The Archway Surgery, Armagh

28/07/2025

Have you heard of the Southern Trust Recovery College?

The courses and workshops are co-designed and co-delivered by people with lived experience of mental and physical health challenges, health care professionals and carers.

Courses and workshops are open to everyone aged 16 yrs + and this can include service users, carers, family, friends, students – anyone that has an interest in mental health and general wellbeing.

All Recovery College courses are FREE to attend.

Both face to face and online opportunities are available

There is a wide range of courses available between September and December 2025 – click the link to see more: https://southerntrust.hscni.net/services/mental-health-services/recovery-college-courses/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL0FUdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB5bUpNSWpQZ0tWbFRFbEh6AR5I2BWsA6AI9fp7NOZE84V8MjkQ8nUFrkakdC7K26pEYvHHzEY3H_UPOK0OpQ_aem_1Hsgr5yAfy4C1HJxQZ-GSA.

We have a wide range of courses, including a number of new courses this term (‘Writing for Self-Expression; Mindfulness; Tree of Life; Nature Connections; When Thoughts Get in Our Way; Understanding Addictions; Introduction to Benefits; Building your Wellness Toolbox; Mindful Self-Compassion; Christmas Chat and Connect’).

View the full list via the prospectus via link below and then register your interest.
https://southerntrust.hscni.net/services/mental-health-services/recovery-college-courses/

27/07/2025

‪Prof Cath Noakes‬
‪.bsky.social‬
"While infection control and cleaning is always a good thing, it’s not going to cut it for measles. Measles is airborne and highly contagious. The best approach is vaccination, and local infection control should focus on ventilation and air cleaning"

We are concerned that the level of vaccination in our area has fallen meaning that unvaccinated children can no longer rely on herd immunity.
If any of our patients wish to discuss vaccination please ask to speak with one of our GPs and we will be happy to chat. For any child that has missed scheduled MMR vaccinations our administration team will endeavour to provide an appointment at a time that suits.

Staff deploy infection controls and step up cleaning as cases pass 500 for year to date and after one child dies

26/07/2025

Here's a very interesting programme on the variable nutritional value of food and how our taste buds can be used to work out the nutritious value of unprocessed food. If a tomato tastes better than a different variety it may be more nutritious.
There is a lot more to nutrition than just knowing how much sugar and fat there is anything you contemplate eating. There is talk of being able to analyse the nutrients in food with an app on your phone - in the future....

Dan Saladino explores new science that's revealing the complexity hidden within our food.

24/07/2025

Weight loss injections and birth control...?

The effect of weight loss treatments on the oral contraceptive pills varies between the various preparations available.

Similarly to having a tummy bug some of the weight loss injections may also affect the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive (and some other medications).

Tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro) is known to reduce the effectiveness of the pill - especially in the first four weeks after starting and also after any increase in dose. People using Mounjaro who are also on the contraceptive pill should either change the method of contraception (eg to a coil) or use condoms as well as the pill for the first four weeks of Mounjaro and after any increase in dose.

We know a lot of people are accessing these medications privately but would encourage anyone having private weight loss medication to let the GP know if you have to consult us for any reason. What you are consulting about may or may not be directly related to the weight loss injection but there are other ways your symptoms could be be indirectly linked, such as interfering with absorption of other medication.

There is more information in the links below. Please contact your GP if you would like to discuss further:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/does-ozempic-affect-birth-control

https://www.fsrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/Patient-information-GLP-1-agonists-and-contraception.pdf

24/07/2025

Diarrhoea and birth control...
Most people know that if someone has a bad tummy bug with significant diarrhoea, especially if it goes on for more than 24 hours the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill may be affected, and extra precautions are needed for the subsequent 7 days. More info in the link:

Find out what to do if you're sick or have diarrhoea after taking the combined pill.

18/07/2025

As they say it can be very hard to get time for yourself when you are a carer so although online events have their limitations the facts that there is no travel time and you can do from home are bonuses. These Wednesday evening sessions look like being worth trying - if you are a carer would they fit into your routine?

We know as a carer it can be hard to find time for yourself. It is difficult to commit to taking some time out when your caring role is ever changing and demanding.

If you do get a chance to take an hour just for you, please feel free to join our weekly relaxation classes from the comfort of your own home, via Zoom. These are very informal sessions and you can come along to as many or as few as you would like. You can always amend your booking if something crops up at the last minute.

For more information and to book a session: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wrGyQ3kOQXWnjtwtHcMoqQ

18/07/2025

Regardless where you are outdoors remember your sunscreen!

If your packing your bag for the Open, don’t forget the sunscreen – those UV rays don’t take a day off. Stay protected and enjoy every swing! ⛳🌥️

Click the link below to find out more.
www.careinthesun.org



Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

18/07/2025

Do you know of anyone who would benefit from being introduced to Armagh Men's shed?

13/07/2025

Following the golf?

With The Open Championship returning to Royal Portrush this week, The PHA is supporting the official ‘Walk to Win’ challenge! 🚶⛳

The goal? Walk at least 7,381 steps in a day – matching the total yardage of the Royal Portrush course. Track your steps and be in with a chance to win a round of golf at the legendary club!

But don’t worry if you’re not quite there yet – every step counts. Whether it’s 300 or 3,000, moving more each day can make a real difference to your health and wellbeing.

👣 You don’t have to be attending the event to take part! To help you get started, HSC Walking for Health Coordinators will be leading community health walks throughout the week, with official Open merchandise up for grabs. www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/walking-health-programme

Download The Open App (iOS) to find out more and start tracking your steps: apps.apple.com/gb/app/the-open/id658257516

06/07/2025

Thanks to the family of Fiona Anderson for the absolutely beautiful flowers in reception last week. Fiona was a skilled and compassionate Marie Curie nurse and helped many of our patients in their own final illnesses.
She enjoyed seeing the flowers we occasionally have at reception and had asked to have bright colourful garden type flowers at her funeral. (She had peonies in her own garden and had them in her room recently)
Her family expressed thanks for the care she received and they were keen for this arrangement to come to Archway reception after the funeral. So thoughtful of them.

02/07/2025

Many of you will have experienced our fantastic practice nurses' help in identifying wee changes that can make a difference to your long term health. Nurse Tait (Kim) has also been nudging all those working in Archway towards healthier habits and takes a theme each month. The theme in June was healthy snacking and we are grateful to Sainsbury's for sponsoring the snacks on Fridays in June. Replacing a biscuit or crisps with fruit or veg can be a positive change for us all!

26/06/2025