The UV Index (UVI) is a measure of the strength of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the Earth's surface. It helps you estimate how quickly unprotected skin can burn and what level of sun protection is appropriate.

What the numbers mean in practice

• UV 1–2: Most people can spend a fair amount of time outside without burning, though very fair skin can still be affected.
• UV 3: This is the point where sun protection becomes recommended for everyone.
• UV 6: Fair-skinned people may begin to burn in about 20–30 minutes without protection.
• UV 8: Sunburn can occur in around 15–20 minutes for fair skin.
• UV 11+: Burning may occur in under 10 minutes for some people.

These times vary significantly depending on:

• Your skin tone and how easily you burn.
• Altitude (higher elevations have stronger UV).
• Reflective surfaces like snow, sand, or water.
• Whether you're in direct sunlight or shade (shade reduces but doesn't eliminate UV exposure).

Common misconceptions

• Clouds don't block all UV. Up to 80% of UV radiation can pass through thin clouds.
• You can get sunburned when it's cool. UV depends on the sun's angle, not the air temperature.
• Winter isn't always safe. Snow can reflect UV and increase exposure.
• You may not feel UV. Unlike heat, UV radiation doesn't have a sensation, so skin damage can occur before you notice anything.

A simple rule to remember

• UV 0–2: Enjoy the outdoors.
• UV 3–5: Protect yourself if you'll be outside.
• UV 6+: Take sun protection seriously.
• UV 8+: Limit time in direct midday sun.
• UV 11+: Avoid unnecessary direct sun exposure during peak hours.

Additional Links ⬇️

UV levels - Met Office

Sunscreen and sun safety - NHS

Sunburn - NHS

Our newsletter is published monthly and can be found here on our website, on our facebook page and printed out in our patient waiting room. It's a great way to keep updated on our practice news & health campaigns.

To read our newsletter for July 2026 please click HERE

Melanoma: A serious but largely preventable cancer

Melanoma may be less common than other skin cancers, but it is significantly more dangerous if not detected early.

Incidence:

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

In 2024, there were a record 20,800 new melanoma cases, up from an annual average of 19,300 between 2020 and 2022.

Over the past decade, melanoma incidence rates have increased by nearly a third (31%) in the UK.

Projections suggest that melanoma cases will continue to rise, reaching approximately 26,500 annually by 2038–2040.

Mortality:

Melanoma causes around 2,300 deaths each year in the UK, averaging more than six deaths per day.

It is the 20th most common cause of cancer death in the UK.

Projections indicate that annual deaths from melanoma will rise to approximately 2,800 by

2038–2040, despite a projected 12% decrease in mortality rates.

Prevention:

Approximately 86% of melanoma cases in the UK are preventable.

Despite increased awareness of the link between sun exposure and skin cancer, incidence rates are expected to continue rising, underscoring the need for ongoing public education on sun safety.

The seven point checklist for suspected Melanoma provided by Cancer UK - Melanoma skin cancer | Cancer Research UK

Sunburn and Melanoma

Although you don’t have to burn to contract melanoma, there is increasing evidence that excessive sun exposure, and particularly sunburn, when aged under 15 is a major risk factor for skin cancer in later life.

Protection of the skin of children and adolescents is therefore particularly important. Because of this, sunburn should be avoided by individuals of ALL ages.

Cornwall’s stunning coastline and sunny climate make it a prime spot for outdoor activities. However, this also means higher rates of skin cancer. New analysis from Cancer Research UK shows that melanoma cases in our region are among the highest on record.

Check out Cornish Stuff - Sun-Smart and Safe: Cornwall's NHS Reveals Top Summer Health Tips - CornishStuff

A new campaign has been launched to reduce the increasing rates of skin cancer amongst outdoor workers in Devon and Cornwall.

NHS figures for 2024/25 show there were 5,728 diagnoses of the condition across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Visit 

For many of us sleep is something we never need to consider a problem.

Some of us can nap any time, any place, anywhere. But some of us really struggle to find good, regular, restorative sleep. Our Wellbeing Lead, Stuart Lord and Helen Jackson(Health & Wellbeing Coach) have provided some great resources to try, if sleep is a struggle for you. ⬇️

This year's Alcohol Awareness Week takes place from 6-12 July 2026 with this years theme of 'Alcohol and me'. If you are drinking more than you would like, you are not alone. Lots of people find it hard to cut back.

Check how healthy your drinking is with this quick quiz on the Alcohol Change UK website: ⬇️

Check your drinking | Alcohol Change UK

Facts:

• 200,000 children in England live with an alcohol dependant parent.
• £3.5 billion is the cost to the NHS each year in England alone.
• 167,000 working years were lost to alcohol in 2015

Whole-body effects

Some effects of alcohol are more widespread, influencing your mood, metabolism and the way your whole body functions:

• Weight gain
• Mental Health
• Heart/Liver/Stomach
• Sleep

Read more on the Drink Aware website ⬇️

How alcohol affects your body | Drinkaware

Healthy Cornwall provides tools and resources to help you understand your drinking habits, cut down on alcohol and find support if things have become hard to manage. 

Cutting down on alcohol - Healthy Cornwall

Stopping or drinking less alcohol can make a big difference to your health. It can boost your energy, help you lose weight, and save you money. Even small steps can make a difference.

Visiting this link Drink less alcohol - Better Health - NHS not only gives you access to alcohol unit guidelines, Alcohol Change UK’s unit calculator, medical warnings but also tips on cutting down on alcohol:

• Have a game plan
• Switch away from stronger stuff
• Stick with it!
• Re-jig your social plans
• Set a booze budget
• Only wine and dine
• Beat boredom

If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, there is support available.

Nobody likes an unexpected trip to hospital. That’s why we’re using a new digital tool to help keep you safe and well at home.

This tool uses data to help identify people who might be at risk of becoming seriously unwell. If you’re identified, we’ll get in touch to invite you for a personalised assessment.

Our goal is simple: to support you early, so you can stay where you’re happiest—at home, doing what matters to you.

Want to learn more? Speak to a member of staff or visit:
🔗 https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/our-work/digital-neighbourhoods/

A free chickenpox vaccination will be offered for the first time to children across England on the NHS from January 2026.

• Government to launch chickenpox vaccination programme in England from January 2026, which will protect around half a million children each year
• Eligible children will receive the vaccine during routine GP appointments, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
• The rollout will help raise the healthiest generation of children ever, while reducing sick days and time parents take off work

Thousands of children will be protected against chickenpox for the first time in England through a new vaccination programme that will keep kids in school and parents in work while also saving the NHS vital funds.

From January next year, GP practices will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) - the clinical term for chickenpox - as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.

It will mean kids miss fewer days in nursery and school while parents will not need to take time off work to care for them. Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.

The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany.

Chickenpox vaccine - NHS

Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children - GOV.UK