CHECK UP

FLU Awareness Week begins today and the groups advised to get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia before the winter sets in include diabetics, people with chronic heart, lung, liver and kidney disease and the elderly. It takes 14 days for the vaccination to take effect so those at risk are advised to get their vaccination sooner rather than later.

"MOTHER and Child 2000 - Returning Birth to Women" is the title of a conference this Friday evening and Saturday (all day) in the University Industry Centre, University College Dublin at Belfield. The stated aim of the conference, which is organised by the Women's Education Research and Resource Centre at UCD, is to "inform and mobilise women to examine current obstetric thinking on risk in childbirth". Childbirth professionals and the general public are welcome to attend. Registration fee is £16 (£8 concessions). Tel: 01 7068571 for more details.

THE Irish Multiple Births Association is holding its inaugural conference next Saturday in the Doyle Tara Hotel, Merrion Road, Dublin 4. Speakers include Dr Elizabeth Bryan, founder of the UK Multiple Births Foundation, and Dr Theresa O'Dempsey, Dublin based paediatrician and mother of triplets. Tel: 01 8451087 for more details.

THE mental health self help group, Recovery, is hosting an open day in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin next Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The aim of the day is to inform people about the "Recovery Method" of controlling mental health problems such as phobias, anxiety attacks and depression. There are 33 self help groups in this country. Tel: 01 4535633 for more details.

NATIONAL Eye Week runs from today until Saturday with free career vision screening for students in opticians throughout the country. These eye tests will include an eyesight check, colour vision screening and muscle balance as well as information on the level of vision required for different professions.

THE voluntary childcare organisation, Barnardos, is currently looking for fundraising volunteers to help support work with vulnerable families through its family support services in Dublin, Limerick and Edenderry, Co Offaly. If you would like to partake in fundraising activities or join a local supporters' group, contact Maura on 1850 222 300.

FORMER Olympic swimmer and commentator Dr Gary O'Toole, now working at St Vincent's Hospital, will introduce an information meeting on "Action Against Men's Cancers". The event is organised by the Greystones Cancer Support group and will be held in the La Touche Hotel, Greystones, this Wednesday, at 8 p.m.