The NHS is warning that this could be a bad year for flu, and indeed Covid, at least based on what has been seen in the Southern Hemisphere. So the advice is that if you are eligible for flu and/or Covid jabs, then please get them – this protects you and indeed everyone.… more >>>
Diabetes Transformation Programme
The following received from NW London NHS …
… more >>>The North West London Diabetes Transformation Programme have commissioned a Facebook and Instagram platform for people living with Diabetes/who have an interest in Diabetes which provides a peer support network. Just click on or cut and paste the links to join:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofknowdiabetes
Practice Website Read Aloud
There’s something new – at least I’ve not noticed it before – on the Practice website. In the top left corner there is now a small red box called SPEAK. This is there to help those with visual impairment.
If you click on SPEAK an extra toolbar is displayed.… more >>>
eConsult Hints & Tips
I’ve just uploaded a one page leaflet of information, hints & tips about eConsult which I’ve put together. It is under Resources | Our Leaflets or go direct to the PDF at https://barnabasvoices.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/eConsult.pdf.
Everyone here probably knows most of what it says but it may be something you’ll want to give to others.
Polio Vaccine Boosters for Children
Lots of news breaking in the media that around 1 million children aged 1 to 9 years are to be offered a booster polio vaccination.
This follows the discovery of polio virus in the sewage from eight north and east London boroughs after the initial discovery some months ago. (Note: Ealing is not affected, but Brent is on the list.)… more >>>
Mask Policies
Many hospitals – and indeed other healthcare providers – have recently reintroduced the mandatory wearing of masks in their buildings. This is in line with the government’s current guidance that such policy is a local decision based on local risk assessment.
However it is being reported (see this article in BMJ) that some providers are insisting everyone wear a single-use disposable (surgical) mask which they provide.… more >>>
Knee Replacement Surgery
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) the number of NHS knee replacements has fallen in those areas which have introduced rules on weight and body mass index (BMI). The rates of surgery fell in all patient groups, not just in those who are overweight.
This insistence on weight loss (and physiotherapy) before a patient is even considered for knee surgery seems to be short-sighted and little short of rationing.… more >>>
Train Travel Assistance for the Disabled
Most (all?) train operating companies (TOCs) provide information and help on Assisted Travel for the disabled. Here’s a link to the page from Chiltern Railways.
Right at the bottom of the page there’s something I’ve not seen before: Communication Cards. Maybe I’ve missed them and some other TOCs provide them – although a quick random check suggests that quite a few don’t.… more >>>
Scarlet Fever
Concerns are being raised at the increasing prevalence of Scarlet Fever – which mostly affects under 16s. It is a Streptococcal infection, so the treatment is likely to be a course of antibiotics. As far as I’m aware there is no vaccine against Scarlet Fever.
Although not that common these days, compared with 100+ years ago, it is still around; and is highly contagious.… more >>>
On Flu Vaccines
There was an interesting (but long read) article in yesterday’s (19 March) Guardian about the work to identify which flu strains to put in this year’s vaccine – and some of the people who spend their lives trying to spot the emerging strains. It’s worth a read if only for background understanding.… more >>>