Flu season typically starts in the fall and peaks in winter. Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu virus circulating. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October for best protection.

Our flu clinics will begin on 4th October 2025. We have started sending out text message invitations for patients to book directly into these clinics.

Remember that you need the vaccine every year, please don’t assume you are protected because you had one last year. Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition, the effects of flu can make it worse even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well.

Patients come to us, asking us to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.

1. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.
2. Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours.
3. Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and increased aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.
4. According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (BNF) Benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in treating phobia. Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.
5. Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
6. Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines. We have listed a number of these below.

easyJet Fearless Flyer Online Course - Overcome Flight Anxiety

Flying with confidence | Information | British Airways

Time for Young People, Leeds, offers evidence-based therapeutic services for a range of common mental health difficulties, including mild to moderate anxiety and depression. These include weekly wellbeing drop ins, one-to-one structured support, group work, wellbeing resources and information, awareness raising and education, and support for professionals working with young people.

Drop-in sessions are designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where young people can come without an appointment. During these sessions, trained staff members will be available to meet with individuals one-on-one. This personalised approach allows young people to openly discuss their mental health challenges, share their experiences, and receive tailored support and guidance.

Accessing Our Services – The Time for Young People Service Wellbeing Hub is based at 21 Wharf Street, Leeds LS2 7EQ with drop-in provision, group-based work, and one-to-one sessions available. The service also has community-based wellbeing drop-ins, currently situated within Harehills, Pudsey, and Seacroft.

• Monday: 2pm till 7pm - Leeds City Centre - Wharf Street
• Tuesday: 2pm till 7pm - Leeds City Centre - Wharf Street
• Wednesday: 3pm till 7pm - Seacroft - Kentmere Community Centre
• Thursday: 4pm till 7pm - Harehills - Catch Centre
• Friday: 4pm till 7pm - Pudsey - Wellbeing Centre
• Saturday: 10am till 2pm - Leeds City Centre - Wharf Street

These sessions do not require appointments or referrals - young people are free to visit during our opening hours. For children under 13, consent from a parent or carer is required.