NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

New Covid-19 measures

Covid-19 case numbers are rising rapidly and new national guidance is in place to protect the NHS and save lives.

From Thursday 5th November until Wednesday 2nd December, you must:

• Stay at home, except for specific purposes.

• Avoid meeting people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.

• Close certain businesses and venues.

These new measures will reduce the growth rate of the virus, which will:

• Prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.

• Ensure schools, colleges and universities can stay open.

• Ensure that as many people as possible can continue to work.

You can find out more about the measures online

This bulletin provides advice and support for people and communities in Kent and Medway to stay well and connected throughout this period and beyond.

The NHS is open and here for you

If you have a health condition or symptom that is worrying, please contact your GP or call 111. Both surgeries and hospitals have adapted to make it safe for both Covid and non-Covid patients to be seen.

The NHS has restarted services that were delayed by the first wave and have been making good progress. Across Kent and Medway, 140,000 outpatient appointments, nearly 12,000 day case treatments and over 48,000 scans and other diagnostics took place in September.

If you already have a GP or hospital appointment booked, please attend unless you hear otherwise.

Looking after your mental health

Many more people are suffering from anxiety and low mood as a result of the pandemic and impact it and the lockdown restrictions have on our lives.

Feeling lonely or sadder than normal is natural at this time and it’s important we look after ourselves.

Information is available at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeing for people experiencing a range of mental health and wellbeing issues.

There is also a specific web page to help families with children or young people who might be experiencing difficulties at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeingfamilies

Both web pages offer advice and signposting to other sites which can help in range of situations.

As part of the Release the Pressure campaign, a text service is also available to people who are struggling to cope and need immediate help. By texting the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258, you will start a conversation with one of the many trained and experienced volunteers who can give help at any time, wherever you are.

Texts are free on all major mobile networks and the service is provided by SHOUT and the Crisis Text Line.

The service is running in addition to the current 24/7 freephone helpline.

Information on specific mental health services is also available on our website

Kent Together

A 24 hour helpline has been set up by Kent County Council to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.

The helpline is called Kent Together, and is available for anyone in the county who is in urgent need of help during the Covid-19 outbreak, or if you have any concerns about the wellbeing of another person.

If you are vulnerable and need urgent support, you can contact the Kent Together helpline at www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether or by calling on 03000 41 92 92.

 Don't forget your flu jab

The flu vaccination is the best protection for you and those around you which is why it is offered for free for those most at risk.

Vaccinations started in September and continue over the winter months, with appointments available throughout the season, so there is still plenty of time to book. Priority is given to those who are most at risk of flu. People aged over 65, those with a long-term health condition, children from two to 11, carers and pregnant women are among those eligible for the free flu vaccine. More details on eligibility are online

GP practices and pharmacies receive phased deliveries of the vaccine and flu clinics are scheduled to coincide with these deliveries. By staggering appointments over the winter months, we can help protect as many people as possible from flu.

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Revised Remembrance Sunday Plans at St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch

The Remembrance Sunday Service on 8th November has been cancelled due to the new Covid-19 restrictions.

The church will also be closed to access for private prayer between 10:30am and 11:15am the same day to enable the following:

As allowed within the restrictions arrangements have been made for an Act of Remembrance to be undertaken as part of an outdoor service.

Regretfully this cannot be a public service open to all and is therefore limited to seven invitees only.

The invitees are the Vicar, a member of the Royal British Legion plus wreath layers representing the Church, the Mayor, Upchurch Parish Council, the Scouts and the Guides.

On Remembrance Day, Wednesday 11th November between 10:45am and 11:15am the Revd Simeon Nevell will lead an Act of Remembrance in the middle burial ground.

During this Act wooden poppy crosses will be laid on the War Graves Commission graves of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Last Post will be sounded prior to the 2 minutes silence.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

Swale Borough Council Takes Action to Support Local People

Councillor Roger Truelove.

With new national restrictions in place, Swale Borough Council is taking action to help support local people and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The council will be working with partners to monitor compliance with the new restrictions and has the power to issue fines of up to £10,000 to businesses who are breaking the rules.

People who are clinically extremely vulnerable are being advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend essential health appointments. If people don’t already have a priority supermarket delivery slot, the council can help set one up, or work with them to find alternatives.

The Government is providing funding for business grants of up to £3,000 a month to support firms who are forced to close by the new restrictions, which the council will be running. The council is also overseeing a £3 million fund to provide further support for local businesses affected by the pandemic.

Councillor Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“No-one wanted to be in this position, but we are, and now we must do all we can to get through this.

“We will continue to do all we can to help people and I am confident that if everyone works together and follows the rules, we will.

“But everyone needs to make sure they are doing all they can to stop the spread of this virus.

“The Government has indicated that these new restrictions will be followed by a return to the local alert level system.

“Before the national measures were announced, there was the real risk that the borough could have been put into a higher level, as cases were rising.

“So, if we want to keep people safe, and avoid further harm to the local economy, we simply must get the number of cases under control.

“That way, when the restrictions end, we will be able to return to less restrictions, and crucially, less risk of the virus causing further harm to local people and businesses.” 

To find out more about how the council is working during the coronavirus pandemic visit: www.swale.gov.uk/coronavirus

Swale Borough Council

Restrictions to Visiting Medway Maritime Hospital

As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced a national lockdown from midnight on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, we have had to take the difficult decision to suspend visiting at the hospital with immediate effect, until further notice.

This includes visiting patients on the ward and attending with a relative who may be attending a routine appointment in main or speciality outpatients, including maternity.

Anyone attending for an appointment must do so alone unless they require a carer.

The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor or companion - an immediate family member or carer - will be permitted to visit/attend are listed below.

• The patient is receiving end-of-life care.

• Patients with learning disabilities.
• Patients with delirium.
• A woman in labour (who may have one birthing partner).
• A parent or appropriate adult visiting a child.

These circumstances should be discussed with the nurse or midwife in charge.

We know how worrying it can be for people unable to visit family and friends in hospital during these worrying times. Family members can keep in touch with their loved one by sending an Email with family updates, photos or drawings to: medwayft.patientexperience@nhs.net which will be passed onto the patient (please include the patient’s name and ward), and of course by calling the ward.

We fully appreciate that this is a difficult situation but we must put all the measures in place to protect our patients, staff and community and stop the spread of the virus.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

New Adult Gym Equipment on The Recreation Ground

Upchurch Parish Council has installed six pieces of adult gym equipment on the Recreation Ground, funded by Section 106 money from the Victoria Court housing development at Kent Terrace.

However, the Parish Council cannot guarantee that using the equipment will not further the spread of Coronavirus at the moment because it will not be sanitised after each use.

When using the gym equipment, please use the following guidelines to keep you and your loved ones safe:

1. Follow current social distancing guidelines when visiting and encourage others to do the same.

2. If the exercise equipment is busy, consider coming back later.

3. Wash your hands before and after visiting. Take hand sanitiser with you and use it frequently.

4. Follow and adhere to all current government advice in addition to the above guidelines.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Upchurch Matters

Customer Notice: Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626