LATEST NEWS

FLU VACCINATION

Our flu clinics for this year are as follows:

Tuesdays: 11.30am to 1.30pm
17 and 24 April PLUS 1 and 8 May

Wednesdays: 11.30am to 1.30pm
18 April PLUS 2 and 9 May

Thursday evenings: 5.00pm to 6.30 pm
19 and 26 April PLUS 3 and 10 May

Just phone for an appointment or book online.

PREVENTING THE FLU, COLDS AND WINTER INFECTIONS

In preparation for winter we are pleased to offer you this year’s flu vaccination. This is an important step in reducing your chances of getting the flu this year. The flu vaccine stimulates your body to build immunity to three different flu viruses.

What else can you do to raise your immunity to the flu and to all the other winter flu and cold viruses that are out there?

1. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important for our immune systems. We make Vitamin D from sunshine and because of our latitude here in Canterbury we do not get enough sun in the winter. If you live or work inside most of the time you will probably have a low level of Vitamin D, and this decreases your resistance to infections. It is important that you do get some sunshine throughout the year: sure you should not get too much and you should avoid getting sunburn, but without some sunshine you have a higher chance of getting infections and cancer as well as osteoporosis. Vitamin D is available on prescription as a once-a-month tablet. If you feel your levels may be low, please ask for a prescription for Vitamin D tablets.
2. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is also important for good health. Humans do not produce their own vitamin C in the body so it needs to be present in the diet every day. A good source is fruit such as Kiwifruit and citrus fruit, so why not make it a habit to eat some fresh fruit every day.
3. Zinc: Low levels of Zinc reduce immunity as well. If you feel you are starting to get a cold, then a dose of a good Zinc supplement is one of the few things that may help you to fight it off quickly. If you want to know if you are low in Zinc, Rangiora Health 2000 does a simple taste test which indicates if your level of Zinc is high or low. If you are low, then a supplement is indicated, but do not exceed the recommended dose, as long term high doses of zinc will reduce your immunity as well.
4. Avoid people with coughs and colds: Viruses are transmitted by droplets in the air from sick people, especially when they cough or sneeze.
5. Wash your hands before eating: Viruses are transmitted via your hands to your mouth too.

So as you see, the Flu vaccination is not the only measure you can take to reduce your chance of getting a virus this winter.

Good Luck and Good Health!

 

SHINGLES VACCINATION

For the next two years, the Shingles vaccine has been made available FREE to patients between the ages of 65 and 80.  Whilst the TV advertisements for this vaccine advise patients that it may be given at the same time as the flu vaccine, they do not disclose further important information.

A Shingles Vaccination requires a separate form to fill out – this form does have some complex questions on it that will take our nurses some time to check through carefully.  It is for this reason that we have decided not to offer this vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine.

This means that at the time of the flu vaccine,  patients requesting the Shingles vaccine will be given the Shingles Vaccination Consent Form to take home with them to fill out and then make an appointment to come back in for the form to be checked and the vaccine to be given.

Some patients will not be able to receive the vaccine if they suffer from some illnesses or are on certain medications, which is the reason why we need to take time to ensure that the vaccine is only administered appropriately.

 

HPV

HPV is a very common virus that most sexually active people will come into contact with at some stage of their lives. HPV infection can go on to cause cervical, vaginal, vulval, anal, penile and throat cancers.  Gardasil  is an HPV vaccine that immunises against a number of the HPV’s . Its now available FREE to both boys and girls aged  9-26 years.

Please contact the surgery for details or to make a booking with the nurse.

 

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

Advance care planning is a way to help you think about, talk about and share your thoughts and wishes about your future health care. It is focused on and involves both you and the health care professionals responsible for your care. It can also involve your whanau/family and/carers if that is your wish.

Now is the best time to consider taking part in advance care planning conversations before you become seriously ill. Planning will help you and those around you understand what is important to you and what treatment and care you would like. You can set out what you want or hope for in an advance care plan. You should keep your advance care plan up to date, especially if things change. The value of advance care planning is in the conversations and shared understanding.  Recording your choices or wishes is voluntary.  It is a good idea and will make it easier for those important to you and your healthcare providers to use this information to decide what treatment and care you would want if you could not tell them yourself.

Want to know more?

Talk to your GP or other healthcare professionals about the medical choices you might have in the future.  Ask our staff for a copy of the Advance Care Plan and Guide.

You can also find further information about advance care planning by visiting: www.advancecareplanning.org.nz

Click here if you would like to download view or print off a copy of an Advance Care Plan and Guide.