Infection Prevention and Control for Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Health and Care settings (including SARS-CoV-2 for) Winter 2021/2022
Infection Prevention and Control for Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Health and Care settings (including SARS-CoV-2 for) Winter 2021/2022 Since February 2021 Northern Ireland has been following the “COVID-19: guidance for maintaining services within health and care settings – infection prevention and control recommendations” However this guidance has now been updated and replaced with the ‘Infection Prevention and Control for Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Health and...
UK vaccine response to the Omicron variant: JCVI advice
Booster vaccination eligibility should be expanded to include all adults aged 18 years to 39 years. Booster vaccination should now be offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group. Booster vaccination should not be given within 3 months of completion of the primary course. Severely immunosuppressed individuals who have completed their primary course (3 doses) should be offered a booster dose with a...
HSS(MD) 78/2021 – IMMEDIATE ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO NEW VARIANT (B.1.1.529) SARS-COV-2 – Omicron
The variant has a number of mutations in key locations of the genome which suggest it may be highly transmissible and may be able to evade immunity from current vaccines and prior infection. Local epidemiology in South Africa suggests fast growth in a population who had high levels of immunity. Anyone who has arrived in Northern Ireland or travelled through any of the countries listed above in the past 10 days should self-isolate immediately for 10 full days after arrival. All...
GPNI Prescribing: Managing Polypharmacy
We are delighted to be joined by Professor Peter Passmore, Professor of Ageing and Geriatric Medicine at Queens University Belfast. He will be discussing polyphamacy in the primary care setting, including reviewing medications, de-prescribing and combinations to avoid.[divi_wpfd_single_file file_params="{%22selected_file_id%22:27613,%22selected_category_id%22:129,%22selected_file_name%22:%22Managing Polypharmacy%22,%22categoryPath%22:%22New category%22}" _builder_version="4.14.0"...
HSS(MD) 75/2021 PATIENTS REQUIRING ASTRAZENECA VACCINE AS A BOOSTER
The JCVI advises a preference for an mRNA vaccine as the booster dose, irrespective of which vaccine was given in the primary schedule. There is good evidence that these vaccines will provide a strong booster response and all patients should be strongly encouraged to receive an mRNA vaccine as their booster dose. However, there will be cases where mRNA vaccines cannot be offered e.g. due to clinical contraindication, or may be refused, thereby leaving the patient without receiving any...
GPNI Interpreting Results: Biochemistry
In the second of interpreting results series, we have Dr Emma Murray, Specialist Registrar in Chemical Pathology, who will be discussing a practical approach to interpreting common biochemistry results.[divi_wpfd_single_file _builder_version="4.13.1" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" file_params="{%22selected_file_id%22:26497,%22selected_category_id%22:128,%22selected_file_name%22:%22GPNI Interpreting Results-...
COVID-19 vaccination in children and young people aged 16 to 17 years: JCVI statement, November 2021 – GOV.UK
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has previously advised: 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children and young people aged 16 to 17 years with an underlying health condition that places them at higher risk from serious COVID-19 (‘at-risk group’) a first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those not in an at-risk group On 19 October 2021 JCVI considered options for offering a second dose to persons aged 16 to 17 years who are not in an...
GPNI Mental health: Common Challenges in Adult Psychiatry
Join us for a GPNI session dealing with common issues and challenges in adult psychiatry. The session will be led by Dr Kathy Lark former GP and now speciality doctor in Psychiatry who leads on the referral for advice service BHSCT and Dr Nicola Duggan Cons Psychiatrist BHSCT.
GPNI Interpreting Results: Microbiology
In the first of our interpreting results series we are delighted to be joined by Dr Eileen Dorgan, Consultant Microbiologist Antrim Hospital. Dr Dorgan will be discussing a practical approach to microbiology results.
GPNI Webinar – Boundaries Series by Dr Stephen Harte
GPNI was delighted to host a three part 'First 5 GP' series on 'Boundaries' hosted by the excellent Dr Stephen Harte, GP and Executive Coach as part of our Wellness workstream. For those that missed the series Dr Harte has kindly recorded a bitesize version of each talk with some take home messages applicable to GPs and Primary care team members at any stage of their careers. Dr Harte is also a mentor on the NIMDTA GP Mentoring Scheme Limitations, I can't do everything! Dr Stephen...
GPNI have brought together a large multi-disciplinary working group to generate and collate the most up to date and relevant information for Northern Ireland Primary Care. Below you will find important updates regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic along with primary care specific guidance. This is a developing resource which will be updated as new information and guidelines become available.
If you would like to contribute to GPNI you can email our editorial team on [email protected] we are a multi-disciplinary team and welcome contributions from all elements of primary care.
