With significant numbers of people expressing concerns about the Governmentâs plans to remove all COVID restrictions from Monday 19th July, Sefton Council is stressing that people have the right to take whatever action makes them feel safe.
Real fears
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said: âIt is clear from peopleâs reaction to the governmentâs announcement it plans to abandon measures to protect people from COVID from Monday 19th July that this is causing real fears for a lot of people.
âWhile some people will want to get rid of masks straight away, others will want to continue wearing them and have every right to do so. Wearing masks have proven to protect the wearer and those people who they come into contact with from catching COVID.
âI know many of us are now double vaccinated and feel safer but despite being jabbed up we can still contract the virus without feeling any ill effects and pass it on to others. This may include those who remain vulnerable to COVID, people with other medical conditions that make them susceptible to illness as well as front-line health workers who are acutely aware of the virus and it effects.
âSo, continuing to wear a mask can be seen as an act of courtesy and consideration as much as self-protection.â
Buses and trains
Public transport seems to be a particular concern with reports of many saying they want to see mask wearing maintained on buses and trains.
Cllr Maher continued: âDonât get me wrong, Iâm as delighted as everyone else that we are edging back to normality, but I think we need to do so in a way that takes everyoneâs safety into account and after Monday 19th, that will mean us making those decisions to protect others.
âPeople across Sefton have made huge efforts and sacrifices to protect their friends and neighbours, their communities and people working in local business throughout the pandemic and I am confident they will show the same care and kindness.â
We would love you to join our virtual information session Tuesday 13th July 6.00 â 7.00pm, where you can find out more about fostering, from the comfort of your own home.
Sefton Council needs more foster carers and we are asking local people to really think about taking on this new rewarding role. If you can give a loving and stable home to children across Sefton, you can turn their life around and help them to achieve their full potential.
At our next info session, you will meet Sue and Derek who will be there to talk about their own experiences and answer any questions.
Sue has been fostering for 18 years and has looked after children of all ages. Derek has joined Sue in caring for children after falling in love with her and the fostering role.
Speaking about life as a foster carer, Sue said: âBeing a foster carer can be one of the best things you can do. I have seen children not knowing what direction their lives are going in, to just enjoying life and not worrying about things that children shouldnât be worrying about.”
Speaking about the info session Derek said: âIf youâre thinking about fostering please come along to the info session and have a chat about the approval process and how things have been for us. Honestly, itâs been truly amazing and as well as being beneficial to the children, itâs given me a new lease on life.â
Whether youâre ready to start your fostering journey or want the answers to some of those burning questions, our information session is a great place for you to find out more.
To join us on the day, click on the link to the Teams meeting:
Additional COVID-19 vaccination slots have been confirmed making it easier for people in Sefton to grab a jab.
Bookable slots are available at Linacre Methodist Mission in Litherland next week and people can secure a guaranteed slot through the national COVID-19 vaccination booking service.
Walk-in vaccinations will also be accepted during the confirmed clinic times.
People who attend a walk-in clinic for their first dose will have their vaccination record updated online and will then be able to book in their second dose appointment using the national booking system:Â www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination
Second jabs are also available at the walk-ins, if it has been at least eight weeks since the first dose for people aged over 40, and 12 weeks for people aged under 40.
Getting the second dose is vital to getting longer lasting and maximum protection offered by the vaccines, with recent research also showing they are highly effective against the Delta strain of the virus.
Booking a vaccination appointment  Â
All adults can still book at one of the 1,600 vaccination centres, pharmacies or general practice sites across the country that are available through the national booking service.
In Sefton, appointments can still be booked at one of the pharmacy-led vaccination sites located in Ainsdale, Bootle, Formby, Litherland, Seaforth, Southport and Waterloo.
People who cannot go online can call the service on 119 instead to book their jab.
In line with updated JCVI guidance, people aged 39 and under and all pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
On Monday 5 July the NHS will celebrate its 73rd âbirthdayâ. After a challenging year, health professionals in Sefton are encouraging everyone to join them in giving thanks for our national health service and recognising those who have worked hard to keep our borough safe.
Staff at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are marking the anniversary of the creation of the NHS by hosting a âBig Teaâ event, sharing a âThank Youâ video to staff and residents in Sefton and inviting everyone to join in to âlight it blueâ at home this weekend.
Cuppa
Anyone can get involved in the âBig Teaâ to say thank you to our NHS by hosting their own tea party and collecting donations for NHS Charities Together. Alternatively, you can join in online by taking a 5 minute brew break, sharing a photo with your cuppa on social media with the hashtag #NHSBigTea and donating to the charity by texting TEA to 70207 to give ÂŁ5.
Landmarks across the country will also be âlighting up blueâ this weekend to mark the occasion and show support for the NHS, while also remembering those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The NHS in Sefton is encouraging everyone to join in this simple act at home from Saturday 3 July â Monday 5 July, to show support for our NHS and remember those we have lost.
Hope
Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: âIt has been an extremely challenging year for the NHS in Sefton and across the country, but it has also been one of hope. While caring for around 400,000 seriously ill COVID-19 patients, the NHS has rolled out the biggest vaccination programme in our history.â
âWe could not have played our part in these achievements without the skill and dedication of our staff, volunteers, keyworkers and you, the public, who are supporting our efforts by following social distancing rules and turning up to get vaccinated.â
âWe would like to mark the 73rd birthday of the NHS by saying a huge thank you to those who have worked so hard to face these challenges or who have supported us over the last 12 months.â
Celebrations
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: âWe would love for everyone in Sefton to join in the birthday celebrations at their own âBig Teaâ events with friends and family, while remembering that the âRule of 6â, or two households, still applies indoors. Itâs a great opportunity to âpour out our thanksâ to NHS teams all over the country who have worked so hard to care for and protect our communities this year.â
âYou can also join in by âlighting up blueâ at home to show your support. Why not dig out the Christmas lights, hang something blue from your house, or simply place a lamp in your window as an act of respect to remember those who we have sadly lost to COVID-19.â
Cllr Maher also took part in a ‘thank you’ video, talking about how, in May, the Council’ s Cabinet agreed proposals to grant Aintree and Liverpool University NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust the Honorary Freedom of the Borough in the light of the hard work and dedication the Trusts’ staff had shown during the âdevastation of the Covid 19 Pandemicâ.
The NHS âBig Teaâ is a national celebration and fundraising events organised by NHS Charities Together, the NHSâ national charity partner made up of 240 charity members based with hospitals, mental health, ambulance and community health services across the UK.
If you would like to host your own NHS âBig Teaâ event or find out how to support NHS Charities Together, visit their website here:Â www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/nhs-big-tea/
You can find out more about the NHS birthday and activities across the UK on the NHS website here:Â www.england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/.
Local young people are spreading the facts on vaccination
Vaccinated young people across Cheshire and Merseyside are adding their voices to the âSpread the Factsâ campaign to show how others can play their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
A local, independent survey conducted as part of the campaign found that nearly three-quarters (72%) of surveyed younger people in Cheshire and Merseyside agree the vaccination is necessary for a return to ânormalâ life.
The survey also encouragingly uncovered a strong feeling that younger age groups still know they need to comply with guidelines even after having the vaccine, with 70% disagreeing that once you have the vaccine people donât need to follow guidelines.
Facts
The âSpread the Factsâ initiative, which originally launched earlier this year, features young frontline health workers sharing their own personal stories and telling young people how they can play their part in stopping the spread of the virus.
As part of the latest phase of the campaign, they are being joined by young people across the region who have already stepped up to take the vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Experience
Ellie Longman
One supporter is 24-year-old care worker Ellie Longman from Liverpool. After losing a family member to COVID-19 and working closely throughout the pandemic with those most affected, she is eager to share her story about how young people like her can make a difference.
She said: âI have seen, both in my job as a care assistant and through my own experience with COVID-19, exactly how important vaccinations are in helping stop the spread and serious illness due to the virus. I was able to access the vaccination in February due to my job, which involves working with people more susceptible to the harsher effects of coronavirus, and was happy to go forward for it in order to play my part in protecting the most vulnerable in my community.
âI would absolutely recommend anyone to go and get the vaccine if they are able to. I think itâs important to remember that, just because we are in the younger age bracket, it doesnât mean we are automatically safe from the effects of virus and, after losing a family member to COVID-19, I know the immense devastation the virus can cause to families and communities. Even though I did experience some mild side effects around 24 hours after both vaccinations, they were easily manageable with pain killers, fluids and some rest, which is a lot better than the potential side effects of contracting COVID or even long COVID.
âAt the end of the day, science doesnât lie, and the figures show that vaccinations work in helping to significantly reduce serious illness and deaths due coronavirus, and ultimately getting back to enjoying life out of lockdown and without restrictions. Before the pandemic I enjoyed travelling and meeting new people, and Iâm really excited to be able to do those things again.â
No question
Adam Cureton, 24, from Prenton, who suffers with asthma, has had both vaccinations and is now keen to encourage others to get their jab.
He said: âIâve suffered from asthma since I was a child and I know that, while Iâm otherwise fit and healthy, catching COVID could severely affect me.
âSo, when I was invited to take up the jab a few months ago, there wasnât a question in my mind about whether I should do it or not. My girlfriend, who also has asthma, is a frontline worker as a trainee pharmacist, so we both feel very strongly about not only protecting ourselves, but protecting our families too. Weâre all so desperate for life to get back to normal and to be able to do the things we previously took for granted â the vaccine is our way to do this and hopefully our route out of lockdowns and further restrictions.â
Since the vaccination programme was opened up to over 18 year olds, public health chiefs across the country have been amazed at the positive response and are continuing to praise younger people for stepping up in the fight against the virus.
Example
Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health
Margaret Jones, Director of Public Health in Sefton said:Â âIâm pleased to see young people like Ellie and Adam speaking up about the importance of vaccinations and am glad that high levels of young people are following their example and getting vaccinated.
âItâs simple for anyone aged over 18 to book a vaccination appointment and every time someone does they are helping the whole country make its way out of the COVID pandemic and return to the normalities we all want to see.â
Stepping up
Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool and lead Director for Communications and Marketing in Cheshire & Merseyside, added: âIt is very encouraging to see the high levels of younger people already stepping up and taking the vaccine to protect themselves, as well as their family and wider community. It shows that younger people understand how instrumental they are in the fight against the virus and are prepared to take action to save lives.
âOur latest programme of activity for âSpread the Factsâ will continue to speak directly to young people and address any misinformation or misconceptions out there. The young NHS workers in our campaign are witnessing first-hand the big difference that the vaccine is making in the fight against COVID-19 and are extremely passionate about sharing their stories, so others can understand the real facts and reasons behind why it is so important for all of us to get vaccinated.
âWe should all be incredibly proud of our younger people for stepping up to ensure we can continue on our road out of lockdown and back to normality.â
Healthcare community
The âSpread the Factsâ campaign, which is a collaboration between the NHS and local councils in Cheshire and Merseyside, features young people working across the healthcare community in the local area. NHS workers, including young doctors, nurses and support workers, share their experiences of working throughout the pandemic.
The real life health care heroes impart facts and recommend simple behaviours that will cut the spread of the virus and stop the spread of misinformation among young people. www.spreadthefacts.co.uk holds the facts and signposts to other official sites for further reading.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to anyone aged 18 or over. People in Cheshire and Merseyside are also encouraged to take part in regular COVID-19 testing, and home testing kits can be ordered at: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Those in Cheshire and Merseyside who are struggling with their mental health can visit Kind to Your Mind, which contains a variety of mental health and wellbeing resources, including online therapy and crisis phone numbers: https://www.kindtoyourmind.org.
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We would love you to join our virtual information session Tuesday 13th July 6.00 â 7.00pm, where you can find out more about fostering, from the comfort of your own home.
