Author: Martin Driver

This week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be dismantling the former COVID testing sites at Crosby Library and Netherton Activity Centre.

Additional vehicles

Work to demobilise the sites on Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th April is likely to mean additional vehicles around both sites, which could cause some short-term delays.

Netherton Activity Centre will remain open and Leisure Centre users are not expected to be affected by the work. Crosby Road Car Park will, however, be closed.

Both sites are scheduled to be officially handed back to Sefton Council on Tuesday 19^th April.

Plan

All Sefton COVID testing sites for people with and without coronavirus symptoms were closed by 1^st April in line with the Government’s ‘Living with COVID’ plan, which saw free testing for people without symptoms end.

Some people can still access free rapid lateral flow tests if they work for the NHS or in social care, are going into hospital, or if they are at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Details of groups that can still access testing and guidance can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/get-tested-for-coronavirus

People with coronavirus symptoms can book a PCR test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus  or calling 119.

Symptoms

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature);
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours;
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste;
• shortness of breath;
• feeling tired or exhausted;
• an aching body;
• a headache;
• a sore throat;
• a blocked or runny nose;
• loss of appetite;
• diarrhoea;
• feeling sick or being sick.

Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health, Margaret Jones, is still stressing that to be full protected from COVID, adults need to have had two jabs and a booster.

To find more local vaccination sites in Sefton, people can visit the NHS South Sefton CCG website at www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/get-informed/latest-news/walk-in-or-book-a-covid-19-vaccine

To find out more about the COVID-19 booster vaccine, who is eligible, and to book an appointment online through the national booking system, people should visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine .

Healthcare leaders are sharing advice for getting the help you need in Sefton over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 15th to Monday 18th April) should you become unwell. 

NHS 111

People who need urgent NHS care, but it is not a 999 emergency, are advised to contact NHS 111 which is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians who will direct people to the most appropriate health service. 

Dr Pete Chamberlain, chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Although there are changes to some healthcare services over the Bank Holiday weekend, if you’re feeling unwell, there is plenty of help and advice available from NHS 111.”

“We would advise you to ‘think 111 first’ and contact the team either by visiting 111.nhs.uk online to answer some questions about your condition, or by calling 111 over the phone.”

Planning ahead

Opening times for services such as pharmacies, walk in centres and GP practices may change over the Bank Holiday, so residents are advised to plan ahead to make sure they know where to go for help. Healthcare leaders are also urging residents to make sure they have enough supply of any medications they need by ordering their repeat prescriptions early, and getting their medicine cabinet stocked up with essentials.

Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “If you do rely on medication for long term conditions, don’t leave it too late to order your repeat prescriptions before Good Friday. Pharmacies may change their opening hours over the Bank Holiday weekend so it’s best to be prepared.

“Pharmacists are also there for you for help with common ailments should you need them. They are highly qualified health professionals who can give free, confidential advice and help you get the right medications for everyday illnesses.”

Easter bank holiday pharmacy opening times

A number of pharmacies are open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Residents are advised to check the opening times in the link below and to call their local pharmacy before travelling, just to make sure nothing has changed and that they are still open. Information will be added to the links as the opening times come into the CCGs. 

You can view the pharmacy times here: 

• southseftonccg.nhs.uk/easter-bank-hol-2022 
• southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/easter-bank-hol-2022

Anyone in Sefton can also refer to Sefton’s good health checklist, which can help you find the right health advice or treatment when you need it.

You can find the good health checklist online at:

• NHS South Sefton CCG: southseftonccg.nhs.uk/good-health-checklist 
• NHS Southport and Formby CCG: southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/good-health-checklist 

With Sefton’s COVID-19 testing centres closing this week, the Borough’s Director of Public Health Margaret Jones has issued a message of thanks to all those who have been staffing them.

Spread

Mrs Jones said: “COVID Test centres have played a huge role in helping prevent the spread of coronavirus infections in Sefton so I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all of those who have worked at them for all their efforts to help keep our communities safe and reassuring our communities.”

Walk-through PCR test centres for people with COVID-19 symptoms were first set up in August 2020. The first two were at Bootle and Southport Town Halls with a further two at Crosby Library and Netherton Activity Centre being added. They will close after Thursday 31^st March.

Closures

This week also sees the closure of Sefton’s rapid test sites for people without symptoms, at Sefton’s Bootle Town Hall, Bootle Strand Shopping Centre and Southport Splash World.

The Southport Dunes closed on Sunday 27th March, The Strand site closed on Monday 28th March and the Bootle Town Hall site’s final day is Thursday 31st March when it will close at 3pm.

Sefton Council has supported staff at the Council testing centres to access redeployment opportunities into other roles.

Thousands of people

Margaret Jones added: “By carrying rapid LFD tests for people without symptoms, handing out free home test kits and dispensing advice, staff at rapid test centres have helped thousands of people make sure they are not passing on the virus without knowing it because they don’t have symptoms.

“This has been invaluable in terms of protecting those people vulnerable to COVID’s potentially serious effects and reducing pressure on our health service.

“I am so grateful for all their hard work and wish them well for the future.”

Sefton Council has advised people to remain cautious and considerate to others. Advice includes continuing to wear face coverings in busy indoor areas and on public transport and maintaining distancing where necessary.