The Roehampton Surgery

Worried about how much screen time is too much for your child? You’re not alone 💙

New UK guidance helps parents and carers build healthy screen habits for children under 5 in a simple, realistic way 👍

For younger children:
• Under 2s – avoid screen time where possible, except for shared activities like video calls or looking at photos together
• Ages 2–5 – aim for no more than 1 hour a day, and less if possible ⏱️

It’s not just about time, but how screens are used. Choosing slow-paced, age-appropriate content and watching together can support learning and development 📺

Too much screen time can take away from the things that matter most at this age, like sleep, play, and time spent talking with parents and carers 🧸

Try setting simple boundaries like no screens at mealtimes or before bed, and swap screen time for activities like reading, playing, or chatting together 📚

Find out more:
Screen time guidance for under 5s: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/

Think that insect bite might be infected? Your pharmacy should be your first stop 🦟

With the NHS Pharmacy First service, you can get expert advice and treatment for infected insect bites without waiting for a GP appointment 💊

Pharmacists can assess your bite and recommend the best treatment to help it heal quickly and safely 👍

Watch out for signs of infection like increasing redness, swelling, pain, or if the bite is getting worse after a couple of days 🚨

This service is available for adults and children aged 1 and over, making it quick and easy to access care when you need it 👨‍⚕️

Search: Pharmacy First infected insect bites 🔍

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health and wellbeing. Even small changes can make a big difference, helping to reduce your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. 💙⚖️✨

Losing just a small amount of weight, around 5–10% of your body weight, can have significant health benefits, including improving blood pressure, cholesterol and energy levels.

Simple ways to work towards a healthier weight include:
• Eating a balanced diet and making healthier food choices 🥗🌿
• Being more active and moving regularly 🚶‍♂️💪
• Setting realistic, achievable goals 📊✨
• Making small, sustainable changes over time 💙🌱

The NHS Better Health programme offers free tools, apps and a 12-week plan to help you build healthier habits and stay on track.

Start your journey to a healthier weight: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

If your child or young person has an earache, your local pharmacy can often help without needing a GP appointment. Through the Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can assess symptoms, give advice and provide treatment where appropriate for children aged 1 to 17. 💙👶🩺✨

Pharmacists can:
• Assess your child’s symptoms and check for signs of infection 🔍💙
• Offer advice on managing pain and symptoms at home 🌿💊
• Provide treatment, including some prescription medicines if needed 💊🩺
• Refer you to a GP or other service if symptoms need further care 🚑⚠️

Earache is a common condition in children, and many cases can be safely managed with support from your pharmacist. Getting help locally can save time and ensure your child gets the right care quickly.

Learn how pharmacies can help (Pharmacy First): https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/

Walking is one of the easiest ways to boost your health and wellbeing, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or gym membership. Even a brisk 10-minute walk a day can improve your mood, increase energy levels and support heart health. 🚶‍♀️💚✨

Regular walking can help:
• Improve heart health and reduce risk of disease ❤️🩺
• Boost mood and reduce stress and anxiety 🌿💙
• Increase energy levels and improve sleep ⚡🌙
• Support weight management and overall fitness ⚖️✨

You don’t need to do hours of exercise to see benefits. Short, regular walks all add up and count towards the recommended activity levels.

Making walking part of your daily routine, whether it’s a lunchtime walk, walking to work or getting outside with friends, can have a big impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. 💚🚶‍♂️✨

Get active with NHS tips and support: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/
Find out more about National Walking Month: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/national-walking-month/