** IMPORTANT NOTICE **
THIS WEBSITE WILL BE CLOSING DOWN ON MONDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2024, AFTER THIS DATE YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE RECEPTION OF BALLYMONEY FAMILY PRACTICE TO REGISTER FOR THEIR ONLINE SERVICES
Have your checked out our innovative practice Facebook page?
If you are interested in local health matters and latest developments in how to keep healthy why not check out and like our Facebook page. Also share our information with older friends and family.
If you have any ideas on how we can spread engagement in the practice please let us know.
Helping children and parents prepare for hospital and answer some of their questions starting with What? and Why?
Medicine Sick Day Rules
When you are unwell with any of the following:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea (unless only minor)
- Fevers, sweats and shaking
Then STOP taking the medicines listed below. Restart when you are well (after 24-48 hours of eating and drinking normally). If you are in any doubt contact your pharmacist, GP or nurse.
Medicines to stop on sick days:
- Ace Inhibitors : medicine names ending in 'pril' e.g. lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril
- ARBs: medicine names ending in 'sartan' e.g. losartan, candesartan, valsartan
- NSAIDs: anti-inflammatory painkillers e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen
- Diuretics: sometimes called 'water pills' eg furosemide, spironolactone, indapimide, bendroflumethiazide
- Metformin: a medicine for diabetes
The British Heart Foundation are looking for HEART PATIENTS and family members to raise awareness as a BHF media volunteer.
For more information on how you can help contact Gemma Burns on 028 9053 8301 burnsg@bhf.org.uk
Information from the National Health Service on conditions, treatments, and healthy living is available at:
BOGUS TEXT MESSAGES
Patients in Northern Ireland have received text messages indicating that their registration with their Doctors' Practice was about to lapse and they should ring the number provided. This is a fraud designed to obtain personal details.
BOGUS TELEPHONE CALLS
Patients throughout Northern Ireland are receiving telephone calls purporting to be from their own health centre enquiring about patient medication and offering medication at a discounted rate. As you know, prescription medication is free. This is a fraud and these people are after your bank details. If contacted in this way report immediately to your local police.
Need to cancel an appointment? It's easy to cancel a face to face or a telephone appointment leaving it free to be used by another patient who may urgently need it. Just click on the 'Let us know if you need to cancel your appointment' link at the bottom of the main page. It's a simple process.
WAITING LIST CRISIS
If you are waiting for a hospital appointment and the waiting time appears excessive please ring directly Appointments at the hospital to which you have been referred.
If you are waiting for an operation and your waiting time appears delayed/excessive please ring directly the secretary of the consultant you saw at outpatients which will be on your appointments card.
Please do not ask your GP or Reception staff to ring on your behalf unless your condition has changed.
If you have just found out that you are pregnant you do not need to see your GP. Please make an appointment to see the midwife.
Breastfeeding is welcomed and supported at our surgery
Bowel Cancer Screening Video
Bowel Cancer Screening - All eligible participants must be between the ages of 60-74 years and registered with a GP in Northern Ireland. Participants will automatically receive a kit in the post when they reach the set age. They will, at this point, be invited to participate in the screening programme.
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http://www.cancerscreening.hscni.net/2179.htm
A new video that shows women what to expect when they attend for breast screening has been produced by the Public Health Agency.
It covers the whole process of screening - from receiving the invitation letter to getting the results.
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Do you know someone whose family has a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm- a swelling of the main artery which lies in the abdomen? If you are a man over the age of 65 and you haven't attended for screening before you can now self refer for a scan. Ring 028 90631828 to book a scan.
The Practice now has a Portable Hearing Loop System.
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In the last month 23 patients have not attended for their appointments. Please let Reception know if you cannot attend - someone else will be very glad of that appointment slot!
There is a link on our Online Services Menu near the bottom of this page.