The latest news from Rhondda Cluster

Managing joint stiffness and muscle aches in cold weather

As the temperatures drop, many people notice an increase in joint stiffness and muscle aches. This is particularly common among individuals living with arthritis or other long-term conditions affecting the joints and muscles. Understanding why this happens and knowing how to manage it can make a real difference to daily comfort and mobility. 

What you need to know about cervical screening in Rhondda

Cervical screening is an important health service offered across Wales to help protect those with a cervix from developing cervical cancer. Often called a “smear test,” cervical screening looks for changes in the cells of the cervix, before they become cancerous.

Managing loneliness at Christmas

The festive season is often portrayed as a time filled with warmth, celebration, and togetherness. Christmas adverts show families gathered around tables, friends exchanging gifts, and loved ones reunited, but for many people, this isn’t the reality. If you’re feeling isolated this time of year, you’re certainly not alone, and there is support available.

How to spot lung cancer: Early detection

Lung cancer is one of the UK’s most serious cancers and knowing how to spot it early and taking steps towards preventing it can save lives.

Tips to quit smoking this Stoptober

Quitting smoking is challenging, but with the right strategies and support, it’s absolutely achievable. Here’s a guide with practical tips to quit smoking and local resources to help you along the way. Every year, thousands across Wales take part in Stoptober, a campaign designed to support people wanting to give up smoking. If you’re considering quitting, know that you’re not alone, and it’s one of the best decisions you can make for your health.

Maintaining a healthy heart: Top tips

Maintaining a healthy heart is one of the most important steps you can take for your overall wellbeing. Your heart works tirelessly every day, pumping blood around your body, and looking after it can reduce your risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure. Local services and programmes are available to support you in keeping your heart strong, but the journey begins with small, everyday choices.

National eye health week: Protecting your vision

Our eyesight is something many of us take for granted, yet it is one of our most valuable senses. During National Eye Health Week, the Rhondda Cluster is encouraging everyone to take steps to protect their vision and understand the importance of maintaining good eye health.

HIV/AIDS Awareness: Prevention, Care, and Support

HIV/AIDS remains one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide. Education and awareness are key components in breaking the stigma surrounding this condition, as well as providing the knowledge needed for effective prevention, care, and support.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Screenings

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, but early detection can make all the difference! Understanding the importance of breast cancer screenings, recognising early symptoms, and knowing preventive measures can help save lives.

Alzheimer’s Support: Tips for Compassionate Care of Your Loved Ones

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be both challenging and deeply rewarding. The condition affects not just memory but also a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks. Providing compassionate care for both those suffering can significantly enhance their quality of life and create a more supportive environment. Here are some practical tips to help you.

Vaccination Guide: Protecting Your Health with Immunisations

Vaccinations are a vital part of keeping our communities healthy. They help protect individuals of all ages from serious diseases and prevent the spread of potentially dangerous diseases and infections. This guide will provide insights into how immunisations work and highlight essential vaccines for every stage of life.

Sun Safety & Protection: Essential Tips

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, spending time outdoors becomes increasingly appealing. However, while enjoying the sunshine, it’s crucial to prioritise sun safety to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation. This guide will provide essential tips to help you stay safe and maintain long-term skin health.

Men’s Health, Wellness Tips & Support Guide

Maintaining good health is crucial for everyone, but men often neglect preventive care and wellness. This guide offers an overview of men’s health and wellness tips, focusing on preventive measures and lifestyle changes to enhance quality of life and the support available

Strategies for Supporting Mental Health

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining mental health can be challenging. However, it is important to find ways to sustain mental health to ensure overall well-being and quality of life. In this blog, we’ll explore practical strategies for supporting mental health, developing resilience, and building a stronger, healthier mindset.

Healthy Eating: Tips for Improving Health & Managing Chronic Conditions

Eating a balanced diet is an essential part of maintaining good health and reducing your risk of preventative and chronic diseases. When it comes to managing chronic conditions, having a balanced diet becomes even more important. By making small adjustments to your diet, you can significantly improve their health outcomes and your overall wellbeing.

The Essential Guide to Flu Vaccinations: Protect Yourself and Others

As winter approaches, the flu virus becomes an unwelcome guest in our lives, bringing with it a myriad of symptoms like fever, aches, chills, and fatigue.

Aled Roberts, Pharmacist

Aled Roberts, one of the Rhondda Primary Care Cluster’s Community Pharmacists talks about the role of community pharmacy and the Common Ailments Service at the Big Bite Festival 2019.

Cluster pharmacist Irram solving ‘shopping list’ of problems

Patients in the Rhondda are benefitting from regular medication reviews, longer appointments and specialist knowledge, thanks to the success of a pharmacist role aimed at easing pressure on GPs.

Long standing Rhondda GP awarded BEM

A long-standing GP in Rhondda was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Porth patient group appeals for new members

Leaders of a patients’ group which represents the interests of people attending a surgery in Porth are looking for new members, especially among the younger age groups.

Developing the Practice Nurses of the future

A new training model aims to encourage undergraduate students to consider the role of a practice nurse as their future careers.

Access to wellbeing advice is extended in Rhondda

Patients in Rhondda are being offered more opportunities nearer home to access specialist advice on looking after their wellbeing as well as their health.

Gardening on prescription will boost well-being in Rhondda

Patients in Rhondda may be offered gardening on prescription to help to improve their wellbeing.

Why this GP accepted partnership in Rhondda practice

A newly-appointed GP in Rhondda has been made a partner in a growing Treorchy practice.

Physios in GP surgeries are no pain in the neck

Patients suffering with back pain and other musculoskeletal problems can now receive speedy advice from a physiotherapist at two GP practices in Rhondda.

Patients praise Minor Injuries Unit service at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda

People who have urgent but not life-threatening injuries are being encouraged to visit Minor Injuries Units for treatment.

New pharmacy service now available to patients across Rhondda

Patients across Rhondda suffering from common ailments can now access free advice and treatment from pharmacies without having to make an appointment with a GP.

Work life balance in vibrant Valleys practice

Dr Gwyndaf Williams, 36, is already a senior partner in a thriving GP practice in the Rhondda valleys.

New working method will free up time for GPs with patients

Changes in ways of handling clinical correspondence could free up to 40 minutes a day in GPs’ time to spend with patients.

Rhondda GP completes Three Peaks Challenge charity trek

Doctor Karen Pascoe tackled Wales’s Three Peaks Challenge all in one day for a charity appeal and declared: “I loved it and would do it all again.”

GPs tell BBC Wales about Rhondda Docs recruitment initiative

Rhondda GPs Ian O’Sullivan and Gwydion Wyn spoke to BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke about the Rhondda Docs recruitment initiative.

Rhondda GPs united in recruitment drive

Doctors in Rhondda are working together to improve the recruitment of GPs and healthcare professionals.

GP Blog Dr Gwydion Wyn: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Dr Gwydion Wyn on the challenges and rewards of being a GP in the Rhondda Valleys

Rhondda cluster collaboration pays off for patients

GPs in the Rhondda are developing new ways of working as part of a £1m a year plan to improve patient care.

Eye Care Scheme Frees Up GP Time

Hundreds of patients with eye problems in the Rhondda are being treated faster by local optometrists under a scheme which is easing the pressure on GP appointments.

Porth Dental Teaching Unit has treated 20,000 patients

More than 20,000 patients have been treated at the Porth Dental Teaching Unit since it opened in 2009.

Rhondda GPs back Welsh Hearts campaign

Heart patient Steven Jones received an extra special delivery on his 33rd birthday.

Health Checks team is tackling CVD

At least 40 early deaths could be prevented if the loss of life from cardiovascular disease in the Cwm Taf University Health Board area were reduced to the Welsh average.

Rhondda patients kept up to date on Big Screen

Patients are being kept up to date with essential information via big screens which have been installed in GP waiting rooms across Rhondda.

Rhondda GP talking about her work on GTFM radio

Rhondda GP Rekha Shroff told GTFM presenter Howard Griffiths about her work in the community and why she decided to follow a career in general practice.

Rhondda surgery staff catch the running bug

Rhondda GP Ian O’Sullivan demonstrated to patients and colleagues how running can be the road to fitness and well-being by completing his first London Marathon.