Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
Join us this week (17th – 23rd) to promote the importance of cervical screening, did you know that one in three don’t attend cervical screening? However, cervical cancer prevention doesn’t stop at screening.
220,000 women and people with a cervix every year are told they have cervical cell changes after their screening, and many more are given an HPV diagnosis. This can mean more tests and treatments.
Find out more about cervical screening, why its important and what happens at your appointment at nhs.uk
More information and support can be found at Jo’s Trust
January is Love Your Liver month
January is Love Your Liver month, you only have one liver so it’s important to know how to look after it. Your liver is the largest organ inside your body and does hundreds of essential jobs like:
- Fighting infection and disease
- Destroying poisons and drugs (including alcohol)
- Cleaning the blood
- Controlling the amount of cholesterol
- Processing food once it has been digested
Three steps you can take to love your liver is
Cut down on alcohol
The liver has the job of processing alcohol you drink. If you drink over the recommended daily guidelines, your liver will not be able to process the alcohol you consume quickly enough, which damages the cells in your liver.
Keep to a healthy weight
A healthy liver should contain little or no fat. But in some people fat builds up in the liver. This leads to a condition called non-alcohol related fatty liver disease. If fatty deposits build up over a long time they can damage the liver and stop it working properly.
Protect yourself from viral hepatitis
Blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B and C can cause permanent liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer. Hepatitis A and E are spread by poo that carries the infection (usually through contaminated food or water).
If you want to find out more information keeping your liver healthy, visit https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 17-23 January
Do you know how cervical cancer can be prevented? During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week we want as many people as possible to know how they can reduce their risk of the disease and to educate others.
How can you reduce your risk of cervical cancer?
We want to ensure all women and people with a cervix know how cervical cancer can be prevented. This means:
- Attending cervical screening when invited
- Knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer and seeking medical advice if experiencing any
- Taking up the HPV vaccination if aged 11-18
- Knowing where to find support and further information
Please book an appointment for cervical smear if you are called. We have early morning and late evening appointments at Audley Health Centre and at our Bradwell extended access hub. We also offer weekend appointments.
Information taken from: Jo’s trust: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week (January 2022)
Covid-19 Booster Vaccine
We are working hard to ensure all our patients are able to access the covid-19 booster vaccine.
Here at Audley we offer the Pfizer booster for all adults over 18 where it has been 3 months since their 2nd dose and 28 days since a positive covid test result. We are also still offering first and second doses to our patients if you need them. Please see the table below that shows who can have each dose and when.
To book your appointment please email our vaccine address on vac.audley@nhs.net with your name and DOB, or you can call reception after 2pm. However, if you are able to email please do, as this means that our phones lines are kept free for routine general practise queries.
If our clinic dates are unsuitable for you, you can use the National Booking Service or call 119. Some vaccination sites may offer a walk-in service but the best way to ensure you get a jab is to make an appointments through the nationals booking service.
| Cohort | 2nd dose | 3rd primary dose | Booster | Other considerations |
| Age 18+ 12+ at high risk themselves 12+ and household contact of immunosuppressed | 8 weeks after 1st dose | NA | 3 months after 2nd dose | 18+, no vaccine within 28 days of acute covid <18, no vaccine within 12 weeks of acute covid |
| 16-18 (well) | 12 weeks after 2nd dose | NA | 3 months after 2nd dose (to start in January 2022 but not yet authorised to book) | <18, no vaccine within 12 weeks of acute covid |
| Immunosuppressed age 12+ | 8 weeks after 2nd doses | 3 months after 3rd dose | 18+, no vaccine within 28 days of acute covid <18, no vaccine within 12 weeks of acute covid | |
| 12-15 (well) | Not vaccinating in our PCN- speak to school team, 119 or walk-in centres offering to that age. | |||
| 5-11 years | Not vaccinating in our PCN. |
Proof of Medical Exemption – Covid-19 Vaccination
Some individuals are unable to be vaccinated and also, in some cases, tested for medical reasons. You can apply for proof that you have a medical reason why you should not be vaccinated or why you should not be vaccinated and tested.
If you get this proof of medical exemption you’ll be able to use the NHS COVID Pass wherever you need to prove your COVID-19 status within England.
Until 24 December 2021, you can self-certify that you’re medically exempt if you work or volunteer in a care home.
Some businesses in England choose to use the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry. Until 24 December, businesses can decide whether to allow in people who self-declare that they’re medically exempt.
From 25 December, if you’re unable to get vaccinated, you’ll have to use the NHS COVID Pass in the same way that people who are fully vaccinated use it.
For full information on the requirements for proof regarding being exempt from Covid-19 vaccination please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-medical-exemptions-proving-you-are-unable-to-get-vaccinated
Clarification on Covid Face Covering Exemption Cards/Certificates
With the new legal requirements regarding face coverings coming into effect in England, we thought it might be useful to explain when and who requires a covid exemption card/certificate.
If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:
- You do not routinely need to show any written evidence of this
- You do not need to show an exemption card
This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.
However, if you feel more comfortable showing something that says you do not have to wear a face covering, this could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or sign. Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and not required by law.
If you wish to use an exemption card or badge, you can download and print out or show these templates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Exemptions from face coverings
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear them, so please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances.
Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
- children under the age of 11 (The UK Health and Security Agency does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
- people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- people for whom putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress
- people speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
- to avoid the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
- police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering:
- if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
- if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, for assessing health recommendations (for example by a pharmacist) or for age identification purposes, including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
- in order to take medication
Sustainability at Audley Health Centre
Over the past few weeks, we have started to make changes here at Audley Health Centre in order to make the practise more environmentally friendly. The NHS accounts for approximately 5.4% of the UKs carbon emissions annually – this is the same amount as all the flights that leave Heathrow airport each year. Primary care health centres play a major role in this statistic, with GP prescribing being one of the largest contributors to the NHS’ carbon emissions, second only to anaesthetic usage in hospitals. This means there is plenty of room for improvement! One area of GP services that has a substantially negative environmental impact is metered dose inhaler (MDI) prescribing, which are the most prescribed inhalers in the UK. MDI’s main ingredient is hydrofluorocarbon gas, which has over 1000 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide, with one Ventolin inhaler having the same carbon footprint as driving from London to Sheffield, which is nearly 200 miles!!!
This is why we have decided to sign up to the Green Impact Scheme, accredited by the RCGP, as we hope to make changes within the practise that will reduce our environmental impact. By taking part in the green impact scheme, we aim to implement the interventions most suitable and upload evidence to the dedicated website which would add up to eventually provide a bronze, silver or gold award for sustainability, accredited by the RCGP. As we work towards these awards, we hope to include and encourage our patients to take part by offering medication reviews for asthma patients to trial different, less carbon-intense inhalers amongst other things. We will be posting updates as to how the scheme is going on our Facebook page.
Eye Health Awareness Week is the perfect time to book your eye test!
Regular eye tests are important, not only will the optometrist tell you if you require glasses or have a change in prescription, but they will also carry out eye health checks to spot any early signs of eye conditions before they become a problem.
Optometrists are highly trained and can recognise abnormalities and conditions that could be causing eye problems. They will prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, and, if necessary, they will refer you to a GP or a hospital eye clinic for further investigations.
The NHS recommend you get an eye test every two years (more often if advised by your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist).
An NHS sight (eye) test is free of charge if you are in one of the eligible groups and your sight test is considered clinically necessary. If the ophthalmic practitioner can’t see a clinical need then you’ll have to pay for the test privately. For more information take a look at free NHS sight tests and optical vouchers.
How can I tell if my child is having issues with their eyes?
Children often do not complain about their sight, but they may show signs of being unable to see properly such as:
- Sitting closer to the TV
- Holding objects very close to their face
- Blinking a lot
- Eye rubbing
- One eye turning in or out
If you think your child has any sort of sight problem, book and appointment at the opticians for further investigation. Children so not have to be able to read letters to have their eyes tested.
Children under 16 years of age or 16, 17 or 18 year olds in full time education are entitled to free NHS eye examinations.
You can find your local opticians by visiting NHS Choices.