Antibiotic Awareness Week (18th - 25th November 2023)
Antibiotics are great, but are NOT needed for every infection, and often won't work. See the link below and check out the videos....
Winter infections
Most common illnesses don’t need antibiotics and can be treated with over-the-counter medicines.
Call in to your local pharmacist to find out more, as part of the Living Well campaign.
Visit www.pha.site/antibiotics
#LivingWellNI
Autumn/Winter 2023 Vaccines
Flu and Covid-19 Vaccines - Regular clinics are now finished. If you haven't yet had your vaccines and are eligible (>65yrs or under 65yrs with an underlying health condition) you can still phone reception and get booked with the treatment room.
Flu vaccine leaflet
Covid-19 vaccine leaflet
For further information see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines
#autumnvaccines
Pneumococcal vaccine - Pneumococcus bacterial infection can cause serious pneumonia. Patients who are eligible for Flu vaccine are also eligible for this ONE OFF vaccine. This means (in most people) you only need this vaccine once in your lifetime. If you think you may be eligible and have never had this - please enquire at reception.
Shingles - Protect yourself from this nasty infection caused by the varicella (chickenpox) virus which reactivates causing a painful blistering rash among other more generalised symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. The shingles vaccine is very safe and effective. It is a ONE OFF vaccination either a single dose or two doses 6 months apart. It does not need repeated every year (unlike flu or covid-19 vaccines).
Shingles Vaccine Information
Eligible cohorts for Shingles - (Patients can hear an audio recording of whether they are eligible for the vaccine by telephoning 028 9536 2000.)
• Patients who are aged at least 71 on 1st September 2013 but not yet had their 80th birthday
- patients aged 65 years old on 1st September 2023 (DOB 2nd September 1957 to 1st September 1958)
• patients aged 70 years old on 1st September 2023 (DOB 2nd September 1952 to 1st September 1953)
(Please note those aged 66 to 69 are not eligible this year, they will become eligible in the year they turn 70)
• Severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 50 years and over.
Suffering Chronic arthritis pain? World Arthritis Day - 12th October 2023
Worried about falls?
You might benefit from strength and balance training workshops...
World Patient Safety Day 17th September 2024:
World Patient Safety Day 2023: Engaging Patients for Patient Safety (who.int)
De-prescribing Awareness
De-prescribing Factsheet
De-prescribing means reducing the numbers of medications being prescribed to you. Sometimes medications can keep being added and none are removed - resulting "polypharmacy" and all the risks associated, such as drug interactions and increased side effects.
The Dept of Health are making "de-prescribing" an area of focus for the forthcoming year.
Nutritional Supplements
The vast majority of patients do not need prescribed vitamin supplements. A healthy balanced diet should provide all the nutrition you need. Occasionally they will be prescribed for significant nutritional deficiencies.
If you are being prescribed vitamins you should ask if they are needed. They may be stopped by the practice and you can discuss this with the practice pharmacist of you have any concerns.
Do I need vitamin supplements? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)