As the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to make good progress, GPs in Sefton are reminding unpaid carers to get registered and come forward for their vaccine.
Some unpaid carers may not receive an invitation for their vaccination if their carer status is not known to the NHS so itâs important to ensure they are registered with Sefton Carers Centre who can help with this.
Sefton Carers Centre will register unpaid carers and provide them with a letter as proof of their status. Unpaid carers will need the letter before booking their vaccination through their GP practice.
Carers eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine include anyone who is a main carer of someone who receives Carerâs Allowance or who is at high risk from coronavirus from a condition.
This includes:
- Children with severe neuro-disabilities (you will be informed by your GP)
- Those who are designated Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (advised to shield)
- Adults with underlying health conditions
- Those who need care because of advanced age.
Fiona Taylor, chief officer for NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: âGetting the vaccine is the best way to protect those who you are caring for and yourself from coronavirus. The life-saving vaccine is safe and effective.
âIf you are a carer, please register with Sefton Carers Centre as soon as possible. This will ensure that anyone eligible for the vaccination isnât missed and we can continue to protect our local community and the most vulnerable.â
Vicky Keeley, chief executive officer at Sefton Carers Centre added: âUnpaid carers have been under increasing demands and stress as the pandemic continues. The vaccination programme is vital to protect vulnerable people and carers.
âSefton Carers Centre provides a range of free support, advice, and activities for all unpaid carers on their journey of care. Carers registered with us will receive a letter confirming their caring status as evidence for the vaccination programme. Free personal protective equipment can also be accessed via Sefton Council until 21 June 2021.
âWe would encourage anyone aged 16 and over in a caring role to register with us and then speak with their GP to make sure that they get vaccinated.â
To register as an unpaid carer with the Sefton Carers Centre, please call 0151 288 6060.
If you are an unpaid carer and provide care to someone outside of your household, you can order Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge from Sefton Council until 21 June 2021. To order email EmergencyPPE@sefton.gov.uk and make sure you clearly mark your email as âCarers PPEâ or call 0345 140 0845. For more information, visit Sefton Councilâs website.
For more information about the Covid-19 vaccination visit:Â https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation have all been absolutely clear that the vaccines are safe and effective, and people should go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so.
NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG have been responsible for buying or âcommissioningâ the majority of local health services since 1 April 2013, when primary care trusts were abolished.
NHS South Sefton CCG brings together 30 member GP practices covering an area from Bootle in the south, Hightown in the north and Maghull to the east.
NHS Southport and Formby CCGâs membership are made up of 19 GP practices.
For more information visit: southportformbyccg.nhs.uk / southseftonccg.nhs.uk or follow us on Twitter @NHSSFCCG / @NHSSSCCG
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Front Page
Watch out for the tide – beach safety advice from Southport Lifeboat
Southport Offshore Rescue Trust (often known as Southport Lifeboat) has launched a new tidal safety campaign – #ItsBehindYou – to remind beach visitors of the need to be on the lookout for tides when enjoying Seftonâs beaches.
The Trust was called upon countless times during last yearâs busy summer season to rescue cut-off beachgoers. In anticipation of another busy spring and summer, the safety campaign has been instigated to ensure everyone knows about the dangers of becoming cut-off by the incoming tide.
Banners with a special QR code have been placed along the Ainsdale and Southport coastline. When scanned, the code takes the beach user to Southport Lifeboatâs website which contains the dayâs tidal information, information on the #ItsBehindYou campaign, along with further coastal safety advice.
What is the #ItsBehindYou campaign? What does it aim to do?
Many people are unaware of the movement of nearshore waters. While it may appear that waves undergo a simple cycle; it can in fact create dangers for beachgoers.
#ItsBehindYou aims to inform the public about the basics of tidal phenomena and encourages beach visitors to check the tide times each and every time they visit the coast. Those visiting the Boroughâs beaches are also urged to be aware of their surroundings and ultimately to check behind them to identify whether they are at risk of becoming cut-off.
Why is this important?
Sefton has shelf seas that lead to large tidal ranges – one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, in fact. The northwestâs coastline is unique. Its apparent flat profile is deceiving. Upon closer inspection, the beach is riddled with raised sandbanks, micro-channels, rills and gullies. It is the difference in beach elevation that means people become cut-off. Why? Because as the tide rises, it fills the areas of lowest elevation first, which may be behind you. As this water joins to another channel, or the waterline further up the beach, you have become cut-off.
In am emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
If anyone ever finds themselves cut-off, or notices someone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Aintree Festival and Grand National 2021
Sefton Council continues to work jointly with Aintree Festival organisers, Merseyside Police and other partners to ensure the safety of this yearâs event which is taking place behind closed doors from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th April.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic only owners, trainers and staff will be allowed onto the racecourse during the three-day festival.
People living and working in the Aintree area may see a higher than normal police presence over the coming days. Officers from Merseyside Police will be patrolling streets and footpaths in the area around the course to remind people of the need to abide by Covid-19 regulations on social distancing and gathering in groups, even when outside.
Residents are reminded that the SMART Coronavirus testing centre at Aintree Racecourse is now closed until Sunday 11th April, while the Grand National meeting takes place.
The Boroughâs two other SMART testing centres, at Bootle Leisure Centre and Splash World in Southport, will be open as normal from 8am to 8pm every day. People can find out more about testing in Sefton at www.sefton.gov.uk/COVID-testing.
Chief Superintendent Paul White said: âIn keeping with the current Government guidelines this yearâs Aintree festival will take place behind closed doors.
âWe know that the event is traditionally a huge part of Merseysideâs social calendar and annually attracts large crowds from across the UK and the world who attend over the three days.
âThis yearâs event will be taking place behind closed doors, which is a huge shame, however we are clearly in unprecedented times.
âWe have been working closely with Aintree to ensure that the festival can still take place safely and as such there will be a proactive and proportionate policing operation and you will see officers in the streets and footpaths around the course reminding people of the current Coronavirus regulations.
âWe know that there are some people whose homes are adjacent to the racecourse and we have already engaged with them to remind them of the current Covid regulations, including the rule of six or only two households allowed to gather in private gardens and that households are not allowed to mix indoors.
âWe would ask everyone to play their part to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS by continuing to stick to the rules and working together so we can get back to normal as soon as possible.â
Margaret Jones, Sefton Councilâs Director of Public Health said: âWe understand how important the Grand National Festival is to not just Sefton but the whole Liverpool City Region and the horse racing community. Iâd like to echo the words of our police colleagues and remind people not to be tempted to mix indoors or to get together in large groups to mark the occasion over the coming days.
âMany of our residents might be planning garden gatherings, so I would just remind everyone to ensure they take extra precautions and stick to the rule of six or two household limit on meeting outdoors.
âYou are less likely to catch Covid in the open air but itâs not impossible and we should try to follow the basics of hands, face and space when meeting with others and not sharing things like picnic or BBQ equipment. Our priority is to ensure the rate of transmission in our communities continues to fall and we can all play our part in that by following the guidance.â
The Councilâs traffic management team is working with event organisers to ensure there is as little disruption as possible to the road network across the behind closed doors festivalâs three days.
Some closures will be in place as follows:
- Melling Road will be closed north of Seeds Lane for the whole festival;
- Melling Road south of Seeds lane will be closed from 07.00hrs â 21.00hrs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the Festival (8th, 9th and 10th April);
- Aintree Station Car Park and Interchange will be closed for the whole festival.
Seftonâs Aintree Racecourse SMART COVID-19 test centre closed from Wednesday to Sunday
Sefton Councilâs SMART coronavirus testing centre at Aintree Racecourse will be closed from Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th April. This is while the courseâs Grand National meeting takes place.
The Boroughâs two other SMART testing centres, at Bootle Leisure Centre and Splash World in Southport, will be open as normal from 8am to 8pm every day.
SMART tests are for key workers and those with caring commitments during the current lockdown. They can provide a result in around 30 minutes and can help prevent the accidental spread of coronavirus by people not showing symptoms. No appointments are necessary.
Anyone who gets a positive SMART test result or who develops the coronavirus symptoms  – a new persistent cough, high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell – should immediately book a PCR test at a local test site. Local test sites are located opposite Bootle Town Hall, at Crosby Library car park, Southport Town Hall and Netherton Activity Centre. Tests can be booked by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Polling station staff required for 2021 Sefton elections
Do you know of somebody who would like to work at a Sefton Polling Station?
Sefton has 132 polling stations in operation on polling day. Polling station staff work inside the station and are responsible for the conduct of the ballot and making sure that procedure for voting are followed.
The elections team are looking to appoint staff to work in Sefton Polling Stations for the Combined Elections on Thursday 6th May 2021.
There are a number of positions available such as Poll Clerks, staff to meet and greet electors on arrival at the polling station and staff to be on stand by for election day. The hours of work will be 6am â 10pm.
Staff will be expected to undertake Lateral Flow test before commencing work.
If you are interested in any of the above positions, please email election.staff@sefton.gov.uk