Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

🤝 Connected Community Care Belfast

Support For Your Health, Wellbeing & Community Connections

Did you know that not every health concern needs a medical treatment or prescription?

Connected Community Care is a free social prescribing service available to patients across Belfast. It helps people improve their health and wellbeing by connecting them with local community services, activities and support that can make a real difference to everyday life.

💙 A Wellbeing Coordinator can help if you:

✅ Feel lonely or socially isolated
✅ Are struggling with your mental wellbeing
✅ Have a long-term health condition
✅ Need support with housing, finances or practical issues
✅ Want to become more active in your community
✅ Would benefit from local groups, activities or volunteering opportunities

The service takes a whole-person approach, focusing on what matters most to you and helping you access the right support in your local area. www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/connected-commun…

🌿 Sometimes improving your health starts with:
• Meeting new people
• Joining a local group
• Becoming more active
• Accessing practical support
• Building confidence and resilience

You can self-refer or ask a member of the Kensington Medical Centre team about Connected Community Care. www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/connected-commun…

💡 Top Tip:

Looking after your wellbeing is about more than medicine. Social connections, purpose, activity and community support can all play an important role in improving health and happiness.

👉 Learn more on our website:
www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/connected-commun…

#ConnectedCommunityCare #SocialPrescribing #KensingtonMedicalCentre #SouthBelfast

19 hours ago | [YT] | 0

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

🔵 Do You Know Your Health & Care Number?

Your Health & Care Number (HCN) is your unique 10-digit healthcare identification number in Northern Ireland. It helps healthcare professionals correctly identify you and access your health records safely and securely. 

📱 You may need your Health & Care Number when:✅ Registering for online health services✅ Accessing hospital services✅ Updating your healthcare records✅ Using healthcare apps and digital services✅ Communicating with health and social care providers

🔍 Where can you find it?

Your Health & Care Number can usually be found on:• Your medical card• Hospital appointment letters• GP correspondence• Prescriptions• Other Health & Social Care letters 

❓ Can't find your number?

Don't worry. Kensington Medical Centre has created a simple guide showing patients how to locate their Health & Care Number and why it is important.

👉 Visit: www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/health-and-care-…
Health and Care Number Guide - Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

💡 Top Tip:Take a photo of your Health & Care Number or store it securely on your phone so you can access it whenever you need healthcare services.

Your Health & Care Number stays with you for life and helps ensure your healthcare information is linked correctly across Northern Ireland's health and social care services.

#HealthAndCareNumber #KensingtonMedicalCentre #BelfastGP

1 day ago | [YT] | 2

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

💙 Bowel Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Don’t Ignore Your Test Kit 💙
Bowel Cancer Screening Can Detect Cancer Early

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but when it is found early, treatment is often simpler and more successful.

In Northern Ireland, bowel cancer screening is offered to people aged 60 to 74 who are registered with a GP. You will receive a simple home testing kit through the post that checks for tiny amounts of blood in your stool that you may not be able to see.

✅ Can detect bowel cancer before symptoms develop
✅ Simple test completed in the privacy of your own home
✅ Free through the NHS
✅ Takes only a few minutes to complete
✅ Can help save lives through early detection

Many people feel well and have no symptoms when bowel cancer is first developing. This is why screening is so important.

If you receive a bowel screening kit through the post, please take the time to complete and return it. A few minutes today could make a significant difference to your future health.

💙 Top Tip:
When your screening kit arrives, complete it straight away rather than putting it aside and forgetting about it.

Speak to your GP if you notice symptoms such as persistent changes in bowel habit, blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, tummy pain or ongoing fatigue.

For more information about bowel cancer screening in Northern Ireland, visit nidirect or speak with a member of our healthcare team. www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bowel-cancer-screenin…

#BowelCancerScreening #BowelCancerAwareness #KensingtonMedicalCentre

3 days ago | [YT] | 1

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

💜 Cervical Screening Saves Lives

Don’t Ignore Your Invitation 💜
Cervical Screening Can Prevent Cancer

Did you know that cervical screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer?

Cervical screening (sometimes called a smear test) checks for high-risk HPV (Human Papillomavirus), the virus responsible for most cervical cancers. Finding and treating abnormal cells early can prevent cancer from developing in the future.

In Northern Ireland, women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 are invited for cervical screening at regular intervals.

✅ Helps prevent cervical cancer
✅ Detects changes before cancer develops
✅ Usually takes just a few minutes
✅ Performed by experienced healthcare professionals
✅ Free through the NHS

Many people put off cervical screening because they feel embarrassed, worried or busy. However, the test is quick, routine and could protect your future health.

If you receive an invitation, please don’t ignore it. Attending your cervical screening appointment could save your life.

💜 Top Tip:
Add your screening appointment to your calendar as soon as you receive your invitation.

For more information about cervical screening in Northern Ireland, visit nidirect or speak with a member of our healthcare team.
www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cervical-screening

#CervicalScreening #SmearTest #CervicalCancerPrevention #KensingtonMedicalCentre 

3 days ago | [YT] | 2

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

🎗️ Breast Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, but when it is found early, treatment is often simpler and more successful.

In Northern Ireland, women aged 50 to 70 who are registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast screening every 3 years. The screening uses a mammogram (breast X-ray) to detect cancers before they can be seen or felt.

✅ Free NHS screening
✅ Takes only a few minutes
✅ Can detect cancer before symptoms develop
✅ No GP referral needed

Many women who attend screening feel completely well and have no symptoms. That’s exactly why screening is so important.

If you receive an invitation, please take the time to attend. It could make a significant difference to your health and future wellbeing.

💗 Remember:
• Check your breasts regularly and report any changes to your GP.
• Attend screening when invited.
• Encourage family members and friends to attend their appointments too.

Early detection saves lives.

For more information about the Northern Ireland Breast Screening Programme, visit the Belfast Trust and nidirect websites.
belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/breast-screening-pr…

#BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerScreening #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #KensingtonMedicalCentre

4 days ago | [YT] | 1

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

🩺 Men aged 65 in Northern Ireland – have you received your AAA screening invitation?

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling or bulge in the main blood vessel (the aorta) that runs through your abdomen. Most people have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important. If an aneurysm grows and bursts, it can be life-threatening. Early detection can save lives.

✅ The screening test is:
• Free
• Quick (usually around 10 minutes)
• Painless
• A simple ultrasound scan of your abdomen

📨 In Northern Ireland, all men registered with a GP are invited for AAA screening during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have never been screened can contact the programme and request an appointment.

You may be at higher risk if you:
• Smoke or have smoked
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Have a close family member who has had an AAA

❤️ Screening can detect an aneurysm before it becomes dangerous, allowing monitoring or treatment if needed. This greatly reduces the risk of serious complications.

📢 Please share this post with fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, neighbours and friends aged 65 or over. A simple scan could save a life.

For more information:
Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/abdominal-aortic-aneu…

#AAAScreening #AbdominalAorticAneurysm #MensHealth #BelfastHealth #KensingtonMedicalCentre

5 days ago | [YT] | 1

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

💙 You Are Not Alone. Support Is Available.

Alcohol or drug addiction can affect anyone — patients, families, friends and communities. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

At Kensington Medical Centre Belfast, we want patients to know there is confidential support available for alcohol and drug addiction, mental health concerns and recovery services.

Signs you may need support can include:
• Feeling unable to cut down
• Drinking or using drugs more often
• Low mood, anxiety or poor sleep
• Relationship or work difficulties
• Physical health problems
• Feeling isolated or overwhelmed

Recovery is possible — and early support can make a huge difference.

📖 Learn more about local addiction and support services on our webpage:
www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/alcohol-and-drug…

Please share this post. You never know who may quietly need support today. 💙

#AddictionSupport #MentalHealthSupport #BelfastHealth #KensingtonMedicalCentre 

6 days ago | [YT] | 1

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

💉 Using Mounjaro®, Wegovy®, Ozempic® or another GLP-1 weight loss injection?

At Kensington Medical Centre Belfast, we understand that some patients are accessing GLP-1 medications privately to support weight loss. While NHS GPs in Northern Ireland are currently unable to prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections for general weight management, we would like to know if you are taking them. 

Why is this important?

✅ It helps us keep your medical records accurate and up to date
✅ It allows us to consider any potential side effects or interactions with other medications
✅ It helps us provide safer, more personalised healthcare
✅ It ensures your GP is aware of all treatments you are receiving

GLP-1 medications can affect appetite, weight, blood sugar levels and digestion, so it is important that your healthcare team has a complete picture of your health. 

If you are currently taking a GLP-1 injection prescribed privately, please let us know using our online form or by contacting the practice.

For more information, please visit:
www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/glp1-weight-loss…

Please save and share this post with family and friends who may be using private weight loss injections.

#KensingtonMedicalCentre #BelfastGP #GLP1 #Mounjaro #Wegovy #Ozempic 

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

🦴 Could your bones be weaker than you think?

Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because there are usually no symptoms until a bone breaks. It causes bones to become thinner, weaker and more likely to fracture, particularly in the hip, spine and wrist.

The good news? There are many things you can do to protect your bone health.

✅ Stay active with regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, stair climbing and resistance training
✅ Eat enough calcium-rich foods including milk, yoghurt, cheese, fortified alternatives, leafy greens and some fish
✅ Ensure adequate vitamin D through safe sunlight exposure and supplementation when appropriate
✅ Avoid smoking
✅ Keep alcohol within recommended limits
✅ Maintain a healthy weight
✅ Reduce your risk of falls by keeping active and maintaining muscle strength and balance

According to NICE guidance, risk factors such as smoking, excess alcohol intake, low calcium intake and vitamin D deficiency should be addressed to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Exercise also plays an important role in maintaining bone strength and reducing falls risk. 

Women after the menopause, adults over 50, people taking long-term steroid medication and those with a family history of osteoporosis may be at increased risk.

Learn more about osteoporosis, bone health, risk factors and ways to protect yourself on our website:

www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/osteoporosis-and…

📌 Save this post for future reference.
📤 Share it with a parent, grandparent, friend or family member who may benefit.

#KensingtonMedicalCentre #BelfastGP #Osteoporosis #BoneHealth 

1 week ago | [YT] | 4

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast

📱 ONLINE FORMS – A QUICKER WAY TO ACCESS GP SERVICES

Did you know that many routine requests can now be completed online, saving you time and helping keep our phone lines free for patients who need urgent assistance?

Using our secure online forms, you can:

✅ Request repeat prescriptions
✅ Request a doctor’s sick/fit note (for illnesses lasting more than 7 days)
✅ Update your personal details
✅ Register for online services
✅ Nominate your preferred pharmacy
✅ Submit other routine administrative requests

Online prescription requests can be made quickly and securely through our website. If you are registered for Patient Access, requesting repeat medication is even faster, as your medication list is already available online.

If you have been unwell for more than 7 days and require a Fit Note for work, you can also submit your request online without needing to telephone the practice.

💻 Using online forms helps:
• Reduce waiting times on the telephone
• Improve access for all patients
• Allow staff to process requests more efficiently
• Free up appointments and phone capacity for patients with urgent clinical needs

🔗 Visit our Online Forms page today: www.kensingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk/online-forms
Kensington Medical Centre Online Forms

📌 Save this post for future reference and share it with family members who may find online services helpful.

#KensingtonMedicalCentre #BelfastGP #OnlineForms #RepeatPrescriptions #FitNote #SickNote #BelfastHealth

1 week ago | [YT] | 4