We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls to our Contact Centre and requests to our Council Tax Teams in part due to the cost of living crisis, the ÂŁ150 Council Tax Energy Rebate, local elections, allocation of school places and the administration of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme . Both teams are currently prioritising supporting the most vulnerable, the processing of the ÂŁ150 energy rebate to 114 000 households and those in need of help and support from our Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme.
As at 27th April the teams have processed the ÂŁ150 Energy Rebate to 45,256 households (Council Tax Bands A â D). These payments have been made to households that have paid Council Tax by Direct Debit where the instalment was paid between 1st â 18th April. For those whose direct debit is paid from 19th to the 28th April their rebate will be paid by mid-May. For households in Bands A to D that do not pay by direct debit we will be writing to them by 6th May to collect information from them that will enable us to process their rebate over the coming months.
We appreciate that the current response times will be frustrating people trying to contact the Council so we have taken steps to recruit and train additional staff and our staff are working extra hours to help meet the demand. We would encourage people to use online processes wherever possible.
Getting healthcare help in Sefton this May Bank Holiday
As residents in Sefton make plans for the May bank holiday, NHS leaders are sharing advice for getting healthcare help should you become unwell.
Services like pharmacies, walk in centres and GP practices may not be open on bank holiday Monday (2nd May), so residents are advised to plan ahead to know how to get the help they need.
Think 111 first
People who need urgent NHS care, but it is not a 999 emergency, are advised to contact NHS 111 which is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians who will direct people to the most appropriate health service.
Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: âIf youâre feeling unwell, there is always help and advice available from NHS 111, even on bank holidays they are there to help you.
âWe should all remember to âthink 111 firstâ â you can visit 111.nhs.uk online or call 111 over the phone to get healthcare support.â
Have you got your prescriptions?
Residents are also advised to make sure they have enough supply of any medications they need by ordering their repeat prescriptions early, and getting their medicine cabinet stocked up with essentials.
Dr Pete Chamberlain, chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: âPharmacies may change their opening hours on bank holiday Monday, so itâs best to think ahead and get your prescriptions stocked up early on to avoid being left short.
âYour local pharmacy can also help you to stock up on essential medicines for common ailments and injuries. They are highly qualified and can give free, confidential advice on many healthcare concerns.â
Grab a jab
COVID-19 vaccinations are available for 5-11 year olds and NHS leaders in Sefton are recommending that parents and guardians get their children vaccinated as soon as they are able, to boost their immunity and increase their protection against the disease. Children aged 5-11 with no underlying health conditions will be offered two paediatric (child) doses of the vaccine, which are smaller doses than those given to people aged 12 and over.
Anyone looking to book a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves or their children over the bank holiday weekend is advised to find a nearby appointment by calling 119 or visit the National Booking Service website at:Â www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine
Bookable appointments are available at a range of locations in Sefton, but residents can also find opening times for nearby walk in vaccine sites by visiting www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab, to get their vaccine with no appointment needed.
May Bank Holiday pharmacy opening times
A number of pharmacies are open on Monday 2 May. Opening times for these pharmacies can be found in the link below, but residents are advised to call their local pharmacy before travelling, to confirm that they are open at the advertised times. Information will be added to the links as more opening times come into the CCGs.
As the Crosby Lakeside Activity Centre reaches the final stages of works, there will unfortunately be disruption to the delivery of services.
Due to the ongoing refurbishment works, spin classes, both in person and virtual, will be paused for a week, from Monday 25th April to Monday 2nd May.
The centre will be completely closed to members and the public for three days from Monday 9th – Wednesday 11th May.
We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused and appreciate our members patience during the final stages of work.
We remind users of Crosby Lakeside that their Active Sefton membership provides access to all 6 facilities in Sefton, including Meadows, Bootle Leisure Centre, Netherton Activity Centre.
Local resident Erica Squire has shared the story of her bowel cancer journey during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and urges others to get checked out if they spot the signs of the disease.
Treatable
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, but it is treatable and curable if it is diagnosed at an early stage.
Erica, who lives in Sefton, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017 after attending hospital with liver pain. She was referred for a colonoscopy and five tumours were found on her liver.
She said: âMy prognosis wasnât good and I was put on palliative chemotherapy, but despite the odds I am still here, after a very long battle.â
All clear
Erica responded to her chemotherapy treatment better than expected and was referred to a specialist at Aintree Hospital after her tumours had shrunk enough to be able to operate on. In January 2018, she had part of her bowel removed and the tumours removed from her liver, followed by further chemotherapy and surgery. All of her scans to check for cancer have since been all clear.
More than 90% of people with bowel cancer have one of the following combinations of symptoms, which Erica urges other residents to look out for:
a persistent change in bowel habit â pooing more often, with looser, runnier poos and sometimes tummy (abdominal) pain.
blood in the poo without other symptoms of piles (haemorrhoids) â this makes it unlikely the cause is haemorrhoids.
abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating â sometimes resulting in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss.
Screening
Erica said: âWhen I was diagnosed I had a 10% chance of survival and I went through two rounds of chemotherapy. This had a huge impact on my mental and physical health, but this can be avoided if the disease is caught early. Everyone should go for screening as soon as they are eligible, and if you have any symptoms at all, get them checked out.
âThere is a lot I have learned in hindsight. I now realise that there were signs that I ignored. I was tired a lot in the six or seven months before my diagnosis. I wasnât yawning as though I wanted to go to bed, it was a general weariness and heaviness and I felt worried, but I dismissed it.
âI had been to the doctor the previous year when I had passed a bit of blood and she asked if it could be something superficial and I said that it could be. She offered to examine me and I said it wasnât necessary. In hindsight I should have had it investigated further.â
Early diagnosis saves lives
Dr Debbie Harvey, Macmillan GP and cancer clinical lead at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: âWeâre urging people to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer and if any of these develop, contact your GP to get them checked out and not be embarrassed. Early diagnosis really does save lives.â
Dr Graeme Allan, clinical lead for cancer at NHS Southport and Formby CCG said: âNHS bowel cancer screening is available to everyone aged 60 or over and 56 year olds. If you are also eligible for bowel cancer screening, make sure you complete your home test every two years when it gets sent out to you.â
You can hear Erica tell her story here.
Beach-goers guide to Seftonâs natural coast this Easter
Seftonâs environmentally protected coastline stretches for 22 miles and is a nature haven that offers something for everyone. If youâre thinking of heading to Seftonâs natural coast this weekend, thereâs a few things you should know.
Travel smart
Those thinking about visiting one of Seftonâs coastal gateways are reminded to travel safely, thinking about ways to walk or cycle where they can.
People should plan ahead to avoid traffic delays and are reminded to park responsibly away from residential areas.
Beach parking is available at Ainsdale-On-Sea and the car park will be open until 7pm over the four-day Easter weekend. The menâs, womenâs and disabled toilet facilities have now re-opened at Ainsdale after a recent refurbishment.
Please be aware Southport beach car park will be closed 15th â 20th April due to high tides.
Beach car parking charges for 2022:
ÂŁ8 per day for cars at Southport beach
ÂŁ10 per day for cars at Ainsdale beach
ÂŁ16 per day for horseboxes or minibuses
50% off the above rates after 4pm subject to car parking management arrangements
ÂŁ30 season ticket for Sefton residents and those who drive an electric or hybrid vehicle
Visitors are also reminded of the environmental sensitivities and how they can play their role in protecting the landscape by taking litter home and not lighting fires or BBQs anywhere at the coast.
Littering, fires and BBQs can have a detrimental impact on Seftonâs wildlife. Our natural coast is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna â from the famous Red Squirrels, to the rare Natterjack Toads and Sand Lizards.
The range of dune habitats and rare species found along Seftonâs coast are unique and protected as a site of special scientific interest.
Please do your bit to keep our natural coast clean and safe for all to enjoy.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
