News

Swallownest Health CentreNews
2023, November Macaulay

Diabetes DESMOND Programme

Have you heard of the DESMOND programme?

It provides support and education about your Diabetes diagnosis. The sessions are run from the Rotherham Hospital Diabetes Education and Resource Centre. These are run on a regular basis; two or three times every month and you can self-refer. Call 01709 427910 or email: [email protected] Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00.

There are 3 types of programme as below.

  1. DESMOND Newly Diagnosed module available (for patients up to 12 months post diagnosis)
  2. DESMOND Foundation module available (for those with established diabetes)
  3. My DESMOND (online, on your phone, on the go!)– Type 2 Diabetes Management – A Digital programme for people with Type 2 diabetes. Visit www.mydesmond.com to find out more.
2023, October Macaulay

Shingles - What’s changed?

 

We are aware there has been an alteration to the Shingles vaccination programme and that you may have had a letter or message from NHS England

What is the new Vaccine?

The new vaccine is called Shingrix and is a non-live vaccine which is considered to have longer lasting effects and can be given to immunosuppressed patients. It does however require you to have 2 injections spaced between 6 weeks and 6 months apart.

For further information see the website link http://www.nhs.uk/condistions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/

Who can have this?

There are 3 groups of people we can vaccinate with the new Shingrix vaccine.

  1. Patients who are 50 years old and over (up to end of life) who are immunosuppressed.
  2. Patients turning 65 with a birthdate between 1st September 1958 and 31st Aug 1959.
  3. Patients turning 70 with a birthdate between 1st September 1953 and 31st August 1954

I’m already 70 or over what does this mean for me?

Anyone who has already turned 70 and upto 80 years old before 1st September 2023 is eligible for the Zostavax single live vaccine and is not included in the new programme offering the Shingrix non live 2 part vaccine. You will still be offered the Zostavax vaccine until NHS England central stock supplies are used up. After which we will then be able to offer the new vaccine, we are unsure how long this will take but could potentially be at least a year.

I turned 65 before 1st September 2023 what does this mean for me?

You will be offered a vaccination when you turn 70.

I am already 66-69 what does this mean for me?

You will be offered a vaccination when you turn 70.

I have already had my 1st Shingrix vaccination when will I get my 2nd one?

Immunosuppressed patients should have their 2nd vaccination between 6 weeks and 6 months of the 1st dose.

65- & 70-year-olds who are not immunosuppressed will receive their 2nd dose between 6 months and 12 months of the 1st dose.

Where possible we will book in both your 1st and 2nd doses, so you know when to come back.

I have already had the old style vaccine (Zostavax) already what does this mean for me?

You will not be invited to come again the old vaccine is still effective and you do not need an additional vaccination.

As this programme is quite complex and we will need to add several different types of clinics please wait for your invitation from us before contacting the health centre. We are aiming to start booking in patients at the end of October after our main Flu campaign.

This programme has been estimated to take 10 years to complete. From Year 6 (2028) it will also include patients turning 60.

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