing. Stress is the body’s response to pressure that presents itself in different ways. It’s often the feeling of being overwhelmed and finding it hard to cope emotionally or mentally. Taking time to identify the emotional and mental pressures in our lives and addressing them is a good way to understand and protect our mental health.

Groups and voluntary organisations helping communities and families live healthier and more independent lives, can now apply for our latest round of grants which are open until Friday 24 May.

Projects which may be eligible for funding include those which improve residents’ access to affordable and healthy food, upgrades to play areas/ community sporting facilities or summer play schemes which need help with essential running costs.

If you know of an eligible group which may benefit from funding, please spread the word!

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. Millions of people are already using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way from the comfort of their homes.

Whether viewing your GP health record, ordering repeat prescriptions, or nominating your preferred pharmacy, the NHS App hosts a range of features that make it easier to access NHS services and information.