Seftonâs 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: âThe 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.â
Dr Rob Caudwell, GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: âNHS 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.
âIf 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.â
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: âIf you do need medication for a long-term condition donât 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.â
Last week to sign up for Seftonâs free Junior Membership offer, worth ÂŁ80
Under-16s have until the end of the week to take advantage of Green Seftonâs free, one-year, Junior membership offer, worth ÂŁ80.
Yearâs free play
If they sign up before the end of Friday, Under-16s can take advantage of a yearâs free play at Sefton Councilâs 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 ÂŁ13 with Twilight Tickets from only ÂŁ8.50. Twilight green start at 4pm at Bootle and at Southport with a further reduction at Southport from 6pm. Over 60s can play for ÂŁ9 Monday to Friday.
A round for young people aged up to 16 is just ÂŁ8. Or nothing if they take advantage of the free membership offer this week.
Contracts
Costs for 12 monthsâ play with a contract also remain frozen and start from just ÂŁ110. 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.
Sefton performing arts student, Emma James-Jenkinson and her mum
Itâs World Immunisation Week and Emma James-Jenkinson, a performing arts student from Sefton, is sharing her COVID-19 vaccination story
Sheâs sharing her story because she hopes it will inspire others who are anxious or scared about getting their jab to âbe braveâ.
Emma, 17, who has Downâs 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, Emmaâs 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 âbe braveâ even though the jab might âhurt a little bitâ, Emmaâs 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 Emmaâs favourite songs, âThe Schuyler Sistersâ, from the hit musical âHamiltonâ, before administering the vaccine quickly and painlessly, much to everyoneâs relief.
Happy and safe
Speaking about her experience, Emma said: âI 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.â
âItâs important for people like me with Downâs 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.â
âAfter I got my vaccine, everyone started clapping and I felt so happy and proud for being brave.â
Human touch
Emmaâs mum, Lynn, said: âCathy and the team at North Park Health Centre were so friendly. The âhuman touchâ that they brought to our unique situation really helped us both. We felt like we were really listened to, and I canât thank them enough.â
âI am happy knowing Emma feels safe to go out again and can get back to being a âyoung personâ and doing the things she enjoys.â
âItâs 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.â
Strength and bravery
Cathy Riley, practice manager at North Park Health Centre said: âThe 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.â
âThe strength and bravery Emma showed touched us all. We were so elated that we all cheered and clapped for her and her proud mum.â
âThe look on Emmaâs face once the vaccination was done will stay with me always â she is proof that if you face your fears, you can conquer anything.â
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.
Southport Town Dealâs consultation and engagement process has been shortlisted for a prestigious Planning Award.
âA Whole-Town Engagement: Southport Town Investment Planâ has been shortlisted in the Award for stakeholder engagement in planning (plan-making or pre-application) category.
Engaging with thousands
In partnership with Turleyâs, Sefton Council led the largest recorded response to a single consultation in the town, engaging with thousands of local people, securing thousands of pieces of feedback. Much of the consultation was successfully delivered during 2020 with Covid-19 requiring an innovative approach to virtual engagement, through partners such as Stand Up For Southport.
The feedback generated formed a significant part of Southportâs Town Deal Bid, resulting in ÂŁ37.5 million being awarded to Southport.
Town’s biggest conversation
Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said: âThe Plan we submitted was informed by the biggest conversation that the town has ever had about its future.
“We had 7,000 pieces of individual feedback from residents, business and visitors; over 1,000 young people from the town also put their ideas forward. The breadth and quality of consultation and engagement with all ages no doubt helped us to secure one of the largest Town Deals that the government has agreed nationally and across 101 towns.â
The Awards presentation will take place on Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 June.
As we enjoy the easing of lockdown restrictions and better weather, Sefton Council alongside Merseyside Police are reminding residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors safely this weekend.
Under the latest Covid regulations, people are allowed to eat and drink outdoors while seated, but outdoor gatherings are still limited to six people or two households. The mixing of households indoors is still not permitted.
Those looking to head to the coast are asked to explore travel options such as walking or cycling to avoid traffic jams and delays. If they do decide to take the car, they are reminded to park safely to respect local residents, pedestrians, cyclists and road users.
Donât forget the basics â rule of 6, hands, spaces and face
Margaret Jones, Sefton Councilâs Director of Public Health, said: âMany of our residents might be planning garden gatherings or trips to the coast as the good weather persists, 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
Sefton Councilâs Environmental Health Team has been reminding the Boroughâs businesses and their customers to follow the guidelines.
Peter Moore, Sefton Councilâs Head of Highways & Public Protection said: âWith another busy weekend expected for our popular hospitality sector, we are reminding business owners and managers of their obligation to following Covid-19 regulations. Weâre really pleased to see our high streets open once again with the vast majority following the guidance in place to protect us all from the virus. Itâs also important to remind customers and visitors to Sefton businesses to be considerate and to follow the requirements that are there to keep both them and the people serving them safe.â
People eating and drinking outside in Southport
Among the latest requirements for people visiting bars and restaurants that are open because they have outdoor facilities, is the need for them to be seated while drinking and eating. The volume of any music or TVs should be kept to background levels so people donât have to raise their voices to chat.
Also, the national regulations now mean everyone visiting a bar or restaurant needs to âcheck inâ by scanning the QR code at the entrance, for Test and Trace purposes. Previously, it was just one person from each group.
Help and support for businesses available from Sefton Councilâs Environmental Health team who can be contact at ETSContact@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0345 140 0345.
Also, the Government has produced 14 guides to help businesses keep their employees and customers safe. They cover a wide range of different types of work and workplace, which can be found at http://gov.uk/workingsafely.
Plan ahead when visiting the coast
Mark Shaw, Sefton Councilâs Green Sefton Service Manager, said: âWeâre working with our partners across our stunning 22-mile coastline to ensure that our beaches donât get overcrowded and that facilities like toilets, bins and extra car parking are available to ensure we can all enjoy spending time at these locations.
Mark Shaw Green Sefton Service Manager at Ainsdale Beach
âOur advice is that people should plan ahead before coming to any of Seftonâs coastal gateways â respect other beach users and follow the guidance of our rangers or other partners keeping you safe.
âIf these areas get busy then people might want to consider a trip to a park or other outdoor attraction instead, now that more places are open for us to enjoy spending time with friends and loved ones outdoors.
âAnd whatever you bring to the coast with you, please take home â leave nothing but your footprints and help us to look after our protected coastal landscape and wildlife.â
Anyone still planning a visit to the Sefton coast should visit www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches to find out about travel options and facilities at its beaches and to read the Visitor Action Plan for 2021.
Police to patrol and reassure across Merseyside
Chief Inspector Peter Clark said: âWe expect outdoor areas to be getting busier, especially as the temperature goes up, but would like to ask people to continue respecting the latest Covid guidelines by not gathering in large groups.
“Officers will continue to be out on patrol across Merseyside this weekend to offer guidance to the public and ensure people are adhering to the guidelines both inside and outside.
“While eating and drinking outdoors is a safer way to socialise, it also helps to support local businesses and reduce the risk of parks and outdoor spaces overcrowding. Now there are a wider number of outdoor settings and attractions open, we hope people who are able to will consider enjoying these, taking the pressure off our local beauty spots.
“Police will be working with partners to ensure seating rules are being followed at venues with outdoor seating areas.
âWe want everyone to enjoy the latest stage of relaxed guidelines, however I want to reiterate the importance of following the guidance that remains in place to ensure that we can continue with the progress that has already been made.
“Lastly, I’d like to thank the vast majority of residents and businesses for supporting the latest stage of the Covid roadmap and helping Merseyside to move forward safely.”
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