Patients at Tauranga Hospital , who are most at risk of serious complications from influenza , may have a flu shot at their bedside through a new service – one of the first of its kind in the country .

Following the success of a trial of the programme in the Kaupapa Ward last year , Community Pharmacist Louise Ranson from Bay Health Pharmacy , a community pharmacy based in the hospital , is now providing flu shots in all wards as well as ED .

Under the initiative flu shots are free for people who are most at risk , those who are pregnant , or 65 years or older .

" The new service means patients as well as people visiting the hospital who are most at risk can now have their free flu shot within the hospital , in some cases at their bedside on the ward ,” says Louise Ranson .

She says almost everyone can benefit from the protection

of annual influenza immunisation . The pharmacy also offers flu shots for non-subsidised people as well for a fee .

The initiative is part of a wider scope of health services now provided by pharmacists . They are also providing free emergency contraception , and oral contraceptive pills with only one doctor ' s prescription required every three years for some women , in a bid to make the pills more accessible to women . Pharmacists also provide a free throat swab service testing for strep throat which if undetected can lead to Rheumatic Fever . The later Rapid Response Sore Throat Service is part of the BOPDHB ’ s plan to reduce the high prevalence of Rheumatic Fever in our region by two thirds .

Bay Health Pharmacy also provides the whooping cough vaccine to adults 18 years and older , however this is not funded so there is a cost .

Bay Health Pharmacy , can be found on the Main Corridor , Tauranga Hospital and is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm .

Clinical Nurse Manager Ward 2B Metua Solomona ( left ) and Pharmacist Louise Ranson plan the best times for Louise to give flu vaccinations to eligible patients .

In this edition of Health Matters , I want to draw your attention to the focus on health services to support you to stay well .

The articles on preventing Rheumatic Fever ( RF ) and the region ’ s stop smoking service Hāpainga , are extremely important reads and highlight that there is so much we can do for ourselves to stay healthy and keep our families healthy , especially our children .

I remember many years ago when I was a Public Health Nurse one of my least favourite jobs was giving the children who had had RF , their monthly penicillin injections . I ’ m pretty sure I was the most unpopular visitor to those homes when the injections were due . Rheumatic fever starts with a sore throat that is known as ‘ strep throat ’ - a throat infection caused by a bacterial infection or bug called Group A Streptococcus ( GAS ). If the ‘ strep throat ’ is not treated with antibiotics it can lead to RF . Today , free throat swabbing services are available at many pharmacies and schools across the region to detect GAS . One simple throat swab can prevent your child from developing RF and potential serious heart problems . So next time your child has a sore throat please , make the time to get them checked .

This coming Thursday is World Smokefree Day . I am sure you are aware that the Government has a goal of Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 . An ambitious goals and one that when achieved , will see many New Zealanders living far healthier lives . I know quitting isn ’ t easy , however we

Sally Webb , Chair Bay of Plenty District Health Board

are very fortunate here to have a great service with Hāpainga and the reason it is having such a good success rate is because it starts with the underlying principle that quitting smoking is an individual journey to wellness and they are there to help you quit your way .

I am really keen to see smoking stop around our babies and children . They are our future and they deserve a healthy future . I think of the late Dame Whina Cooper ’ s wise words : " Take care of our children . Take care of what they hear , take care of what they see , take care of what they feel . For how the children grow , so will be the shape of Aotearoa ."

Think about what you can do to create healthy futures for the children of the Bay of Plenty .

Kia kaha Sally Webb

Bay of Plenty residents are being urged to get immunised to protect themselves from influenza ‘ the flu ’, a viral infection that can cause serious illness and is sometimes fatal .

“ Immunisation is your best protection from influenza , and the best defence in preventing the spread of the illness to others ,” says Dr Phil Shoemack , Medical Officer of Health .

Free influenza immunisation is available for people at risk of serious complications from influenza including pregnant women ( any trimester ), people with an ongoing medical condition like asthma , diabetes , or a heart or lung condition and people aged 65 years or over .

BOPDHB Speciality Clinical Nurse Helen Taylor getting her flu shot . More than 65 % of BOPDHB workers have had a flu shot this season .

“ However , everyone should consider vaccination ,” says Dr Shoemack . “ Even someone who is fit and healthy can become sick with influenza , and risks passing it to family or friends . Your workplace may offer a free or subsidised immunisation or contact your local medical centre or pharmacy to book an appointment today ,” says Dr Shoemack .

Influenza , commonly called the flu , can be a serious illness that is sometimes fatal . Symptoms of influenza include a cough , headache , fever or chills , body aches and pains , fatigue , and generally feeling really miserable . Influenza can be severe enough to require hospital treatment .

Around one in four New Zealanders are infected with influenza each year . Every year approximately 400 deaths in New Zealand are related to influenza infection .

Contact your local medical centre or pharmacy to get the influenza immunisation today . For more information call 0800 IMMUNE ( 0800 466 863 ) or visit www . fightflu . co . nz

• Influenza isn ’ t just a bad cold – it can be serious and can kill .

• Around 1.2 million kiwis get influenza immunisation yearly .

• Immunisation prepares your immune system to fight influenza .

• You cannot get influenza from the vaccine .

• Influenza immunisation is FREE for those most at risk .