CHRISTMAS HAMPERS & HOLIDAY CLOSURES

This year we are keeping up our Christmas tradition by collecting non perishable items to make up Christmas hampers again for those in need in our local community.  

These were the hampers we were able to make last year with the kind donations we received. 

We will be setting up a drop  off point in the surgery reception area for any donations. If these could be left in before Thursday 19th December.

Thank you for your continued support.

Christmas Eve -Telephone lines will close at 12:30pm.  The reception desk will remain open for emergencies only.

The surgery door will close at 5pm.

We are closed on:

 Wednesday 25th Dec - Christmas Day

 Thursday 26th Dec     - Boxing Day

 Wednesday 1st Jan    - New Year's Day

Please remember to order your repeat prescription in plenty of time before the practice closure either

online via patient services or by telephone using option 2 to our prescription line service.

Prescriptions will take 48 working hours to process.  Please allow your chemist processing time.

This is always a very busy time of year so we would like to thank you all for your patience.

Covid-19 & Flu Vaccines

If you have not received an invite and you think you are eligible - please contact the surgery and speak to a receptionist.

We are sending for eligible patients via sms text (where we hold a valid mobile telephone number)  or letter invite to the eligible groups.

If you are not able to attend on the day of your invite we will hold further clinics.   Some of these appointments are now available to book online using the Online Patients Services website.  You will need to be registered for this service but anyone who orders their medications via this website are already registered.   Click on "My Appointments"  and you will be able to see what dates are available.  

RSV VACCINE PROGRAMME FROM SEPTEMBER 2024

RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system, particularly in older adults and  young children.

From the 1 September 2024  

Adults aged from 75–79 years of age will be offered the RSV vaccination.

To help protect newborns and infants, pregnant women are also being offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy.

If you’re eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn baby from RSV.

Older adults

Those turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be invited by their GP practices from September onwards. The vaccine will also be offered to anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 as part of the ‘catch up’ programme.

Although the programme officially begins on 1 September 2024 individual GP practices will have their own roll-out arrangements which will extend into next year. People who are eligible for vaccination should wait to be invited in the normal way by their GP practice.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women are being offered the vaccine during antenatal appointments with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. The timing of the vaccine offer will help protect their newborn babies from serious illness caused by an RSV infection. 

View information on the RSV vaccine for adults

www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/your-guide-rsv-vaccine-older-adults

SHINGLES VACCINATION PROGRAMME

Shingles Vaccination We are in the process of calling for the eligible patients for the shingles vaccine.

Click the link for further information:    Shingles leaflet 0823.pdf (hscni.net)

Corona Virus and how we can help

Infectious disease outbreaks, like the current Coronavirus (Covid 19), can be scary and can affect our mental health

If you are struggling with your mental health at this time we would like to reassure you that our mental health practitioner service will continue throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Please call reception 028 7082 9558 to make an appointment for a telephone consultation. During this time there will people who will struggle with extra caring roles; financial difficulties; addictions; isolation/ loneliness; and relationship difficulties (to name but a few). Our Social Worker will continue to offer support and advice in these areas. Please call reception on 028 7082 9558 to make an appointment for a telephone consultation.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-benefitsWhile it is important to stay informed, the following are some mental health and wellbeing tips and strategies to continue looking after ourselves and each other during these difficult times.

Make sure your wider health needs are being looked after such as having enough prescription medicines available to you.

https://wellnessseeker.teachable.com/p/your-wellness-toolkit

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/blogs/2020/03/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

https://www.headspace.com/covid-19

http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/northerntrust/https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/blogs/2020/03/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

• Try to avoid speculation and look up reputable sources on the outbreak

Rumour and speculation can fuel anxiety. Having access to good quality information about the virus can help you feel more in control.

You can get up-to-date information and advice on the virus here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Follow hygiene advice such as washing your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds with soap and hot water (sing ‘happy birthday’ to yourself twice to make sure you do this for 20 seconds). You should do this whenever you get home or into work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food. If you can’t wash your hands straightaway, use hand sanitiser and then wash them at the next opportunity.

You should also use tissues if you sneeze and make sure you dispose of them quickly; and stay at home if you are feeling unwell.

• Try to stay connected

At times of stress, we work better in company and with support. Try and keep in touch with your friends and family, by telephone, email or social media, or contact a helpline for emotional support.

You may like to focus on the things you can do if you feel able to:

◾stress management

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a_2

https://www.headspace.com/

https://www.calm.com/

◾keep active

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-using-exercise

◾eat a balanced diet

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/diet-and-mental-health

Stay in touch with friends on social media but try not to sensationalise things. If you are sharing content, use this from trusted sources, and remember that your friends might be worried too.

Also remember to regularly assess your social media activity. Tune in with yourself and ask if they need to be adjusted. Are there particular accounts or people that are increasing your worry or anxiety? Consider muting or unfollowing accounts or hashtags that cause you to feel anxious.

• Talk to your children

Involving our family and children in our plans for good health is essential. We need be alert to and ask children what they have heard about the outbreak and support them, without causing them alarm. We need to minimise the negative impact it has on our children and explain the facts to them. Discuss the news with them but try and avoid over-exposure to coverage of the virus. Be as truthful as possible.

Let’s not avoid the ‘scary topic’ but engage in a way that is appropriate for them. We have more advice on talking with your children about world news.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/talking-to-your-children-scary-world-news

https://www.mindheart.co/descargables

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2

• Try to anticipate distress

It is OK to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed as we read news about the outbreak, especially if you have experienced trauma or a mental health problem in the past, or if you have a long-term physical health condition that makes you more vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus.

It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and remind each other to look after our physical and mental health. We should also be aware of and avoid increasing habits that may not be helpful in the long term, like smoking and drinking.

Try and reassure people you know who may be worried and check in with people who you know are living alone.

• Try not to make assumptions

Don’t judge people and avoid jumping to conclusions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease. The Coronavirus can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sex.

• Try to manage how you follow the outbreak in the media

There is extensive news coverage about the outbreak. If you find that the news is causing you huge stress, it’s important to find a balance.It’s best that you don’t avoid all news and that you keep informing and educating yourself, but limit your news intake if it is bothering you.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

ADDITIONAL LOCAL SUPPORT

Age Concern Causeway

Care in action - 02870357966

Reach Service Portrush

https://www.facebook.com/reachportrush

Call 07929369228 to avail of the service

Causeway Coast and Glens Community Support