Are you a Carer?

Do you look after someone who is ill, frail or disabled?  if you have answered yes then you could be entitled to help and support including financial support, for more information pop into the surgery and ask for our Carer's Champion Maria O'Donnel or visit www.nhs.uk/carersdirect

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is very common in the UK and more people get it each year.  Most skin cancers are caused by too much sun.  They could be prevented by taking care in strong sunshine and avoiding sunburn.

Who is most at risk?

Some people are more likely than others to get skin cancer.  These people tend to have one or more of the following:

	fair skin that tends to burn in strong sun
	red or fair hair
	lots of moles or freckles
	a personal or family history of skin cancer
	had sunburn, especially when young

As a general rule, the fairer your skin, the more careful you should be in the sun.  Knowinig your skin type will help you work out when you need to protect yourself.

For more information, pick up a leaflet from the surgery or visit www.sunsmart.org.uk

Pneumonia Vaccine

This is a free vaccination which is recommended to be given to adults and in most cases is only required once in a lifetime. This vaccine should be given to all those who are over the age of 65 and also those under the age of 65 who are in the special high risk groups. (These groups are the same for the patients who are eligible for the flu vaccine). Please ask the nurse or doctor to check if you are eligible when you have your flu vaccination.

HPV Vaccine

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women worldwide. The HPV (Human Papilloma Vaccine) is highly effective at preventing the infection that can cause pre-cancerous cells on the cervix.

We are inviting women born between the ages of 16 - 18 (born between 1 September 1990 - 31st August 1993) to have the vaccine.

For further information please visit www.beatingcervicalcancer.org.uk.

Three vaccinations are needed over about a 6 month period - the second is 1-2 months after your first injection, and the third is about 6 months after your first injection.

Please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment with the nurse.