Blood tests are currently suspended
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.
If you're under 16 and want contraception, this is a confidential service and we will not inform your parents (or carer) as long as we believe you fully understand the information you're given, and your decisions.
*Only available to under 25's. Conditions apply. Please contact us for further information.
We provide the Discharge Medicines Service. The service has been established to help you understand your medicines and any changes when you leave hospital and to reduce incidences of avoidable harm caused by medicines.
No appointments needed, easily accessible location and just a quick consultation, we ensure a hassle free service to all our patients. Simply walk in and ask to speak to our friendly and professional pharmacist about the morning after pill.
Our pharmacist will need to see the person that the emergency contraception is intended for, and will need to ask a few questions regarding the patients’ medical history. This is done in the privacy of our consultation room and everything discussed is in complete confidence. The sooner you come to our pharmacy to take the morning after pill, the greater the chances of avoiding pregnancy.
If the Pharmacist feels like Levonelle One Step is not suitable for you, they will not give you the morning after pill, but advise you to see your health care professional.
We are one of the few pharmacies that are able to provide the morning after pill free of charge to patients who are aged 24 and under, and who meet the NHS criteria. Alternatively, the pill can be purchased privately from our pharmacy.
About Emergency Contraception (Levonelle One Step) -
When it comes to sex, even if you’ve taken precautions, sometimes things don’t quite go to plan. Accidents happen with contraception and things go wrong all the time. You may even just be worried that your contraceptive pill hasn’t worked. If you’ve had unprotected sex or you’re worried about contraception failure, here is some of the information you need to know about Levonelle One Step -
- Levonelle One Step is an emergency contraceptive that can be used within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed.
- There is one white tablet in the pack and it is most effective when taken within the first 12 hours
- The tablet contains a hormone called Levonorgestrel.
- Levonelle One Step is thought to work by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg or by preventing sperm from fertilising any egg that may have already been released
- If you are over 16 you can get Levonelle One Step over the counter at our Pharmacy
- If you are under 16 you cannot buy Levonelle One Step at the Pharmacy, you need to visit your GP or a Walk-In centre
- Levonelle One Step works to prevent a pregnancy becoming established, it does not work if you are already pregnant
- You should only use Levonelle One Step in emergencies, not as a regular form of contraception
Please note, there are other emergency contraceptive options available through your doctor or at a Walk-In centre.
If you do have any questions or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection in the UK.
HPV is transmitted by intimate contact, including sexual intercourse and unfortunately condoms do not prevent HPV infection. Most people who have HPV are unaware they have it.
There are over 100 strains of HPV and around 40 of them affect the genital region. Some strains cause genital warts and others increase the risk of cancer including cervical, vaginal and penile cancers.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35 years of age and account forr 2% of cancers in all women. HPV leads to changes in the cells of the cervix causing cancerous changes to occur.
HPV infection is found in over 99% of cervical cancer and over 70% are due to HPV types 16 and 18.
HPV can also lead to warts in the genital and anal region, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for over 90% of genital and anal warts.
Vaccination against HPV is a highly effective way to reduce these risks
HPV Vaccine
For more information and to make an appointment please go to: https://lifestylepharmacyservices.as.me/non-travel-initial
Our Pharmacist and trained counter assistants are available for advice and information on all medicines and minor ailments, in private if required. We can help you get the best treatment for common ailments and give you expert advice on best use of over-the-counter medicines. We can also give advice on how to live a healthy life, such as eating a healthy diet and maintaining healthy alcohol consumption.
Measles / Mumps / Rubella Vaccination
The vaccine is effective at preventing all three illnesses and can be given from 12 months of age. It is particularly important to check if you are vaccinated against MMR before travelling as infection is prevalent in Asia, Africa and South America.
Because the illness is easily transmitted through air, MMR immunity is also necessary for certain jobs.
The vaccine costs £50 per dose and is a two-dose course. Contact 01225 465576 to book or for more info. Alternatively, you can book online using our live booking system: BOOK NOW
Measles a highly infectious viral illness, which spreads rapidly from person to person. It is one of the leading causes of death among young children, the majority occurring in developing countries where immunisation is patchy (WHO 2013).
The Illness
The initial symptoms are similar to the common cold with runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes and fever. This is followed by a rash, which spreads throughout the body.
Complications of measles tend to occur in children under 5 years or adults over 20 years and include encephalitis (infection of the brain) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for measles.
Mumps is a viral infection mainly of childhood and affects the salivary glands.
The Illness
Symptoms appear 2 to 3 weeks after infection and include headache, fever, muscle ache and swelling of the salivary glands.
It tends to be mild in children, but in adults, can lead to complications such as meningitis, deafness and orchitis (infection of the testicles).
Treatment
There is no specific treatment available for mumps.
Rubella is an acute viral illness that is spread easily from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It is mainly an infection of children and is generally mild in this group. However, rubella in pregnancy is a severe and potentially fatal illness for the unborn baby.
Symptoms include rash and fever and usually occur 2 to 3 weeks after exposure.
In adults, it can also cause painful joints and arthritis,
Every year many hundreds of travellers from the UK catch malaria and in tens of cases it is fatal. Symptoms can start rapidly. The correct anti-malarial medication is essential. We offer a Private Malaria Prevention Service. After a confidential assessment by a trained Pharmacist, the correct anti-malarial medication is supplied and appropriate advice given to the patient.
Meningitis is passed from person to person who are in close contact via nasal or throat droplets, for example by coughing, sneezing or kissing. The meningitis ACWY vaccination protects you against infection from the A, C, W and Y types of bacteria.
How it is given: The meningitis ACWY vaccination is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against four different types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease: A, C, W and Y.
How
long does it last? A booster dose is recommended after five years for those travellers who are at risk of the disease again. For Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, evidence of vaccination is required every five years for a visa application.
Side
effects: The ACWY vaccine can cause mild side effects, such as redness and swelling at the injection site and tiredness. Some people also report having a high temperature as a result of the injection.
You can have a free NHS flu Jab at our pharmacy:
• If you are 65 years of age or over
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a carer
If you have certain medical conditions including:
• Asthma
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Neurological Disease
PLEASE NOTE: Service resumes in September 2024
New Medicines Service
If you’ve been prescribed a new item for a heart problem, diabetes or a respiratory condition, such as asthma or COPD, we can can help you get off to a good start. Let a member of our pharmacy team know and we’ll arrange a quick and convenient follow-up to see how you’re getting on.
How can I delay my period?
There's no guaranteed way to delay your period, but it may be possible if you take the combined contraceptive pill. If you take a combined contraceptive pill, you can delay your period by taking 2 packets back-to-back.
How you do this will depend on which pill you take. Examples are:
Taking your contraceptive pills in the ways described above will not affect how they work as contraceptives. If you're not sure which pill you're on or which pills in the packet to miss out, speak to our pharmacist, community contraception clinic or GP.
Avoid taking more than 2 packs without a break, unless your GP says you can.
There's a risk you could experience side effects, such as:
Progestogen-only contraceptive pill
If you're taking a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, you cannot delay your period by taking 2 packets back-to-back. You may be able to switch to the combined contraceptive pill or take another medication to delay your period. If you're not sure which type of pill you're taking, speak to our pharmacist.
If you do not take a contraceptive pill
See your GP for advice if you want to delay your period and you're not taking the combined contraceptive pill.
After consultation our pharmacists are able to prescribe medication called norethisterone to delay your period, you will be advised you when to take norethisterone and for how long. You'll usually be prescribed 3 norethisterone tablets a day, starting 3 to 4 days before you expect your period to begin. Your period should arrive 2 to 3 days after you stop taking the medication. Please note, Norethisterone does not act as a contraceptive when used in this way, so you could still get pregnant. You'll need to use another type of contraceptive, such as a condom. Norethisterone may not be suitable if you have a history of blood clots.
How well it works in delaying periods also varies between women. Some women taking norethisterone have reported side effects, such as:
Switching to, or starting, the combined contraceptive pill
If you currently use another type of contraception, switching to the combined contraceptive pill will allow you to delay your period. You may also be able to start taking the combined pill if you do not already use contraception. You may need to start taking this pill several weeks before the time when you want to delay your period, and it's not suitable for everyone. If you're switching to or starting the combined contraceptive pill, you might need to use additional contraception during the first few days of taking it.
Ask our pharmacist for more information and advice.
We recommend you consider getting a flu jab If you don't qualify for an NHS vaccination but are:
This service is due to recommence in September 2025
We provide the pneumonia vaccine which protects you against pneumonia which is an infection that can cause serious illness and in some cases even death. It is more prevalent in colder months during Autumn and Winter and affects around 1 in 100 adults in the UK each year. Although associated with older and vulnerable people about 1 in 4 cases occur in adults under 65.
Pneumonia affects the lungs and can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing.
Vaccination helps your immune system and provides long-lasting protection against pneumococcal pneumonia. We can administer the vaccine any time of year and it can help reduce your risk if you are travelling to a county which has a higher level of pneumococcal infections such as China or India.
We can give you a pneumonia vaccination at the same time as other vaccinations, such as the flu jab.
People aged 65 and over are also eligible for a free NHS pneumonia vaccination.
Contact us for more information.
Lifestyle Pharmacy now offers a private Shingles Vaccination Service to patients aged 50 or over, using Herpes Zoster vaccine.
If you've already had Chicken Pox, the virus responsible can lay dormant in the spinal fluid and can be re-activated when your immune system comes under challenge, such as a period of ill health or stress. The vaccine stimulates the immune system to reduce your risk of first-time shingles by 90%.
The complications of Shingles can include severe nerve pain that potentially lasts for several weeks. Vaccination is an effective way to reduce the risk of both Shingles, and the post-herpetic complications such as nerve pain.
The Service is provided on-site in our private consultation room in the centre of Bath. We use an inactivated vaccine, which requires two doses, separated by a minimum period of 2 months. Each dose is £230.
Call 01225 432230 for more information or to book an appointment click here
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats we have ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. According to the NHS, in the UK alone, smoking kills over 80,000 people every year and a further 500,000 people are admitted into hospital as a direct result of smoking.
Smoking has been linked to countless conditions from depression, infertility and asthma, to the more serious conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. It’s really not surprising that this is the case when you consider how many harmful substances there are in a cigarette. They have thousands of different chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic (cancer causing), and examples of others being acetone (used as nail polish remover), lead and cadmium (a highly toxic metal.)
The truth of the matter is, we all know how bad smoking is for our health, and a majority of smokers will say that they want to quit but giving up can be hard. Especially without the right help and support. That’s where our friendly and professional staff come in!
There is now more support than ever before, not just in the form of information, but also products designed to reduce cravings and to fight off any of the horrible withdrawal symptoms. One of the developments has been the introduction of Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT.) There are a variety of NRT products available:
Smoking is addictive because of the nicotine in cigarettes. That is why it is hard to quit. By starting one or even a combination of the above therapies, they will give a smoker a dose of nicotine in their blood. This reduces the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings, whilst they break away from the psychological habit of smoking.
Our staff can advise you on the best way to kick your smoking habit. By coming in to our store our trained pharmacist will provide you with a free consultation, asking you questions such as how many cigarettes you smoke in a day and what triggers the need for a cigarette etc. By determining your ‘level of nicotine addiction’ the pharmacist will then be able to offer their advice on what they think would work best for you.
The pharmacist may even offer advice in other forms, for example, letting you know about any local support groups, advising you to take up a hobby or even suggesting a routine to start you off.
The benefit of having this support is that we are there 7 days a week whenever you need help, or even just a friendly professional to speak with. It is a proven fact that if you receive support while trying to stop smoking your chance for success is greatly increased.
In conjunction with CityDoc, we are now able to provide a comprehensive travel clinic customised to your individual needs. The service includes:
To make an appointment, contact Lifestyle Pharmacy on 01225 465576 or visit here
A pre-travel risk assessment provides a good opportunity to discuss travel-associated risk management with your pharmacist.
You'll need to contact us to arrange this, ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. If your trip is sooner, contact us anyway as we may still be able to help and could provide vital health information.
During the assessment, we will:
Altitude Sickness - the mildest form being acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.
Cholera – Common in Africa, Central America and Asia, cholera is an infection spread by bacteria in contaminated food and water.
Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis and Tetanus - This diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccine may also be recommended if you're travelling to an area of the world where there is a high risk of contracting these diseases, or poor access to medical care, and you haven't had a booster in the last ten years.
Hepatitis A – Contaminated faecal matter spreads hepatitis A, a disease often caught via infected food and water and common across in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.
Hepatitis B – Unprotected sex is usually responsible for hepatitis A infection, along with sharing needles, visiting dirty tattoo parlours, unhygienic barbers shops and nail salons. It’s common in both undeveloped and developed countries.
Japanese Encephalitis – Spread by mosquitoes, there’s no cure for this disease found across South East Asia, Japan, and tropical regions of Australia. There are also occasional epidemics in China and India.
Malaria – A highly dangerous disease spread by infected mosquitoes, malaria is common in the equatorial tropics and subtropics.
Meningitis; ACWY Vaccination for Hajj or Umrah – A bacterial infection, this disease tends to be commonest in sub-Saharan Africa. But it’s also sometimes found where it’s crowded and where there’s imperfect hygiene, for example universities and army camps.
Rabies – Infected animal and human bites and scratches spread this awful disease, which is particularly common in Thailand, Brazil and India.
Tick-borne Encephalitis – A tick-borne virus found in eastern, northern and central Europe as well as eastern Russia, east Asia, China and Japan.
Typhoid – Bacteria are responsible for this infection and it’s found throughout the world, a risk wherever sanitation and hygiene are poor.
We are here to help you make good choices. If you are struggling losing weight, please ask the pharmacist to help you beat the bulge.
The term obese describes a person who is very overweight. There are two ways of checking your weight status. Firstly, Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of whether you’re a healthy weight for your height. A BMI of > 25 means you are over-weight.
Another measure of excess fat is your waist circumference. Generally, men with a waist circumference of 94cm or more and women with a waist circumference of 80 cm or more are more likely to develop obesity related health problems. These include
Type 2 diabetes, Coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, such as breast cancer and bowel cancer and stroke. If you are worried about diabetes we can give you a diabetic test.
Obesity can also affect your quality of life and lead to psychological problems such as depression and low self-esteem. Please let us help you before your weight gets out of control.
You can have a free NHS flu Jab at our pharmacy:
• If you are 65 years of age or over
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a carer
If you have certain medical conditions including:
• Asthma
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Neurological Disease
Service resumes 3rd October 2024. If you are NHS eligible, please book here.
Blood tests are currently suspended
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.
If you're under 16 and want contraception, this is a confidential service and we will not inform your parents (or carer) as long as we believe you fully understand the information you're given, and your decisions.
*Only available to under 25's. Conditions apply. Please contact us for further information.
We provide the Discharge Medicines Service. The service has been established to help you understand your medicines and any changes when you leave hospital and to reduce incidences of avoidable harm caused by medicines.
No appointments needed, easily accessible location and just a quick consultation, we ensure a hassle free service to all our patients. Simply walk in and ask to speak to our friendly and professional pharmacist about the morning after pill.
Our pharmacist will need to see the person that the emergency contraception is intended for, and will need to ask a few questions regarding the patients’ medical history. This is done in the privacy of our consultation room and everything discussed is in complete confidence. The sooner you come to our pharmacy to take the morning after pill, the greater the chances of avoiding pregnancy.
If the Pharmacist feels like Levonelle One Step is not suitable for you, they will not give you the morning after pill, but advise you to see your health care professional.
We are one of the few pharmacies that are able to provide the morning after pill free of charge to patients who are aged 24 and under, and who meet the NHS criteria. Alternatively, the pill can be purchased privately from our pharmacy.
About Emergency Contraception (Levonelle One Step) -
When it comes to sex, even if you’ve taken precautions, sometimes things don’t quite go to plan. Accidents happen with contraception and things go wrong all the time. You may even just be worried that your contraceptive pill hasn’t worked. If you’ve had unprotected sex or you’re worried about contraception failure, here is some of the information you need to know about Levonelle One Step -
- Levonelle One Step is an emergency contraceptive that can be used within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed.
- There is one white tablet in the pack and it is most effective when taken within the first 12 hours
- The tablet contains a hormone called Levonorgestrel.
- Levonelle One Step is thought to work by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg or by preventing sperm from fertilising any egg that may have already been released
- If you are over 16 you can get Levonelle One Step over the counter at our Pharmacy
- If you are under 16 you cannot buy Levonelle One Step at the Pharmacy, you need to visit your GP or a Walk-In centre
- Levonelle One Step works to prevent a pregnancy becoming established, it does not work if you are already pregnant
- You should only use Levonelle One Step in emergencies, not as a regular form of contraception
Please note, there are other emergency contraceptive options available through your doctor or at a Walk-In centre.
If you do have any questions or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection in the UK.
HPV is transmitted by intimate contact, including sexual intercourse and unfortunately condoms do not prevent HPV infection. Most people who have HPV are unaware they have it.
There are over 100 strains of HPV and around 40 of them affect the genital region. Some strains cause genital warts and others increase the risk of cancer including cervical, vaginal and penile cancers.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35 years of age and account forr 2% of cancers in all women. HPV leads to changes in the cells of the cervix causing cancerous changes to occur.
HPV infection is found in over 99% of cervical cancer and over 70% are due to HPV types 16 and 18.
HPV can also lead to warts in the genital and anal region, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for over 90% of genital and anal warts.
Vaccination against HPV is a highly effective way to reduce these risks
HPV Vaccine
For more information and to make an appointment please go to: https://lifestylepharmacyservices.as.me/non-travel-initial
Our Pharmacist and trained counter assistants are available for advice and information on all medicines and minor ailments, in private if required. We can help you get the best treatment for common ailments and give you expert advice on best use of over-the-counter medicines. We can also give advice on how to live a healthy life, such as eating a healthy diet and maintaining healthy alcohol consumption.
Measles / Mumps / Rubella Vaccination
The vaccine is effective at preventing all three illnesses and can be given from 12 months of age. It is particularly important to check if you are vaccinated against MMR before travelling as infection is prevalent in Asia, Africa and South America.
Because the illness is easily transmitted through air, MMR immunity is also necessary for certain jobs.
The vaccine costs £50 per dose and is a two-dose course. Contact 01225 465576 to book or for more info. Alternatively, you can book online using our live booking system: BOOK NOW
Measles a highly infectious viral illness, which spreads rapidly from person to person. It is one of the leading causes of death among young children, the majority occurring in developing countries where immunisation is patchy (WHO 2013).
The Illness
The initial symptoms are similar to the common cold with runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes and fever. This is followed by a rash, which spreads throughout the body.
Complications of measles tend to occur in children under 5 years or adults over 20 years and include encephalitis (infection of the brain) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for measles.
Mumps is a viral infection mainly of childhood and affects the salivary glands.
The Illness
Symptoms appear 2 to 3 weeks after infection and include headache, fever, muscle ache and swelling of the salivary glands.
It tends to be mild in children, but in adults, can lead to complications such as meningitis, deafness and orchitis (infection of the testicles).
Treatment
There is no specific treatment available for mumps.
Rubella is an acute viral illness that is spread easily from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It is mainly an infection of children and is generally mild in this group. However, rubella in pregnancy is a severe and potentially fatal illness for the unborn baby.
Symptoms include rash and fever and usually occur 2 to 3 weeks after exposure.
In adults, it can also cause painful joints and arthritis,
Every year many hundreds of travellers from the UK catch malaria and in tens of cases it is fatal. Symptoms can start rapidly. The correct anti-malarial medication is essential. We offer a Private Malaria Prevention Service. After a confidential assessment by a trained Pharmacist, the correct anti-malarial medication is supplied and appropriate advice given to the patient.
Meningitis is passed from person to person who are in close contact via nasal or throat droplets, for example by coughing, sneezing or kissing. The meningitis ACWY vaccination protects you against infection from the A, C, W and Y types of bacteria.
How it is given: The meningitis ACWY vaccination is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against four different types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease: A, C, W and Y.
How
long does it last? A booster dose is recommended after five years for those travellers who are at risk of the disease again. For Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, evidence of vaccination is required every five years for a visa application.
Side
effects: The ACWY vaccine can cause mild side effects, such as redness and swelling at the injection site and tiredness. Some people also report having a high temperature as a result of the injection.
You can have a free NHS flu Jab at our pharmacy:
• If you are 65 years of age or over
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a carer
If you have certain medical conditions including:
• Asthma
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Neurological Disease
PLEASE NOTE: Service resumes in September 2024
New Medicines Service
If you’ve been prescribed a new item for a heart problem, diabetes or a respiratory condition, such as asthma or COPD, we can can help you get off to a good start. Let a member of our pharmacy team know and we’ll arrange a quick and convenient follow-up to see how you’re getting on.
How can I delay my period?
There's no guaranteed way to delay your period, but it may be possible if you take the combined contraceptive pill. If you take a combined contraceptive pill, you can delay your period by taking 2 packets back-to-back.
How you do this will depend on which pill you take. Examples are:
Taking your contraceptive pills in the ways described above will not affect how they work as contraceptives. If you're not sure which pill you're on or which pills in the packet to miss out, speak to our pharmacist, community contraception clinic or GP.
Avoid taking more than 2 packs without a break, unless your GP says you can.
There's a risk you could experience side effects, such as:
Progestogen-only contraceptive pill
If you're taking a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, you cannot delay your period by taking 2 packets back-to-back. You may be able to switch to the combined contraceptive pill or take another medication to delay your period. If you're not sure which type of pill you're taking, speak to our pharmacist.
If you do not take a contraceptive pill
See your GP for advice if you want to delay your period and you're not taking the combined contraceptive pill.
After consultation our pharmacists are able to prescribe medication called norethisterone to delay your period, you will be advised you when to take norethisterone and for how long. You'll usually be prescribed 3 norethisterone tablets a day, starting 3 to 4 days before you expect your period to begin. Your period should arrive 2 to 3 days after you stop taking the medication. Please note, Norethisterone does not act as a contraceptive when used in this way, so you could still get pregnant. You'll need to use another type of contraceptive, such as a condom. Norethisterone may not be suitable if you have a history of blood clots.
How well it works in delaying periods also varies between women. Some women taking norethisterone have reported side effects, such as:
Switching to, or starting, the combined contraceptive pill
If you currently use another type of contraception, switching to the combined contraceptive pill will allow you to delay your period. You may also be able to start taking the combined pill if you do not already use contraception. You may need to start taking this pill several weeks before the time when you want to delay your period, and it's not suitable for everyone. If you're switching to or starting the combined contraceptive pill, you might need to use additional contraception during the first few days of taking it.
Ask our pharmacist for more information and advice.
We recommend you consider getting a flu jab If you don't qualify for an NHS vaccination but are:
This service is due to recommence in September 2025
We provide the pneumonia vaccine which protects you against pneumonia which is an infection that can cause serious illness and in some cases even death. It is more prevalent in colder months during Autumn and Winter and affects around 1 in 100 adults in the UK each year. Although associated with older and vulnerable people about 1 in 4 cases occur in adults under 65.
Pneumonia affects the lungs and can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing.
Vaccination helps your immune system and provides long-lasting protection against pneumococcal pneumonia. We can administer the vaccine any time of year and it can help reduce your risk if you are travelling to a county which has a higher level of pneumococcal infections such as China or India.
We can give you a pneumonia vaccination at the same time as other vaccinations, such as the flu jab.
People aged 65 and over are also eligible for a free NHS pneumonia vaccination.
Contact us for more information.
Lifestyle Pharmacy now offers a private Shingles Vaccination Service to patients aged 50 or over, using Herpes Zoster vaccine.
If you've already had Chicken Pox, the virus responsible can lay dormant in the spinal fluid and can be re-activated when your immune system comes under challenge, such as a period of ill health or stress. The vaccine stimulates the immune system to reduce your risk of first-time shingles by 90%.
The complications of Shingles can include severe nerve pain that potentially lasts for several weeks. Vaccination is an effective way to reduce the risk of both Shingles, and the post-herpetic complications such as nerve pain.
The Service is provided on-site in our private consultation room in the centre of Bath. We use an inactivated vaccine, which requires two doses, separated by a minimum period of 2 months. Each dose is £230.
Call 01225 432230 for more information or to book an appointment click here
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats we have ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. According to the NHS, in the UK alone, smoking kills over 80,000 people every year and a further 500,000 people are admitted into hospital as a direct result of smoking.
Smoking has been linked to countless conditions from depression, infertility and asthma, to the more serious conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. It’s really not surprising that this is the case when you consider how many harmful substances there are in a cigarette. They have thousands of different chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic (cancer causing), and examples of others being acetone (used as nail polish remover), lead and cadmium (a highly toxic metal.)
The truth of the matter is, we all know how bad smoking is for our health, and a majority of smokers will say that they want to quit but giving up can be hard. Especially without the right help and support. That’s where our friendly and professional staff come in!
There is now more support than ever before, not just in the form of information, but also products designed to reduce cravings and to fight off any of the horrible withdrawal symptoms. One of the developments has been the introduction of Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT.) There are a variety of NRT products available:
Smoking is addictive because of the nicotine in cigarettes. That is why it is hard to quit. By starting one or even a combination of the above therapies, they will give a smoker a dose of nicotine in their blood. This reduces the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings, whilst they break away from the psychological habit of smoking.
Our staff can advise you on the best way to kick your smoking habit. By coming in to our store our trained pharmacist will provide you with a free consultation, asking you questions such as how many cigarettes you smoke in a day and what triggers the need for a cigarette etc. By determining your ‘level of nicotine addiction’ the pharmacist will then be able to offer their advice on what they think would work best for you.
The pharmacist may even offer advice in other forms, for example, letting you know about any local support groups, advising you to take up a hobby or even suggesting a routine to start you off.
The benefit of having this support is that we are there 7 days a week whenever you need help, or even just a friendly professional to speak with. It is a proven fact that if you receive support while trying to stop smoking your chance for success is greatly increased.
In conjunction with CityDoc, we are now able to provide a comprehensive travel clinic customised to your individual needs. The service includes:
To make an appointment, contact Lifestyle Pharmacy on 01225 465576 or visit here
A pre-travel risk assessment provides a good opportunity to discuss travel-associated risk management with your pharmacist.
You'll need to contact us to arrange this, ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. If your trip is sooner, contact us anyway as we may still be able to help and could provide vital health information.
During the assessment, we will:
Altitude Sickness - the mildest form being acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.
Cholera – Common in Africa, Central America and Asia, cholera is an infection spread by bacteria in contaminated food and water.
Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis and Tetanus - This diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccine may also be recommended if you're travelling to an area of the world where there is a high risk of contracting these diseases, or poor access to medical care, and you haven't had a booster in the last ten years.
Hepatitis A – Contaminated faecal matter spreads hepatitis A, a disease often caught via infected food and water and common across in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.
Hepatitis B – Unprotected sex is usually responsible for hepatitis A infection, along with sharing needles, visiting dirty tattoo parlours, unhygienic barbers shops and nail salons. It’s common in both undeveloped and developed countries.
Japanese Encephalitis – Spread by mosquitoes, there’s no cure for this disease found across South East Asia, Japan, and tropical regions of Australia. There are also occasional epidemics in China and India.
Malaria – A highly dangerous disease spread by infected mosquitoes, malaria is common in the equatorial tropics and subtropics.
Meningitis; ACWY Vaccination for Hajj or Umrah – A bacterial infection, this disease tends to be commonest in sub-Saharan Africa. But it’s also sometimes found where it’s crowded and where there’s imperfect hygiene, for example universities and army camps.
Rabies – Infected animal and human bites and scratches spread this awful disease, which is particularly common in Thailand, Brazil and India.
Tick-borne Encephalitis – A tick-borne virus found in eastern, northern and central Europe as well as eastern Russia, east Asia, China and Japan.
Typhoid – Bacteria are responsible for this infection and it’s found throughout the world, a risk wherever sanitation and hygiene are poor.
We are here to help you make good choices. If you are struggling losing weight, please ask the pharmacist to help you beat the bulge.
The term obese describes a person who is very overweight. There are two ways of checking your weight status. Firstly, Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of whether you’re a healthy weight for your height. A BMI of > 25 means you are over-weight.
Another measure of excess fat is your waist circumference. Generally, men with a waist circumference of 94cm or more and women with a waist circumference of 80 cm or more are more likely to develop obesity related health problems. These include
Type 2 diabetes, Coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, such as breast cancer and bowel cancer and stroke. If you are worried about diabetes we can give you a diabetic test.
Obesity can also affect your quality of life and lead to psychological problems such as depression and low self-esteem. Please let us help you before your weight gets out of control.
You can have a free NHS flu Jab at our pharmacy:
• If you are 65 years of age or over
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a carer
If you have certain medical conditions including:
• Asthma
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Neurological Disease
Service resumes 3rd October 2024. If you are NHS eligible, please book here.