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HEALTH&HABITAT

October/November 2012 www.esb.ie/em

Health Services
Flu Vaccination Programme

ESB HEALTH SERVICES IS TEAMING WITH BOO TS PHARMACY TO PROVIDE THE WINTER FLU VACCINATION TO ALL STAFF AGAIN THIS YEAR.

LAST YEAR, STAFF could request a voucher from ESB Health Services and then present it at a Boots pharmacy in order to receive the flu vaccine.

This year, each member of staff will receive a letter in the internal post that will invite them to avail of the service by presenting the letter at their nearest Boots Pharmacy.

This service is free of charge to active, VSS and retired staff.

VSS and retired staff can avail of this service by contacting ESB Health Services at esbhealthservices@esb.ie or by calling a designated phone line 017026261.

If a staff member wishes to receive a voucher for their spouse/civil partner they can request one through ESB Health Services and €25 will be deducted from the staff member’s salary.

This service is available until the end of January 2013

Where it is not possible for a staff member to attend a Boots Pharmacy, they may be considered for a GP refund of €25. Spouses/civil partners are not eligible for this refund.

How do I avail of this service?

Once you receive your letter in the internal post, you can present same at your nearest Boots Pharmacy along with a photographic ID, preferably your staff ID, and it will be accepted for payment.

Staff have access to this service by either making an appointment or by a ‘walk in’ service. Boots will strive to accommodate all ‘walk in’ attendees, however it may be best to arrange an appointment to avoid disappointment. Each appointment will last about 10 minutes. Spouses/civil partners must have some form of ID and know their ESB partner’s staff number.

To meet the HSE’s requirements, you will also need to bring your PPS number.

Where can I find a Boots store?

There are 66 Boots pharmacies in Ireland offering a vaccination service and most of these have extensive opening hours. You should be able to find a time and location that suits you. You will receive the list of pharmacies with your invite letter.

You can also see the list by logging onto: http://esbnet/shared-services/health/health_promotion/flu_immunisation.shtm

What is Flu?

Influenza, or the Flu, is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Influenza affects people of all ages. Outbreaks of influenza occur almost every year, usually in winter and hence it is also known as seasonal flu. Whilst most people recover within a week flu can cause serious illness and death, especially in the very young and in the elderly and in those suffering with certain chronic medical conditions.

How can flu be prevented?

Flu can be prevented by influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination is an effective way to help prevent influenza infection, avoid hospitalisation on to, overall, reduce influenza-related deaths and illnesses.

Do I need flu vaccination every year?

Yes, the World Health Organisation monitors the strains of influenza circulating every year. Annual vaccination with the most recent strains is recommended. The 2012-2013 flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season.

Will the Influenza vaccination give me the flu?

No, influenza vaccine will not give you the flu – it can’t, as there is no live flu virus in the vaccine.

Who should not be vaccinated?

The vaccine should not be given to persons with known severe allergic reaction to eggs or to some people who have had previous reactions to vaccinations. It should also be postponed in individuals who are suffering from a high a temperature.

Stay flu free this winter and get vaccinated early.

For further information on the seasonal Flu visit: http://esbnet/sharedservices/health/medical_cond/influenza.shtm

Womens’ Aid MAKING WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE

EAP NOTICEBOARD

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a serious crime. One-in-five women in Ireland will experience violence and abuse from a husband, boyfriend or partner at some stage in her life. The sad reality is that domestic violence can happen to any woman.

Help is available, however. For nearly 40 years, Women’s Aid has been there for women and children affected by domestic violence. We continue to work with women so that they and their children can have a different life, one free of abuse and fear.

The Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline (1800 341 900) operates from 10am to 10pm, every day of the year (except Christmas day), and provides free, confidential support and information to women experiencing abuse from intimate partners anywhere in the Republic of Ireland.

In 2011, the helpline responded to 11,169 calls from women, family, friends and professionals seeking support for experiences of domestic violence.

The Women’s Aid Helpline has an interpretation service allowing women to access support and information in the language of their choice.

The helpline aims to empower women to identify what is happening for them within their relationship and support them to stay safe and keep their children safe. Support workers will not judge a woman or tell her what to do. The helpline aims to at all times ensure that the responsibility for the abuse is placed firmly with the perpetrator of the abuse and not with the woman.

The helpline also acts as a referral to our Dublin-based support services and court accompaniment, local domestic violence refuges and support services, legal aid and other agencies.

Save the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline number, 1800 341 900, in your mobile contacts, should you or someone you know ever need it.

Website: www.womensaid.ie

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/womensaid.ie Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@womens_aid

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a confidential service provided to ESB Staff and Pensioners.

For further information on this or any related matter contact your local EAP Officer.

In the next edition we will look at a support and information service for male victims of domestic abuse.

Boost your body with beetroot

MIRIAM MCDONALD

NATURAL HEALTH

Winter weather sees a move to warm soups, stews and casseroles, as we crave more nourishment and warmth in the cold, damp weather, and root vegetables form an integral part of this diet. They contain protein and natural sugars providing energy to the body, just in the same way thatroots store the energy necessary for plants to grow.

One root vegetable that has enormous benefits is beetroot. Perhaps under-used in this country, it is definitely one you should consider including in your winter meals.

Beetroot is high in natural sugars, but is almost fat free and very low in calories. It is high in vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Vitamin C, zinc and betacyanin, a constituent of beetroot, are powerful antioxidants, which support the immune system. Folic acid is essential for normal tissue growth, iron for good health and potassium and magnesium are essential for good heart and muscle function.

Beetroot’s colour tells you a lot about what it is good for. A recent study found drinking beetroot juice significantly reduced blood pressure (and therefore the risk of strokes). Its high iron content also helps tackle anemia and fatigue.

In addition to helping reduce blood pressure, beetroot is also useful in helping lower cholesterol. Its high fibre content means it can assist in the elimination of excess cholesterol from the body and its antioxidants help reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol, protecting artery walls. It is also an excellent detoxifier and liver strengthener.

Beetroot contains nitrates. These are generally to be avoided in preserved foods, however, the form in which they occur in beetroot is highly beneficial. Studies have shown that these nitrates assist in improving blood flow throughout the body and in the brain. It is thought that this may help in forms of dementia where there is poor blood flow to the brain.

Beetroot’s natural sugars and detoxification abilities assist in maintaining blood sugar levels in the body. For sportspeople its energy content and blood flow abilities help increase sports endurance – something to consider for long winter walks or runs.

Finally, beetroot may also help in treating lung cancer. A recent laboratory study found that betanin, contained in the vegetable, significantly inhibits lung tumors. Its role in the prevention of lung cancer is currently being explored.

So for one little vegetable, beetroot can pack a punch. Include it in your diet this winter and reap the benefits.

Miriam McDonald is a Nutritional Consultant & Practitioner (CANNP). She can be contacted at miriam.mcdonald@freshperceptions.com