The Bridge Medical Centre

06/12/2023

We like a bit of good news !!

Working with Adolescents in Zimbabwe…

See Beyond Stigma for additional detail

04/10/2023

Dear All,

We are fundraising again for the Atlantic Humanitarian Relief October '23 Mission to Syrian Refugees in Jordan - see www.atlantichumanitarianrelief.org for more detail.

There are still c 800,000 children, women and men incarcerated in Camps, mainly in Northern Jordan. There are 4 Kildare Volunteers (including Brendan O' Shea and Corinna Hopkins) joining an international group of c 80 volunteers in total, doing an intense week of Family Medicine, Dental and Surgical Care in the camps, and in some of the surrounding hospitals.

Volunteers self fund their own travel and accommodation, and the funding is for the purchase of medical and dental supplies, and Operating Theatre Time for Surgical and Dental procedures.

We are running a concert in St Brigid's Cathedral in Kildare (Friday October 13th at 7.30 for 8.00 pm, which will include a very pleasant and engaging program of Choral, Chamber Music and Organ Music, all easy listening, including Organist Arthur Green, formerly Organ Scholar at Trinity College Dublin and now at Christchurch Cathedral.

There will also be a raffle (fabulous prizes !), and two very brief talks on the circumstances faced by Syrian refugee families, and on the Mission and how it works.

The AHR Mission runs twice yearly, in October and May...

The evening is particularly suitable for families (esp Transition Year Students), and the Cathedral is a wonderful venue for it.

Details for both Ticket purchase for the concert, or to just Donate directly are on Eventbrite - see flier attached to this email.

02/10/2023

The Bridge Medical Centre are now holding Flu vaccine and Covid Booster Clinics.
Please phone the surgery at 045 432999 to arrange an appointment.

Please note:
A minimum of six months should have elapsed since the most recent COVID19 booster vaccine or COVID19 infection prior to receiving another Booster.

11/01/2023

The Bridge Medical Centre are now holding Covid 19 Booster Vaccine Clinics for 18- 49 year olds. A minimum of six months should have elapsed since the most recent COVID19 booster vaccine or COVID19 infection prior to receiving a 2nd Booster.

Please phone the surgery at 045 432999 to arrange an appointment.

27/12/2022

New Year Resolutions....

People frequently come into the Clinic looking for 'a full check up.'

It's a very open ended idea - what can it usefully include ?

The things that are especially useful are....

1. Your exercise habit. 4-5 X (30 to 40) minute sesions of sufficient intensity to double your resting pulse, of anything that achieves this - walk/jogging, a gym work out, badminton, home gym, the swimming pool, cycling - ideally a mix of 2-3 of these is good. If you have no exercise habit, take a look at Dr Mike Evans fabulous You Tube Video '23 and a half hours' to get yourself off the couch !

2. Your Weight. Calculate your BMI using the www.safefood BMI calculator, and get into the habit of accurately checking your weight - weekly until you achieve your BMI of

16/09/2022

Dear All,

Just a final round up (and opportunity to donate) for the October ‘22 AHR (www.Atlantichumanitarianrelief.org) Mission to Syrian Refugee Camps in Northern Jordan.

Three of us volunteering on this will be doing a final brief talk as a lunchtime Zoom, with Q’s and As regarding final preparations for the Mission, which is running from Amman in Jordan in the first week in October.

You can click the link below and donate by purchasing a ticket /making a donation by secure credit card payment for any amount you wish.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/medical-mission-for-syrian-refugees-in-jordan-atlantic-humanitarian-relief-tickets-372185395537

The online event runs from 1-2 pm on Monday next (19/9/22).

Many thanks to all who have already generously donated, and we are going out with close to e14,000 plus donated medical and humanitarian supplies from Kildare.

Corinna Hopkins
Dorly O’Sullivan
Brendan O’Shea

Medical Mission For Syrian Refugees in Jordan - Atlantic Humanitarian Relief Presentation

28/08/2022

New Medical Treatment for Overweight / Obesity available at The Bridge Medical Centre.

Are you bothered by your weight ?

It's a real issue for over three quarters of all adults, and gets worse year by year.

We are excited to have commenced some people on long acting Liraglutide (Saxenda), which is a new, easy to use and highly effective medication.

It appears to achieve weight loss of c 10-15% per year for most people who use it.

It may be of relevance to you or yours if BMI is over 30, and particularly if you have any of the common conditions such as Diabetes, Hypertension (Blood Pressure), established Heart Disease, Depression or COPD, which are all known to frequently co exist with Overweight / Obesity.

Check out your BMI using the calculator on the wonderful Safe Food website (see below), just measure your height and weight.

Unfortunately, this medication is not yet covered by either the Medical Card or Long Term Drug Refund Scheme

(GET ONTO YOUR TD / County Counsellor !!)

It is expensive at present. Pharmacy costs are in the order of e 290 per month for standard dose. It also requires some long term monitoring at the Practice, which is an additional cost.

But in key respects, it is comparable in efficacy to Bariatric Surgery.

Both Trial Data and our own initial results are highly encouraging !!

If you're interested, call or email the practice, and explain you have an interest in Liraglutide / Saxenda.

23/06/2022

There are still over 1 million displaced Syrian Refugees in camps in Northern Jordan. Many have been in camps for over 5 years, including children and young people, with subsistence living and very limited access to healthcare and schooling.

We are beginning to prepare to join in another Mission with www.atlantichumanitarianrelief.org, in September 2022.

Volunteers self fund their own travel, time and accomodation. But we need funds for in country transport, medical supplies, access to surgical facilities and logistical support.

In Kildare, we're planning a Concert in the gorgeous St Brigid's Cathedral at 7.30 pm on Sat July 23rd. Keep the date for your diary and watch this space.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/medical-mission-for-syria-music-for-medicine-a-midsummer-concert-tickets-372178274237?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

You will also be able to donate directly on this link.

The Mission will include a multidisciplinary team of Nurses, Dentists, Doctors, Pharmacists, and Logistical support, operating out of Amman in Jordan, visiting several of the camps and delivering medical clinical, dentistry and surgeries at local hospitals.

10/05/2022

Be on the lookout at Centra and SuperValu for this wonderful idea - a very creative and lovely means to support People from Ukraine suffering as a result of the invasion of their country.

Contribute a few givers to a great cause, enjoy sowing some sunflowers and brighten up your garden, get the kinds involved or just do it yourself for some fun….

21/02/2022

Wondering how long to keep your child home from school when they’re unwell? Check out this handy guide to common bugs and viruses https://t.co/HQ7Q9lIBea.

29/12/2021

The Bridge Medical Centre are holding a Covid 19 Booster Vaccine Clinic tomorrow Thursday 30.12.2021. Please phone the surgery at 045 432999 to arrange an appointment.

20/12/2021

The Bridge Medical Centre are holding a Covid 19 Booster Vaccine Clinic Thursday 23.12.2021. Please click on the link below to book your appointment:

COVID 19 BOOSTER VACCINE CLINIC-BE SAFE GET VACCINATED!FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR FIRST 2 COVID VACCINES AND ARE AT LEAST 3 MONTHS AFTER THEIR SECOND VACCINE OR 6 MONTHS AFTER COVID INFECTIONPLEASE WEAR SHORT SLEEVES ON THE DAY AS THE VACCINE IS IN THE UPPER ARM/SHOULDERPLEASE DO NOT

15/11/2021

Seasonal colds, flu and Tummy Bugs are at very high levels just now, as is also Covid19.

Follow guidance on HSE website, and particularly www.underthe weather.ie as far as possible.

If you have any of these viral illnesses, isolate yourself. Be quick to have either a Rapid Antigen or PCR Covid 19 test.

Antibiotics and cough bottles have little to offer in terms of resolving these more quickly.

Most viral illness resolve in due course.

06/09/2021

A great way for patients to get active this September 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️:
Kildare Sports Partnership has launched STEPtember Walking Month which is an initiative to get Kildare walking through a simple challenge which involves completing 6 out of 15 stages of either the Grand Canal, Barrow Line or Royal Canal to receive a Kildare Sports Partnership Snood.

Walks can be completed during September on days and times that work for you!

More information available here: Kildare Sports Partnership - Launch STEPtember - County Kildare LEADER Partnership (countykildarelp.ie)

01/09/2021

Covid-19 cases are continuing to rise and are expected to continue to rise over the coming weeks. The five-day moving average case numbers currently stand at 1,918.

We advise these easy and simple ways to protect yourself in the community and to prevent the spread of COVID-19:



- Maintain a safe distance from others, even if they don’t appear to be sick.

- Wear a mask in public, especially indoors or when physical distancing is not possible.

- Choose open, well-ventilated spaces over closed ones. Open a window if indoors.

- Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.

- And get vaccinated. Vaccinations now available from 12+

Get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Follow local guidance about vaccination.



If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, call your GP surgery and isolate from other household members.

This protects you, and prevents the spread of viruses and other infections.

If you feel good from being vaccinated, closely consider a quick donation to www.unicef.ie through their GetOneGiveOne Campaign. Ireland has already given c 1 million Vaccine Doses to vulnerable children and healthcare workers globally - be part of this great work ! Very quick, secure and easy payment using CC or Paypal.

For more information on Covid-19, please visit the World Health Organisation website: Advice for the public (who.int) or the HSE: COVID-19 (coronavirus) -

UNICEF works across 190 countries and territories. We do what ever it takes to help children survive, thrive and reach their full potential.

25/08/2021

Using K Doc for out of Hours Emergencies

The correct number to contact K Doc for Out of Hours Emergencies is 045 848701 - keep this number handy !

K Doc should really only be used for out of hours emergencies, and it is not best used for ongoing issues.

If you feel you may need medical advice for a problem, it is always better to contact the Bridge Medical Centre, and a brief chat with a Nurse or Doctor, who has your complete medical history to hand, is usually better and easier than using the K Doc Service.

K Doc should only usually be used for something that you feel can't wait until the practice opens.

For more information on the K doc: https://kdoc.ie/.

The HSE website has a list of common illnesses with remedies to reduce symptoms https://www2.hse.ie/under-the-weather/.

Welcome to KDOC Phone: 045 848 701 We Provide Out of Hours, Urgent Medical Care AppointmentsKDOC operates an appointment only service for urgent medical needs. You can attend KDOC if your GP is an active member of KDOC. Participating GP’s are listed here. Before contacting KDOC, please have the fo...

23/08/2021

**How to reduce your blood pressure**



Raised blood pressure is really important to watch out for



· It's a leading cause of premature death and disability if left undiagnosed and untreated.

· But it's easy to diagnose and treat effectively.

· One third of people over 50 have it, and it runs in families.



If you haven't had a BP check within 3 years, get it done now.

Be aware that alcohol, added salt & salt in processed foods all drive up blood pressure - so consider reducing these and increase your daily movement. Exercise reduces BP – so get moving!



Check your BP, and if raised, book in for a 24 Hr BP Monitor

If you have raised Blood Pressure (Hypertension), set up a plan to have it treated

and stick to the plan - it involves twice yearly BP check, routine bloodwork & Flu Vaccine





Click here to book an appointment if you haven’t had your BP checked in the last 3 years: https://thebridgemedicalcentre.com/pages/contact-us/.



Read up more about it on www.patient.co.uk

20/08/2021

Heads Up Kildare will be launching its next six week programme in Newbridge and the surrounding areas in September 2021. Heads Up supports men over 18 with their mental health and overall well-being. If you’re interested in signing up for this FREE programme or would like to know more about it contact Niamh or Deidre below deirdre@countykildarelp.ie / Lorna@countykildarelp.ie or 085 1068305

18/08/2021

Check out some of our Irish Sign Language (ISL) COVID-19 vaccine video resources for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

For factual information you can trust about your COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://bit.ly/2UskV5a

16/08/2021

🚨📢Important notice for all patients between the ages of 12-15 years old, who are registered at The Bridge Medical Centre📢🚨.

If you have not yet received the Covid vaccine and would like to have the vaccine, please phone the surgery on 045 432999 to arrange an appointment.
Thank you for your co operation

The Bridge Medical Centre

11/08/2021

Important notice for all patients over 15 years old, who are registered at The Bridge Medical Centre.
If you have not yet received the Covid vaccine and would like to have the vaccine, please phone the surgery on 045 432999 to arrange an appointment.
Thank you for your co operation
The Bridge Medical Centre

29/06/2021

15/06/2021

Do you feel like doing something really good today ?

Have you or are you about to be vaccinated against Covid 19 ?

If so, spread the goodness.

Support people in Low and Middle Income Countries by making a donation through UNICEF's Get a Vaccine Give a Vaccine Campaign - see link below.

The target is to fund 2 billion vaccine doses, and the Campaign Champion is UNICEFs Goodwill Ambassador Liam Leeson

Read about the campaign here.

(https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/7142272/liam-neeson-irish-help-covid-jabs-poorest-people-unicef/)

In Ireland, as an affluent society, we have done well with Covid 19. Make a difference for citizen's of Low and Middle Income Countries by donating today !!

Especially if you have had a free vaccine at The Bridge Medical Centre (or anywhere else !) we're asking for your support with this !

Donate now - here !

https://www.unicef.ie/donate/get-a-vaccine-give-a-vaccine/ #1

MOVIE icon Liam Neeson is calling on Irish people to help get vaccines to the world’s poorest people. As Ireland’s vaccination programme continues, with people in their 40s now being given the jab,…

24/05/2021

Information & Support Programme for Carers of a Person with Dementia.

24/05/2021

Worried about Overweight ?

Great feature in todays Independent (24.5.21 by Regina Lavelle)

Our weight loss journey: 'My husband & I had bariatric surgery — he lost stones in weeks, it took me months'

Great example of Patient Power by Deirdre, Alan & great People
, and great journalism by Regina Lavelle at The Independent.

Are you. or anyone in your household, overweight ? The sooner you are clear on this, the better you can begin to address it.

If your BMI is greater than 30 and rising, consider having a discussion about it with any of our Practice Team. Check your BMI by working out your height in centimetres and weight in kilograms, and go to a good online BMI Calculator - see www.Safefood.ie.

For children it's a little more complex, but not much, and again there's a good paediatric calculator on Safefood Website, and a lot more besides in terms of improving your eating habits, but as an individual and as a household, and one that might be on a tight budget !

https://independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/our-weight-loss-journey-my-husband-and-i-had-bariatric-surgery-he-lost-stones-in-weeks-but-it-took-me-months-40456012.html

17/05/2021

Its Monday !

Another new week....

If you're interested in Global Health, or could become interested in it, take a listen to Global Health Talks on Podcast at The Irish Global Health Network (IGHN) (http://globalhealth.ie).

No matter what field you work in, and especially if you're not working at all (!), or if you are a student, you can develop an interest in Global Health. In the first two podcasts of this series from IGHN, we hear from Brendan O' Shea and Robbie Lawlor about how they got involved......

https://soundcloud.com/irish-globalhealthnetwork/ep-1-dr-brendan-oshea

The Irish Global Health Network

04/05/2021

COVID VACCINATION REGISTRATION UPDATE:

Registration opens today for those ages 50 to 59 year olds, starting with people aged 59.
For more information, visit the HSE website: https://vaccine.hse.ie

03/04/2021

On confirming arrival of next batch of Pfizer Bionta at 11.30 am this Friday (2.4.21) morning (...always on the look out for delivery false alarms !), we will have called in and administered 282 Doses of Pfizer Bionta between now and 8 pm Easter Saturday.

All our Senior and Vulnerable Patients being brilliant, and great BMC Teamwork in evidence - thanks so much everyone !

Vaccine administration is likely to really ramp up over the next two months, and the level of ICU Admissions and death rates should fall very significantly.

This Easter weekend - best advice is to stay close to home and try to closely follow all NPHET advice. Doing this plus vaccinations are the best way to have a Summer to look forward to, for everyone !

Use that stretch in the evenings to stretch the legs, take another look at the garden.

www.Safefood.ie have a great pack for Kids (beware - it might get a bit messy in the kitchen !).

05/03/2021

Important notice for all patients over 70 years old, who are registered at The Bridge Medical Centre.

If you have not yet received an appointment from the surgery, and would like to have the Covid Vaccine, please phone the surgery from 9am tomorrow morning 06.03.2021 on 045 432999.

Thank you for your co operation

The Bridge Medical Centre

25/01/2021

Free Information programme for Carers of a Person with Dementia

31/12/2020

Due to increased numbers in Covid 19 Referrals there may be delays in appointments for testing.
Thank you for your patience
The BMC

09/12/2020

Heads Up Kildare will be launching its next six week programme in Maynooth in January 2021. Heads Up supports men over 18 with their mental health and overall well-being. If you’re interested in signing up for this FREE programme or would like to know more about it contact Niamh or Lorna below
Niamh@countykildarelp.ie / Lorna@countykildarelp.ie or 085 284 5871/ 085 8421347

30/11/2020

The Irish Heart Foundation in partnership with the Government of Ireland is asking people to know the signs of stroke and to act F.A.S.T.

The F.A.S.T campaign was launched with a video showing the signs of stroke and what you should do in an emergency. Please take a minute to watch the video in the link below, so you know how to act F.A.S.T.

By encouraging others to act F.A.S.T. - by calling 112 or 999 - you are saving lives and giving people a chance at recovery.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2UcsUwhOopJVBfyvyTeP8f-3uoGBI0hxmbDKeovX9oxA_3o50fUQhz4T0&v=WckB15sJ9r4

20/11/2020

Gentle reminder of the free children's flu vaccine at the Bridge Medical Centre tomorrow between 9am and 1pm!

Book your appt here - https://tinyurl.com/y6x73rsh.

Nasal Vaccine - no needles!

Free childrens nasal flu vaccine clinic for chidren aged 2-12(inclusive)No needles!Be Safe, Get vaccinated.

19/11/2020

Newbridge Primary Care Psychology Parents Advice Drop- in Clinic
Are you a parent/ guardian with questions related to your child’s well-being?
The Newbridge Primary Care Psychology service provides a twice monthly advice clinic to parents or guardians who wish to seek advice from a Psychologist, regarding any aspect of their child’s development, behaviour, or well-being. The clinic runs on the 1st and the 3rd Wednesday of each month between 10am and 12pm. Please contact the Primacy Care Centre to avail of the service on 045 920 900
More information on the Kildare and West Wicklow Primary Care Psychology Service is available here: https://www.hse.ie/.../primary-care-psychology-service....

17/11/2020

Free Children's flu vaccine at the Bridge Medical Centre this Saturday between 9am and 1pm!

Book your appt online here - https://tinyurl.com/y6x73rsh.

Children aged between 2 and 12 (inclusive). Nasal Vaccine - no needles!

Free childrens nasal flu vaccine clinic for chidren aged 2-12(inclusive)No needles!Be Safe, Get vaccinated.

17/11/2020

Six Week Online Anxiety Management Course

2020 has been a year full of huge changes for everyone and has led to an increase in concern and anxiety. The HSE are running an online anxiety management course to assist people in dealing with stress and anxiety and provide different approaches to successfully manage their anxiety.
☎️ Call 01 7955295 for more information or to book your place.

10/11/2020

Newbridge Primary Care Psychology Parents Advice Drop- in Clinic

Are you a parent/ guardian with questions related to your child’s well-being?
The Newbridge Primary Care Psychology service provides a twice monthly advice clinic to parents or guardians who wish to seek advice from a Psychologist, regarding any aspect of their child’s development, behaviour, or well-being. The clinic runs on the 1st and the 3rd Wednesday of each month between 10am and 12pm. Please contact the Primacy Care Centre to avail of the service on 045 920 900
More information on the Kildare and West Wicklow Primary Care Psychology Service is available here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/lho/kildare-west-wicklow/primary-care-psychology-service/primary-care-psychology-service-kww-leaflet1.pdf.