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Health Assessment

Health Assessment Services

Monitoring the health of your staff on a regular basis demonstrates your commitment to your people and this makes it easier to recruit, retain and motivate your staff.

Whatever the size and nature of your business QUINN-healthcare's on-site nurse health screening can help with the early detection and prevention of illness.

On-site screening service

QUINN-healthcare Health@Work will be happy to arrange health assessments at your premises. We provide a wide range of health assessments and we can help you choose the best option to suit the size, location and needs of your organisation. Each assessment has the same aim – the early detection and prevention of illness.

Health assessments can be invaluable in catching potentially life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes before they can do serious damage. By giving individuals specific information about the health risks that affect them personally, you give them a powerful incentive to take positive action - either to seek treatment or to make changes in the way they live.

Through educating people about important health issues and helping them to manage their health effectively, your workforce will become less vulnerable to illness, both in the long and short term.

Click here to contact us for more information on either of these services.

Health Information on Swine Flu

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Swine Flu

What’s new with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

The WHO (World Health Organisation) has now changed the official name of the pandemic virus from Influenza A(H1N1) to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. The HSE and Department of Health have announced details of the Swine Flu Vaccination Programme, which will commence on November 2nd. Vaccines are now being distributed to participating GP surgeries for administration to those people with increased medical risk aged between 6 months and 65 years.

When will the (H1N1) vaccine administration begin?

From Monday October 19th the HSE started delivering vaccines and supporting supplies to those GPs who have indicated their participation in the (H1N1) programme. Those supplies will build up to the required capacity over the following ten days. Over that period, some GPs will have limited supplies, so people in at-risk groups may wish to call their GP and enquire about availability. From the 30th October all GPs who are participating should have enough vaccines in stock to begin vaccinating all their at-risk patients.

What does the Swine Flu Vaccination Programme involve?

On November 2nd 2009, a national information campaign will commence, inviting those in the at-risk groups to make contact with their GP and make an appointment to receive their vaccine at specific clinics. If a patient's GP is not participating, alternative arrangements will be put in place. Once this group has been completed, over the coming weeks and months the HSE will move to the other groups, including healthcare workers (to provide protection to their vulnerable patients), children and older people, before offering vaccines to the wider population.  More detail on the timing of vaccination for these other groups will be announced at a later date and through the HSE’s information campaign.

Who are the at-risk groups?

Those in the at-risk groups are:

  1. Pregnant women - from 14 weeks pregnant to 6 weeks after giving birth
  2. Anyone aged over 6 months and under 65 years who has:
    Long-term Lung Disease (like Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis)
    Long-term Heart Disease
    Long-term Kidney Disease
    Long-term Liver Disease
    Long-term Neurological Disease (like MS, Cerebral Palsy)
    Immunosuppression e.g. cancer treatment (and their household contacts)
    Haemoglobinopathies
    Diabetes
    Morbid Obesity (check with your GP)

People aged 65 and over seem to have some immunity to Swine Flu so they are not in the most at-risk group and will be vaccinated at a later stage.

Why should I consider taking the vaccine?

Getting the vaccine protects you, but it also protects the people around you too, like your children, your elderly relatives, or someone close to you who is not in full health. In the majority of cases swine flu is a mild illness for most people, but not for everyone. The swine flu vaccine is the best tool available to prevent this illness.

Is there now two different flu vaccines?

Yes, the HSE will be providing 2 different flu vaccines – firstly one for annual flu as normal, and later on this year, the swine flu vaccine. The annual flu vaccination campaign got underway on Monday, 28th September 2009.  This is the normal flu vaccine that is given every year to people at risk from annual flu. This includes all people over 6 months who have long term illnesses or with suppressed immune systems, everyone aged 65 and over, health care staff and carers. The seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against Swine Flu.

Who has approved the Swine flu vaccine use in Ireland?

According to the HSE, clinical tests on the vaccines are being done in various countries, so as each week passes more and more information on the safety profile and the effectiveness of the vaccines is becoming available. Swine Flu vaccines have been put through a rigorous licensing approval process and are now licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

What sort of side effects should I expect?

The most common side effects following flu vaccinations, including the Swine flu vaccine, are mild.  They include soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the injection was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea.  If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the injection and last 1-2 days. Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare.

When should I call the HSE freephone number?

If you develop flu like symptoms you can contact the HSE Flu Information Line on Freephone 1800 94 11 00, available 24 hrs a day. If you have severe symptoms, or are in a high-risk group, then you should contact your GP/family doctor by telephone.

For Further Information

World Health Organisation www.who.int

Health Services Executive http://www.hse.ie/eng/swineflu

Health Protection Surveillance Centre www.hpsc.ie

The Health Service Executive has a 24 Hour Flu Information Line - Freephone 1800 94 11 00

The information was issued by QUINN-healthcare in October. The information has been obtained from the HSE Website.

The following information was issued by QUINN-healthcare in July 2009.

What is Influenza A(H1N1)v?

Influenza A(H1N1)v is a type of influenza virus that causes respiratory disease in humans, pigs and birds. It is infectious and can spread from person to person. The virus is thought to be transferred in the same way as normal influenza, through coughing or sneezing, or close contact.

Department of Health Recommendations after 16th July 2009

The Department of Health have announced that from the 16th of July 2009, the emphasis will now be on GP’s deciding that a person has Influenza A(H1N1)v on clinical grounds rather than relying on laboratory testing for mild cases. People in close contact with confirmed cases will no longer be traced. Treating with anti-virals and swab testing will only be carried out on severe and/or high-risk cases and anti virals will be offered to high-risk contacts only.

What are the symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1)v?

The symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1)v are similar to ordinary influenza and include:

  • Sudden onset of fever with temperature of 38° or greater
  • Cough and chest discomfort
  • Sore throat
  • Severe headache and muscle aches
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea

An individual can develop symptoms up to 7 days after coming in contact with an infected person. Symptoms come on suddenly and can worsen over a 6-hour period. People experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their GP for advice, and act on that advice.

How is Influenza A(H1N1)v spread?

Influenza is transmitted through breathing in droplets containing the virus, produced when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. Touching an infected person or surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your own or someone else’s face can also result in transmission. Droplet and contact precautions (cleaning surfaces & respiratory etiquette) need to be implemented within homes and work environments in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission. The infected individual can pass this virus to others in the 24-hour period prior to developing symptoms themselves, though it is believed that in the absence of symptoms the risk of spread is considerably lowered.

Typically once an adult is infected by a strain of influenza they develop immunity and it’s not likely that they will be infected by the same strain again.

Influenza A (H1N1)v Vaccine

In conjunction with the Department of Health and Children work is under way to produce a vaccine against the Influenza A(H1N1)v. It is expected that a pandemic flu vaccine will be first available in mid to late August/early September. Health care staff will be prioritised. It will then be given to persons whose occupations are considered important to the continued running of national service.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine

The usual seasonal anti flu vaccine will be available in late August. It is not yet certain that the two vaccines can be given together.

Treating Influenza A(H1N1)v

Two anti-viral drugs are available in the treating of this infection, Tamiflu and Relenza. These medicines work best if taken within the first 48 hours of becoming unwell. The Influenza A(H1N1)v appears to be very sensitive to these two drugs.

High Risk Groups

High risk groups include people with chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, or neurological disease; immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment), diabetics, people 65 years and older, children under 5 (children under 2 are at particular risk of influenza), people on medication for asthma, the severely obese (BMI ≥40) and pregnant women.

All individuals who have become infected with this virus and who fall into a High Risk Group will be treated with anti-virals. There are some instances where people who do not have the illness will require treatment, these include:

  • Pregnant women
  • Those on treatment for asthma
  • Those who are severely obese (Body Mass Index >40)

If an individual who is in a high-risk category comes in contact with a person suspected of having Influenza A (H1N1)v, then they should contact their GP for advice. If in doubt always contact your own GP.

Travel Advice

Currently the World Health Organisation (WHO) do not recommend any restriction on international travel as their expert guidance is that such restrictions are ineffective in limiting spread of the virus. The HSE (Health Service Executive) are also not recommending postponement of elective or non-essential travel to any area. However if you have planned work related travel then you should discuss this with your workplace manager and Human Resource department. People who intend to travel to any of the affected areas are advised to consult the WHO website http://www.who.int/en/ for updates.

Advice for Employers

If a team member becomes unwell and it is confirmed that they have Influenza A(H1N1)v, other team members need to remain vigilant and self-monitor for any flu like symptoms. If they themselves begin to feel unwell they should contact their own GP for advice.

Hygiene Precautions

We are all responsible for minimising the spread of Influenza A(H1N1)v by:

  • Washing our hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water
  • Avoiding close contact with people who have symptoms of fever, coughing or shivering
  • Exercising respiratory etiquette, cough and sneeze into tissues and dispose of them immediately in the appropriate bins
  • Cleaning down surfaces using anti-bacterial wipes

 

 

 




QUINN-healthcare is a registered business name of QUINN Insurance Limited. Your insurance is provided by QUINN Insurance Limited, regulated by the Financial Regulator and registered in Ireland, No 240768. QUINN-healthcare Limited acts as an agent for healthcare products for QUINN Insurance Limited and is a private company limited by shares, regulated by the Financial Regulator and registered in Ireland, No 242048. The registered office of QUINN Insurance Limited and QUINN-healthcare Limited is at Dublin Road, Cavan, Co Cavan.