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Author: Martin Driver

Despite new Omicron regulations, advice still applies says Sefton Health Chief Margaret Jones

13 December 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Get Boosted Now campaign logoAlthough more of the Government’s new regulations in response to the Omicron variant come into force this week, Margaret Jones who is Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health, is saying her message is remaining largely unchanged.

Two jabs & booster

Margaret said: “Making sure you are fully vaccinated, which means jabs one and two and a booster, is still the best protection from the COVID-19 virus.

“Anyone who has not yet had their first or second jab can book them now at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination or by calling 119.

“And anyone aged over 30 or over can now go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination or call 119 to book their booster and make sure they are fully protected.”

Last night the  Prime Minister said booster jabs would be offered to everyone over 18 in England from this week,  and set a new target of giving boosters to all adults who want one by the end of the month. The NHS will prioritise those at greatest risk, so people are being asked to wait to be contacted by the NHS for their booster appointment.

Find a nearby walk-in vaccination and booster site.

Risk assessments

Mrs Jones added: “From today, the Government says that everyone who can do, should work from home, which has been Sefton Council’s message all along.

“Where people do have to go into work, risk assessments must have been carried out and protection measure put in place. And we all need to follow the safety measures and guidance such as wearing face coverings, not congregating in communal areas and not sitting at desks that are marked as not in use.

“All along we have been urging people to wear face coverings in busy spaces and on public transport and since Friday, the Government regulations mean face coverings are required in most indoor settings, including cinemas and theatres.

“Global research has shown masks provide the best non-medical form of protection. The help prevent us from catching the virus and help stop us passing it on, which helps make sure we’re not taking home any uninvited and potentially dangerous guests this Christmas.”

Same symptoms

Margaret continued: “Despite these new Government measures being introduced as a result of a new variant, the main symptoms we all need to watch out for are the same, a high temperature a persistent cough and a loss of taste or smell.

“Develop any of these and we need to book a PCR test straight away by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

“But even with no symptoms, we need to keep on using rapid home test kits, which are available from pharmacists or online, twice a week.  And if a rapid test shows a positive result don’t hesitate. Start isolating and book a PCR test.”

The other new measure coming into force this week is the requirement, from Wednesday (15th December), for those aged 18 years or over to show proof of vaccination or a negative test in the last 48 hours. This applies to nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather and include unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees.

Consistent advice

Margaret added: “Once again, while this is a new requirement, our advice remains consistent and that is to exercise care and common sense when attending an event of any size.

“All of these measures are about protecting ourselves but also helping to stop us passing on the virus to others.

“We know that we can carry the COVID-19 virus even when vaccinated and without even feeling its effects, which means we can then pass it on to people around us, including our family and friends, who may be at high risk.

“Christmas, as we all know, is a time for giving. Let’s make it one to remember for all the right reasons.”

More information can be found at www.sefton.gov.uk/covid-19

 

Sefton says thanks with launch of ’12 Days of Kindness’ campaign

9 December 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

12 Days of Kindness campaign image featuring Sefton Council and Toy Appeal logoSefton Council is saying a huge “thank you” to individuals and organisations who have continually supported the Mayor of Sefton’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

Each year thousands of toys, gifts and stocking fillers are lovingly donated by kind-hearted residents, Sefton Council staff, partners and community groups to put a smile on the faces of Sefton’s children.

Since its introduction in 1996 by Council staff, over 8,000 vulnerable children have been supported. Last year 565 received gifts.

Gifts are collected each year at a number of locations across Sefton and then distributed by volunteers from across the Council on behalf of the mayor. Online & cash donations are also welcomed.

This year the Council is shining a spotlight on 12 individuals and organisations to thank them for their support for the Christmas Toy Appeal over the years. Each day from Thursday 9th December to Monday 20th December, a different individual or organisation will feature on the Council’s social media channels with a special festive thank you message.

The ’12 Days of Kindness’ individuals and organisations are:

  • Litherland Youth & Community Centre
  • Asda Bootle
  • Asda Southport
  • Tesco Litherland
  • Sandway Homes
  • St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School
  • Birkdale High School
  • Sefton Library Service, Bootle Library and The Atkinson
  • St Marks Methodist Church Netherton
  • Active Sefton Leisure Services
  • Joseph Farrell, Sefton Council staff member
  • Sefton Council staff

Sandra Coventry, Head of Business Operations and Marketing, at Sandway Homes said:

“As well as bringing much-needed quality housing to the Borough, Sandway Homes, the Council’s wholly-owned housing development company, shares a strong commitment to delivering wider social value to our residents and communities.

“With our Managing Director, Louise Davies, we jumped at the chance to support the Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal to light up a smile on the faces of some of our most disadvantaged children this Christmas.

“And, with our partners, Barnfield Construction, Turner & Townsend, Abode Group and Stanza Style, we have aimed our gifts and donations at older teenagers, knowing this age range is often overlooked.”

Cllr Clare Louise Carragher, the Mayor of Sefton, said:

“The generosity and kindness from people across Sefton towards the Christmas Toy Appeal each year never ceases to amaze us.

“For many of our families across Sefton, Christmas can be a time of real pressure and hardship and the gifts & cash received through this campaign go a long way in ensuring all our children can enjoy some festive cheer.

“I want to extend a special thank you this year to the 12 individuals and organisations who go above and beyond each year to ensure the Christmas Toy Appeal is such a success. Your support is very much appreciated and is vital to ensuring we can spread as much festive cheer across the Borough as possible.

“And don’t forget, it’s not too late to donate.”

Donations of gifts such as new and unwrapped toys, gift vouchers, toiletries, pyjamas and stocking fillers for all ages can still be made and are welcomed until Monday 20th December.

Online gifts can be sent to ‘Sefton Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal, Town Hall, Oriel Road, Bootle L20 7AE’ and must also be received by Monday 20 December 2021. The deadline for sending cash donations via bank transfer is Wednesday 15 December 2021. Bank details are as follows:

Reference – Mayor’s Toy Appeal
Account Number – 382 96 888
Sort Code – 60 20 23

To find out how to donate to the Mayor of Sefton’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/toyappeal. Updates can also be found on the Council’s social media at:

Twitter @Sefton_Council

Instagram @SeftonCouncil

Facebook @OneSefton

Vital habitat management works udder-way across the Sefton Coast this winter

9 December 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News
Belted Galloway cow on the Ainsdale dunes
Belted Galloway cow on the Ainsdale dunes. Photo taken by Green Sefton Engagement Officer John Dempsey.

Sefton Council is carrying out its annual schedule of habitat management works at key sites along the coast.

Each winter, the Council’s Green Sefton service brings grazing animals onto the Local Nature Reserves to help control vegetation growth. This, in turn, encourages diverse plant species to grow and dune specialists such as Natterjack Toads, Sand Lizards and Northern Tiger Beetles to thrive.

This year, Herdwick sheep from Cumbria alongside Belted Galloway cattle from neighbouring Lancashire have been moved on to the reserve at Ainsdale.  The animals will graze the reserves until early spring 2022.

Sign reminding beach visitors of need to keep dogs on leads.
Sign reminding beach visitors of need to keep dogs on leads, to close gates and to be mindful of the cattle and sheep during the grazing period.

Green Sefton is urging everyone to act responsibly if they visit the reserve to catch a glimpse of the special winter visitors. Dog walkers are reminded that pets should be kept on a lead and under close control within fenced grazing areas, following the Countryside Code, which can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code

Herdwick sheep on Ainsdale Local Nature Reserve
Herdwick sheep on Ainsdale Local Nature Reserve.

Gordon White, Countryside Officer for Green Sefton, said:

“These grazing animals are an essential tool in the management of Sefton’s scientifically important sand dunes. Not only do they help us to improve the condition of the sand dune habitats, but they really help to optimise the potential of Sefton’s important natural assets.

“We urge all dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead, under close control and away from the sheep and cows they may see in the fenced grazing areas this winter – just as you would on any site or farmers field where livestock are kept.

“While they are docile animals and used to seeing people, they could be a little nervous in their new seasonal Sefton home.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Conservation grazing is a fantastic, cost-effective and natural way to protect our dune systems and it is great to see the animals making a return to our reserve again this winter.”

Green Sefton officers managing a controlled burn of scrub
Green Sefton officers managing a controlled burn of scrub.

Other habitat management works taking place along the coast this winter include the tightly controlled burning of invasive, non-native species. This method is used due to the terrain of the area and to ensure that damaging biomass is removed to allow for improvements to the ecology of the dune systems

Areas of scrub are cut down throughout the winter by Green Sefton rangers, with the help of volunteer groups. The stumps are then removed or burned in a controlled environment, only when weather conditions permit.

The Dynamic Dunescapes programme also continues to tackle areas of invasive non-native species at the Sefton coast, such as Japanese Rose, Japanese Knotweed and Sea Buckthorn. Different methods are used to remove these species to expose more sand and ultimately improve the dune slack habitats. More information about this partnership can be found online at www.dynamicdunescapes.co.uk/project/sefton-coast/

Cllr Moncur added:

“Sefton’s coastline is one of Britain’s most important areas for nature conservation and has the highest level of protection under UK law as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its flora and fauna.

“On-going initiatives like this really help to enhance these important coastal ecological systems and also ensures that we are playing our part in mitigating the impact of climate change on our coast.”

Volunteer undertaking scrub removal
Volunteer undertaking scrub removal.

Gordon White added:

“We all have an obligation to protect these very special features and balancing their needs with those of our visitors can be a tricky task. Part of our role at Green Sefton is to help our communities to learn and understand how fortunate we all are to have such incredible and fantastic species right on our doorstep. Working with our communities, as well as with partner organisations on specific environmental projects, we can achieve great improvements to the condition of our wonderful sand dune habitats.

“Ultimately this will enable us to be confident that we have contributed to passing them on to the next generation in a strong condition, to continue to survive, while providing them with fascinating wildlife spectacles.”

Sefton Health & Wellbeing Chief’s jab reminder on UK’s vaccination anniversary

8 December 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Uncategorized

NHS message saying 'Get Vaccinated, Get boosted, Get protected'.With today being the anniversary of the UK’s first COVID vaccination, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for public Health, Cllr Ian Moncur is urging people to make sure they are up to date with their jabs and boosters.

Best protection

Cllr Moncur, who will be chairing a Sefton Council Health and Wellbeing Board meeting today, said: “Vaccinations still, without doubt, provide the best clinical protection for all of us against the COVID-19 virus, which is still spreading in our communities.

He continued: “If you’ve missed your first jab, get it now. If you’ve missed your second jab, get it now or as soon as you can.

“And if you’ve had both, book your booster if you are already eligible, or keep an eye on the latest information from the Government who have said all eligible over-18s will be offered a jab by the end of January.”

Everyone

Everyone aged 16 and over can get a first and second dose of vaccine and most young people aged from 12 to 15 are currently being offered a first dose.

People can book an appointment by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination  or calling 119.

It was on the 8th December 2020, that 90-year-old grandmother Maggie Keenan from Coventry became the first person in the country to have a COVID vaccination. However, a year on, almost 20% of people across Sefton aged over 16 still have not had any vaccinations.

Never too late

Cllr Moncur added: “When we went out recently to talk to people about vaccinations, we found many people thought that because they had not gone to the appointment they had been sent, they thought they had missed their chance.

“The message is whether it’s your first, your second or your third, booster jab, it’s never too late to get vaccinated.”

People can visit www.sefton.gov.uk/vaccinations to find out how to make an appointment and to find a link to their nearest vaccination centre.

Global study

Earlier this month, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health Margaret Jones, Sefton reminded people that mask-wearing is still hugely effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Commenting in the light of a global study, reported in the British Medical Journal, which has shown mask-wearing reduces incidence of COVID by 53%, Margaret Jones said: “Mask wearing is incredibly important in preventing us from spreading and catching the COVID and particularly so as even those of us who have been vaccinated can still carry and pass on the virus without feeling any ill effects ourselves.

Mrs Jones described masks wearing as ‘a minimal effort that can do so much to prevent ourselves, our friends and loved ones and others from COVID-19 and other seasonal viruses such as flu.

Symptoms

Sefton Council is also urging anyone who shows COVID symptoms of a raised temperature, persistent new cough or a loss of taste or smell, to get a PCR test by should book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

People who are out and about are still advised to carry on using rapid home test kits, which are available from pharmacists, twice a week.  If a rapid test shows a positive result they should then isolate and book a PCR test.

Find out more on our website.

One year on from the first COVID-19 vaccine in Sefton

7 December 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Marilyn Cull - patientThis month the NHS in Sefton is celebrating the one year anniversary of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.

Launched nationally

The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme launched nationally in hospital hubs on 8 December, with the vaccine starting to be offered locally in Sefton from Tuesday 15 December 2020. The very first vaccination in Sefton was given to 85-year-old Southport resident, Marilyn Cull, at Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing.

One year on from the programme launch, and over 486,000 doses of the vaccines have now been given across Sefton, starting with residents aged 80 and over as the first group to be eligible, right through to the 12–15-year old pupils currently being vaccinated in primary schools across the Borough.

Tireless efforts

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our vaccine programme teams, volunteers, GP practices and community pharmacies we have managed to get 207,000 people in Sefton vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.”

“We are so proud of everyone who has contributed to the organisation and delivery of the vaccine programme in Sefton. We have teams that have worked long hours, volunteers from the local community giving up their time to support us, and many NHS staff who have come out of retirement to help us fight against the coronavirus and protect our communities.”

“We have achieved so much but the hard work is not yet over. Our vaccination teams are still delivering first and second doses of the vaccines to those who have not yet taken up the offer, as well as delivering third primary doses to those most at risk, and booster jabs to give added protection as people become eligible for them.”

Vaccination centres

National vaccination centres were set up in hospitals and other sites all over the UK to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first vaccination given on 8 December 2020 to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan in Coventry.

Local vaccination centres in Sefton were set up to help boost the roll-out of the vaccines in the borough. They were first run by groups of GP practices known as primary care networks, working together with NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, with vital support from a team of volunteers.

As the programme has developed the majority of Sefton’s local vaccination centres are now run by local pharmacies. Over the course of the year, vaccination sites have been in a variety of locations such as GP practices, town halls, community centres, pharmacies and more to help make the vaccines available to all communities in Sefton.

Needles

Dave Wilson, 67, from Maghull said: “My wife and I went to get our booster jab at Netherton Health Centre, and it was brilliant. From the minute we walked in, the staff were great and made us feel so welcome.”

“I am afraid of needles, but the staff make you feel like family and take away your fears. We would happily go back again. Thank you to everyone on the vaccination team at Netherton Health Centre, you do a great job which is very much appreciated.”

Roving teams

As well as fixed vaccination sites, the past year has seen ‘roving’ vaccination teams launching pop-up sites in different locations, such as Hugh Baird College in Bootle and Peel Ports in Seaforth, as well as visiting care homes right across the borough. Sefton has also had several visits from the ‘vaccination bus’ – a four wheeled mobile vaccine clinic that has travelled all over Merseyside during the course of the vaccination programme.

Visit YouTube to watch a video from NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, looking back over the past year of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Sefton, and meet some of the vaccination staff and volunteers. 

The NHS is encouraging anyone who is eligible but has not yet had their first or second dose, or booster jab, to come forward and book an appointment, by calling 119 or visiting the national booking service website: www.nhs.uk/CovidVaccine

To find out more about local vaccination sites in Sefton and how to book, visit the NHS South Sefton CCG website: www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk  or NHS Southport and Formby CCG website: www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk

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