Sister Donna Wood from Ward 4A at CRH explains why she was first in the queue to have her flu vaccination this year.

"About five years ago when I was pregnant I didn't have the vaccination, scared it might have an effect on my baby. And then I just stopped having it in the years that followed.

"But last year I got the flu which developed into pleurisy. It was just awful. I ended up having three weeks off work over Christmas, needing to use inhalers and steroids. The year before I'd kicked myself for not having it as I had a bad chest infection, so couldn't believe I'd been so poorly two years on the trot!

"Anyway - I didn't even wait for the flu trolley to come around this year, I rang Occupational Health and asked them to come to me!" 

If you're pregant the flu jab will protect both you and your baby.There is good evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. Find out more here.

Next week's drop-ins will be combined with some good old fashioned charity fund raising as the Occupational Health team will also have a bake sale, with donations going to Children in Need. 

Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing, Christine Bouckley said "Both our flu campaign and the Children in Need appeal carry the “Be a Hero” motto – which is quite neat!

Next week's drop-ins:

To request a visit from the Flu Trolley please contact the Occupational Health team via email: occupational.healthCHT@cht.nhs.uk