Paracetamol and pregnancy – reminder that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe.

Patients should be reminded and reassured that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol
is recommended as the first-choice pain reliever for pregnant women, used at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration. It also acts as an antipyretic
and is therefore used to treat fever. Patients should not stop taking their pain medicines as untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn child.

Eligible patients can book their appointments via Patient Services.

If you have an account set up, you can select an appointment to suit you with one of our Nursing Team for Covid, Flu or any other vaccines you may be entitled to.  Check what you may be entitled to receive on our Vaccination Information page  to view all at risk group criteria.

If you would like to set up a Patient Services account to access Online appointments, please contact [email protected]
Alternatively, eligible patients can call the surgery any day after 9.30am to arrange an appointment.

Find out more, download our Newsletter

Vaccination remains the best form of defence against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death as a result of COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination  is aimed at protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

Appointments for Covid vaccination clinics will be available to book from mid  September on line or via reception.

Eligible Patients are:

• all adults aged 75 years and over; born before 31 March 1951.
• residents in a care home for older adults (in NI this will apply to all residents of a care home for older adults);
• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

Unlike in previous autumn campaigns, adults aged 65 to 74 years of age and  people aged under 65 years of age with underlying medical conditions,  including pregnant women (apart from those who are immunosuppressed) will  not be eligible for Covid vaccination.

For more information, please download our full Newsletter…

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections. For  most people, RSV infection causes a mild respiratory illness. Globally, RSV  infects up to 90% of children within the first 2 years of life and frequently reinfects older children and adults.

While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its  complications are increased in older adults and in neonates and small infants.

For more information, please download our full Newsletter…

Child nasal flu appointments are available to book for pre-school children aged  from two years of age, born between 2nd July 2021 and 1st Sept 2024. Appointments are available to book online or via telephone after 9.30am any  morning.

Appointments for the Flu vaccine will be available to book from mid September for all patients aged 65 years and over born on or before 31st March 1961 and for those in an AT RISK group.

In 2025/26, healthy 5-64 year olds will NOT be eligible for the flu vaccination.

For more information, please download our full Newsletter…

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10th October. It is a reminder of the imp0ortance of good mental health. It also reminds us for the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health. 

This year’s theme is ‘access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies’. The theme hightlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability.

Find out more download our Newsletter…

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Do you have an of the following urinary symptoms?

• Passing urine more often at night?
• Cloudy Urine?
• Burning pain when passing urine?

Ask your Pharmacist first for advice, test and treatment (if needed) without having to contact your GP.

Pharmacy First for Sore Throat: Save time and avoid waiting to see a GP, ask you Pharmacist FIRST for free and confidential advice, test and treatment for sore throat.

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An outlook of work output throughout the month of September by all Practice Staff:

Telephone Statistics:

• 12,747 Incoming telephone calls to the Practice
• 3 minutes 24 seconds average patient wait time once in the queue

Daily Triage Areas:

• 49 patient home visits by a GP
• 3,524 Face to Face appointments
• 2,026 triage call back to patients

Appointments Booked and Not Attended:

• 165 – these are appointments that have been wasted and could have been offered to another patient

Administration Tasks:

• 2,573 Hospital letters actioned by Practice Staff
• 19,481 General admin tasks by Clinical and Admin Team
• 5,949 Prescriptions issued
• 2,525 Patient results reviewed

Find out more download our Newsletter

From now on our team at Meadowbridge Surgery will focus on what we do best- providing you with appropriate care in the practice.

Carrying out complex post-operative dressings is not our job and all Hospital  Services within NI have been collectively informed that they must continue to  provide care to their patients until it is appropriate to either discharge them or  ask GP Treatment Rooms to take over- this will be when the patients dressing  needs changed once or twice a week and requires simple dressing techniques. 

Find out more, download our Newsletter…