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Aintree SMART testing centre closes as demand for Home Testing kits grow

28 April 2021
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton’s SMART COVID-19 testing centre at Aintree Racecourse is closing at 6pm on Friday 30th April.

However, SMART tests that will provide a result in as little as 30 minutes, will still be available, 8am to 8pm, seven days a week at Bootle Leisure Centre, Bootle Town Hall (Oriel Road) and at Southport’s Splash World.

Home use

In addition, rapid test kits are now easily available for home use. A rapid coronavirus test involves taking a throat & nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied and then checking for the result after 20 to 30 minutes.

Residents can collect kits from Bootle Town Hall or Splash World in Southport between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week. No appointments are needed.

And they can be collected from walk-through Local Test Centres opposite Bootle Town Hall and at Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall between 2.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week. No appointments are needed.

They can be also be collected from any Sefton pharmacy and ordered online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

Accidentally

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “With around a third of people with coronavirus not showing the tell-tale symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell, rapid tests can help prevent them spreading the virus accidentally.

“With more people returning to their workplaces and the relaxing of national lockdown restrictions I would recommend anyone who is regularly out and about, meeting up with friends and family outside or going for a drink or meal at a pub or restaurant, to take a rapid test as often as twice a week.”

Anyone who is less confident about taking the test at home can choose to go for an assisted test at Sefton’s Bootle Leisure Centre or Southport Splash World SMART test sites.

Invisible

Mrs Jones added: “While rapid tests will help prevent the spread of infection by finding those invisible, no-symptom cases it is important that anyone who does show coronavirus symptoms or does gets a positive test self-isolates for 10 days and immediately books a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus .”
Eligible people who test positive are entitled to the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment in the same way as a regular swab test through NHS Test and Trace.

Find out more about self-isolating. 

Good news for Southport as One Stop Shop reopens – people can now arrange appointments at both Bootle and Southport centres

28 April 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is reminding residents that Southport One Stop Shop (now located within The Atkinson) reopened on Monday, 12th April 2021.

This means that both One Stop Shops in Sefton are now open.

Bootle opening hours are 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday, while at Southport, opening hours are 11am – 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Customers are not able to simply drop in at the moment, however pre-arranged 30-minute appointments are available and can be booked by calling the Council’s Contact Centre 0345 140 0845.

More info on contacting the Council can be found here.  

Visitors are asked to be on time, any late arrivals may risk losing their appointment slot, and with no waiting area available, visitors are asked not to arrive too early and to attend alone where possible.

Public toilets will not be available at Bootle One Stop Shop and are limited at The Atkinson, Southport.

Visitors will be required to wear a face covering and ensure social distancing; hand sanitiser stations will be provided, and anyone with any Covid-19 symptoms is asked not to enter the building – they should get a test at one of Sefton’s test centres for those with symptoms.

Covid-19 testing info can be found here.

The Council appreciates that some of these changes may cause frustration for some customers but ask that One Stop Shop staff and The Atkinson staff are treated with respect. Please be patient, be kind.

Local health services and advice available over the May Bank Holiday

27 April 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton’s GPs are reminding residents know how they can get support and medical advice over the coming May Bank Holiday weekend.

People who need urgent NHS care across Sefton are being asked to call NHS 111. The service is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians, who can direct people to the most appropriate health service.

Pharmacies

Local pharmacies, walk-in centres and seven-day GP services will be available to see patients. However, people are being asked to check opening times and whether they need to book an appointment before they go. People can also collect home coronavirus test kits for people without symptoms from any Sefton pharmacy.

Detailed information on health services including pharmacy times over the weekend are available from:

People can find Twitter updates at @NHSSSCCG or @NHSSFCCG on Twitter.

Still available

Dr Pete Chamberlain, GP and chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The NHS is here for people that need it. If you or anyone you care for is unwell over the bank holiday weekend, local health services are still available.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “NHS 111 will advise you how to safely manage your condition at home, or direct you to the right health service for your needs, which may include a local walk-in centre, GP practice, pharmacy or hospital.

“If you are assessed as needing to attend a hospital, you will get a timed appointment at a hospital emergency department. In a medical emergency such as loss of consciousness, stroke or serious injury, you should always call 999.”

Repeat prescriptions

In addition, people are being reminded to order their repeat prescriptions on time to ensure they have the medication they need.

Dr Chamberlain says: “If you do need medication for a long-term condition don’t leave it too late to order your repeat prescription. Your local pharmacy can also offer you expert advice on a wide range of everyday health concerns if you or a loved one needs it. You can also find trusted advice about hundreds of health conditions on NHS.uk and the NHS app which provides secure access to a range of NHS services.”

 

Last week to sign up for Sefton’s free Junior Membership offer, worth £80

26 April 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized
Ninth green at Bootle Golf Course

Under-16s have until the end of the week to take advantage of Green Sefton’s free, one-year, Junior membership offer, worth £80.

Year’s free play

If they sign up before the end of Friday, Under-16s can take advantage of a year’s free play at Sefton Council’s Bootle and Southport courses.

To qualify, Under-16s must register at the Bootle Golf Club or Southport Golf Links shops. They need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must provide proof of age.

In addition to this offer, green fees at the two courses have been frozen or the second year running.

Prices frozen

This means adult prices start from just £13 with Twilight Tickets from only £8.50. Twilight green start at 4pm at Bootle and at Southport with a further reduction at Southport from 6pm. Over 60s can play for £9 Monday to Friday.

A round for young people aged up to 16 is just £8. Or nothing if they take advantage of the free membership offer this week.

Contracts

Costs for 12 months’ play with a contract also remain frozen and start from just £110. Unlike some other clubs, if a further national lockdown has to be implemented, contracts will, once again, frozen so that members do not lose out.

To protect players and staff, card payments are preferred at both courses.

Driving range

At Bootle, work is underway to build a new, 10-bay driving range, but it is not affecting play.

Due to open late this year, the new driving range will include practice facilities and a dedicated coaching bay. Floodlights will mean players can practise during the evening and during the winter months.

Find out more about Sefton Council’s golfing facilities. 

Local student Emma, who has learning disabilities, urges Sefton residents to ‘be brave’ and get vaccinated

26 April 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Uncategorized
Sefton performing arts student, Emma James-Jenkinson and her mum
Sefton performing arts student, Emma James-Jenkinson and her mum

It’s World Immunisation Week and Emma James-Jenkinson, a performing arts student from Sefton, is sharing her COVID-19 vaccination story

She’s sharing her story because she hopes it will inspire others who are anxious or scared about getting their jab to ‘be brave’.

Emma, 17, who has Down’s syndrome, had severe anxiety about getting her first COVID-19 vaccination. Initially, she  refused to go for her jab after receiving a text message inviting her to book an appointment.

Extra mile

Unsure how to help her daughter, Emma’s mum Lynn James-Jenkinson reached out to NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and North Park Health Centre in Bootle, who went the extra mile to help Emma get vaccinated.

After overhearing Emma reassuring and motivating  herself to ‘be brave’ even though the jab might ‘hurt a little bit’, Emma’s mum Lynn contacted North Park Health Centre practice manager Cathy Riley.

Cathy offered to see Emma right away and work with her to ensure they found a way to get vaccinated safely and calmly. Cathy even offered to come out to the car park to arrange to give Emma her vaccine without her having to get out of the car.

Despite making it into the practice, Emma felt scared again when she saw the needle. But, the practice nurse helped her to overcome her anxiety by letting Emma hold her hand and doing some breathing exercises together to stay calm. They also watched YouTube videos and sang along to one of Emma’s favourite songs, ‘The Schuyler Sisters’, from the hit musical ‘Hamilton’, before administering the vaccine quickly and painlessly, much to everyone’s relief.

Happy and safe

Speaking about her experience, Emma said: “I was very scared of having the needle, but getting my vaccine made me feel happy and safe. It meant I could go back to college at Jelli Studios and see all my friends.”

“It’s important for people like me with Down’s syndrome to be brave and get their needle. When I have to go back again, I might feel a little bit scared again, but I will be brave.”

“After I got my vaccine, everyone started clapping and I felt so happy and proud for being brave.”

Human touch

Emma’s mum, Lynn, said: “Cathy and the team at North Park Health Centre were so friendly. The ‘human touch’ that they brought to our unique situation really helped us both. We felt like we were really listened to, and I can’t thank them enough.”

“I am happy knowing Emma feels safe to go out again and can get back to being a ‘young person’ and doing the things she enjoys.”

“It’s so important to make sure our young people with learning difficulties get protected from COVID-19, and it can be difficult to know what to do in this situation. I would say to any mum facing the same difficulties as us, to always call your GP or practice manager and ask for their support in making reasonable adjustments to get your family vaccinated. They are there to help.”

Strength and bravery

Cathy Riley, practice manager at North Park Health Centre said: “The strength and bravery that Emma showed had a real impact on our amazing team, and it brought tears to our eyes when she finally allowed our nurse to administer the vaccine.”

“The strength and bravery Emma showed touched us all. We were so elated that we all cheered and clapped for her and her proud mum.”

“The look on Emma’s face once the vaccination was done will stay with me always – she is proof that if you face your fears, you can conquer anything.”

World Immunisation Week , which runs from Saturday 24th to Friday 30th April, is led by the World Health Organisation. It aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

Find out how to book your own COVID-19 vaccination appointment, when you are eligible. 

Find out more about vaccinations in Sefton.

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