Health campaigns

Seasonal Flu

Flu is a highly infectious and very common viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes. It is not the same as the common cold. Flu is caused by a different group of viruses and symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer. You can catch flu all year round, but it is especially common in winter, which is why it is also known as ‘seasonal flu’.

Flu causes a sudden high temperature, headache and general aches and pains, tiredness and a sore throat. You can also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a cough. If you have flu you generally start to feel ill within a few days of being infected. Symptoms peak after two to three days and you should begin to feel much better after a week or so, although you may feel tired for much longer.

A flu vaccine is available free on the NHS if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • 65 or older
  • Have a serious medical condition
  • Are a healthcare worker or carer
  • Live in a residential or nursing home

The best way to protect yourselves and others from flu is to get vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you fall in to one of the categories above.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. From about late March/early April to the end of September, most people are able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight on their skin.
More people are having blood tests to check this level which is often low in a UK winter.
Levels of 50 ng/ml or more are considered adequate for healthy people.
Levels below 30ng/ml may be suitable for short term [12 weeks] medication from your GP.
Levels of 30 -49ng/ml are suitable for patients to self-treat with daylight.
For more information, take a look at this leaflet Vitamin D.

Combined Pill

For more information about taking the combined pill continuously, take a look at this leaflet: Continuous Pill Taking

Diabetes & Driving

If you are on a diabetes medication that requires you to inform the DVLA, it is your responsibility to do this. For more information about safe driving if you have diabetes, take a look at this leaflet.

Desmond

Desmond is a free nationally accredited education programme specifically designed to support people with Type 2 diabetes, to help you increase your knowledge and understanding of what having diabetes will mean for you and how you can manage your care effectively. It is also an opportunity to meet and share experiences with others. The course is run locally in community venues. Click here for more information about DESMOND.

You can self-refer by contacting the DESMOND team on 01772 777620 or ask us to refer you to DESMOND. For more information on the programme contact the DESMOND team by ringing 01772 777620 or email desmond@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

Change4Life

Would you or your family like to be healthier and happier? Would you like loads of ideas, recipes and games to help you do this? Then you already know why you should join Change4Life. Joining is a brilliant first step to get the most out of Change4Life and their quick assessment will help you discover the right places for you to start making a change.

Visit the website to start making your change

Antibiotic awareness

Antibiotic resistance (when an antibiotic is no longer effective) is a major problem. It is one of the most significant threats to patients’ safety in Europe. Antibiotic resistance is driven by overusing antibiotics and the inappropriate prescribing of them. It’s important that we use antibiotics the right way, to slow down resistance and make sure these life-saving medicines remain effective for us and future generations.

To find out more about responsible use of antibiotics, visit www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/ARC/pages/AboutARC.aspx

Eating Well for Under 5s

Eating well is essential but knowing what advice to follow can be challenging. First Steps Nutrition provide independent information and support for new mum’s and your families.

MAMS – Mums & Minds in Fylde & Wyre

Becoming pregnant or a mum is a life-changing experience for any woman. It’s often portrayed as a time of great happiness, but the reality can be different and it can be an overwhelming, exhausting and stressful time. MAMS – Mum’s & Minds – helps pregnant women and mum’s to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment, make positive changes and improve their self-esteem, helping make their journey into motherhood a positive one. MAMS is offering a 5 week course for women who have a baby under 1 at local children’s centre’s – speak to your health visitor for more information or call 01253 951083.