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Cancer Advice
For all cancer information and screening programmes Click Here > Cancers.
Common Health Questions
Cost of Living Crisis
The price of energy, food and bills are all rising and many of us are feeling worried about our finances. You might even find yourself in a position you have never experienced before. There are services and advice that can help, some of which depend on your circumstances. Find more information by visiting:
https://www.islington.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-support
Family Planning & Sexual Health
Click here – Find out more about safe sex and contraception here.
Flu Clinics
Flu Clinics
The practice will invite you for a Flu vaccination between October and February each year if you are eligible. Patients that are eligible are also able to go to their local pharmacy and get the flu vaccination that way, including the pharmacy on site at Ritchie Street.
Housebound patients will be contacted separately by the practice.
General Information
Flu will often get better on it’s own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.
Check if you have flu
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden high temperature of 38C or above
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
Telling the difference between cold and flu
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.
Flu
Appears quickly within a few hours
Affects more than just your nose and throat
Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal
Cold
Appears gradually
Affects mainly your nose and throat
Makes you feel unwell, but you’re OK to carry on as normal (for example, go to work)
How to treat flu yourself
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
A pharmacist can help with flu
A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies.
Be careful not to use flu remedies if you’re taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets as it’s easy to take more than the recommended dose.
Information:
Call a pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them.
Non-urgent advice: Get advice from 111 now if:
You’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
You’re 65 or over
You’re pregnant
You have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
You have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
Your symptoms do not improve after 7 days
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Antibiotics
GPs do not recommend antibiotics for flu because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
How to avoid spreading the flu
Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You’re more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days.
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
How to get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.
The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn before flu starts spreading. But you can get the vaccine later.
The flu vaccine is given to people who:
- are 50 and over (including those who’ll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in a long-stay residential care
- receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- frontline health or social care workers
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service
- your midwifery service if you’re pregnant
- a hospital appointment
If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.
Find out more about the flu vaccine:
Health A-Z
To access your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help. visit the Conditions A to Z – NHS page
Healthier Lifestyle
Click here – To find out more about our services with can help you live a Healthier Life.
Infant Vaccinations
It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. Click here for more information.
Learning Disability
Coming Soon…
Long Term Conditions
Need help and Advice managing a Long Term Condition ? Check out our page.
LGBTQ+ Community and local services
Click here – To access our LGBTQ+ page.
Living with COVID-19
COVID 19
To safeguard staff and other patients we ask everyone attending the practice to continue wearing a face covering. Masks are available at Reception if required.
If you have any COVID like symptoms, please do not come to the practice, ask for a telephone consultation instead.
Please also try and maintain some social distancing if possible within the practice as some patients may still feel very vulnerable or nervous around others.
COVID Vaccination programme
We will contact you directly if you are eligible for any of the vaccination programmes that may be in place. Please note, we do not offer the COVID vaccination on site anymore, you will be directed to an alternative local service provider.
For more information please click on the picture below to be taken to the national NHS COVID information pages.
Medicines A-Z
To find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions. Visit Medicines A to Z – NHS page
Mental Health and Well-being
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, or just want to feel happier, check out local services in Islington Here.
Pregnancy and Baby Guide
Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here. Otherwise visit our Mother and baby page
Request Letters for Isolation
Self-Refer to Community Services
You can self-refer to community services without waiting for a GP appointment. This means you can access the help and support you need sooner, whether it’s for your health, wellbeing, or social care needs, without unnecessary delays.
Travel Vaccinations
Travelling Abroad and need a Vaccination? Visit Travel vaccination advice – NHS page
Who do I See?
Visit our Who to see page to figure out the best Healthcare Professional to see for your conditions