The Archway Surgery, Armagh

16/10/2025

Everyone over 65 yo registered with Archway has been sent a text or letter inviting them for their seasonal vaccinations this Saturday. If you are an Archway patient in this age range but haven't received your invitation please contact reception this afternoon or tomorrow to find out your appointment time.

15/10/2025

We have started our winter vaccine programme and many of you will have received invitations to attend this Saturday morning. This table explains who will be offered the flu and covid vaccines.

The winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes will begin on 6 October 2025.

Vaccines provide the best defence against winter viruses.

People who are eligible for vaccination against flu or COVID-19 this year should make themselves aware of their own GP surgery’s or community pharmacist’s vaccination arrangements and work with them to get vaccinated.

For further information see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines

29/09/2025

We are setting up a new support group to support those who care for loved ones and family.

As a carer we would love your input to ensure the service we put in place is a success and meets your needs.
Our vision is to facilitate a group aimed at supporting carers early on in their caring role, provide information on support services and to signpost to relevant services both within and outside of the Trust.

If you are interested in helping please make contact with your allocated Social Worker in ICT Lurgan 028 3756 6927.

18/09/2025

This is interesting: Emerging evidence of a protective effect of the shingles vaccine with respect to dementia.
Dementia is now the UK’s leading cause of death - but could a vaccine one day help prevent it? New data from Wales suggests the shingles vaccine is linked to a 20% lower risk of developing dementia in later life, adding to evidence that viral infections can influence brain health.

Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, Assistant Prof of Medicine at Stanford University discusses his findings and the further evidence required to prove this link, along with Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute.

Shingles vaccine to reduce dementia risk? Antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea & tech trousers

28/07/2025

Have you heard of the Southern Trust Recovery College?

The courses and workshops are co-designed and co-delivered by people with lived experience of mental and physical health challenges, health care professionals and carers.

Courses and workshops are open to everyone aged 16 yrs + and this can include service users, carers, family, friends, students – anyone that has an interest in mental health and general wellbeing.

All Recovery College courses are FREE to attend.

Both face to face and online opportunities are available

There is a wide range of courses available between September and December 2025 – click the link to see more: https://southerntrust.hscni.net/services/mental-health-services/recovery-college-courses/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL0FUdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB5bUpNSWpQZ0tWbFRFbEh6AR5I2BWsA6AI9fp7NOZE84V8MjkQ8nUFrkakdC7K26pEYvHHzEY3H_UPOK0OpQ_aem_1Hsgr5yAfy4C1HJxQZ-GSA.

We have a wide range of courses, including a number of new courses this term (‘Writing for Self-Expression; Mindfulness; Tree of Life; Nature Connections; When Thoughts Get in Our Way; Understanding Addictions; Introduction to Benefits; Building your Wellness Toolbox; Mindful Self-Compassion; Christmas Chat and Connect’).

View the full list via the prospectus via link below and then register your interest.
https://southerntrust.hscni.net/services/mental-health-services/recovery-college-courses/

27/07/2025

‪Prof Cath Noakes‬
‪.bsky.social‬
"While infection control and cleaning is always a good thing, it’s not going to cut it for measles. Measles is airborne and highly contagious. The best approach is vaccination, and local infection control should focus on ventilation and air cleaning"

We are concerned that the level of vaccination in our area has fallen meaning that unvaccinated children can no longer rely on herd immunity.
If any of our patients wish to discuss vaccination please ask to speak with one of our GPs and we will be happy to chat. For any child that has missed scheduled MMR vaccinations our administration team will endeavour to provide an appointment at a time that suits.

Staff deploy infection controls and step up cleaning as cases pass 500 for year to date and after one child dies

26/07/2025

Here's a very interesting programme on the variable nutritional value of food and how our taste buds can be used to work out the nutritious value of unprocessed food. If a tomato tastes better than a different variety it may be more nutritious.
There is a lot more to nutrition than just knowing how much sugar and fat there is anything you contemplate eating. There is talk of being able to analyse the nutrients in food with an app on your phone - in the future....

Dan Saladino explores new science that's revealing the complexity hidden within our food.

24/07/2025

Weight loss injections and birth control...?

The effect of weight loss treatments on the oral contraceptive pills varies between the various preparations available.

Similarly to having a tummy bug some of the weight loss injections may also affect the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive (and some other medications).

Tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro) is known to reduce the effectiveness of the pill - especially in the first four weeks after starting and also after any increase in dose. People using Mounjaro who are also on the contraceptive pill should either change the method of contraception (eg to a coil) or use condoms as well as the pill for the first four weeks of Mounjaro and after any increase in dose.

We know a lot of people are accessing these medications privately but would encourage anyone having private weight loss medication to let the GP know if you have to consult us for any reason. What you are consulting about may or may not be directly related to the weight loss injection but there are other ways your symptoms could be be indirectly linked, such as interfering with absorption of other medication.

There is more information in the links below. Please contact your GP if you would like to discuss further:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/does-ozempic-affect-birth-control

https://www.fsrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/Patient-information-GLP-1-agonists-and-contraception.pdf

24/07/2025

Diarrhoea and birth control...
Most people know that if someone has a bad tummy bug with significant diarrhoea, especially if it goes on for more than 24 hours the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill may be affected, and extra precautions are needed for the subsequent 7 days. More info in the link:

Find out what to do if you're sick or have diarrhoea after taking the combined pill.

18/07/2025

As they say it can be very hard to get time for yourself when you are a carer so although online events have their limitations the facts that there is no travel time and you can do from home are bonuses. These Wednesday evening sessions look like being worth trying - if you are a carer would they fit into your routine?

We know as a carer it can be hard to find time for yourself. It is difficult to commit to taking some time out when your caring role is ever changing and demanding.

If you do get a chance to take an hour just for you, please feel free to join our weekly relaxation classes from the comfort of your own home, via Zoom. These are very informal sessions and you can come along to as many or as few as you would like. You can always amend your booking if something crops up at the last minute.

For more information and to book a session: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wrGyQ3kOQXWnjtwtHcMoqQ

18/07/2025

Regardless where you are outdoors remember your sunscreen!

If your packing your bag for the Open, don’t forget the sunscreen – those UV rays don’t take a day off. Stay protected and enjoy every swing! ⛳🌥️

Click the link below to find out more.
www.careinthesun.org



Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

18/07/2025

Do you know of anyone who would benefit from being introduced to Armagh Men's shed?