Health News

by John Guinn | 17/01/2019 | Health | 0 Comments

Cold weather warning for Bedfordshire residents

Residents in Bedfordshire are being advised to take extra precautions as colder weather sweeps across the area later this week. NHS Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) is warning that prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.

The Met Office has issued a Level 2 cold weather alert for Bedfordshire for severe cold weather between Friday 18 January and Monday 21 January.

by John Guinn | 15/01/2019 | Health | 0 Comments

Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) is running an online advice session presented by a specialist in children’s health on Wednesday 23 January at 10am

by John Guinn | 10/01/2019 | Health | 0 Comments

Home care for minor illnesses is good for the family and the NHS

Parents should ensure they have a well-stocked medicine cabinet during the winter months to help their children recover from minor illnesses. Many minor childhood illnesses can be treated at home, avoiding unnecessary trips to GP surgeries or to A&E, says Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG).

Most essential items for home care cost less than £5 but will aid a quick return to health. Your local pharmacist can provide expert advice on the items you need and check they are safe to use with any medication your children may already be taking

by John Guinn | 06/01/2019 | Health | 0 Comments

by John Guinn | 30/12/2018 | Health | 0 Comments

The Public Health England Health Harms campaign encourages smokers to quit, by demonstrating the harms to health that come from every cigarette.

Public Health England has released a new film showing the devastating harms that come from smoking, and how this can be avoided by switching to an e-cigarette or using another type of quit aid.

by John Guinn | 29/12/2018 | Health | 0 Comments

by John Guinn | 14/12/2018 | Health | 0 Comments

As Christmas approaches, there are lots of things to think about and medication needs can often get forgotten, but NHS Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) is reminding patients to be prepared and make sure they have the right medicines to see them through the festive period.

Many local doctors’ surgeries and pharmacies will have different opening hours between Christmas and New Year so anyone with a long-term health condition should order and collect their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before the holidays.

by John Guinn | 12/12/2018 | Health | 0 Comments

Bedfordshire and Luton Clinical Commissioning Groups are urging residents aged 65 and over, to take up their free NHS flu vaccination before winter takes hold.

by John Guinn | 30/11/2018 | Health | 0 Comments

World AIDS Day (1 December) is dedicated to raising awareness of AIDS, which is caused by the spread of HIV infection. As well as raising awareness, it shows support for people living with HIV/AIDS and celebrates how far we have come in the fight against HIV.

This year’s theme will be “Know your status”. As part of World AIDS Day, iCaSH and Terrence Higgins Trust will be offering free confidential rapid HIV tests to encourage Bedfordshire residents to know their HIV status.

If you have ever had unprotected sex or shared needles, you could have been exposed to HIV. There’s only one way to know – GET TESTED!

by John Guinn | 26/11/2018 | Health | 0 Comments

Older people urged in Bedford Borough to get flu jab

The last batches of the vaccine were delivered to GPs and pharmacies across the country this week ahead of the flu season, which usually starts in December.