CAMBRIA SURGERY NEWS LETTER
Issue 3
September 2015
Hello to all. It’s been a while since our last practice newsletter, so apologies for that,
its just finding the time to do all these tasks. Anyway, hope you find this one
informative. If you would like to be involved in the production of our Newsletter ,
then please let me know. Laraine McEnhill laraine.mcenhill@wales.nhs.uk
For this issue I will include some changes that have taken place in the practice such
as change of staff, plus as we are approaching winter, information on how to manage
Flu.
Staff Changes
Dr Huw Parry retired from General Practice in March 2015 .
In April 2015, Dr Martin Murphy joined the practice as a partner and currently
works Mondays & Tuesday.
Dr Meleri Evans also joined the practice in April 2015. Dr Evans is a salaried GP
with a view to becoming a partner in the near future. She works Mondays, Tuesdays
& Wednesday.
Dr Evans, will be taking maternity leave at the end of October 2015 for 10 months,
plus holiday leave and plans to return September or October 2016.
Dr Jennifer Ellis will be covering maternity leave for Dr Evans and will work the
same days Monday to Wednesdays.
Dr Elaine Hampton is available Thursday & Fridays.
Dr David Lupton – Senior Partner is available Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Each GP covers extra duties when their colleagues are on annual or sick leave.
Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
Here is a reminder about our ANPs Rachael Perrin and Sharon Williams.
Rachael is available Monday – Friday excluding Wednesday and Sharon is available
Wednesdays.
Rachael & Sharon can see most patients with Minor Ailment type problems, such as
Ear, Nose, Throat & eye problems, Urinary problems, Skin problems, tummy upsets,
back pain, allergies, bites & stings, cellulitis, chest infections, coughs and colds,
diarrhea & vomiting, emergency contraception, hay fever, headache, infected
wounds.
However, they Do Not see the following: babies under 3 months, Pregnant women,
mental health problems, neurological problems, & medication reviews.
If unsure, please ask reception staff.
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Flu Season
What is Flu
Flu is a viral infection and is spread quickly. It's passed on when people breathe in
liquid droplets containing the influenza virus that have been sneezed or coughed
into the air, or when people touch objects contaminated with the virus. The virus can
cause infections all year round, but in the UK it's most common in the winter.
It is worse than an ordinary cold and may lead to more serious illnesses such
as bronchitis or pneumonia which may need treatment in hospital. It is
estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 people die in Britain annually as a result of flu.
Flu Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. They
appear quickly, last for about seven days and generally leave you exhausted for
weeks afterwards. One minute you're fine, the next you've been knocked for six and
are too ill to do anything.
It's different from the common cold, in which the symptoms tend to come on
gradually, usually affecting only the nose, throat, sinuses and upper chest. When
someone has a cold, they're still able to get about and usually recover fully after
about a week. Flu can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, and can
even be fatal.
Flu vaccine
The UK is fortunate to have a safe and effective vaccination against the flu, which is
provided free of charge by the NHS. Those most at risk are advised to have a
vaccination every year. This is because the flu virus changes slightly every year.
Despite popular belief, the flu vaccination can't give you flu as it doesn't contain the
active virus needed to do this. It's true that some people experience symptoms of a
heavy cold at the same time or just after they've had the flu jab. This is simply a
coincidence and the symptoms are usually caused by one of the many common cold
viruses that are around in the autumn and winter.
Remember, it's still possible to suffer heavy colds after vaccination, as the flu jab only
protects people from the flu virus, not other viruses.
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Who's affected by flu?
Anyone can get the flu and the more a person is in close contact with people who
have the virus, the more likely they are to get it. However, certain people are more
vulnerable than others to the harm the virus can cause and are advised to have a flu
vaccination. They include:
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Everyone over the age of 65.
Young children
People of any age with lung diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes
Chronic neurological disease including stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple
sclerosis or related or similar conditions or those with lower immunity.
Anyone living in a residential or nursing home.
Carers of those at risk of the complications of the flu
Pregnant women
Children Nasal Flu Vaccine
Fluenz a live, nasal spray flu vaccine is available for children from the age of
2 to under 17 years of age to stop the disease spreading. The phased
introduction of the childhood flu programme began in 2013 with flu vaccine
being offered to all 2&3 year olds and to some primary school aged children
in pilot areas. Each year, more age groups are being added to the
programme.
From, 1st September 2015, all 2/3/&4 year old children, children of school year
1 and 2 age & primary school-aged children in areas that participated in
pilots last year will be offered flu vaccine.
Once full implemented, the children’s flu programme will ultimately avert
many cases of severe flu and flu related deaths in older adults and people in
clinical risk groups.
It is sprayed into each nostril. The vaccine is more effective in children than
other inactivated flu vaccines. It has a good safety profile in children aged
two years and older and an established history of use in the United States.
We are expecting the vaccines to arrive mid Oct this year.
Children aged 6 months to less than two years old will be offered suitable
inactivated flu vaccine.
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Flu Vaccination & Carers
Paid and unpaid carers are also eligible for the seasonal flu
vaccine, so that you stay healthy in order to benefit those they
look after.
Flu Vaccination & Pregnancy
If you are pregnant , you can still have the
seasonal flu jab. There are no reported problems from giving the
vaccine to pregnant women.
Flu Management at Cambria Surgery
Flu management takes an awful lot of planning each year. Early in the year we meet
as a team to produce a plan of action for our annual flu campaign. We look at:
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Did we achieve the Government’s target of 75%?
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How can we improve this year
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Do we need more clinics?
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what has worked well?
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What did not work?
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Any recurring problems?
During August just before our flu vacs arrive, we will start our awareness campaign
by putting up posters, information is put on our web site, on the electronic board in
reception and messages on repeat prescriptions. Eligible patients are also targeted
opportunistically during routine appointments. After the first couple of clinics we
then look at those patients who have not responded to our flu campaign and send
them a reminder towards the end of October.
If no response is forthcoming by the end of December, a final reminder letter is sent
out hoping to encourage those stubborn patients. We do try our very best to
encourage all of you that are eligible for a flu vaccination to have one.
Preventing Flu
The best way to avoid getting flu is to keep your immune system strong by eating a
healthy diet, taking regular exercise, getting enough rest and relaxation and not
smoking.
You should also avoid people who are coughing and sneezing, especially if they're
not covering their mouth and nose.
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Treatment for Flu
Antibiotics are of no use in treating flu. Get plenty of rest. The body uses a lot of
energy fighting infections, so resting for the first couple of days gets it off to a good
start.
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Keep warm.
Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and try hot water
with lemon, ginger and honey to relieve symptoms such as sore throat.
Take paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen to lower
a high temperature and relieve aches.
Advice on suitable remedies is available from your local pharmacist. Always contact
your doctor if you're not getting better after a few days, if you're unduly short of
breath or if you're coughing up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm
Egg allergy:
Children with an egg allergy can be safely vaccinated with Fluenz Tetra. However,
children with a history of severe anaphylaxis to egg which has previously required
intensive care, s hold be referred to specialist for immunisation in hospital . Adults
with a severe egg allergy can be offered an alternative flu vaccine, please ask at
reception.
Protection against Pneumonia
Do remember if you are 65 years of age and over you can protect yourself against
several strains of nasty pneumonia that can prove to be fatal especially effecting the
elderly and those with chronic diseases. This pneumonia vaccine is available all year
round. If you think you are eligible then just check with our reception staff who are
happy to help.
Shingles Vaccination
The Welsh Government has decided, in line with the other UK countries, to
introduce a shingles vaccination programme in phases.
A national programme was introduced on 1st September 2013. In the first year, the
vaccine was offered to people aged 70 years as part of a new routine programme and
to people aged 79 years as the first phase of a catch up programme. The catch up
programme was extended to 78 and 79 year olds in 2014/15.
The programme will now commence on 1st April each year and run for 12 months to
31st March. Eligible patients, may be vaccinated at any time within this period.
Anyone who is 70 on 1st September of the vaccination year is eligible for the vaccine
and can have it any time before their 80th birthday.
We will try to keep you informed of any relevant, Practice News, so keep a look out for Our
next Newsletter, until then have a Merry Christmas and Happy & Healthy New Year .
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