May 2010
We still have a supply of swine flu vaccinations, If you are in an at-risk group and would like a vaccination, please contact the surgery on 01263 712461.
January 2010
All children aged 6 months to 5 years have been added to the Swine Flu Priority Groups (Priority group 5).
We have new clinic dates for 2010, if you or your child are in one of the Priority Groups, and would like to book your swine flu vaccination, please ask at reception at any of our 3 surgeries or telephone 01263 712461.
December 2009
We are now inviting patients in Priority Group 4 (see below) for thier swine flu vaccine. If you are 65 years of age or over and are in the following at risk groups please contact the surgery to book you vaccination on 01263 712461
What are the at-risk groups?
·
Chronic respiratory disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
· Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure;
· Chronic kidney disease, such as kidney failure;
· Chronic liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis;
· Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease;
· Diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs;
· Immuno-suppression (a suppressed immune system), due to disease or treatment.
Priority group 1
• People aged six months and up to 65 years of age in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups (see above)
Priority group 2
• All pregnant women;
Priority group 3
• Household contacts of immuno-compromised people;
Priority group 4
• People aged 65 years and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups
IF YOU FALL INTO ANY OF THE ABOVE GROUPS AND HAVE NOT HAD A SWINE FLU VACCINATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE SURGERY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ON 01263 712461.
27.10.09.
Swine Flu Vaccination Programme
29.09.2009
To date we still have no confirmed date for the distribution of the Swine Flu Vaccine.
23.07.09.
The new National Flu Pandemic Service has now gone live (23.7.09).
Telephone number: 0800 1 513 100
Web address: www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
You can access this service to have your symptoms assessed. If you are diagnosed as having swine flu you will be given a Unique Reference Number which can be given to your flu friend which will enable them to collect your anitvirals from one of the designated collection points.
However if you are at "high risk" or are concerned, you may contact the surgery in the usual way.
Information about flu
Flu pandemics occur when a new strain of the flu virus that is capable
of infecting people and spreading from person to person
It will spread rapidly because few of the population will have any immunity to the new strain.
Control will be difficult as it is likely that a vaccine will not be available immediately against the new strain of flu and anti-viral medicines may have a limited effect in reducing the effects of the disease.
· Flu is caused by a number of different types of ‘flu’ viruses.
· The incubation period is 1-4 days and infected adults are usually contagious from the day before to 5 days after illness onset.
· Fever usually declines after 2-3 days and normally disappears by the 6th day.
· Cough, weakness and fatigue can persist for 1-2 weeks and up to 6 weeks.
· Antibiotics do not benefit most people with flu but are sometimes needed to treat secondary infections
What can I do to try to prevent catching flu?
You can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading pandemic flu by adopting Personal Hygiene measures such as:
· Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
· Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
· Avoiding non-essential travel and large crowds whenever possible
· Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people
· Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product
· Making sure your children follow this advice – set a good example
Symptoms
Symptoms are generally of sudden onset and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Severe weakness and fatigue
- Aching muscles and joints
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
The symptoms of pandemic flu are similar to ‘ordinary’ seasonal flu.
However, in the case of pandemic flu, these symptoms are likely to be worse.
Symptomatic treatment
If you do catch flu, experience suggests that some of the following may help, and are unlikely to cause harm.
· Stay at home and rest
· Take medicines such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready made flu remedies containing aspirin.
· Drink plenty of fluids
· Avoid smoking
· Consider: steam inhalation, short course of topical decongestants, throat lozenges, and saline nose drops
What should I do if I catch flu?
· Stay at home and rest
· Maintain your personal hygiene as shown above
· Try ‘Symptomatic Treatment’
· Contact the practice if your condition worsens
· Contact your Flu Friend to collect your medicines on your behalf.
How will a flu pandemic affect your GP Practice?
During a flu pandemic, there will be a high demand for appointments at your practice.
In addition to dealing with a large number of patients with flu symptoms, we will also have to deal with demand for appointments from patients with routine and urgent medical problems.
Practice staff will be vulnerable to catching flu, which will inevitably mean a reduction in the number of staff available to provide patient services.
In order for us to maintain continuity of services to our patients we have prepared a Pandemic Flu Continuity Plan.
During a pandemic, we plan to maintain essential services which will include providing:
· Appointments in practice and at home for patients with urgent (non flu) conditions
· Appointments in practice and at home to treat patients with flu
· Repeat prescription service
The level of service that we are able to provide will be dependant upon the number of staff available.
As the number of practice staff increases we can then provide appointments for patients with routine conditions.
We will endeavour to keep you informed of the progress of any flu pandemic and the implications it is having on our provision of services.
For advice and guidance
on your condition please contact
the National Flu Pandemic Service on 0800 1 513 100
or
on line at
Community Pharmacies acting as Antiviral Collection Points
As at 18 July 2009
Clock Pharmacy, 1 Gayton Road, Gaywood, King's Lynn, PE30 4EA
Tel: 01553 774716 Fax: 01553 774716.
Opening hours: 0900 to 1800 Monday to Saturday
Coastal Pharmacy, 17 High Street, Mundesley-On-Sea, NR11 8LH
Tel: 01263 720319 - Fax: 01263 722962
Opening Hours 0830-1800 Monday -Friday (Closed from 1300-1400 hours for lunch) 0900-1300 Saturday
Co-op Chemists, High Street, Acle, NR13 3DY
Tel: 01493 750502 Fax: 01493 750502
Opening Hours 0900-1800 Monday – Friday 0900-1300 & 1400-1730 Saturday
Co-op Pharmacy, Lidl Retail Park, Holt Road, Fakenham, NR21 8JG
Tel: 01328 851944 Fax: 01328 851944
Opening Hours 0900-1830 Monday –Friday - 0900-1300 Saturday
Co-op Pharmacy, 47-47a Market Street, Wymondham, NR18 0AJ
Tel: 01953 602115 Fax: 01953 423390
Opening Hours 0900-1800 Monday – Friday and 0900-1730 Saturday
Co-op Pharmacy, 118-120 The Street, Brundall, Norwich, NR13 5LP
Tel: 01603 713120 Fax: 01603 713120
Opening Hours 0900-1300 & 1400-1830 Monday – Friday and
0900-1300 & 1400-1730 Saturday
Co-op Pharmacy, 16-18 The Street, Poringland, NR14 7JR
Tel: 01508 495348 Fax: 01508 495348
Opening Hours 0900-1830 Monday to Friday – Saturday 0900 to 1730 (1300 -1400 Closed for lunch each day)
Co-op Pharmacy, The Angel Site, The Street, Long Stratton, NR15 2XJ
Fax: 01508 530303
Opening Hours: 0900-1800 Monday – Friday
Co-op Pharmacy, 38 Market Place, Swaffham, PE37 7QH
Fax: 01760 725500
Opening Hours 0900-1730 Monday to Saturday
David Jagger Ltd, 5-7 Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AG
Tel: 01328 710239 Fax: 05600 769925
Opening Hours 0900-1800 Monday to Friday and 0900 – 1700 Saturday (Closed between 1300 and 1400 each day)
Jai Chemist, 65 High Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1AY
Fax: 01553 772828
Opening Hours: 0830 - 1715 Monday – Friday and 0830-1700 Saturday
Key Chemists, 44 Sutton Road, Terrington St Clements, King’s Lynn, PE34 4PQ
Fax: 01553 829630
Opening Hours 0900 - 1700 Monday to Friday
Motts Pharmacy Ltd, The Chimes, Market Place, Reepham, NR10 4JJ
Tel: Fax: 01603 871738
Opening Hours 0900-1300 & 1400-1800 Monday to Friday and
0900-1300 & 0900 -1700 Saturday
Natural Health Pharmacy, 117F Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR4 6LD
Tel: 01603 454992 Fax: 01603 259584
Opening Hours 0900 - 1800 Monday to Friday 0900 - 1300 Saturday
Natural Health Pharmacy, 1 St John’s Close, Hall Road, Norwich, NR1 1AD
Tel: 01603 776556 Fax: 01603 613289
Opening Hours 0900 - 1800 Monday to Friday 0900 - 1300 Saturday
Reads Pharmacy, 30 High Street, Coltishall, Norwich, NR12 7AA
Tel: 01603 736784 Fax: 01603 736784
Opening Hours 0900-1800 Monday to Friday and 0900-1700 Saturday
S&S (Chemists) Ltd, Market Place, Burnham Market, PE31 8HD
Tel: 01328 738215 Fax: 01328 738717
Opening Hours 0900-1700 Monday to Saturday
Sue Smith Pharmacy, Memorial Green, East Harling, NR16 2ND
Tel: 01953 717207 Fax: 01953 718654
Opening Hours 0900-1300 & 1415-1800 Monday to Friday and 0900-1300 Saturday
Willows Pharmacy, Downham Market Health Centre, Paradise Road, Downham Market, PE38 9JE
Tel: 01366 386500 Fax: 01366 386502
Opening Hours: 0830 to 1830 Monday to Friday and 0900 1300 Saturday
Lloyds Pharmacy, 6 Market Place, Aylsham, NR11 6EH
Tel: 01263 733118 Fax: 01263 731289
Opening Hours Mon to Friday 0900-1800 and 0900-1730 Saturday
Lloyds Pharmacy, 31 Station Road, Sheringham, NR26 8RF
Tel: 01263 823128 Fax:01263 823128
Opening Hours Mon to Friday 0900-1800 and 0900-1730 Saturday
Lloyds Pharmacy, The Orchard Surgery, Commercial Road, East Dereham, NR19 1AE
Tel: 01362 692080 Fax: 01362 699030
Opening Hours Mon to Friday 0900-1800 and 0900-1730 Saturday
Lloyds Pharmacy, 94 The Paddocks, Old Catton, NR6 7HS
Tel: 01603 400337 Fax: 01603 400337
Opening Hours Mon to Friday 0900-1800 and 0900-1730 Saturday
Lloyds Pharmacy, The Guiltcross Club, Queens Square, Attleborough, NR17 2AF
Tel: 01953 452288 Fax: 01953 456405
Opening Hours Monday to Friday 0830 to 1800 and Saturday 0900 to 1700
Mattishall Pharmacy, 15 Dereham Road, Mattishall, NR20 3QA
Tel: 01362 858540 Fax: 01362 858466
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 0830 to 1300 and 1400 to 1800 Monday to Friday
Hurn Chemists, 143 Unthank Road, Norwich, NR2 2PE
Tel: 01603 623769 Fax: 01603 766646.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 0900 to 1700
Woodside Pharmacy, Thorpewood Medical Centre, 140, Woodside Road Thorpe St Andrew. Norwich NR7 9QL.
Fax: 01603 304165 (opening hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 10.30pm Sat – Sun 8am – 8pm)
Co-op Pharmacy, Market Place, North Walsham, NR28 9BP
Tel: 01692 402103 Fax: 01692 404782.
Opening hours: 0900 to 1730 Monday to Saturday
Co-op Pharmacy, Market Place, Diss, IP22 4AB
Tel 01379 642053 Fax: 01379 642053.
Opening hours: 0900 to 1730 Monday to Saturday
Click here to see our Swine Flu Vaccination Programme Poster
If you would like more information about the swine flu vaccination programme:
· Visit the NHS Choices website at: www.nhs.uk
· Go to the NHS Norfolk website at: www.norfolk.nhs.uk
· Call the NHS Norfolk Panflu Advice Line on
0808 238 9786 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday