Prevention- The flu vaccine

Much of the illness and death caused by the influenza virus can be prevented by the annual influenza vaccination. Many individuals still do not have the knowledge or understand the importance or how to get the vaccine and also because at times, stocks can run out of the vaccine. There have been many miss-understandings of the vaccine in the public eye. The vaccine is given each year by an injection. People who are at high risk of getting the influenza virus are strongly recommended to get annual vaccination. These groups of people include:

� Aged over 65

� Chronic respiratory disease

� Chronic heart disease

� Chronic kidney disease

� Chronic liver disease

� Diabetes

� Chronic neurological disease

� Immunosuppression illness

High risk groups also include those working in public sector areas or those in contact with a number of different groups of people, for example : health care workers, those living in close proximity to others, gym environments, air conditioned areas or working.

The vaccine needs to be given each year, this is due to the clever fact that the virus changes continually by mutating. Therefore, each year, the vaccine changes according to the most up to date virus that is present. Also, once a person receives the vaccine, the effectiveness of the vaccine, reduces over time in an individual.

The vaccine should be taken around September of each year and it takes approximately 2 weeks for the beneficially effects of the vaccine to develop.

Statement of Purpose

Our philosophy is to provide general medical services with an emphasis on primary care prevention, health promotion and management of health. Core to our philosophy is joint partnership-working with our patients to ensure service provision to meet their needs. We foster a flexible working approach, encompassing feedback from patient satisfaction surveys and patient involvement in all developments. Our aim is to provide services which demonstrate continuous improvement and the adoption of best practice.

We pride ourselves in our approach and aim to deliver a personalized service, with dedicated specialists at hand to meet any secondary care health needs. Our patients can rest assure that we will take care of them and their families health care, with regular health reviews, personalized health plans, and dedicated GP support. Our medical and surgical specialists have close referral links with Galen Health, and at all times, referral protocols and confidentiality is adhered to. Again, at all times, medical notes are only discussed in the best interest of the patients well being.

We feel our strongest and most valuable asset as a general medical practice is offering a wide range of on-site world class treatments and diagnostics. Our services include disease prevention, health promotion, and management of acute and chronic diseases. All chronic disease management is done with evidence based medicine and strict protocols with evidence and guidance from medical sources such as NICE. We also offer a full range of in-house diagnostics inclusive of x-ray, ultra sound, MRI and CT Scan, an extensive range of Blood Tests with a phlebotomist attending the practice to minimize the need for our patients to go off site. Comprehensive health screens including cardiovascular screen, well woman and well man screen, sexual health screens and exclusive pre-employment screen and executive corporate health screen specific to the needs of our clients. Immunizations, travel health and specialized health assessments inclusive of screening in line with preventative health and early detection.

Our staff are committed to delivering a service of the highest standard, with a commitment to ensure high levels of patient satisfaction. Galen Health offers all its patients a commitment to regularly review patient feedback and encompasses patient views into service developments. Our staff are fully trained and value our promise to offer patients respect in relation to dignity and privacy at all times.