NHS England South West is supporting Cervical Cancer Prevention Week this week and encouraging women with learning disabilities, in particular, to attend cervical screening appointments. Data collected by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust* shows that women with learning disabilities are 45 per cent less likely to be screened for cancer compared to their counterparts without learning […]

This week we felt temperatures across the South West plummet and as we prepare for freezing fog and icy temperatures NHS England are reminding people of the simple steps they can take to stay warm and well this winter. NHS England’s winter campaign encourages patients and NHS staff to work together and Help Us, Help […]

With the festive and New Year period upon us, GPs and Pharmacists are still urging the public to have the flu vaccine. Although the temperatures are generally mild, the Flu virus is circulating, and people who have not been vaccinated will continue to be at risk of developing the unpleasant symptoms.  It’s particularly important for […]

When you are busy, it is important to take a few minutes to think about your health care by ordering and collecting any repeat prescriptions early ahead of the Christmas and New Year weekends and bank holidays when some GP practices and pharmacies will be closed. If you or someone you care for requires medicine […]

Doctors and midwives are urging pregnant women across the South West to protect themselves and their unborn child from flu by getting the flu jab this winter. Now is the ideal time for expectant mothers to have the flu vaccination; available from their GP, maternity service provider or pharmacy, before the flu virus starts circulating. Pregnancy […]

Health chiefs have today united to urge people aged 65 and over to take advantage of the NHS’s biggest ever flu vaccination programme. Older people across the country are being offered the most effective vaccine in the world as part of the programme which is providing a record 8.5million doses, free of charge. And this week […]

The Medical Director of the NHS in the South West has today given her backing to a new tool to help survivors of a stroke. To mark World Stroke Day, Liz Mearns urged people to make use of a new online platform and guide for stroke survivors, and their families and carers. Prevention and treatment […]

With nursery and school terms well underway, parents and guardians of children aged two and three, are encouraged not to put off getting the free flu vaccination for their children. This year children aged 2 and 3 years, or in school years R to five are all eligible for the flu vaccination on the NHS. […]

Health and social care organisations are under greater pressure to ensure that their staff  are vaccinated against the Flu ahead of this year’s winter – a time which always places greater strain on healthcare systems. All NHS organisations provide their staff with the vaccine; aiming to minimise the risk of spreading the seasonal flu virus […]

People who have a learning disability can be more susceptible to the effects of flu and are therefore at increased risk of developing complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Anyone with a learning disability is entitled to receive a free vaccination. Research published by Public Health England in November 2016 suggests that more than two […]