Author: Martin Driver

Find out more about COVID in Sefton, including testing and vaccinations.

A local pop-up vaccination site is opening at Firwood Bootle Cricket Club this week, offering residents the chance to simply ‘walk in’ and get their first, second, or booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The site is opening up temporarily for three days as part of the NHS’ efforts to offer every adult a COVID-19 booster jab before the end of the year.

No appointment needed

South Sefton residents aged 18 or over can simply turn up during opening hours to get their booster jab, with no appointment needed. Residents can also walk in and get their first or second dose of the vaccine if they haven’t had them already.

The COVID-19 vaccination site will be open between 10am and 4.30pm at Firwood Bootle Cricket Club, Wadham Road, Bootle, L20 2DD, on:

• Wednesday 22 December;
• Thursday 23 December;
• Thursday 30 December.

Every adult

Dr Pete Chamberlain, local GP and chair at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “NHS teams in Sefton are working as hard as they can to make sure every adult in our borough is offered the chance to book their COVID-19 booster by the end of the year.

“Some of our local vaccination sites are extending their opening hours to create more appointment slots and creating pop-up sites, such as this one at Bootle Cricket Club, so we can make it easier for our residents to get their vaccines.

“A booster jab greatly increases the protection you have against COVID-19 and getting seriously ill, so don’t delay in getting yours ahead of the upcoming holidays.”

Plan ahead

Residents are being advised to plan ahead for their journey to the vaccination site, as parking is limited at the Cricket Club and is restricted on nearby roads.

Find more local vaccination sites in Sefton

Find out more about the COVID-19 booster vaccine, who is eligible, and book an appointment online.  

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing has echoed advice being offered nationally to landlords about the importance of ventilation in preventing the spread of the COVID-19.

In a letter aimed at landlords, the Minister of State for Housing, Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP says allowing fresh air into indoor spaces can help remove air that contains particles of the COVID-19 virus.

Build-up

Poorly ventilated rooms, the letter warns, can allow the virus to build up, increasing the risk of it spreading.  It reminds landlords that good ventilation also helps reduce condensation, dampness, mould and fungal growth and dust mites.

The letter says landlords should:

• ensure that all habitable rooms have functioning openable windows;
• make sure that all bathrooms/kitchens have either functioning openable windows and/or (preferably both) appropriate functioning extract ventilation;
• consider installing positive pressure or constant run systems to ensure there is adequate background ventilation and ensure any such systems are operating effectively;
• provide tenants with clear instructions so they understand how to operate ventilation and heating systems so that they can maintain healthy and economic balance of heating, ventilation and moisture within their home;
• investigate and address promptly any problems with damp.

Worrying rate

Cllr Hardy said: “With COVID levels growing nationally at a worrying rate, it is important that landlords across the Borough follow this advice to help minimise the spread and keep their tenants safe”.

The letter goes on to remind landlords that if tenants are having difficulty with the cost of heating their homes, they should advise them to visit the Simple Energy Advice website or call their helpline on 0800 444 202, for information about the help that is available.

Ofgem can also provide advice for people struggling to pay their energy bills.

Also, the letter reminds landlords that depending on their tenants’ circumstances, they may also be eligible for support through:

• the Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Cold Weather Payments
• Winter Fuel Payments

Difficult choices

Cllr Hardy added: “Rocketing energy bill costs, rising prices in the shops and the £20 per week cut in Universal Credit by the Government is leaving households across Sefton facing difficult choices.

“People can go for support and advice to the organisations mentioned in the letter, but they can also contact Sefton Council’s dedicated Affordable Warmth Team by emailing energy@sefton.gov.uk  or by calling 0151 934 2222.

“The team can help people heat their homes more efficiently and make their bills more affordable.”

You can read the full letter from the Minister of State for Housing here.

Sefton’s health and community leaders are urging people to help themselves, their loved ones and the people they care for stay well this winter with the help of an online winter ready checklist.

Dr Pete Chamberlain, local GP and chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

“Staying well this winter is really important for your health and the health of older loved ones and neighbours. The cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all aggravate any existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses. It’s especially important for those aged 65 or older and people with long term conditions such as heart or kidney disease, diabetes or breathing conditions like COPD (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis) and asthma.”

Margaret Jones, director of public health at Sefton Council, said:

“The good news is there are lots of things you can do to stay well this winter and lots of services and organisations that can support you whether it’s getting your flu and all your COVID-19 vaccines,  help to heat your home, keeping active, meeting people, improving your health and wellbeing, getting advice from a health professional, or choosing which service you need.”

To help people navigate the many organisations and services available in Sefton that could meet their needs to stay well this winter, healthcare and community partners have created an online checklist.

By focusing on a few simple questions this online tool can help provide advice or signpost people to services that may provide the solutions.

The checklist was presented to people who work with various community groups at a winter ready engagement event coordinated by NHS South Sefton and Southport and Formby CCGs, Sefton CVS and Healthwatch Sefton.

Diane Blair, Healthwatch Sefton manager, said:

“The checklist was very well received and is being used by various community leaders to help signpost people to the range of other services that may be useful for them and to help advise on how to stay well this winter and how to access health services should they become unwell.”

Angela White, chief executive of Sefton CVS, said:

“It’s always important to take stock of your health and ensure you have in place what you need to be ready for the cold winter months. This checklist makes you think about your health and wellbeing, or you could use it to speak to family members or neighbours who may be older or more vulnerable to see how they are and whether they’re prepared for winter. The checklist highlights local advice and support from across the health and VCF sectors’ that may be useful to them.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:

“If you do become unwell, the NHS is always here for you when you need it. If you need medical advice and aren’t sure where to go, use NHS 111 online or call 111 for assistance. Remember, your local pharmacists are health experts who can help with all sorts of conditions and treatments and GP practices are open and continuing to provide services, including face to face appointments where these are needed.

”Please use this checklist to help you and those around you have a happy and healthy Christmas.”

The ‘Winter Ready’ Checklist is available at:

• https://www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/winter-health-checklist/
• https://www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/winter-health-checklist

Support with heating and energy bills

Anyone living in fuel poverty, or who knows someone who is, can be reassured that there is help and support available for those worried about keeping warm or paying energy bills.

To seek advice and information about the support available, people can call Sefton Council’s Affordable Warmth Service on 0151 934 2222 or the local Energy Advice line managed by the charity EPPlus Freephone 0800 043 0151. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

More information is available on the Sefton Council website:https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing/fuel-poverty-and-energy-efficiency/