PharmacistGav

25/10/2021

Undertaking flu vaccinations today for the staff Swansea City Football Club .
Please everybody get a flu jab if they can to help reduce the burden on the NHS this winter. Well done to the Swans for looking after their staff

25/09/2021

Bit of love today for all my colleagues out there in the wonderful world of pharmacy!

11/08/2021

One of my staff members has had her pharmacy journey put into print after her nomination as a pharmacy rising Star. Well done Angharad Evans

Every month we are so excited to share real stories from pharmacy team members and demonstrate how they make a real difference to their communities every day. For July, we headed to Wales: https://www.tmmagazine.co.uk/pharmacy-life/making-a-difference-a-phone-call-at-a-time

30/06/2021

20/05/2021

Caution urged as Indian variant cases confirmed in Swansea Bay area: People in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot are being urged to keep socially distancing and get their Covid-19 vaccination as soon as they’re called, because Coronavirus hasn’t gone away.

In fact, cases of the Indian variant – which is believed to have a higher infection rate - have now been confirmed in the Swansea Bay area.

Even though lockdown restrictions are easing and people have more freedom to enjoy indoor hospitality, time hasn’t yet been called on the virus.

Swansea Bay University Health Board Director of Public Health, Dr Keith Reid, warned that Covid was still out there, despite the number of infections and hospital admissions being well down on their January second peak.

The risk of infection was still very real, particularly among those who haven’t yet received the protection of their first vaccine dose, he said.

“Covid hasn’t gone away and now that people are socialising indoors in pubs and restaurants, and other indoor activities have restarted, it is very likely that we will see infection rates creeping up again. Covid thrives on close contact, particularly among those who haven’t been vaccinated.

“We now have a small number of confirmed cases of B.1.617.2 (the variant of concern that was first detected in India) in the Swansea Bay region, which is a worry as it looks like this variant spreads more easily.

“Our testing and tracing teams are working hard to prevent it being spread further, but people should be aware that we’re not out of the woods yet, and continue to take all precautions.”

Dr Reid advised people to carry on handwashing, to keep a safe distance from people they don’t live with, and wear face-coverings in indoor public places. They should also get tested if they have any classic Covid-19 symptoms: high temperature, new continuous cough or loss of taste/smell, or if they have flu-like symptoms or feel unwell with other symptoms which are unusual for them.

“It is also much safer to be outdoors in the fresh air than inside a building where Covid viruses can circulate more easily,” he added.

“So even though pubs and restaurants are now serving inside, please still consider choosing a table outside, particularly if you or one of your group have not been vaccinated.
“Vaccination remains a priority to helping us all get back to a normal life. So please do all you can to attend your vaccination appointment. People can also join our reserve list if they have missed an earlier appointment for any reason, or would like the opportunity to be offered a vaccination sooner.

“Our doors are open. We want to vaccinate every adult we are able to in Swansea Bay as soon as we can.”

To join the vaccination reserve list, please go here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus-covid-19/information/vaccine-in-swansea-and-npt/reserve-list-form/

29/03/2021

Don't forget to order your repeat prescription before the Easter bank holiday weekend. Order them sooner rather than later as they may take a few days to come in.

17/03/2021

15/03/2021

It’s vital everyone continues to attend their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
There is NO EVIDENCE the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine causes or increases the risk of blood clots.
Countries which have halted the roll out of this vaccine following reports of blood clots have publicly stated they have done so as a PRECAUTION.
These reports are being reviewed by experts.
The World Health Organization and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are continuing to recommend the vaccine.

10/03/2021

Two sisters, who have been on the community care frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic, are calling on fellow black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community members to get vaccinated.

Reem El-Sharkawi is a pharmacist supporting a group of Swansea GP surgeries, and Dr Lamah El-Sharkawi is a GP at Uplands and Mumbles surgery, and GP tutor at Swansea University Medical School. They are half-Egyptian, half-Lebanese and, in their words, fully Welsh.

Over the past 12 months, Reem and Lamah have seen the devastating effect COVID-19 can have on families and communities, both professionally and personally.

So far fewer people from BAME backgrounds in Swansea Bay have accepted the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to white individuals.

National surveys have also shown that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are generally less likely to have a COVID-19 vaccine. This is for a variety of reasons, including worries about potential side effects and safety.

“A lot of people are still hesitant about getting vaccinated,” Lamah says.

“While we understand your concerns, and where they may come from, it is so important that we all do our bit and protect ourselves, our family, friends and community.”

Reem adds, “One key issue we know many people have concerns about is whether the COVID-19 vaccines are safe to have, given how quickly it has been developed compared to other vaccines.

“They were created by scientists from across the world. All the proper steps and procedures were followed but it was manufactured and tested at a really quick rate because of this global effort and funding.

“The vaccines that are being used by the NHS in Swansea Bay and across the UK have all been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which is an independent body that scrutinises and regulates all our vaccines and medications to ensure their safety and efficacy.”

👉 Read the full story here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/news/swansea-bay-health-news/sisters-on-primary-care-frontline-call-on-bame-community-to-take-up-covid-19-vaccine-offer/

🧠 Detailed advice for BAME community members on the COVID-19 vaccine is available here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/go/covid-19-vaccines-advice-for-black-asian-and-minority-ethnic-communities/

04/03/2021

I thought it would be very important for my first post on the page to be the completion of my 2nd covid vaccine.
Stay safe all and get vaccinated