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Sefton vaccination clinic nears 5,000th jab milestone

29 November 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Uncategorized
Seaforth Village Surgery
Seaforth Village Surgery

Seaforth Village Surgery is nearing its 5,000th COVID-19 vaccination and those who have not yet taken up the offer are being encouraged to get jabbed.

The vaccination site, being run by GP practices in Seaforth and Litherland, known as a primary care network, working together with NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has administered over 4,900 vaccines since opening to south Sefton residents on 22 July.

People living in south Sefton are being reminded of the importance of getting vaccinated if they’re yet to take up the offer.

Dr Ken Lamden, a local GP working on the vaccination programme, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to administer almost 5,000 jabs and it will be great to reach that milestone in the near future.

“Anyone over the age of 16 can book an appointment to be vaccinated.

“It’s really important to take up the offer of a vaccination and if you haven’t had your jab yet, please call us to book an appointment.”

Dr Pete Chamberlain, chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We are reminding everyone that it’s not too late to be vaccinated and there are now several ways to get your vaccination including local pharmacies and several venues throughout the borough. You can book through the national booking system at your nearest vaccination site.

“It is important to have your second dose eight weeks after your first for maximum protection if you are over 18.”

Seaforth Village Surgery is asking that you call in advance to book an appointment on 07979938229. You can also book an appointment at nearby Netherton Health Centre by calling 0151 247 6413.

Alternatively, to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination at one of the many other sites in the area please visit the national NHS booking service: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

Booster vaccine doses are now available on the NHS for eligible people who have had a 2nd dose of a vaccine at least 6 months ago.

Since the launch of the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme more than six million people have had their vital top-up dose, including those who are clinically vulnerable and work in health and social care.

Check eligibility here.  

Parents and children aged 12 to 15 will be able to continue to get their jab both at school and by booking in at a vaccine centre online through the National Booking Service. Pharmacy-led vaccine centres that are offering the vaccine to 12-15 year olds in Sefton are:

  • Mary Davey Chemist, 69 Randall Drive, Bootle
  • Ainsdale Vaccination Centre, 56 Station Rd, Ainsdale
  • Leyland Road Methodist Hall, Southport
  • Linacre Methodist Mission, Linacre Rd, Litherland

Check the latest information on vaccine eligibility here. 

Panto meets Eco as Sefton’s Eco Centre & The Atkinson theatre team up for Christmas competition

29 November 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

Illustration of stage curtains with details of the Eco Panto.Southport Eco Centre’s popular Christmas campaign is back this year with a new twist.

Sefton Council’s Education Service has teamed up with The Atkinson and the cast of the upcoming pantomime Cinderella to help spread some Christmas cheer and some important eco messages about how we can all reduce, reuse and recycle over the festive period.

Interactive online competition

The campaign is supported by an interactive online competition running from the Wednesday1st to Sunday 12th December.

Participants are invited to visit www.southportecocentre.com/christmas and the open the stage door on each day where they can learn from the cast members, ways we can all be more eco-friendly. Entrants can download the entry form and match up the panto characters with their messages to be in with a chance of winning free family ticket to the show.

Further awareness

Darren Lloyd, resident teacher at the Eco Centre and designer of the campaign said: “We know Christmas is a fantastic time for our children, but it is also a testing time for our planet due to amount of waste generated during the period.

“We know that many schools, children and parents were really proactive on the recent COP26 Conference and we hope this campaign will help you all build on that momentum and raise further awareness and a call for action.”

The campaign is part of the centre’s work with the Merseyside Waste and Recycling Authority.

Eco-friendly Christmas

Carl Beer, Chief Executive at Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority said: “A considerable amount of waste is created this time of year, but Christmas doesn’t need to cost the earth. We’re proud to support the Southport Eco Centre’s 12 Days of Christmas campaign to show residents the importance of having an eco-friendly Christmas.

We’re encouraging residents to think before you buy, buy only what you need and reuse and recycle everything you can. We can all reduce the amount of waste we produce and fight against climate change.”

Magic

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“This is a great opportunity for young people in Sefton to learn some important eco-messages that are touched with the magic of Christmas.

“And for them to win the chance of a family trip to Cinderella at The Atkinson at the same time.”

The campaign is kindly supported by the Atkinson and Southport BID with a family ticket to the pantomime and two Southport Gift Cards up for grabs. The Deadline for entries is Wednesday 15th December.

Find out more here. 

Visit The Atkinson website.

 

Sefton Council Leader ‘confident’ Borough’s people & businesses will continue to protect each other as new COVID-19 variant announced

29 November 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News
Cllr Ian Maher
Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher

Cllr Ian Maher has said he is confident people across the Borough will continue to do all they can to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Best non-clinical protection

Responding to the announcement on Saturday that cases of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant had been found in the UK, Cllr Maher said: “It’s expected that the government will introduce precautionary measures this week, including the compulsory wearing of facemasks in shops and on public transport.

“Wearing face masks in busy and indoor public spaces, is what we have been advising, particularly as a recent global study found masks provide the best non-clinical protection for ourselves and others.

“It’s a minimum effort or inconvenience that can do so much to prevent us, our friends and loved ones and others from COVID-19 as well as other seasonal viruses such as flu.”

Cllr Maher also urged everyone eligible for a vaccination, whether their first, second or a booster to book their appointment now by calling 119 or visiting  www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination.

Vaccine confidence

He said: “Work is underway to find out more about the new variant, but experts are confident that our current vaccines will continue to be our best line of defence.

“Over the coming days, the Government is expected to widen the group of people who can book booster vaccinations, which are currently are available to people aged over 40 and in other specific groups.

“I would encourage people to keep an eye on the latest developments and book a jab as soon as they become eligible.

“And if you’ve missed you first and second vaccination, it’s not too late to book them now.”

Information and updates are also available on the Sefton Council website at www.sefton.gov.uk/covid19

Tests

Sefton Council is still reminding anyone who starts to show COVID symptoms of a high temperature, a new persistent cough or a loss of taste or smell, should book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. And it is recommending that people out and about on a regular basis, meeting up with groups or attending indoor events to carry out regular tests using the rapid home test kits available free from pharmacies and other locations.

Swab Squads will be out across Sefton over the coming week, providing free lateral flow testing kits and vaccination information and advice. Details will be published on the Council’s @SeftonCouncil Twitter feed.

Efforts and sacrifices

Cllr Maher added: “People and businesses across Sefton have made great efforts and sacrifices to look after each other and themselves throughout the pandemic and I want to thank them again for that.

“I am confident that when asked to do simple things like wearing masks and getting vaccinated they will continue to do so, which will vastly improve the chances that we can all enjoy the Christmas we missed out on last year.”

Sefton businesses offered second chance to apply for Trading On Scheme grant

29 November 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News
Eligible businesses have until Friday 10th December to apply for a Trading On grant
Eligible businesses have until Friday 10th December to apply for a Trading On grant

Liverpool City Region leaders have extended the grant application window for the Trading On Scheme, to encourage more businesses affected by Covid-19 to secure financial support.

The second application window is open from 10am on Monday 29th November until 5pm on Friday 10th December 2021.

Last month, Liverpool City Region leaders announced that they had secured a further ÂŁ8.1m in emergency funding to support businesses across all six local authority areas in their post-pandemic recovery.

The additional funds are to be shared with small or medium-sized businesses, with between 10 and 249 employees, as part of the Trading On Scheme.

More than 100 Sefton-based businesses applied for a share of the ÂŁ1.4million allocation set aside for the Borough during the first application window. Existing applicants will be contacted in the coming weeks and do not need to re-submit an application.

Businesses who did not apply initially, now have another fortnight to check their eligibility and apply via an online form. 

Sefton based businesses can find guidance and further details about the application process on the Sefton Council website: www.sefton.gov.uk/tradingonscheme 

In a joint statement issued at the launch of the scheme, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Cllr Mike Wharton, Leader, Halton Borough Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader, Knowsley Borough Council, Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader, Sefton Borough Council, Cllr David Baines, Leader, St. Helens Borough Council and Cllr Janette Williamson, Leader, Wirral Borough Council said:

“Throughout the past 18 months, we have worked together to protect our region from the biggest challenge it has faced since the war. That collaboration, creativity and hard work resulted in millions of pounds of support that helped sustain thousands of businesses in all parts of our region through the worst of the pandemic.

“More than £44m was distributed to more than 4,000 businesses, saving many more thousands of jobs and livelihoods in the process. We start our recovery from a much stronger position as a result.

“That recovery is already well underway and received a massive boost in May, with the launch of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s £150m Covid Recovery Fund, which has allowed our region to get a headstart on the rest of the country.

“Now we’re launching another £8.1m of funding for SMEs, who make up a massive chunk of the local economy. Together, we are making sure that the Liverpool City Region has the fastest and strongest recovery possible, with no one left behind.”

The government requires each council to exercise its local knowledge and judgment in devising a grant scheme that aligns best with the particular economic characteristics of its area by funding those businesses that have been severely impacted by Covid-19. Because of this and the limited amount of funding available, the amounts of grant funding for individual businesses will vary across different local authority areas.

How Sefton Council has supported its local businesses during the pandemic

Sefton Council has administered 23,000 grant payments through local, regional and national financial support packages and schemes totalling £97.7 million in payments to businesses right across the Borough – from taxi drivers to childminders to pub landlords.

A total of ÂŁ41.8 million in Business Rates retail discounts were awarded in 2020/21 with a further ÂŁ22.5 million awarded in 2021/22.

Sefton urged to keep safe and well during cold snap

26 November 2021
John McCabe
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

With the Met Office issuing a weather warning for the North West, healthcare leaders in Sefton are sharing advice for keeping safe and well this weekend.

The weather warning means that from Friday evening through to Monday there is a high chance of very strong winds, cold temperatures, rain and sleet, which can be hazardous for vulnerable people or those with long term health conditions.

Sefton residents are being asked to look out for their relatives, friends and neighbours, and to follow the NHS advice on keeping safe and well, below.

Keep warm

If you are aged 65 or older, or have long term conditions such as heart or kidney disease, diabetes or breathing conditions, you should keep warm by heating your home to at least 18°C (65°F). You should also wear several layers of light clothes to keep warm, as multiple layers will trap warm air better than one bulky layer of clothing.

Keeping warm over the winter months can also help us all to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

If you do go outside during the wet and windy weather, remember to wear shoes with a good grip to prevent slips and fall. If possible, stay inside during a cold period if you have heart or respiratory problems.

Be prepared

Ensure you have stocked your cupboards with food and medications in advance, to avoid going out in the bad weather. There are a variety of items you can keep at home to keep healthy and treat minor illnesses, such as pain relief medications, lozenges, cold and cough syrups, antihistamines, and much more.

Susanne Lynch MBE, head of medicines management at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:

“The cold weather can make us all more vulnerable to illness, but help is available from all local pharmacies in Sefton, who can advise on treatment for minor illnesses and what to keep in your medicine cabinet.”

“If you do become ill, we ask that you think about self-care, speaking to your local pharmacist, or calling NHS 111 for non-emergencies.”

Know where to get help

If you have an urgent medical problem, but not an emergency, get help from NHS 111 by visiting: www.111.nhs.uk online, or calling 111.

For help with treatment for common illnesses like coughs, colds or earache contact your local pharmacy who can give advice and recommend medicines and are happy to help. You can also access NHS advice and information at www.nhs.uk.

Cllr Ian Moncur, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Sefton Council, said:

“During the poor weather this weekend we encourage everyone in our local communities to keep an eye out for vulnerable residents and neighbours, or anyone living alone who may need advice or support.”

“If you’re worried about a relative or an elderly neighbour, contact your local council or ring the Age UK helpline on 0800 00 99 66.”

Support with 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/

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