We are pleased to offer the standard childhood vaccination programme, recommended for all children from age 2 months. This is a free service and more information can be found at
We offer a comprehensive diabetic clinic for assessment of all aspects of diabetes on an ongoing basis including checking of HbA1c, blood pressure, medication assessment, dietary advice, checking for sensory loss, visual acuity, BMI measurement, cholesterol checking etc.
We offer ongoing review of our asthmatic patients with our asthma clinic. This involves checking peak flow, occupational risk, smoking cessation advice (if indicated), inhaler technique, chest examination and full lung function testing (if indicated).
We are pleased to offer spirometry of full lung function testing which can detect restrictive and/or obstructive lung diseases such as Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Spirometry is also used to monitor the severity of lung diseases and their response to treatment.
24 hour blood pressure monitoring is now considered the ‘gold standard’ of hypertension (high blood pressure) measurement. It involves being fitted with a blood pressure cuff on your arm which checks your blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours. This is then averaged over 24 hours to check your true blood pressure. This is often used for patients at their initial assessment to diagnose high blood pressure and also to measure response to treatment.Flu Vaccine 2015/2016
The flu vaccine is now available at The Faythe Medical Centre. There will be a walk-in clinic on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12 to 12:30 or you can phone 053-9142355 to arrange an appointment to get the vaccine.
What is seasonal flu (influenza)?
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious viral illness of the respiratory tract that can be life threatening.
Can flu cause serious illness?
Flu is a serious illness which can be life threatening in people with long term medical conditions, those aged 65 years and over and pregnant women.
Is it a cold or the flu?
Flu symptoms come on suddenly with a fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. A cold is a much less severe illness than flu. A cold usually starts gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose.
Symptoms of a cold are generally mild compared to flu.
What is the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine?
Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains three common influenza virus strains. The flu virus changes each year – this is why a new influenza vaccine has to be given each year.
How does seasonal flu vaccine work?
Seasonal flu vaccine helps the person’s immune system to produce antibodies to the flu virus. When someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with the virus these antibodies attack the virus and stop them from getting sick.
How safe is flu vaccine?
Seasonal flu vaccines have been given for more than 60 years to millions of people worldwide. Reactions are generally mild and serious side effects are very rare. The seasonal flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.
Who should get seasonal flu vaccine?
Vaccination is strongly recommended for:
• Persons aged 65 and over,
• Those with a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart, kidney, liver, lung or neurological disease,
• People whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment,
• Persons with a body mass index (BMI) over 40,
• Pregnant women (can be given safely at any stage of pregnancy),
• Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions,
• Healthcare workers,
• Carers,
• People with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs.
Who should NOT get seasonal flu vaccine?
The vaccine should not be given to those with a history of severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any of its constituents.
What about people with egg allergy?
People with egg allergy can get seasonal flu vaccine.
This may be given by your GP or you may need referral to a hospital specialist.
When should vaccination be postponed?
There are very few reasons why vaccination should be postponed. Vaccination should be re-scheduled if you have an acute illness with a temperature greater than 38°C.
Why do pregnant women need to get seasonal flu vaccine?
Pregnant women should be given flu vaccine as they are at higher risk of severe complications from flu. Flu vaccine protects pregnant women during pregnancy and provides ongoing protection to their newborn baby during their first few months of life. If you are pregnant please read the HSE leaflet
“Flu vaccine – Information for pregnant women”
When should you get the flu vaccine?
Vaccination should take place in September and October.
How long does it take the vaccine to work?
The vaccine starts to work within two weeks.
What can I expect after vaccination?
The most common side effects are mild and may include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given. Headache, fever, aches and tiredness may occur. Some people may have mild sweating and shivering as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but this is not flu and will pass after a day or so.
Pneumococcal vaccine
If you are 65 or over or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia if you have not previously received it. You usually only need to get this vaccine ONCE.
We provide a full range of all blood tests to give you an idea of your current state of health. These results are then checked by your doctor prior to discussion, and any follow-up care or advice recommended. It is advised you call the surgery to check the results of your blood tests one week after having them taken.