HUNDREDS of patients from Upwell Health Centre were given flu vaccinations on Saturday at a health fair in the village hall. The vaccinations were just part of the fourth annual fair organised by the centre s patient participation group. Group secretary B

HUNDREDS of patients from Upwell Health Centre were given flu vaccinations on Saturday at a health fair in the village hall.

The vaccinations were just part of the fourth annual fair organised by the centre's patient participation group.

Group secretary Barbara Terry said preparations for the event started in June and 16 different organisations had stands.

Advice and information was available from a wide variety of organisations who deal with health related issues. They included Age Concern, Asthma Relief, Osteoporosis, Pat Dogs, Talking Newspaper, Norfolk Fire Service, British Diabetic Society, Independent Age and MAGPAS.

The event began at 10am and by 2pm, 665 people had been given flu vaccinations and a further 57 had been vaccinated against pneumonia.

Mrs Terry said: "We aim it at the slightly older generation because these are the people who tend to have the flu vaccinations but we do get others in. Some people are beginning to see it as a social occasion because we serve tea and coffee, and that is a good thing."

The participation group is proving a success with both patients and doctors at the health centre. Mrs Terry said: "A lot of people have found they can say things to us that they would not say direct to their doctor. We are like an independent mediator if people have a gripe. Sometimes people just want to make suggestions which we then pass on to the doctors.

"We have also found it a good way of feeding out information from the doctors in parish magazines."

The group is currently looking for another representative from the Emneth, Elm and Friday Bridge area. It has a monthly evening meeting and welcomes representatives of varying ages.

- Anyone interested in being a group representative should contact Mrs Terry on 01945 773805.