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Health Initiatives

The RA Team has compiled a list of key national health awareness events and campaigns that practices can take part in throughout the year. These events provide an opportunity for practices to carry out the example initiatives listed, or other similar activities, to demonstrate the positive impact they are making on the health and wellbeing of their patients and local population.

MAY 2026

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Example initiatives

  • "Check Your Moles" SMS: Send out a quick reminder about the "ABCD" rules—it’s a simple way for patients to stay on top of new or changing spots.
  • While They’re Here: Remind the clinical team to keep an eye out for suspicious lesions during routine physical exams.
  • Sun Safety Hub: Set up a small display near the entrance with tips on picking the right SPF and keeping kids safe as it gets warmer.

Action on Stroke Month (Make May Purple)

Example initiatives

  • FAST Reminders: Keep the "Face, Arms, Speech, Time" message front and centre on your waiting room screens—it really does save lives.
  • Pulse Check Search: Run a quick search for patients with a history of irregular heartbeats who might need a follow-up on their blood thinners.
  • DIY BP Checks: Remind patients they can use the blood pressure machine in the waiting room while they wait for their appointment.

National Epilepsy Week (May 24–30)

Example initiatives

  • Safety First: Focus on reviewing care plans for your epilepsy patients to make sure their emergency medication instructions are crystal clear.
  • Medication Audit: Run a safety check for any female patients on Sodium Valproate to ensure they’ve had their yearly specialist review.

World No Tobacco Day (May 31)

Example initiatives

    • "Thinking of Quitting?" Text: Send a low-pressure text to your smokers asking if they’d like some help or a referral to a local quitting service.
    • Team Up with Pharmacy: Make sure you know exactly where to send people for NRT (patches/gum) so the hand-off is seamless.

International Nurses Day (May 12)

Example initiatives

  • Nurse Shout-out: Let’s do something nice for our nursing and HCA team—maybe a shout-out on social media or just some treats in the staff room to say thanks.



Mental Health Awareness Week (May 11–17)

Example initiatives

  • "Small Steps" Text Campaign: Send a friendly text blast suggesting one simple thing patients can do to boost their mood this week—like a 5-minute walk or calling an old friend.
  • The "How are you, really?" Prompt: Encourage everyone to add a quick, genuine mental health check-in to their usual long-term condition reviews.
  • Team Brew & Refresh: Block out 20–30 minutes for a "protected" tea break where staff can just chat and decompress away from their screens.
  • Community Connections: Give your social prescribers a nudge to highlight local "walk and talk" groups or gardening clubs this month.
  • Website Refresh: Make sure your "Mental Health" page is easy to find and has the latest links for self-referral so patients don't always have to book a GP slot first.

National Walking Month

Example initiatives

  • The "Try 20" Challenge: Let’s encourage patients (and ourselves!) to get outside for just 20 minutes a day. It’s a great "gentle" prescription for heart health.
  • Map it Out: Stick a simple poster in the waiting room showing a few 15-minute walking loops that start and end right outside the surgery.
  • Targeted Steps: When seeing patients with Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, try to frame walking as a "daily dose" of medicine.

Dementia Action Week (May 11–17)

Example initiatives

  • Practice Walkthrough: Take a quick walk through the corridors—is your signage clear? Is the lighting okay? Small changes make a huge difference for patients with dementia.
  • Carer Check-in: Reach out to a few of your registered carers. A quick "how are you doing?" and a health check offer can go a long way.
  • Quiet Slots: Try to book patients who find noise or crowds stressful into our quieter early morning or late afternoon slots.

Deaf Awareness Week (May 4–10)

Example initiatives

  • Tech Check: double-check that your induction loops are actually switched on and working, and update patient files if they have specific communication needs.
  • BSL Basics: Share a 1-minute video with the reception team on how to sign "Hello" and "How can I help?" to make the practice feel more welcoming.

Stress Awareness Month

Example initiatives

  • Patient Check-In Campaign: Send a quick text to patients with long-term conditions asking about stress, sleep, and mood.
  • Routine Wellbeing Prompt: Add a simple mental health check question into regular appointments.
  • Staff Wellbeing Session: Run a short lunch-and-learn or informal check-in to support team wellbeing.
  • Social Prescribing Boost: Actively refer patients to community support such as walking groups or counselling.
  • Waiting Room Support Hub: Display leaflets and QR codes for mental health services and self-referral options.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Example initiatives

  • FIT Test Follow-Up: Contact patients who have not returned their screening kits and help them complete the process.
  • Symptom Awareness Campaign: Use posters and texts to encourage early reporting of symptoms.
  • Targeted Outreach: Run a search for non-responders and reach out directly.
  • Referral Pathway Check: Ensure 2-week wait referrals are being used correctly and coded properly.
  • Flexible Appointments: Keep urgent slots available for patients with concerning symptoms.

Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

Example initiatives

  • Young Men Engagement: Use SMS or posters targeting men aged 15–34 with simple awareness messages.
  • Self-Check Awareness: Share clear guidance on how and when to check.
  • Opportunistic Conversations: Raise awareness during relevant consultations.
  • Staff Knowledge Refresh: Remind clinicians of key symptoms and referral processes.
  • Digital Messaging: Use your website or text system to share quick, stigma-free information.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Example initiatives

Patient Recall: Invite patients for a focused check-in to monitor symptoms.

  • Medication Review: Ensure treatments are optimised and up to date.
  • Carer Support Check: Contact carers to assess their needs and offer support.
  • Falls Risk Screening: Identify patients at risk and take preventative action.

    • World Autism Awareness Day (April 2)

    Example initiatives

    • Quiet Clinic Sessions: Offer low-noise, low-wait appointment slots.
    • Communication Needs Update: Check and record patient preferences.
    • Staff Awareness Training: Run a short session on autism-friendly care.
    • Environment Review: Assess lighting, noise, and signage in the practice.

    World Health Day (April 7)

    Example initiatives

    • “Know Your Numbers” Checks: Offer blood pressure, BMI, or diabetes risk checks in the waiting room.
    • Prevention Clinics: Run short clinics focused on early intervention.
    • Health Inequalities Outreach: Contact patients who rarely attend.
    • Health Promotion Display: Share simple prevention messages aligned with the campaign theme.

    World Haemophilia Day (April 17)

    Example initiatives

    • Register Review: Ensure patients are correctly coded and not missed.
    • Staff Awareness: Refresh knowledge on red flag symptoms.
    • Care Plan Check: Confirm patients have clear management plans.
    • Family Awareness: Encourage discussions where relevant.
    • Specialist Coordination: Maintain clear communication with secondary care.

    World Liver Day (April 19)

    Example initiatives

    • At-Risk Patient Search: Identify patients with alcohol use, obesity, or diabetes.
    • LFT Follow-Up: Review and act on abnormal results.
    • Brief Interventions: Provide simple lifestyle advice during appointments.
    • Patient Education: Display liver health advice in the waiting room.

    On Your Feet Britain (April 24)

    Example initiatives

    • Move More Campaign: Encourage patients and staff to reduce sitting time.
    • Waiting Room Prompts: Share simple movement or stretching ideas.
    • Staff Activity Challenge: Run a small internal wellbeing initiative.
    • Chronic Condition Support: Link movement to diabetes, musculoskeletal, and heart health.
    • Social Prescribing Referrals: Promote walking groups and local activities.

    World Immunisation Week (April 24–30)

    Example initiatives

    • Vaccination Campaign: Contact patients who are overdue.
    • Quick Checks: Review vaccination status during appointments.
    • Clear Messaging: Share clear, simple information.
    • Storage Audit: Ensure safe vaccine storage and handling.
    • Staff Vaccination Check: Confirm all staff vaccinations are up to date.

    World Day for Safety & Health at Work (Apr. 28)

    Example initiatives

    • Health & Safety Check: Review risks within the practice.
    • Infection Control Check: Reinforce cleaning and hygiene standards.
    • PPE Review: Ensure correct use and availability.
    • Staff Wellbeing Check: Identify and address workload pressures.
    • Policy Update: Refresh health and safety procedures if needed.

    Active April

    Example initiatives

    • Daily Activity Challenge: Share simple actions to encourage movement.
    • Step Count Initiative: Motivate staff and patients to stay active.
    • Patient Engagement: Promote small lifestyle changes.
    • Community Initiatives: Promote local exercise and wellbeing groups.

    MS Awareness Week

    Example initiatives

    • Patient Review Campaign: Invite patients for structured reviews.
    • Fatigue & Mental Health Checks: Address common but overlooked symptoms.
    • Medication Review: Ensure optimal treatment plans.
    • Referral Pathways: Ensure timely access to specialist services.

    International Women’s Day (8 March)

    Example initiatives

    1. Screening Fast-Track: Use the day to reach out to women who are behind on their routine checks and help them book their mammograms or ultrasounds on the spot, taking the stress out of the scheduling process.
    2. The Menopause Cafe: A friendly space to explain hormone therapy, clear up myths and check blood pressure before starting treatment.
    3. Strong Bones Check: Look for older women who might be at risk of breaking a bone and make sure they’ve had a bone density scan.

    National Red Cross Month

    Example initiatives

    1. First Aid Demos: Show patients and staff basic CPR. It builds trust and encourages people who haven't seen a doctor in years to engage with the practice.
    2. Helping Newcomers: Reach out to refugees and patients experiencing homelessness. Help them register, get their "Health Passport" (vaccination records) up to date, and offer support for any past trauma.
    3. Food Bank Initiative: Partner with local food banks to set up a direct referral system, making it as easy as possible for our patients to access reliable food support right when they need it.

    National Kidney Month

    Example initiatives

    1. "Pee-in-a-Pot" Week: Ask patients with diabetes or high blood pressure to bring in a urine sample. It’s the only way to catch early kidney damage.
    2. Kidney Meds Update: Have the pharmacist check if patients are on the are on the latest "kidney-protecting" drugs (SGLT2 inhibitors).
    3. Eat & Drink Right: Simple tips in the waiting room about staying hydrated and cutting back on salt to protect your kidneys.

    No Smoking Day (11 March)

    Example initiatives

    1. The Big Update: Send a text to all patients asking if they still smoke. It keeps your records accurate and identifies those who may need support.
    2. Teen Health Check: Specifically ask 14–19-year-olds with asthma about vaping or smoking.
    3. Extra Support: For patients with serious lung conditions (COPD) or mental health struggles, offer them a proper "Quit Plan" and a referral to a stop-smoking coach.

    Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

    Example initiatives

    1. The "Big Check" Marathon: Set aside extra time (45 mins+) for patients with learning disabilities to have a full, head-to-toe health MOT.
    2. Meds Review: Make sure patients aren't taking heavy medications they don't actually need (the STOMP project).
    3. Quiet Clinics: Offer "Sensory-Friendly" vaccine slots with no queues, dim lights, and a calm environment.

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