Health

Local Stop Smoking Services

2 November 2016 0 Comments

sf_logoThere’s a free local Stop Smoking Service near you. Studies show that you’re four times more likely to quit with help. Developed by experts and ex-smokers and delivered by professionals, your local Stop Smoking Service provides expert advice, support and encouragement to help you stop smoking for good.

It offers free one-to-one support along with stop smoking medicines, which are available for the cost of a prescription. When asked if they would recommend the service, 9 out of 10 smokers who’ve used a local Stop Smoking Service say they would. (more…)

Health, News

Local pharmacies have been around for generations

1 November 2016 0 Comments

pharmacy logoHelping you, your parents and your grandparents. If you want your local pharmacies to be there to help the generations to come, please lobby your MP.

The Department of Health (DH) has indicated it believes that there are up to 3000 too many pharmacies in England. At the same time, they have proposed a series of policy measures which would divert investment from local pharmacies to other care settings or to online suppliers of medicines. The current direction of policy, if not challenged, could lead to a serious fracturing of the pharmacy network in England, leaving many patients with reduced access to face to face advice and treatment and putting extra pressure on GPs and hospitals.

Go to the campaign website to lobby your MP
http://lobby.supportyourlocalpharmacy.com/

Government, Health, News

Free flu jabs for those most at risk

26 October 2016 0 Comments

Ashford Clinical Commissioning GroupResidents aged 65 and over in east Kent are being encouraged to have a free flu vaccination to help them stay healthy this winter.

Older people are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu and immunisation can help to protect them from catching the virus.

NHS Ashford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Kent County Council are supporting this year’s Stay Well This Winter campaign, led by NHS England and Public Health England, which aims to encourage everyone who is eligible for a free flu jab to get vaccinated.

As well as residents aged 65 or over, pregnant women, carers and people with long-term health conditions are all eligible for a free flu vaccination and are advised to have one every year.

All children in school years 1, 2 and 3 (aged five to seven-years-old) will be offered the nasal vaccine through a schools based programme, while children aged two to four-years-old can get the vaccine from their GP. (more…)

Health, News, Wellbeing

Electronic Prescription Service Companies

25 October 2016 0 Comments

image003Residents in Ashford have received personalised invitations from a company specialising in fulfilling prescriptions via the Electronic Prescription Service. The company use Royal Mail to deliver prescriptions.

This company is not linked to any local pharmacy.

Residents receiving this invitation should consider whether

  • they want to give their personal information a to a commercial organisation, with which they have no previous dealings, and
  • have prescriptions sent to the company that may give an indication of their health conditions

Support your local pharmacy

With pressure on NHS services there will be an effort to encourage us to use the most appropriate service. In many cases this may be the local pharmacy but, if trade is taken from them by mail based services, local pharmacies may find it difficult to stay in business.

South Ashford Community Forum encourage you to support your local pharmacy by naming them as your electronic prescription service provider. Most local pharmacies operate a delivery service for those that cannot get to the premises.

Business, Community, Health, News

Choose your way to quit – Stop smoking services

25 October 2016 0 Comments

stoptoberSayed visited his local stop smoking service and got the free support and advice he needed face to face, to quit smoking for good

Having regular contact from a local specialist really keeps you motivated while quitting – and it costs nothing! – Sayed

You can get free one-to-one support from your local stop smoking service. With their expert help and advice, you’re up to four times more likely to quit smoking successfully. 9 out of 10 people who’ve used local stop smoking services would recommend it as a way to quit. Find out more about what to expect and find your local service.

The more support tools you use the more likely you are to succeed in your quit attempt. Think about using other support tools to help you quit.

Watch Sayed’s story www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home#

#Stoptober2016

Health, News, Wellbeing

“I quit for my daughter”

20 October 2016 0 Comments

stoptoberBrendan, 37, got help from his local stop smoking service.

He had been smoking since he was 18, but he was finding it tough to keep up with his young daughter in the park and decided it was time to quit. Brendan found out about Smokefree and the local stop smoking services on offer, so he decided to give it a try.

From the start he found that having the “emotional support … of guys all looking to give up in various ways but all looking to do the same thing – and that was stay off cigarettes” was a “massive help”.

It’s a great feeling for Brendan when he sees that his daughter is happy because he has successfully quit smoking for good: “Going back to smoking isn’t an option for me because I want to be able to keep up with her; I want to be able to see her grow up. It’s a daily reminder that I have no intention of going back to smoking at all.”

Are you inspired by Brendan’s story? Get started now.

Read more at www.nhs.uk/smokefree/success-stories/brendan

#Stoptober2016

Health, News

Burns first aid – Cool, Call, Cover

19 October 2016 0 Comments

Cool, call and cover

      • Cool the burn with running cool tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery.
      • Call for help – 999, 111 or your local GP for advice.
      • Cover with cling film while transferring to a hospital/GP surgery.

The hospital/GP should apply a sterile dressing. Cling film should not be left on a burn for more than a few hours and only while wounds are being assessed by health professionals.

#BeBurnsAware #Coolcallcover

Emergency, Health, News