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Southport’s Macmillan Centre is hosting a Health and Wellbeing Event at Southport College on Mornington Road, offering a range of support, information and activities for people affected by cancer.

The event is being held on Thursday 3 November from 2pm-4pm in the college’s Oasis Canteen and will be the first of their Health and Wellbeing Events to be held face-to-face since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Support and information

It is organised jointly by the Southport Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, who work together to ensure those living with and beyond cancer have access to the support and information they need throughout diagnosis, treatment and adjusting to life following a cancer diagnosis.

Anyone is welcome to attend and will be able to meet a range of service providers from health and social care, community, voluntary and faith organisations and support groups on the day.

The Southport Macmillan Centre singing group will be opening the event and attendees will be able to enjoy complementary therapy taster sessions from Sefton OPERA (Older Persons Enabling Resource & Action).  Attendees will also get the opportunity to talk to a variety of clinical nurse specialists and representatives from the lung, urology and colorectal departments at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital, but are advised that if they need to speak to a particular specialist to please call the Macmillan Centre to check if they will be attending.

Face-to-face setting

Tanya Mulvey, manager at the Southport Macmillan Centre said: “We are delighted to be able to hold our Health and Wellbeing Event in a face-to-face setting again, to be able to meet and support people in person.

“Our new partnership with Southport College means that they have very kindly agreed to us using their Oasis Canteen as our new venue, which gives us plenty of space to allow for social distancing as well outdoor space that attendees can use.”

Always useful to share

Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and cancer clinical lead for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside in Sefton, said: “These events are ideal for people to come along and meet others who have had similar experiences – it is always useful to share.

“We hope that attendees come away from the event with an idea of what we can help you with. It’s a friendly and informative event and everyone is very welcome.”

Mary Macnab, urology nurse specialist at Southport Hospital, said: “We usually see over 100 people come along to the Macmillan health and wellbeing events, they are always a great success and the more people we can support the better.

“The people attending always enjoy meeting others they can chat to about their experiences, whether that be other patients, clinical nurse specialists or someone from a support group.

“Many people who attend the events have then gone on to join one of the support groups such as the walking, cycling or craft groups, which they feel is another good way to meet others and get out and about during or after treatment.”

Book a place

Anyone who would like to attend the Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Event can come along for free to Southport College’s Oasis Canteen from 2pm-4pm on Thursday 3 November. Attendees are asked to call the Southport Macmillan Centre on 01704 533024 to book a place so that everyone can be accommodated and catering can be provided.

The Southport Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is a joint partnership between NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and Macmillan Cancer Support. The centre is based at 29 Wright Street in Southport, and offers regular drop-in sessions at the centre from 10am to 4pm Monday-Fridays.

For more information about the work of the Southport Macmillan Centre or to get in touch with the team visit: www.southportmacmillancentre.org.uk or call 01704 533024.

With winter illnesses and cold weather on the way, healthcare leaders in Sefton are inviting all those over 50 years of age to get protected this winter by getting their COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine as well as their annual flu jab.

All over 50s

On Saturday 15 October, the autumn booster rollout expanded to include all over 50s, as well as those previously eligible for the jab including:

• frontline health and social care workers;
• care home and housebound residents;
• anyone who is pregnant;
• carers aged 16 or over;
• those aged 5 and over who have a weakened immune system or who live with someone at high risk from COVID-19.

Anyone now eligible can have their autumn booster if it’s been at least 3 months since their previous COVID-19 vaccine dose. For anyone who has missed their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the offer to get these jabs is still available through the NHS national booking system.

Save lives

Jan Leonard, primary care lead for Sefton at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “As with previous vaccination rollouts, the NHS is focusing on delivering the jabs to those most at risk first, to get them up to date protection ahead of the winter period and to save lives.

“COVID-19 is still very much with us in Sefton and the protection we get from the vaccines needs to be topped up to keep us safe from serious illness, so it’s just as important to get your autumn booster when eligible, as it is to get any other doses of the vaccine you may have missed.”

Those eligible for the autumn booster are also likely to be eligible for a flu vaccination. The two jabs may need to be booked separately, but it’s safe to get both vaccinations at the same time.

Don’t hesitate

Margaret Jones, director of public health at Sefton Council, said: “The best time to get your flu jab is now, before flu starts to spread in the winter months. The flu vaccination is the best way to stop you getting the virus in the first place, and if you do catch it, the vaccine can protect you from getting seriously ill.

“Winter viruses are already circulating locally and, if unprotected, you could become seriously ill if you catch flu and COVID-19 at the same time, so if you’re eligible for both vaccines then don’t hesitate to get booked in.

In the video below, Sefton GP Dr Abdul Zubairu urges those eligible to get their autumn booster and flu jabs.

Booking

To book a COVID-19 autumn booster, anyone eligible can book an appointment at a vaccination centre or participating pharmacy in Sefton, or find a walk-in vaccination site nearby, by visiting the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

The flu jab can be given at GP surgeries and participating pharmacies. To book a flu jab through a participating pharmacy in Sefton, visit the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/book-flu-vaccination

Symptoms

Anyone who has a COVID-19 infection or who is showing symptoms of the virus should wait until their symptoms are better before getting their jabs. They should ideally wait:

• 4 weeks (28 days) if you are aged 18 or over
• 12 weeks (84 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17
• 4 weeks (28 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17 and at high risk from COVID-19, or live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Sefton Council is hosting a Keep Warm, Keep Well event as part of its commitment to helping vulnerable people get through winter.

The Council’s Affordable Warmth team, in partnership with Sefton OPERA are holding the free event at The Atkinson Centre in Southport, Monday 31st October, from 10.30am to 3:30pm.

Information stands will be open between 10:30am and 12.30pm. Blood pressure checks, chair-based exercises, free goody bags and massages will also be on offer.

There will also be dance sessions taking place from 1.30pm onwards accompanied by live bands, music and entertainment.

Sefton Council recognises many households will struggle to pay their bills this winter due to the cost of living crisis. Autumn’s expected rise to £3,554 will leave average household bills 80 per cent higher going into the colder months when energy use soars. Many vulnerable people will be hit hard, including older people and those in ill-health, living in energy inefficient homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.

People can find out more information about the event by contacting Sefton Opera on 0151 330 0479 or 07452 867 648 admin@seftonopera.org.uk.

Anyone concerned about keeping warm at home should contact Sefton’s Affordable Warmth Team on 0151 934 2222.

People worried about paying gas and electricity bills or who are struggling due to rising prices in shops can find support and advice by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “With their gas and electricity bills set to rocket and inflation rising to the highest rate in 40 years, households and business across Sefton will be wondering just how they are going to get through the coming winter and beyond.

“While Sefton Council has no magic solutions and like councils across the UK is hit by the same rises in costs to run its operations and services, it is vital we recognise people’s plight and work with our partners to provide what support and advice we can.”