Author: marthampcclerk

‘Open Doors to the Community’

James Paget University Hospital work across boundaries with many partners in health, social care, voluntary and charitable organisations to benefit the community, striving for seamless care for patients and carers in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. The Macmillan ‘Living With and Beyond Cancer’ project which JPUH is part of, is looking at improving the patient experience of cancer, developing new services which includes holding health and well-being events. This event is not just for patients with cancer, but is of benefit for all.

JPUH approached our working partners at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and East Suffolk Council, to hold a virtual event highlighting services and activities which are happening now in the community, despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic.

The working group approached local services, organisations and those providing activities, who have adapted their services to meet the needs of the local population during lockdown. Anyone living in the community can access this information, simply be clicking on the YouTube link on any of the 3 organiser’s websites. www.jpaget.nhs.uk/news-media/news-events / https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/article/2078/Neighbourhoods-and-communities /www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/news

By accessing the playlist you can choose from a variety of short videos clips to hear useful information and see some of the amazing services and activities going on in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area now. Accessing these clips will help support you both physically and emotionally and improve your wellbeing. This is of benefit to all irrespective of whether you are a patient, carer or a resident.

‘We have worked so well together on the production of this event initially for JPUH staff, but now available to everyone living in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. We consider this is such a useful partnership we will continue to work together for the benefit of all, in improving information sharing and support to the wider community’’

Nikki Sawkins JPUH ’Macmillan LWBC Nurse Lead’

‘There is so much support available currently that I was completely unaware of. I feel fortunate to live in such a supportive community’

Jo Pawlett Patient Rep & Cancer Services team

‘This work highlights the range of services, activities and support available to local residents, despite the pandemic. We really value working with our partners to make people’s lives better and I would urge people to check out what is available’

Nicole Rickard, Head of Communities, East Suffolk Council

‘Working together on this project has been a proactive way to ensure residents of the borough are aware of what services and activities are on offer locally. Whether it’s a support service, a community group or community activity, there is so much available for residents to get involved in and benefit from.’

Cllr Andy Grant, chairman of the Housing and Neighbourhood Committee at Great Yarmouth Borough Council

The ongoing SYHO singing sessions are still happening and available on line. We do not yet know when we will be able to sing together in person again, but when we can we will!

In the meantime please spread the word that we meet fortnightly. Anyone who enjoys singing ( no not need to read music or have ever been in a choir) is welcome to join us.

Sign up at www.syho.org. It’s free but we welcome donations.

Upcoming dates are:

Tuesday 16th March

Wednesday 31st March

Tuesday 13 April

Wednesday 28 April

Tuesday 11 May

Wednesday 26 May

We meet from 145pm, starting singing at 2pm

Public Health England in partnership with NHS England and Improvement have relaunched the national “Act F.A.S.T.” stroke campaign across national channels. The campaign is designed to inform the public about the signs of a stroke and to encourage people who recognise any single one of the symptoms of stroke, in themselves or others, to call 999 immediately.

Today, Tuesday 9^th March, is the PR launch for the campaign with campaign messages being supported across TV advertising, broadcast video on demand (catch up TV), radio, social media, as well as PR, alongside tailored and translated communications for ethnic minority communities. The campaign is running until early May, creating lots of opportunities to get involved.

We have launched an updated Act F.A.S.T. campaign as stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK – and can change lives in an instant. Yet the pandemic has seen a significant fall in stroke admissions and 1,413 excess deaths from stroke between 21 March 2020 and 22 January 2021 (7% higher than expected).

The campaign is built around the ‘Act F.A.S.T.’  (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym to emphasise the importance of acting quickly by calling 999:

• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred?
• Time to call 999

More than 80 people were fined last weekend for breaching lockdown rules ….

More than 80 people were fined last weekend for breaching lockdown rules, including 16 who attended a house party in Thetford. Officers were called to Anne Bartholomew Road in the early hours on Sunday morning (7 February) around 1.20am following reports of an illegal gathering. Police attended and a number of people were found at the property and 16 were given £800 fines and asked to leave.  The tougher fines were introduced last month for anyone attending an illegal gathering of more than 15 people. Meanwhile, a couple who travelled from London to Norfolk for a walk, sparking a coastal search were also fined. Local coast watch volunteers, concerned about the weather conditions, raised the alarm around 3.30pm after the couple failed to return to their car after more than four hours. Officers attended and assisted in searches with the coastguard and volunteer teams, before the man and woman were found safe and well at about 4.45pm. Both were fined after it was established they’d travelled from London earlier in the day. A total of 88 fines were issued between Friday and Sunday (5-7 February). Fines were given to a Loughborough man who travelled to and from his second home in Hunstanton, seven people attending a birthday party at an address in King’s Lynn and three people in Wymondham found to be mixing after officers were called to a fight. T/Superintendent Nathan Clark said: “Many of the cases witnessed last week were blatant breaches of the rules, leaving officers with no other option but to fine them. “We know people are making real sacrifices to stick to the lockdown rules by not seeing friends and family and staying home as much as possible. I’m grateful to the overwhelming majority of people who continue to do the right thing. “People know the rules and there is no excuse for the behaviour witnessed last weekend so we will continue to take action where proportionate and necessary.”

11 February 2021

Extra testing rolled out in Norfolk to help prevent spread of coronavirus

Rapid symptom-free community Covid testing is being rolled out across Norfolk after successful pilots in the east and west of the county. Mobile testing sites are planned in in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, north Great Yarmouth, Caister, Hemsby and Scratby next week, with further sites expected to go live in parts of South Norfolk and Norwich towards the end of the week. Symptom-free residents in these areas will be able to book a Covid 19 test online at: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/rapidtesting Residents can also visit the sites during their testing hours without an appointment to request a test. Further symptom-free testing sites will then roll out across the county in the coming weeks and will be targeted at areas where the virus is spreading or where there is greater risk of transmission. When the future sites are announced, residents in their areas will be made aware and will be able to book via the above link. Rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests provide results within 30 minutes and are used to proactively test those without symptoms. This helps to identify those who unknowingly have the virus and enable those who test positive and their contacts to self-isolate, which can help drive down the R rate locally and save lives.   Dr Louise Smith, Director of Public Health for Norfolk, said: “One in three people with coronavirus have no symptoms, which means they can be spreading the virus without knowing. These rapid tests help us to find these people so that we can break the train of transmission. “We have already piloted the testing in King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth and are now rolling out sites to areas in each district where the virus is most prevalent. The aim is to identify those who might be carrying and spreading the virus without knowing it, so that we can help reduce the spread. “Although a negative test might provide some reassurance to people, it is not a guarantee that you don’t have the virus, so if you do visit the test centre and the result is negative please do keep following the national restrictions, as well as following the hands, face and space guidelines. This will help further bring down rates of Covid in our county.” Social distancing and face masks are required at testing sites, except when taking the test. Anyone with symptoms should not use the symptom-free test and should instead book a test via the NHS. Tests on the site will be self-administered with trained staff from Norse observing to ensure that the correct process is followed. The results will be texted or emailed. Those who test positive should isolate immediately and work with national or local contact tracers to identify their close contacts. People no longer need a second test to confirm a positive test from a lateral flow test. A negative Covid test does not mean that someone does not have the virus and those who test negative should continue to follow all of the public health guidelines to protect themselves and others. Those who have been vaccinated are still eligible for lateral flow testing – this will not affect the results. Decisions on where community testing should take place are made by clinicians, who will analyse the latest case rates and risks of transmission. Norfolk’s seven district councils are supporting the roll-out by providing venues and helping to promote the sites locally. Vaccinations continue across the county Vaccinations continue to be delivered to priority groups, with 31 sites across Norfolk and Waveney now offering vaccines. Melanie Craig, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk & Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I am delighted that the vaccination programme across Norfolk & Waveney/North Suffolk continues to go from strength to strength. “Based on the latest data available, Norfolk & Waveney is the top performing system in the East of England region in terms of the percentage of over 80s vaccinated and percentage of total adult population vaccinated to date; this is thanks to the hard work and dedication of health and care staff across Norfolk & Waveney and the vital support we have and continue to receive from volunteers, the Police, Fire Service, Councils and more. “The weather this week has been very challenging but this hasn’t impacted the determination and focus of local teams and their drive to vaccinate our patients. “Despite our continued focus on making sure that as many people as possible receive their first dose, it is vital that people continue to follow the latest Coronavirus guidance. Having the first and even second dose of the vaccine doesn’t mean that people can stop following the guidance.”   Background: Latest Covid statistics: Cases, as of the 6th of February: There have been 1,760 cases in the seven days to 6th of February – this is 718 fewer, compared to the same time last week Comparison to the 30th January the seven day incidence rate is 194 per 100,000 – this is a reduction of 79, compared to the week previously Comparison to the 30th January  District incidence levels per 100,000 as of the 6th of February (and comparison to the same time the previous week Comparison to the 30th January): Breckland: 195 (down from 315)Broadland: 179 (down from 241)Great Yarmouth: 231 (down from 357)King’s Lynn and West Norfolk: 248 (down from 310)North Norfolk: 109 (down from 137)Norwich: 263 (down from 327)South Norfolk: 116 (down from 209) Hospital activity: Covid 19 occupied beds: 461 on 9th of February – a reduction of 115 compared to this time last week (2nd February) Intensive care: 34 on 9th of February – a reduction of 30, compared to last week Hospital deaths: 1,372 to February 9th – an increase of 77 compared to last week Outbreaks as of the 10th of February (and comparison to the same time last week): 165 Open Outbreaks in care settings (down 3); 67 in businesses (down 2); 41 in education settings (up 6); and 35 in health & emergency settings (down 10) Deaths (registered up to the 6th of February): Deaths that have occurred up to the 29th January that have been registered up to the 6th February: 1,544 COVID19 deaths in Norfolk so far, an increase of 153 deaths compared to last week at 22nd January   Vaccination programme update from NHS Norfolk & Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group: We now have 31 sites across Norfolk and Waveney offering the vaccines: five ‘hospital hubs’ (including NSFT and NCH&C), 21 PCN sites, four large vaccination centres and one pharmacyDespite the challenging weather, the Norfolk and Waveney vaccination programme has continued to make rapid progress this week. Thanks to the dedication of vaccination teams, coupled with the help of many people, including council colleagues, the Police and the Fire and Rescue Service, there has been very minimal disruption to the programmeNHSE/I publishes weekly data at system level. This shows that up to Sunday, 31 January: 22% of our 16+ population had received a first dose of vaccine, putting us third out of the 42 health and care systems in England (the national average was 17.8%). 91% of our over 80s had been vaccinated by Sunday, compared to 88% nationally. In the last week alone we have given a further 50,200 doses (across all ages and cohorts)This makes Norfolk and Waveney the top performing health system in the East of England region in terms of percentage of over 80s vaccinated and percentage of total adult population vaccinated to dateThis is despite having the second highest proportion of over 80s in the country (8.4% compared to the national average of 6.2%.)The next data release is due to be published later todayNorfolk and Waveney has offered all of its over 80s, registered with a GP practice, the opportunity to have booked and received their vaccination by 31 January, which was the target set by the GovernmentThe NHS, councils and the voluntary sector have worked closely together to identify, invite and vaccinate health and care workers. We have offered all eligible workers the opportunity to be vaccinated         We are confident that we have offered everyone in the top four JCVI priority groups the opportunity to have received their first dose of vaccine, where it has been safe to do soOn Monday, 8 February, the Government announced: People aged 70 and over, and those on the Shielded Patients List, who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and who would like to be should contact the NHS to arrange a jabUntil now the NHS has asked people to wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first – and that remains the case for most people. However, to ensure absolutely everyone is offered the vaccine, people aged 70 and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated by the middle of this monthThe easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of chargeIf a suitable and convenient slot is not available people can also call their GP practiceMany who have not yet booked an appointment are already receiving follow up letters and phone calls this week to encourage them to take up the offer of a jab More information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme is available on the NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG website: www.norfolkandwaveneyccg.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination-programme. ENDS Symptom-free Testing Locations for Next Week – 15/02/2021 to 19/02/2021 Kings Lynn: all site operating 10am to 4pm St James Swimming Pool – Town, South & West Lynn – Monday to FridayOasis Leisure Centre – Hunstanton – Monday to FridayFairstead Community Centre – Monday to Friday   Great Yarmouth: Hawkins Close Community Room – Yarmouth North – Wednesday to Friday Opening times: Wednesday 17th 12 noon to 7pm, Thursday 18th 7am to 2pm, Friday 19th 8am to 4pmThe Old Hall – Caister on Sea – Monday to Tuesday Opening times: 8am to 4pm, Monday and TuesdayVillage Hall – Hemsby – Tuesday to Wednesday Opening times: 8am to 4pm, Tuesday and WednesdayAll Saints Village Hall – Scratby – Thursday to Friday Opening times: 8am to 4pm, Thursday and Friday For political comment For details of cabinet members, committee chairs and agendas, please see: www.norfolk.gov.uk/cabinetandchairs Group leaders’ and councillors’ contact details are available at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/countycouncillors For further information please contact: Communications Team at Norfolk County Council Tel: 01603 228888 Email: pressoffice@norfolk.gov.uk       ​