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New, smart COVID testing centre for Bootle’s Strand

13 May 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized

Sefton Council is moving its RAPID coronavirus testing centre for people with no symptoms from Bootle Leisure Centre to Bootle’s Strand shopping centre.

From 9am on Saturday 15th May, people without COVID-19 symptoms will be able to get a test, with a result in as little as 30 minutes, at the town centre location.

Specially adapted

Bootle Strand owner, Sefton Council, has specially adapted the former H Samuel unit in the Strand for people to come along and take a RAPID test safely. It will be open seven days a week.

The Strand site replaces the Bootle Leisure Test Centre, which will close at 5pm on Friday 14th May.

Tell-tale symptoms

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Around one third of people with coronavirus do not show any of the tell-tale symptoms so by taking regular rapid tests, we can check if we’re one of these asymptomatic carriers to help make sure we don’t pass on the virus accidentally.

“I’m glad that we can now provide the facility where people can take those rapid tests and collect free home testing kits at this convenient Bootle town centre location.”

Sefton’s other RAPID test site is at Southport’s Splash World.

Results

Rapid home testing kits involves taking a throat & nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied and then checking for the result after 20 to 30 minutes.

As well as both RAPID testing sites, kits are available from any Sefton pharmacy and between 2.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week from the Borough’s walk-through Local Test Centres. These are located opposite Bootle Town Hall and at Crosby Library Car Park, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall and are open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Relaxed

Cllr Maher added: “Now that lockdown restrictions are being relaxed and more people are going out to their workplaces, going for a drink or meal at a pub or restaurant or meeting up with friends and family outside, taking regular rapid tests is increasingly important to keeping down the spread of COVID.

“Any of us who is regularly out and coming into regular contact with others needs to be taking a RAPID test as often as twice a week.”

Assisted

People who aren’t confident about taking a rapid test at home can choose to go for an assisted test at Sefton’s new Bootle Strand or Southport Splash World test sites.

Cllr Maher continued: “RAPID tests will help to finding those of us who do not show the key coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell.

“But it is still vital that anyone who does develop these symptoms or does get a positive test self-isolates for 10 days and immediately books a PCR test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or phoning 119.”

Eligible people who test positive are entitled to the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment in the same way as a regular swab test through NHS Test and Trace.

Find out more about testing and self-isolating in Sefton. 

97 per cent of households respond to Census 2021

12 May 2021
John McCabe
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Categories: Uncategorized

The response to Census 2021 has exceeded all expectations, with 97 per cent of households across England and Wales making sure they count when it comes to local services like school places, GP surgeries and hospital beds. This is above the pre-census target of 94 per cent, while all local authorities have seen over 90 per cent of households respond, exceeding an 80 per cent target.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said:

“Thank you to those who have completed their questionnaire. The census provides an important insight into our community and it is great to see that so many Sefton residents have taken part. This will ensure going forward we understand the needs of our community.”

“It is important that those who are eligible, and haven’t already completed a questionnaire do so, or they could face a £1000 fine if they do not complete an online form by the 17th May.”

Deputy National Statistician Iain Bell, from The Office for National Statistics said:

“We’ve had an amazing response to Census 2021. Those who have taken part have done so to ensure they are represented for their local area.”

“ I’d like to thank everyone who has filled out their form so far as well as all the community groups, organisations and local authorities who have helped us make this census a success.” 

Although Census Day – Sunday 21 March 2021 – has been and gone it is not too late to complete the online questionnaire. It only takes around 10 minutes per person. Time is running out as this online option will close on 17 May. After this only paper questionnaires will be available. If you have lost the letter or have a second address you have not visited, go to http://www.census.gov.uk to request an online completion code for your address via SMS text message.

"You must complete the census by law"

Local census support centres have now closed but help and paper questionnaires are still available through the census contact centre on freephone 0800 141 2021 in England and 0800 169 2021 in Wales.

If people refuse to take part, they could be taken to court and issued with a £1,000 fine and criminal record. The census non-compliance operation will begin on May 25.

Now the main census field operation has ended, around 350,000 households across England and Wales will be invited to take part in the Census Coverage Survey (CCS). This short, separate, interviewer-led survey will enable the ONS to get a final view of the response rates.

From May 4, a sample of households will receive a card through the post asking them to take part in the CCS. After that, an interviewer, following the government’s COVID-19 guidelines, will visit the address and fill in the questionnaire with you on your doorstep. The interviewer will be able to show an ID badge on a Census 2021 branded lanyard. For more information on the CCS visit Census Coverage Survey – Census 2021.

Litherland Walk-in Centre patients urged to use telephone appointment system

5 May 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Uncategorized
Litherland Walk-In Centre
Litherland Walk-In Centre

Patients of Litherland Walk-in Centre are being reminded they need to make an appointment.

People wanting to see someone at the Centre should call the telephone triage and appointment system on 0151 475 4667.

If they turn up without one, they cannot be seen that day or will have to wait outside as the waiting rooms are no longer in use..

This is to comply with Government advice around social distancing and maintain safety.

Litherland Walk-in Centre still has two separate treatment areas:

  • The Field Lane entrance remains closed and only potential Covid-19 patients will be able to enter and exit the main walk-in centre entrance in Field Lane. *Please note the walk-in centre does not offer Covid tests.
  • Patients who don’t have Covid-19 symptoms but are acutely unwell or attending for minor ailments, injuries or dressings, will be seen and treated in another part of Litherland Town Hall, accessed from the Hatton Hill end of the building.

All patients book an appointment in advance so assessment and treatment can be directed to the correct site by experienced staff. This will help ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Find out more. 

Last week to sign up for Sefton’s free Junior Membership offer, worth £80

26 April 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized
Ninth green at Bootle Golf Course

Under-16s have until the end of the week to take advantage of Green Sefton’s free, one-year, Junior membership offer, worth £80.

Year’s free play

If they sign up before the end of Friday, Under-16s can take advantage of a year’s free play at Sefton Council’s 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 £13 with Twilight Tickets from only £8.50. Twilight green start at 4pm at Bootle and at Southport with a further reduction at Southport from 6pm. Over 60s can play for £9 Monday to Friday.

A round for young people aged up to 16 is just £8. Or nothing if they take advantage of the free membership offer this week.

Contracts

Costs for 12 months’ play with a contract also remain frozen and start from just £110. 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.

Find out more about Sefton Council’s golfing facilities. 

Local student Emma, who has learning disabilities, urges Sefton residents to ‘be brave’ and get vaccinated

26 April 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Uncategorized
Sefton performing arts student, Emma James-Jenkinson and her mum
Sefton performing arts student, Emma James-Jenkinson and her mum

It’s World Immunisation Week and Emma James-Jenkinson, a performing arts student from Sefton, is sharing her COVID-19 vaccination story

She’s sharing her story because she hopes it will inspire others who are anxious or scared about getting their jab to ‘be brave’.

Emma, 17, who has Down’s 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, Emma’s 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 ‘be brave’ even though the jab might ‘hurt a little bit’, Emma’s 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 Emma’s favourite songs, ‘The Schuyler Sisters’, from the hit musical ‘Hamilton’, before administering the vaccine quickly and painlessly, much to everyone’s relief.

Happy and safe

Speaking about her experience, Emma said: “I 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.”

“It’s important for people like me with Down’s 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.”

“After I got my vaccine, everyone started clapping and I felt so happy and proud for being brave.”

Human touch

Emma’s mum, Lynn, said: “Cathy and the team at North Park Health Centre were so friendly. The ‘human touch’ that they brought to our unique situation really helped us both. We felt like we were really listened to, and I can’t thank them enough.”

“I am happy knowing Emma feels safe to go out again and can get back to being a ‘young person’ and doing the things she enjoys.”

“It’s 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.”

Strength and bravery

Cathy Riley, practice manager at North Park Health Centre said: “The 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.”

“The strength and bravery Emma showed touched us all. We were so elated that we all cheered and clapped for her and her proud mum.”

“The look on Emma’s face once the vaccination was done will stay with me always – she is proof that if you face your fears, you can conquer anything.”

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.

Find out how to book your own COVID-19 vaccination appointment, when you are eligible. 

Find out more about vaccinations in Sefton.

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