NORTHWEST 200 

The surgery is open normal working hours.

Ahead of next weeks NW200 week some useful local info for anyone with appointments here at the medical centre.

ALL these roads are open all week.

Shingles Vaccination Programme 

Shingles Vaccination We are in the process of calling for the eligible patients for the shingles vaccine.

Click the link for further information:    Shingles leaflet 0823.pdf (hscni.net)

Corona Virus and how we can help

Infectious disease outbreaks, like the current Coronavirus (Covid 19), can be scary and can affect our mental health

If you are struggling with your mental health at this time we would like to reassure you that our mental health practitioner service will continue throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Please call reception 028 7082 9558 to make an appointment for a telephone consultation. During this time there will people who will struggle with extra caring roles; financial difficulties; addictions; isolation/ loneliness; and relationship difficulties (to name but a few). Our Social Worker will continue to offer support and advice in these areas. Please call reception on 028 7082 9558 to make an appointment for a telephone consultation.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-benefitsWhile it is important to stay informed, the following are some mental health and wellbeing tips and strategies to continue looking after ourselves and each other during these difficult times.

Make sure your wider health needs are being looked after such as having enough prescription medicines available to you.

https://wellnessseeker.teachable.com/p/your-wellness-toolkit

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/blogs/2020/03/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

https://www.headspace.com/covid-19

http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/northerntrust/https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/blogs/2020/03/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

• Try to avoid speculation and look up reputable sources on the outbreak

Rumour and speculation can fuel anxiety. Having access to good quality information about the virus can help you feel more in control.

You can get up-to-date information and advice on the virus here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Follow hygiene advice such as washing your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds with soap and hot water (sing ‘happy birthday’ to yourself twice to make sure you do this for 20 seconds). You should do this whenever you get home or into work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food. If you can’t wash your hands straightaway, use hand sanitiser and then wash them at the next opportunity.

You should also use tissues if you sneeze and make sure you dispose of them quickly; and stay at home if you are feeling unwell.

• Try to stay connected

At times of stress, we work better in company and with support. Try and keep in touch with your friends and family, by telephone, email or social media, or contact a helpline for emotional support.

You may like to focus on the things you can do if you feel able to:

◾stress management

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a_2

https://www.headspace.com/

https://www.calm.com/

◾keep active

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-using-exercise

◾eat a balanced diet

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/diet-and-mental-health

Stay in touch with friends on social media but try not to sensationalise things. If you are sharing content, use this from trusted sources, and remember that your friends might be worried too.

Also remember to regularly assess your social media activity. Tune in with yourself and ask if they need to be adjusted. Are there particular accounts or people that are increasing your worry or anxiety? Consider muting or unfollowing accounts or hashtags that cause you to feel anxious.

• Talk to your children

Involving our family and children in our plans for good health is essential. We need be alert to and ask children what they have heard about the outbreak and support them, without causing them alarm. We need to minimise the negative impact it has on our children and explain the facts to them. Discuss the news with them but try and avoid over-exposure to coverage of the virus. Be as truthful as possible.

Let’s not avoid the ‘scary topic’ but engage in a way that is appropriate for them. We have more advice on talking with your children about world news.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/talking-to-your-children-scary-world-news

https://www.mindheart.co/descargables

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2

• Try to anticipate distress

It is OK to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed as we read news about the outbreak, especially if you have experienced trauma or a mental health problem in the past, or if you have a long-term physical health condition that makes you more vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus.

It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and remind each other to look after our physical and mental health. We should also be aware of and avoid increasing habits that may not be helpful in the long term, like smoking and drinking.

Try and reassure people you know who may be worried and check in with people who you know are living alone.

• Try not to make assumptions

Don’t judge people and avoid jumping to conclusions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease. The Coronavirus can affect anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sex.

• Try to manage how you follow the outbreak in the media

There is extensive news coverage about the outbreak. If you find that the news is causing you huge stress, it’s important to find a balance.It’s best that you don’t avoid all news and that you keep informing and educating yourself, but limit your news intake if it is bothering you.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Causeway Coast and Glens Community Support

Age Concern Causeway

Care in action - 028703 57966

Reach Service Portrush

https://www.facebook.com/reachportrush

Call 07929369228 to avail of this service

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Welcome to Portrush Medical Centre

When the practice is closed you can call 028 2566 3500 for the out of hours service. 

The doctors and staff at Portrush Medical Centre are proud to offer the highest standard of patient-centred healthcare. We run many clinics for the management of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes and offer a wide variety of other medical services including antenatal and postnatal care, minor surgery, childhood vaccinations and well-person check-ups.

In addition to everything you need to know about the practice you will also find a wealth of health-related information in the menu at the bottom of this page. Please have a look around and do send us some feedback if you like.

Patients are asked to contact the surgery by telephone first.

For urgent medical concerns please ring and speak to a receptionist. When you ring us, our staff will ask you some questions to determine your condition.  All reception staff have been trained to care navigate and will ask about the reason for your appointment. These questions help us to determine the best action to take but also helps protect our staff and other vulnerable patients.

If appropriate, you may receive a call back from a GP or be given other relevant advice. 

If you need a repeat prescription please telephone the surgery on 028 7082 9558 or use our online ordering service. You must nominate a Pharmacy to collect your prescription.

Available Online Services

Online Repeats – This facility allows you to request or check your repeat prescriptions online.

Online Appointments - This enables you to view, book, or cancel your appointments with the doctor/nurse online. - This  service is temporarily unavailable at present.

You will need to register with the practice to access this service, and once registered you will be given information that will enable you to create your username and password.

If you are interested in this service, please complete this registration form below which is also available at reception and return it to us.Registration Form for Online Services

For Children's symptom checker click on the following link: Children’s symptom checker | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (hscni.net)

For Childhood vaccinations click on the following link:  childhood immunisation (3).png (1080×1080) (hscni.net)

If you have found out you are pregnant you can now refer yourself directly to book for maternity care via the links below

Self-Book for your Maternity Services

Booking your maternity appointment - Northern Health and Social Care Trust (hscni.net)

Please ensure you are taking appropriate pregnancy vitamin supplementation

Vitamin D = 10micrograms per day

Folic acid = 400micrograms per day

If there is a family history of epilepsy, diabetes, spina bifida or your bmi is above 30 or you are prescribed specific medications this dose may need to be higher – liase with the pharmacist if in any doubt

It is very important you start as soon as possible and continue for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Department of Health Policy Statement in relation to pre and post treatment care of patients who avail of private health care within the UK (05/12/2023)

Where a patient seeks pre and/or post treatment care specific to their private treatment, they will not be entitled to such support from primary or secondary care services in Northern Ireland.  Therefore, it will be important for the individual to ensure that all pre and post treatment costs are included in the overall package of care procured from the private healthcare provider.  In line with normal practice, patients will continue to be able to access emergency care where necessary.  In circumstances where a patient is receiving care in the Independent sector as HSC patient, pre and post treatment care will be provided by the HSC as normal.

CHECK OUT OUR MINOR AILMENTS ADVICE

Caring for children with coughs

Sore Ear Advice

Sore Throat Advice

Common Cold & Flu-Like Illness

A to Z illnesses and conditions/symptom search | nidirect

NOTICE

THERE IS NO PARKING ON THE FOOTPATH / ROAD OUTSIDE THE SEA CADETS DUE TO ENTRANCE ACCESS TO THEIR BUILDING AT ALL TIMES

ADDITIONAL LOCAL SUPPORT

Age Concern Causeway

Care in action - 028703 57966

Reach Service Portrush

https://www.facebook.com/reachportrush

Call 07929369228 to avail of this service

FURTHER ADVICE AND SUPPORT AVAILABLE ON OUR "LATEST NEWS" PAGE

GENERAL PRACTICE

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS

(click link for more information)

To complement our existing Primary Care team we now have a First Contact Physiotherapist, a Social worker and a Mental Health Practitioner in post in our surgery.

You can book an appointment with any of these services directly without having to see your GP.

New Opening Hours

From 12.00pm on a Wednesday the GPs will operate an on-call service for medical emergencies only

Lunch time 12.30-2pm - emergency calls only.