We are happy to announce we have a new GP joining our team here in Balbriggan Medical Centre in Early October called Dr Foster. Dr Foster has finished his GP registrar training in Northern Ireland and has a wide range of clinical skills particularly in the areas of Paediatrics and ENT. He has also completed a post graduate diploma in Mental Health.

The Minister of Health has announced that from September 2019 the HPV vaccination will be available for boys as well as girls in first year of secondary school.

HPV is the human papilloma virus. In girls the HPV virus can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, anus and head and neck. In boys HPV can cause cancer of the throat, penis, head and neck and anus.

HPV vaccination is also a cause of genital warts in boys and girls. All vaccines given by the HSE are licensed by the  HPRA and the EMA. These agencies have strict procedures for licensing and monitoring vaccines to make sure they are safe and effective. The World Health Organisation states that the vaccine is extremely safe. Unfortunately there are no plans for a catch up vaccination schedule for boys in second year or above. If you wish to have your son vaccinated  or have any questions please come and chat to us. There have been concerns expressed about the safety of the vaccine in recent years. We have reviewed the data and believe it to be safe. We encourage all our parents to have their children vaccinated.

Cryotherapy is a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells that require removal while preserving the surrounding skin from injury. Freezing may last from five to 20 seconds, depending on the size of the lesion. Veruccas, Skin Tags, Molluscum Contagiosum are among the skin conditions that can be treated with Cryotherapy. There are several other condidtions that can be effectively treated. Please enquire from your GP or Practice Nurse.