Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Summer may only just be coming to an end but it is that time of year again to organise your yearly flu vaccination, especially if you are at risk of health complications should you catch flu. You can receive the flu jab free if you are aged 65 years or older, are pregnant, or have a health condition that puts you at risk of flu complications such as severe asthma, chest or heart complaints and diabetes. And if you care for someone who is elderly or disabled, whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill, you are also encouraged to get the vaccination. As part of the 2014 - 2015 seasonal flu campaign, 2, 3 and 4 year olds will also be vaccinated at their GP surgery using a nasal spray, and children in school Year 7 vaccinated through the school nursing service. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Flu isn’t just a cold. It can be a really serious illness for some people. If you’re in any of the at-risk groups, the flu jab is free of charge ...

The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has had his flu jab – have you had yours? There’s still time to see your GP or pharmacist to protect yourself against the latest strain of winter flu, a virus which can lay the healthiest of people low, but is far more serious for the most vulnerable in our communities. Cllr Kevin Madge visited his surgery – Brynteg in Ammanford – to get his jab for his own protection, and for the hundreds of people he meets in his role as Leader. He is now urging others to act quickly. “I know we are coming towards the end of the vaccination campaign, but there is still time to get your flu jab either from your GP or from your local pharmacy,” he said. Many front-line council staff, mostly care workers, have had the flu vaccination to help stop the spread of the virus to the people we care for. Flu is caused by a virus and spreads quickly in closed environments such as hospitals and care homes. Older people, and those with long-term health conditions ...

Health Wednesday advice from the Hywel Dda health Board- This Healthy Wednesday protect yourself and loved ones against illness as winter approaches. Colds and flu affect 15 million people each year in the UK but unlike a cold, the symptoms of flu come on very quickly and include a fever and aching joints and muscles. Flu can be a serious condition for some people, so it’s important to get a flu jab, available free of charge, if you are over 65, pregnant or have an underlying health condition (particularly chronic heart or respiratory disease), or weakened immune system. Do not wait until a flu outbreak occurs – contact your GP or practice nurse now to arrange your flu jab. Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruth Hussey said: “Flu spreads easily, and can cause serious illness which would need to be treated in hospital. If you are eligible for the vaccine, talk to your GP surgery, local health clinic or you can talk to NHS Direct Wales. “For the first time selected community pharmacies will a...

People in Ceredigion are being urged to get jabbed to ensure they are best protected against catching flu this winter. Hywel Dda Health Board is offering a free flu jab to those people who are at the greatest risk of flu including those aged 65 or over, pregnant women and those with health conditions such as asthma, chest or heart problems, lowered immunity and diabetes. For the first time, the flu vaccine will be also available from 137 pharmacies in Wales, with selected pharmacists given special training to administer the injections. Flu is a contagious infection that can kill and anyone that falls into an at-risk group should be vaccinated to ensure they protect themselves and their families. Those people at risk are: over 65 and people in long term care  people with long term respiratory disease such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis  people with long term heart, renal or liver disease  people with neurological disease su...

As the winter months approach again it is important for people to start thinking about getting their seasonal flu jab. To help their patients access this year’s vaccine Ashleigh Surgery & Cardigan Health Centre will be running drop in clinics for their registered patients at Cardigan Swimming Pool Hall on 1st, 2nd, 8th & 9th October 2012. Cardigan Health Centre and Ashleigh Surgery patients who are aged over 65 or in an ‘at risk category’ are invited to turn up at the Swimming Pool Hall between 9am – 7pm - no appointment needed. Vicki Jenkins & Tracey Huggins, Practice Managers at Ashleigh Surgery & Cardigan Health Centre are encouraging their patients to take up the opportunity: “Protecting yourself against seasonal flu is a simple way to prevent unnecessary risk to your health over winter. Anyone can get flu and the flu virus is easily passed from person to person and can spread rapidly. Most people recover from a bout of flu uneventfully but complications c...