BEMS ( B&NES - Emergency Medical Services )
OUT OF HOURS GP CARE FOR B&NES
When the GP Surgery is closed and you can't wait for medical help until the next day, contact BEMS for an Out of Hours GP..
TELEPHONE: 03000 33 99 33
This line is open to everyone in B&NES during weekdays (6pm to 8am) and weekends and Bank Holidays 24 hours a day
MENINGITIS
ADVICE FROM THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY 21.10.2011
The University is working with the Health Protection Agency (HPA), following the admission to hospital of a first year student with viral meningitis. The student has since been discharged, and is recovering well at home.
Viral meningitis is a milder, more common form of the infection, compared to bacterial meningitis, which presents a greater risk to students, especially in the winter months.
The HPA is taking this opportunity to remind students of the need to be aware and vigilant for the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis (see below), and to ask students to check their immunisation history. A routine meningitis vaccine can protect against the C strain of bacterial meningitis.
Symptoms
As at other times, we recommend that you watch closely for symptoms in yourself, your friends and your colleagues.
Early diagnosis and treatment are the best defence against this serious disease.
The symptoms of meningitis include:
• severe headache
• high temperature/fever
• vomiting
• stiff neck
• pale, blotchy skin
• drowsiness/lethargy
• joint pains
• cold hands and feet
• rash of red/purple spots which looks like bruising under the skin
Only some of these symptoms may show.
Worried?
If you are worried that you may have the symptoms of meningitis, or if you think you have observed them in someone else, seek immediate medical advice from your registered GP.
If you are registered with the Medical Centre on campus and have not previously been vaccinated then you can make an appointment to get this done at no cost to you. It is important that you keep up-to-date with your immunisations including your MMR vaccination. If you have any questions please contact the Medical Centre or your GP.
More information about meningitis is available from the 24-hour national help lines of the meningitis charities and NHS Direct (See Related Links).
Please note: This notice is issued with the approval of the Health Protection Agency.
Please see the below link to the University of Bath's
Internet Page
University Medical Centre Flu Clinics 2011/2012
The University Medical Centre's Flu Clinics for 2011/2012 have now ceased as from 1st February 2012
If you have missed booking an appointment to recieve your flu vaccination and you still wish to have one then please contact Reception on 01225 386655
This winter's flu vaccination protects against the same three strains of flu as last year's vaccines. These include the H1N1 strain of the flu virus. H1N1 is the same strain of flu that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic. H1N1 is included because it is likely to be one of the major flu strains circulating in Britain this winter.
The best time to have a flu jab is in the autumn, from September to early November.
LATEST FLU CLINIC DATES AT THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTRE:
The Flu Clinics for the 2011/2012 Flu season have now ceased
The FLU CLINICS for 2012 / 2013 will commence from September 2012
Private FLU Vaccinations
The University Medical Centre is able to offer private flu vaccinations to all. If you do not automatically qualify for a vaccination for free from your own registered GP then please ask about the option to have a private flu vaccination at the University Medical Centre.
Under the rules of the NHS, patients may only be eligible for a flu vaccination on the grounds of their personal medical history (e.g. patients who have conditions such as asthma or diabetes) or are aged 65 years or older.
The University Medical Centre is able to offer flu vaccinations privately for £15 for those who do not qualify under the NHS rules.
Please contact reception on 01225 386655 to make an appointment with a Practice Nurse
SWINE FLU PANDEMIC
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
If you have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and any two of the following symptoms, you may have swine flu: tiredness, headache, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or cough, loss of appetite, aching muscles, diarrhoea or vomiting.
www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
You should contact your doctor if:
 You have serious underlying illness
 You are pregnant
 You have a sick child under one year old
 You or your child's condition suddenly gets much worse
 Your condition is getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child)
The University Medical Centre is able to provide swine flu vaccinations to patients travelling to the Southern Hemisphere.
Travel Clinics & Travel Vaccinations
TRAVELLING ABROAD?
Don't forget that you can book appointments for ALL your travel vaccinations at the University Medical Centre. Contact Reception for advice and to make an appointment with one of our nurses for all your travel needs: 01225 386655
The University Medical Centre is also able to provide swine flu vaccinations to patients travelling to the Southern Hemisphere.
Contact Reception on 01225 386655 or drop in to the Practice to discuss with one of the Practice Team.
New Patient Registration
AVAILABLE TO ALL LOCAL RESIDENTS, UNIVERSITY STAFF & STUDENTS
Did you know that the University Medical Centre can offer Medical Services to local Bath residents and also to members of staff at the University?
You do not need to be a student to register as a patient with the University Medical Centre.
The Practice offers a full range of Primary Care Medical Services for all ages.
If you are a Bath resident you may attend at the University Medical Centre at anytime to register with the Practice.
New Student Patient Registration 2011/2012
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER
In order to help us to help you, please try to have the following information available when you come to register:
Name and
Address of your
previous Doctor & Surgery if you have previously been registered in the UK
Your New Bath address including Post Code
Details of any
current medication
Photographic Identification: e.g. Driving Licence / Passport / Identity Card
Remember that you need to be registered before you are able to be seen for an appointment, so don't wait until you are ill to register.
Please contact us on
01225 386655 if you are interested in registering with us as a patient or drop in and see us to enquire with Reception during our opening hours Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00
MUMPS
ADVICE FROM THE HPA (HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY APRIL 2009)
You may be at risk of mumps... All students are advised to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mumps. The Health Protection Agency, which protects the community against infectious diseases, has been informed of a rising level of mumps among University and College students in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
What is mumps?
Mumps is an active viral illness that causes fever, headache, swollen lymph glands and usually painful swollen glands, below the jaw line.
How is it spread?
It is spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes and can also be transmitted through direct contact with saliva, including kissing. The mumps virus is present in saliva for several days before the swelling appears until several days afterwards and sufferers should stay away from other people at risk of mumps until 5 days after the swelling appears. Simple hygiene measures can help prevention.
How serious is it?
You could be ill enough to miss two weeks of lectures, studying, taking exams and socialising!
What are the signs and symptoms?
The illness generally begins with a headache and fever for a day or two before the disease is characterised by swelling of the parotid glands, on one or both sides. The parotid gland is located in front of the ears and runs parallel to the jaw-bone. You may have the infection for 14-21 days before any symptoms show and mumps is transmissible in this period to several days after swelling appears.
How can it be treated?
There is no specific treatment for mumps, so for most people it will clear up by itself. However, medical advice from your GP should always be sought. A person suspected to have mumps can have a simple salivary test to enable laboratory confirmation of the illness.
How can you be protected?
Here’s the good news - mumps can be easily prevented by vaccination, as it’s one of the components of the MMR vaccine and there is no upper age limit to the MMR vaccine.
If you’re not sure about what vaccination you’ve had, it’s a good idea to check with your GP. They will be able to tell you if you’re protected or not. If not, MMR vaccination is easy to arrange and FREE.
More Information about Mumps MMR
Use telephone or internet to access –
1.) Health Protection Agency: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/mumps/gen_info.htm
2.) Department of Health: www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk
3.) Avon Health Protection Team on 0117 900 2620