We are now booking flu vaccines

All groups eligible for free flu vaccination 2022

• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
• all primary school aged children (from reception to Year 6) To be offered within schools
• those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
• pregnant women
• those aged 65 years and over
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline staff employed by the following types of social care providers without employer led occupational health schemes:
• a registered residential care or nursing home
• registered domiciliary care provider
• a voluntary managed hospice provider
• Direct Payment (personal budgets) or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants

And later in the season:

• All adults aged 50 to 64 years

Mental Health Support for Adults

Postnatal depression

“Baby blues” may last up to two weeks after a baby is born, but if you’re feeling low after that point, then you should seek advice as you could have postnatal depression. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-natal-depression/overview/

Skin cancer awareness

There are several forms of skin cancer. You should be aware of the symptoms so that you’re aware of any concerning changes in your skin or moles. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/skin-cancer-awareness-month

Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Elevation, Firm, Growing are the words we use to describe moles we should be concerned about. Find out more about the ABCDEFG rule here: https://www.melanomauk.org.uk/the-abcde-rule

Skcin have developed an app that will help you understand your risk of skin cancer. It will also help you monitor and assess any lesions.
https://www.skcin.org/

Diabetes essential checks

The symptoms of diabetes are: going for a wee a lot, especially at night, excessive thirst, losing weight without trying to, genital itching or thrush, slower healing, blurred eyesight, increased hunger. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/diabetes-symptoms

If you have diabetes, you should have regular health checks, at least annually, to make sure your diabetes is well controlled and to ensure you’re staying fit and well. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/care-to-expect

Health checks

If you’re aged between 40 and 74, you may be eligible for a FREE NHS health check to help you understand your risk of some long-term health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/

Stroke Awareness Month

The Stroke Association provide vital help, support and information for those who have suffered a stroke and their families, carers and friends.
https://www.stroke.org.uk/

Face, Arms, Speech, Time (FAST): Problems with facial or arm weakness or speech problems can mean a stroke; think FAST and call 999. https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms

Arthritis

Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in and around the joints in your body and can occur at any age, though symptoms and types of arthritis will vary depending on the type of arthritis. https://versusarthritis.org/

National Walking Month

May is National Walking Month. It’s a free, simple form of exercise that you can do anywhere at any time. Why not try upping the number of steps you do each day?https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/national-walking-month/

The Active 10 App helps you track how much walking and activity you’re doing. Working quietly in the background, the app measures just how far you’re walking. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/

International Day of the Midwife, 5th May

This year, the focus of International Day of the Midwife is on how midwives can support a sustainable future for all. This includes ideas around midwife-led models, climate action planning, carbon emissions and green technologies. https://www.rcm.org.uk/international-day-of-the-midwife-2024/

World Hand Hygiene Day, 5th May

Good hand hygiene is vital to ensure we reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Ensure you know how to maintain excellent hand hygiene and help us keep patients across the world safe and healthy. https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/107826.html

Sun Awareness Week, 6th - 12th May

It’s Sun Awareness Week and it’s time to think about non-melanoma skin cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancers start in the top layer of the skin. The appearance of skin cancers can vary. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-melanoma-skin-cancer/symptoms/

SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SLIDE, SHADE! Slip on a T-shirt, Slop on Factor 30+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Slide on some sunglasses and Shade from the sun: this will keep you safer in summer weather. https://www.skcin.org/sunSafetyAndPrevention/theFiveSsOfSunSafety.htm

Deaf Awareness Week, 6th - 12th May

12 million adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss. RNID has helpful advice to better understand communication needs. https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/deaf-awareness/

Dying Matters Awareness Week, 6th - 12th May

This year, Dying Matters Awareness Week highlights that the way we talk about dying matters. Honest, timely conversations about death are important to ensure we deliver good end-of-life care. https://www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters/dying-matters-awareness-week

World Asthma Day, 7th May

The theme of this year’s World Asthma Day is “Asthma Education Empowers”. Understanding your condition offers you the best opportunity to manage your condition and stay in good health. https://ginasthma.org/world-asthma-day-2024/

National Day for Staff Networks, 8th May

Staff networks aim to be the voice of staff so that employers know and understand what’s important to their staff and can remain engaged with their teams and create an inclusive environment. https://www.nationaldayforstaffnetworks.co.uk/

National Receptionists Day, 8th May

We’re celebrating our reception teams as it’s National Receptionists Day. Find out more about what our highly skilled staff get up to on an average day in reception. https://www.unsungheroawards.com/day-in-the-life-gp-receptionist/

World Lupus Day, 10th May

Lupus is an autoimmune condition. Over 55% of people with lupus had never heard of it before they were diagnosed. In lupus, your body’s immune system incorrectly attacks your own tissues. https://lupusuk.org.uk/world-lupus-day-may-10th/

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, 12th May

Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive issues. It’s thought to affect around 1 in 20 people in the UK. Fibromyalgia Action UK offer help and support to sufferers and those recently diagnosed. https://mail.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org/

International Nurse’s Day, 12th May

The theme for International Nurse’s Day this year is “the economic power of care”. This emphasises the importance of good nursing care in ensuring that we remain well in work or enjoy a healthy older age. https://www.icn.ch/how-we-do-it/campaigns/international-nurses-day

CIND Awareness, 12th May

The 12th of May is Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) Awareness Day. These diseases cause pain, fatigue and other neurological symptoms, and these symptoms vary between individuals. https://may12th.org/

Smile and Dental Health Month, 13th May - 13th June, 2024

National Smile Month encourages you to “Love Your Smile”. Smiles are important to humans, conveying many emotions. Being able to smile freely without fear of embarrassment is important for our self-confidence. https://www.dentalhealth.org/national-smile-month

Brushing your teeth twice a day, and using floss once a day, can help you care for your teeth. Regular dental check-ups are also an important part of good mouth health. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/take-care-of-your-teeth-and-gums/

Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week, 13th - 17th May

The NHS is diverse, inclusive, together. We celebrate colleagues and patients without discrimination. https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/equality-diversity-and-human-rights-week-2024

Dementia Action Week, 13th - 19th May

There are some common early signs and symptoms of dementia. These include memory loss, problems with language and communication, misunderstanding what is being seen, being confused about time or place, mood changes or difficulty controlling emotions and difficulty concentrating, planning or organising. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week

National Weaning Week, 13th - 17th May

It’s National Weaning Week. Weaning is the process of babies beginning to eat solid foods and should begin at around six months of age. Weaning can be tricky and Weaning World offers helpful advice and support for parents navigating this part of the parenting journey.
https://weaningworld.com/

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, 17th May

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affects the production of a type of collagen that makes connective tissue (in particular in the blood vessels, hollow organs and skin) less effective and more susceptible to damage. https://www.reds4veds.org/

Mental Health Awareness Week, 13th - 19th May

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Physical exercise and getting outdoors, if we can, are beneficial to our overall wellbeing and mental health.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

Learning at Work Week, 13th - 19th May

Learning at Work Week draws our attention to building learning cultures at work and inspiring learning. A learning culture helps our workplaces to grow, nurture and develop. https://www.learningatworkweek.com/

Global Accessibility Awareness Day, 16th May

Worldwide, a billion people have some form of disability. Global Accessibility Awareness Day encourages us to think about digital access and inclusion, so everyone can easily access technology. https://accessibility.day/

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, 17th May

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia focuses on the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
https://may17.org/about/

National Salt Awareness Week, 13th - 19th May

On average, in the UK, we consume around 8g of salt per day; this is 2g per day more than the recommended maximum. Reducing our salt intake is one of the quickest and most effective ways to reduce blood pressure. Reducing by just 1g per day should prevent over 4,000 heart attacks and strokes each year. https://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/awareness/salt-awareness-week-2024/

#Gladtocare Awareness Week, 20th - 24th May

Glad to Care is a week dedicated to appreciating the amazing contribution that carers make to our society and the lives of those they care for. Without carers, many people would lead lonelier, more isolated lives. https://gladtocare.com/

Walk to School Week, 20th - 24th May

It’s Walk to School Week! See if you can make part or all of your journey on foot. Walking is a great way to stay active and also to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/primary-schools/walk-to-school-week/

World MS Day, 30th May

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. This year, World MS Day focuses on “My MS Diagnosis” which advocates for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS. https://worldmsday.org/