Health

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.”

The Sefton Community Pharmacy Survey – which can be completed in less than 5 minutes – is open from now until the end of December.

To let Sefton Health and Wellbeing Board know what you think, simply visit the online Patient Survey of Community Pharmacy Services 2021.

The survey is anonymous and asks you to answer some simple questions about how you use local pharmacies.

It will not be possible to identify people from their responses to the survey questions. The information you give is confidential and no-one else will see your answers, .

Paper copies

To request a paper copy of the survey or to get support with any other communication needs, you can email public.health@sefton.gov.uk of call Sefton Council on 0345 140 0845, telling them your call is about the Pharmacy Survey.

Report

Sefton Health and Wellbeing Board is working on a new report about community pharmacies or chemists in Sefton and the feedback provided in this survey will be used for that report. The information you provide will only be used in a summary of all the responses.

Your information will help to ensure that the services on offer are a good fit for what people in Sefton need. You will be able to see how information from this survey is used in the draft report  – Draft Sefton Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022 – which we will send out in the middle of next year for people to read and comment on.

Thank you for your time and effort. Your views and experiences are very valuable, important, and helpful.

Take part now.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health has called on people living and working in the Borough to remember that alongside vaccination, mask-wearing is hugely effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Her comments come in the light of a global study, reported in the British Medical Journal, which has shown mask-wearing reduces incidence of COVID by 53%.

Global study

She said: “This is the first global study of its kind and it confirms how important wearing a mask can be in preventing us from spreading and catching the coronavirus. Particularly as even those of us who have been vaccinated can still carry and pass on the virus without feeling any ill effects ourselves.

Analysis of research from around the world into non-pharmaceutical interventions, carried out by the University of Edinburgh and Monash University in Australia, showed that social distancing and handwashing are also effective ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 cases, but that mask wearing is the most effective.

Minimal effort

Mrs Jones said: “I think all of us will have noticed the drop off in mask-wearing on public transport, in shops and other places locally and on a national basis, but this study is a reminder that we should be keeping it up if we want to minimise the spread of the virus as we head into winter.

“It’s 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.”

Booster

She also reminded people who have not yet had their first or second vaccination that it’s not too late to do so as soon as possible and for those people who are eligible to book their booster jabs.

She added: “I would urge anyone eligible to get their first, second or booster jab or within a month of being able to get their booster to book an appointment today by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination  or calling 119 today.”

Sefton’s health and community leaders are using Self Care Week (15-21 November) to offer advice and highlight the support available to help residents take better care of their health and wellbeing.

Margaret Jones, Director of Public Health at Sefton Council, said:

“Self Care Week is about encouraging people to take steps to prevent illness, adopt healthier choices, manage minor ailments and look after their health and wellbeing. Self Care Week is a perfect time to think about the changes we can make to help us take better care of ourselves and our families. Self-care doesn’t mean you should do it alone – lots of support is available!”

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

“Knowing what to do and where to go for help is an important part of practising self care. Remember, it isn’t just your GP practice that can help, your local pharmacists are also health experts who can help with all sorts of conditions and treatments. Anyone can access expert advice and buy a range of medicines for minor illnesses over the counter from a local pharmacy, without needing a prescription from their GP.

“In addition, Care at the Chemist is a scheme for patients registered with a GP in Sefton, which enables pharmacists to provide any medicines they recommend for a range of minor conditions, which will be free of charge to patients who do not pay prescription charges.”

Active Sefton is a Sefton Council run initiative that provides services designed to improve physical health and mental wellbeing.

Natalie Ashworth, locality team manager from Active Sefton, said:

“We can provide free NHS health checks which are aimed at picking up early signs of conditions that can then be prevented such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease and helping people live longer, healthier lives.

“We also run services aimed at providing people with the opportunity to live more active and healthy lifestyles and support for older people who may be at risk of a fall, to reduce their risk and maintain their independence. Speak to your GP practice about these services or call 0151 934 2352 for more information”

Support with being active and meeting people is also provided through Living Well Sefton, which is a free service led by Sefton CVS, helping people with issues affecting their health and wellbeing.

Gemma Boardman, programme manager at Living Well Sefton, said:

“Living Well Sefton supports Sefton residents to make small changes to their lives that can have a big impact on their wellbeing. From walking groups to lunch clubs, our mentors can provide in-depth support by working out how physically active you want to be and assess your wellbeing by tailoring a plan just for you.”

If you’re feeling anxious, depressed or simply need someone to talk to, there is plenty of help available. If you’re registered with a GP in Sefton, Talking Matters is a free, confidential service to help deal with common mental health difficulties. Call them on 0300 303 2708 or go to www.mhm.org.uk/talking-matters-sefton.

For practical tips and expert advice to improve your mental health, you can also visit www.kindtoyourmind.org. There’s also a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service run by Mersey Care, for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. Text HEAL to 85258.”

The NHS website also has a host of information on symptoms, conditions and treatments. If you do need medical advice and aren’t sure where to go, use NHS 111 online at www.111.nhs.uk  or call 111 for assistance in getting the medical help you need.

A huge range of information on local services and support for improving physical and mental health, as well as easy to follow online self care guides for common conditions is available online from:

• NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group
• NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group