Covid-19 Research: Convalescent Plasma Programme for England

Help the NHS in their search for Coronavirus treatments

We need people who've had Coronavirus (Covid-19) to donate blood plasma to potentially help others

The NHS Blood and Transplant service are leading an urgent programme on behalf of the Government to enable a planned UK trial that could produce a vital treatment to save more lives.  

This requires plasma donations from patients who have had Covid-19 and are now recovering. 

If you know of anyone who has had Covid, recovered, and would like to take part in the programme, please share this with them.

Donating plasma could save lives

Check whether you meet the basic criteria and then register your interest in donating plasma at the link below which provides further information: www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/covid-19-research/plasma-donors/who-can-donate-plasma

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Over half a million first vaccine doses given

Over 600,000 people in Kent and Medway have now had their first jab.

The national booking service is available to everyone aged 55 and over. It allows you to book from a range of 4 large vaccine centres and 10 pharmacies across Kent and Medway. The centres all use the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Book online or call 119.

We are also appealing to those frontline social care staff who have not yet had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to book now. You can now use the national booking service online or call 119. You’ll just need to bring your work ID to your appointment.

People aged 56 to 59 invited for Covid-19 jab

People aged 55 to 59 are now being invited to book a life-saving Covid jab this week as the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, continues to gather pace.

The latest invites will also include some text messaging as the NHS rolls out a trial of text-based invitations. You can trust your text message is genuine if it comes from ‘NHSvaccine’, includes a link to the NHS.uk website and gives you the option of phoning 119.

The extension to younger groups comes after more than 8 in 10 people aged 65 to 69 took up the offer of a jab.

To read more on this story, visit our website

What you need to know about returning to school

Schools have remained open to children of key workers and vulnerable children throughout the pandemic.

However, following government guidance schools are re-opening to all pupils this week and staff, parents and pupils can feel reassured by current evidence that shows the transmission of Covid-19 in schools remains low.

Primary schools will re-open first but secondary schools are allowed to stagger their return allowing for testing to be carried out.

Secondary students will be tested 3 times in the first 2 weeks and then will be given two rapid tests to use each week at home.

Public Health England has written a useful blog on the return to school.

Suicide Prevention Strategy consultation

Approximately one-third of suicides occur in individuals known to secondary mental health services, meaning that two-thirds are not known.

We also know that many social issues (money, debt, employment, relationship breakdown, abuse, housing) can all impact an individual’s suicide risk.

The suicide prevention programme has a wide range of elements, some looking at improving the quality and safety within services, but many attempting to address the wider issues that contribute to suicide risk.

A public consultation on a multi-agency Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Strategy is open until Thursday, 18th March.

Release the Pressure is a free and confidential helpline available 24/7 to anyone in Kent and Medway. Emotional support is available via text or phone.

Read the full bulletin at >> http://bit.ly/3qvZiuH

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Consultation for up to 74 New Homes on Land off Otterham Quay Lane

Click map to enlarge.

Gladman Developments are proposing a residential development of up to 74 new homes including public open space and recreational facilities on land off Otterham Quay Lane.

The developer is yet to make a formal planning application and has published a consultation website with their proposal asking residents for their views ahead of submitting an outline planning application to Swale Borough Council.

Gladman say:

“We are currently at the stage of preparing an outline planning application to support the residential development of this site. An outline planning application seeks permission for the principle of development on the site. More detailed considerations such as the appearance of the dwellings or landscaping planting plans will be subject to a further planning application known as 'Reserved Matters'.

We will consider all comments submitted as part of this public consultation, which will influence our proposals. A summary of the feedback received through this consultation will be provided in a Statement of Community Involvement, which will form part of our planning application to Swale Borough Council.

The local planning authority will then consider the submitted evidence and plans and determine the application.

You can check back here for further updates. A link to the application and supporting documents will be provided once an application has been submitted.”

To read more about the proposal, visit the Gladman Developments consultation website at: www.your-views.co.uk/rainham-otterhamquay

Upchurch Matters

#BeingCoop Awards 2021 - Nominate Your Co-op Hero

2021 Awards now open for nominations

Now is your chance to nominate a Co-op member of staff for the Members’ Choice Award in our #BeingCoop Awards 2021.

We want to celebrate the exceptional work of our staff who make you feel like a valued Co-op member and customer.

If someone in your local store has gone above and beyond to make a difference in their community, we want to know.

If a Co-op member of staff has made your day, why not make theirs?

You have until Friday the 9th of April to nominate them.

Nominate your Co-op hero at: http://coop.uk/3t1HWaF

Thank you

Nik Clements

Manager - Upchurch’s Co-op

Winner of the Fairtrade Hamper at Upchurch’s Co-op - Raising Money for MIND

Congratulations to Beryl Freeman, winner of the Fairtrade Hamper at Upchurch’s Co-op.

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets 🤗

You helped us raise another £30 for our chosen charity this year, MIND - the mental health and support charity.

Please keep a lookout for future raffles and events to come.

Read more about MIND at: www.mind.org.uk

Nik - Upchurch’s Co-op

Swale Borough Council - Waste and Street Cleansing Survey

People can now take part in Swale Borough Council’s waste and street cleansing survey.

The survey gives people the opportunity to tell the council how the waste and street cleansing service can be improved before the current 10-year contract ends in October 2023, and will help guide the council’s future contracts.

The service is responsible for how residents’ bins are collected, how often the streets are cleaned, and how littering and fly-tipping offences are tackled.

The survey asks whether people prefer mixed or separated recycling if the streets are being cleaned often enough and if vehicles that reduce the impact on the climate are important to them.

Cllr Julian Saunders, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“We want to know what we can do to improve the waste and street cleansing service we offer to residents.

“We want to know if residents are happy with their bin collection if the roads are being cleaned enough, and if we’re tough enough on fly-tipping and littering offences.

“One of the questions we’re asking is if residents could pick one thing that is the most important for us to improve on - what would that be?

“With the contract coming up for renewal in the next few years, this is the perfect time for us to look at what’s going well and what we can improve on.

“Possible improvements were discussed at the latest area committee meetings, so now it’s important that we hear from residents and understand their priorities as we put together the new service contract.

“Ultimately our goal is to offer a green and energy-efficient service that helps us meet our climate and ecological emergency obligations while delivering a consistent and reliable service for residents in the most affordable and cost-effective way possible.”

The waste and street cleansing survey is open until 19th April.

To take part visit: www.swale.gov.uk/waste-and-cleansing-survey

Swale Borough Council