NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Pressure mounts on the NHS as Covid rates rise

The number of people in Kent and Medway hospitals with Covid-19 is now double what it was at the peak of the first wave in the spring.

This is the hardest period we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who is working very hard to manage these challenging circumstances.

The NHS is always busy at this time of year but the latest wave of Covid is putting all of our services under immense pressure.

We need everyone in Kent and Medway to do their bit and use NHS services wisely as pressure on hospitals, ambulance service and 111 mounts.

Please play your part in stopping the spread of Covid-19 by staying at home as much as possible including for New Year, social distancing, wearing masks and washing your hands. If you need urgent medical help please use the online 111 service or call 111. 

Covid-19 vaccination update

It is great news that a second Covid-19 vaccine was approved yesterday for use in the UK. This will help us vaccinate more people and beat the pandemic.

The NHS in Kent and Medway is committed to providing vaccination services across all areas and new sites are being opened as quickly as possible. We now have 23 GP led services which have started vaccinations, and 12 more are going through final planning to start in the first half of January.

We understand many people want to know when they will be offered the vaccine. Please be patient. People will be contacted directly when the vaccine is available in their area for the priority group they are in. The CCG cannot answer individual queries about when people will be offered the vaccine, but we do have a Covid-19 vaccine page on our website

New guidance issued on 30th December means the NHS will now focus on providing a first dose of the vaccine to as many people as possible and will offer the second dose at a later date, up to 12 weeks after the first dose. If you, or a relative, have already had an appointment confirmed for a second dose please assume it is going ahead unless you are directly contacted about a change.

Two Kent GP teams were among the first to start vaccinating in care homes. Find out more here

Read the full bulletin at >> http://bit.ly/38LS6DS

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

To a brighter 2021

Upchurch Matters

Urgent Letter from Holywell School Headteacher, Mr Callaghan

Tracey Snellings

School Business Manager 
Holywell Primary School
Tel: 01634 388416
Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk 
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

KCC - Symptom-free Testing Open to the Public in Swale and Thanet

Rapid-result coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for people who don’t have symptoms is now available to anyone who lives or works in Swale and Thanet.

The testing will find people who don’t currently have symptoms, who may be unknowingly spreading the virus in the community.

Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark said:

“We have opened up the booking system for our symptom-free testing sites to allow anyone who lives or works in the two districts to get a test. It’s important that as many people without symptoms come forward and book themselves regular tests so we can find people who may be unknowingly transmitting the virus either at home or at work.

“Remember, up to 1 in 3 people may have COVID-19 without any symptoms at all and with this new strain that is more transmissible, we need to identify those people and encourage them to isolate so we break the chain of transmission.

“My message to everyone across Kent is please keep following the tier 4 restrictions and limit your social interactions. It’s important to self-isolate, not only after receiving a positive test result but also while you wait for the results.”

Symptom-free testing sites will be rolled out across the county from Monday 4th January to help try to reduce the rates of COVID-19.

To book a test in Swale and Thanet use this link: kcc.healthit.org.uk

Symptom-free testing sites are being set up using funding from central government to support local councils in tier 4 to help reduce rates of COVID-19.

These sites are in addition to the regional and local testing sites for people who have symptoms. If you have symptoms you should NOT attend one of our symptom-free testing sites but instead book a PCR test: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Kent County Council

New Year's Opening Hours at Upchurch’s Co-op

Upchurch Matters

Margaret Boakes 1930 - 2020

Margaret and Cyril enjoying their trip to Bruges.

Sadly, Margaret Boakes of Chaffes Lane, Upchurch passed away swiftly and unexpectedly in the early hours of Christmas Day.

Margaret leaves Cyril, her husband of 72 years, daughter Linda and son Colin each of whom have given them two grandchildren.

Born Margaret Stringer in Ivy Street, Rainham on 9th December 1930, she moved to Chaffes Lane after her marriage to Cyril, where they have lived ever since.

Margaret was well known to many for the greengrocer’s stall she ran through the sixties, seventies, and eighties from their market garden home in Chaffes Lane. 

Thank you

Colin Boakes