Medical Centre announces flu clinic details

With Covid-19 still lurking in the community, and winter just around the corner, it has never been more important to get the flu vaccination, and bookings are being taken at Welshpool Medical Centre.

Health chiefs fear the addition of flu season will place incredible strain on the NHS this winter, and are encouraging local eligible people to book a vaccination through the Centre (01938 553118).

And to make it more accessible, Welshpool Medical Centre has confirmed that flu clinics will be held at its Guilsfield surgery too.

“Patients that are unable to come along to our Welshpool clinics, please be assured that we will be putting on clinics at our branch surgery (in Guilsfield),” said a spokesperson.

“To ensure you have a vaccination please ring the team at Guilsfield on 01938 553835 and provide us with your name and telephone number. We will then come back to you with the dates of our Guilsfield clinics.”

The Centre advises that the GP surgery is the “best place to get your flu vaccination” as they hold patient medical records.

Here’s what you need to know:

·      The first flu clinic will be held on Tuesday, October 6, followed by Wednesday, October 14, with other dates to follow. All clinics will be during the afternoon

·      You need to book an appointment

·      Attend at the given time; it is essential that you do not arrive early or late

·      Entrances and exits at the practice will be different from usual and will be clearly signposted

·      The Medical Centre car park will be closed for patient safety. Access will be for blue badge holders only. Powys County Council has granted 30 minutes free parking at Church Street car park for anyone attending the flu clinic

·      Wear appropriate clothing, so that the vaccine can be given in the upper arm easily

·      Wear a mask when attending

·      Do not bring unnecessary bags

·      Toilet facilities will not be available

·      Clinics during these afternoons will be for flu only

 Who is eligible?

·      All those aged 65 and over

·      People aged UNDER 65 and in one of the following clinical risk groups:

o   Chronic respiratory disease requiring regular inhaler steroids

o   Chronic heart disease

o   Chronic kidney disease stage 3, 4 and 5

o   Chronic liver disease

o   Chronic neurological disease such as Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease or a Learning Disability

o   Diabetes

o   Immunosuppression due to disease such as HIV/AIDS or cancer treatments

o   Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen

o   Morbidly obese adults, with a BMI of 40 or over

o   Pregnant women

o   Carers

o   Patients living in care homes or other long stay facilities

Child nasal vaccinations for children age 2–3 will be taking place from the surgery with more

information to follow at a later date.

“We have tried to arrange our clinics so queues are not too big, but instead we have a steady flow to enable us to vaccinate as many patients as possible within staff and space constraints,” said the spokesperson.

“Please be patient with us, this year has been particularly challenging and we are trying new ways of working to deliver our services and keep everyone safe.”