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Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Flu Vaccination

NHS Western Isles is strongly urging everyone eligible, to take up the free flu vaccination This year, for the first time, this includes social care workers, those living in the same house as people who have been shielding from COVID-19, and 55-64 year olds

Also those aged 65 and over, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children aged between two and five years, primary school children and health care workers are eligible.

The vaccination programme has already started for health and social care workers in the Western Isles. From the beginning of October, NHS will be offering vaccination appointments to most other eligible groups. People aged 55-64 years will be invited for their free flu vaccine in December.

Letters will be issued shortly by NHS Western Isles inviting you to make an appointment for your flu vaccination. Contact details to make your appointment will be included in your letter. In line with the new GP contract and primary care reform, vaccinations will now be carried out by community nurses rather than by practice nurses. NHS will be offering appointments at a range of community locations near to your own home, as well as in local GP surgeries, to make things easier and more convenient for our local communities.

There will be strict infection prevention and control measures in place to ensure flu immunisation is done in the safest way possible.

Primary school pupils throughout the islands will be offered the flu vaccination administered by the local school nursing team, during October and November. Most of these school children will receive the vaccine in the form of a nasal spray, avoiding the need for an injection. Consent forms have been sent home in school bags for all primary pupils, with parents and carers urged to return the form with consent to ensure their child is protected against flu this winter.

Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Tuesday 22nd September 2020

ALLAN REACTS TO SEAGREEN AWARD

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has reacted to news that the contract to fabricate jackets and suction caissons for the first phase of SSE's Seagreen offshore wind farm has gone to a company in China.
It had been hoped that some of the work could have gone to BiFab – operators of the Arnish fabrication yard in the Isle of Lewis.
Alasdair Allan MSP commented:
“Seagreen 1 is expected to be one of the one of the largest offshore wind farms in the UK. We have yards in Lewis and Fife, which have a proven track record in delivering high-quality manufacturing. Instead of this work being done in Scotland, SSE have awarded it to a company 6,000 miles away at the other side of the Eurasian landmass.
“This is another missed opportunity deliver work to yards like Arnish. There is a pressing need for the UK Government to reform the Contract for Difference funding scheme which subsidises these renewable developments to ensure these projects actually deliver benefits to the local supply chain in Scotland.”

Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Tuesday 22nd September 2020

Children's Programmes on Isles FM

Wee have some amazing programmes for our little listeners here on Isles FM!
On Wednesday's at 4pm you can join Glenn for The Little Show full of stories, songs and fun.
Friday's at 4pm get ready to sail of with Captain Bobo and his Crew
And for our little Gaels Monday's at 4pm is a chance to hear Captain Bobo in Gaelic.

Read more: Children's Programmes on Isles FM

Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Monday 21st September 2020

WESTERN ISLES COVID-19 TEST RESULTS

NHS Western Isles have confirmed that an individual in the Western Isles received a ‘false positive’ test result last week.

Essentially, an individual received positive results from a mainland laboratory, which was re-tested through the NHS Western Isles laboratory and was confirmed negative.

The mainland laboratory system was designed to provide rapid results for a large number of screening tests. Where a result is a ‘weak positive’ in someone without risk factors for exposure to COVID-19, a confirmatory test is recommended.

The confirmatory test that is used by NHS Western Isles in the local laboratory is considered to be the ‘gold standard’ in testing for Covid-19 and is used as the system to ‘retest’ as necessary. Where this test is negative, the mainland laboratory test is regarded as a ‘false positive’.

This is the third ‘false positive’ test result reported for the Western Isles, where confirmatory tests have shown that COVID-19 was not detected. NHS Western Isles said they wish to reassure local communities that public health risk assess each result and all such tests are thoroughly investigated.

Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Monday 21st September 2020

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