The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert across the East Midlands from 10am on Wednesday 9 July until 10am on Tuesday 15 July.

Please take care in the heat and follow these steps to help you and others stay safe in hot weather:

• keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
• plan to do any physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
• keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen when you go outside
• drink plenty of fluids
• check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell
• know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.

While you're out and about enjoying the summer sunshine, remember to be tick aware (UKHSA) and protect yourself and family members from ticks, mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Alcohol Awareness Week is an annual campaign by Alcohol Change UK. The theme is year is about the relationship between alcohol and work, and how making even small changes to our drinking can make a big difference to improving our health, productivity and happiness.

It isn’t always easy to open up about our alcohol use. Finding out more about alcohol harm and how it affects us, can help us take better control of our drinking to improve our health and wellbeing.

Use these interactive tools from Alcohol Change UK to check your drinking and find out more about alcohol.

If you’d like to talk to someone, free, local support is available from Change Grow Live Nottinghamshire.

In our Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) engagement survey last year, you told us:

• important reasons for choosing a pharmacy include the service quality, availability of medication, and location
• pharmacies play an important role in communities and can ease burden on the NHS and GPs
• common issues include staffing levels causing delays or mistakes, medication shortages, lack of funding, independent pharmacy closures
• extended evening and weekend hours are needed.

Your views have helped us shape the draft PNA, to try to ensure that pharmacy services meet the health needs of residents in the future, and we’d appreciate your feedback.

The consultation closes on Sunday 13 July 2025.

If you’re holidaying abroad this summer, the UK Health Security Agency has produced a checklist to make sure your holiday goes without a hitch.

Whether you’re planning a beach break, visiting family overseas, or embarking on a backpacking adventure, the guide provides essential information to help you travel safely and minimise health risks.

The school aged immunisation service (SAIS) provides vaccinations to children in schools across the county. They also offer community clinics during all school holidays for anyone who has missed a vaccination in school or is home educated.

There will be clinics at venues across the county and city during the summer school holiday. Visit our website for details, including the vaccines available and how to book an appointment.

In April 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared drowning as a preventable global public health issue and established 25 July as World Drowning Prevention Day.

The day aims to raise awareness of the profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions for prevention. Tragically, drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children and young people up to the age of 24.

According to figures from the UN, in 2023 there were 236 accidental drownings in the UK, with more people sadly dying at inland waters than at the coast. The figures show that 63% of accidental deaths happened in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and recreational activities accounted for 44% of accidental deaths.

You can help to prevent drowning incidents by:

• learning to swim
• supervising children near water
• avoiding drinking alcohol around water
• being aware of surroundings by checking water and weather conditions
• using safety equipment correctly.

Drowning can be prevented. See advice from Notts Fire and Rescue on staying safe around water this summer.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity seeks volunteers

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) is the only charity offering peer-to-peer support to people over the age of 18, impacted by suicide loss in the UK. It helps those bereaved by suicide to support each other at the time of their loss, and in the months and years that follow. It is a self-help organisation, and it provides a safe and confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, whilst giving and gaining support from each other.

SoBS also strives to improve public awareness of the need for such support, and builds and maintains relationships with many other statutory and voluntary organisations within the suicide prevention and postvention arenas.

SoBS needs your help to try to ensure that all adults in the UK who have been bereaved by suicide know about their services and can access the best possible care and support.

If you have been bereaved by suicide for more than two years and are over the age of 18, the charity is looking for people with your experience to help strengthen their nationwide volunteer team. Opportunities are available to volunteer either in an existing peer-led support group, start a new support group in your area or join their amazing support line team.

For more information, please email central.coordinatator@uksobs.org or visit their website.

Were you born between April 1960 and March 1961?

The Department for Work and Pensions is encouraging everyone to check their State Pension age.

The Pensions Act 2014 set out the timescale for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67, affecting people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961.

If you were born between these dates, check your State Pension age to find out the earliest date you’ll be eligible for your State Pension.