Your Summer Health Guide: Simple Steps to Help You and Your Family Stay Well

Posted on July 16th, 2026

Summer is a welcome opportunity to spend more time outdoors, travel, enjoy the school holidays and take a break from everyday routines. It is also a good time to make sure you and your family are prepared for the months ahead.

At Lindley Village Surgery in Huddersfield, we want to help our patients stay well throughout the year. From checking childhood vaccinations to planning medication before a holiday, a few simple steps can help you enjoy the summer while looking after your health.

💉 Check Your Child’s Vaccinations Are Up to Date

Routine childhood vaccinations help protect children against a range of serious illnesses. The NHS vaccination schedule can change over time, so it is worth checking that your child is up to date, particularly if you think a vaccination may have been missed.

The NHS childhood vaccination programme changed in 2026 with the introduction of the MMRV vaccine, which combines protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. When a child is offered MMRV depends on their date of birth.

If you are unsure whether your child is up to date, you can check their Personal Child Health Record (red book) or speak to your GP surgery. You can also check the latest childhood vaccination schedule on the NHS website.

✈️ Planning a Holiday? Think About Your Health Early

If you are travelling this summer, a little preparation can help avoid unnecessary problems while you are away.

Before you travel:

• Make sure you have enough of your regular prescribed medication for your trip.
• Check whether your destination requires or recommends any travel vaccinations.
• If you need travel vaccinations, seek professional advice early — ideally at least 4 to 6 weeks before travelling, where possible.
• Check any relevant guidance for travelling with your medicines, particularly if you are going abroad.

If you have a long-term condition, such as asthma, make sure you have the medication you have been prescribed and know what to do if your symptoms worsen.

☀️ Stay Safe in Hot and Sunny Weather

Warmer weather can increase the risk of dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Babies, young children, older people and some people with long-term health conditions can be particularly vulnerable during hot weather.

Simple precautions can help:

• Drink fluids regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Take care in strong sun and use appropriate sun protection.
• Avoid becoming overheated during the hottest parts of the day.
• Keep a closer eye on babies, young children and anyone who may be more vulnerable to the heat.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick, excessive sweating and feeling very thirsty. Move the person to a cool place, cool them down and give them fluids.

If they do not start to improve after 30 minutes, seek emergency help. Heatstroke is a medical emergency — call 999.

🩺 Don’t Put Off a Health Concern

Summer can be busy, and it is easy to postpone something that has been worrying you.

If you have a new or ongoing health concern, or symptoms that are not improving, seek appropriate medical advice rather than waiting simply because it is the holiday season.

If you are a patient at Lindley Village Surgery and need help with a health concern, please use the appropriate contact or appointment options available through the practice.

For urgent medical help when it is not an emergency, NHS 111 can advise you what to do next. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

📍 Looking for a GP Practice in Lindley or Huddersfield?

At Lindley Village Surgery, we are committed to helping our patients look after their health throughout the year — from routine and preventative care to support when new health concerns arise.

If you live in Lindley or the surrounding Huddersfield area and are looking for a GP surgery, you can find out more about registering with Lindley Village Surgery and check whether you live within our practice area.

Whether you are staying at home in Huddersfield or travelling further afield, a little preparation can go a long way. We hope you and your family have a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer.