RSV Vaccination
The Department of Health has approved the roll out of a new vaccination programme aimed at protecting older adults and newborns against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and its complications.
From this September, Adults aged from 75-79 years of age will be offered the RSV vaccination. Pregnant women will also be offered this vaccine, providing infants with protection against the virus from birth. (Pregnant women will be vaccinated via the Trust Maternity Services).
We are currently sending out text messages to patients who are eligible for the vaccine. If you have not received a text and feel you are eligible please call Lodge Health 028 70344494.
New Emotional Health & Wellbeing Guide
www.northernfsu.co.uk/mentalhealth
Shingles Vaccine available for patients 50+ who are immunosuppressed and eligible 65>years.
For more information on who can receive the vaccine go to https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/shingles-vaccine
Find out more at www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/shingles
Condition Management Programme
The Condition Management Programme (CMP) is a work focused programme which can provide a wide range of interventions and support to your patients who have a physical and/or mental health condition which affects their ability to work. The team is made up of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Mental Health Nurses and each patient receives a full bio-psycho social assessment of needs and may require interventions from one or more Clinicians as part of their participation in the programme. CMP is a well-established, clinically proven, free programme which can offer up to a maximum of 12 sessions of 1:1 and or group intervention. You can refer to CMP by telephoning your local CMP team directly: Northern HSC Trust 028 2563 5250
The link below provides further information on CMP: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/condition-management-programme#toc
Childhood Vaccinations
Childhood vaccination uptake rates have been declining in Northern Ireland... See links below for further advice and information on childhood vaccinations.
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorates/public-health/health-protection/vaccine-preventable-diseases-and-immunisation-3
https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2023-04/PHA%20Vaccinations%20A2%20Poster%20for%20Print%20%28Without%20Print%20Marks%29.pdf
Semglutide (Ozempic) for weight loss
From today NICE have licensed Semglutide (Ozempic) for weight loss within an NHS specialist weight management service and with ongoing support from a multi-disciplinary team.
Please do not ring the practice to request this medication. GPs can NOT prescribe this medication at this time. It can only be started as part of a patient's treatment in a Secondary Care NHS specialist weight management service and with the support of a multi-disciplinary team. This Secondary Care service is not available in the Causeway area at this time.
CHILD SYMPTOM CHECKER
https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/hospitals/childrens/childrens-symptom-checker
PRESCRIPTION ORDERING
We have seen a huge increase in the amount of calls for repeat prescriptions, we have 3 ways in which you may re-order your repeat prescriptions:
1. Online (which is the preferred method and hassle free & application can be downloaded from our website)
2. Ring the Prescription telephone number & a message can be left on the voicemail when we are closed.
3. Drop your repeat prescription (with Name & DOB & repeat order) into the outside letter-box.
Thank you for your co-operation