Over-50s in Devon are being urged to take up their FREE NHS flu vaccine as experts warn of a significant flu outbreak this winter.
Flu is not just a heavy cold. It is a highly infectious disease, causing fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. It can’t be treated by antibiotics because it is a virus.
This week the UK government announced the booster programme is being significantly expanded to fight the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced that current vaccines are likely to be at least partially effective against the Omicron variant and that having the booster offers a much higher antibody response against Covid-19.
Pregnant women in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are being urged to have the flu vaccine now to protect themselves and their unborn baby from the deadly illness.
The UK Health Security Agency has warned that there could be a significant flu surge this winter coinciding with continuing or rising COVID-19 cases.
Clara Southby, Interim Maternity Matron for Community and Outpatients...
The first Covid-19 booster vaccinations have been administered in Devon.
Roy Warnes was among the first to have his booster dose at the Home Park vaccination site. Roy has volunteered at Home Park since it opened and explained why it was so important to get his booster vaccination today: “I think some people are getting a bit blasé and taking less care. I would say don’t hesitate to...
Video and phone appointments held at hospitals across Devon saved patients an estimated 13.5 million miles of travelling; equivalent to circumnavigating the globe 550 times.
The NHS also estimates that, in the 12 months to 23 August 2021, the benefits of running virtual appointments also saved patients more than 277,679 hours in travel time and staying at home led to a reduction of...
The Devon health and social care system is under extreme pressure due to high demand for services and the number of staff and patients affected by Covid-19.
As a result, people are facing longer waits in emergency departments and planned procedures are being postponed.
The NHS is asking the public to help by using services wisely and doing their bit to reduce the spread of...
Exeter-based illustrator-animator Leo Jamelli is collaborating with University of Exeter academics Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer and Dr Catriona McKenzie on an emotive contemporary art project entitled 'Spotlight on Care'.
He's created a hand-drawn animation of an unpaid carer from Exeter which will be projected onto the Exeter Phoenix after dark in late October. The two-storey high projection...
Derriford Hospital has secured national investment to expand its operating capacity, with work set to begin on two new modular operating theatres.
This development has secured funding from the national NHS Elective Recovery Fund to address the major impact of covid on hospital waiting times, as part of the Accelerator Programme.
People in Devon are being urged to only go to their local emergency department in immediately life-threatening cases.
The NHS in Devon is under severe pressure at present due to several factors, meaning GP surgeries, hospitals, community health services, mental health services and social care are all extremely busy.
High numbers of emergency attendances, combined with the...
