Coronavirus Updates

Latest Walk-in Vaccination Centres

Pirelli Stadium, DE13 0BH

22nd September 2pm – 6pm

16+/Pfizer/ 1st & 2nd

YMCA North Staffs, ST1 3AE

29th September 12pm – 6pm

8th October 12pm – 6pm

18/ Moderna/1st & 2nd

Uxbridge Street Mosque, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 3LA

24th September 12pm – 6pm

Moderna 1st & 2nd

No appointments are necessary, those attending MUST bring their NHS number with them.

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Please find below links on how to access LFD and PCR tests:

• https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Coronavirus/Testing/Testing-for-people-without-symptoms.aspx
• https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Coronavirus/Testing/Testing-for-people-with-symptoms.aspx

What’s in the Governments Covid-19 Winter plan?

Over autumn and winter, the Government will aim to sustain the progress made and prepare the country for future challenges, while ensuring the National Health Service (NHS) does not come under unsustainable pressure.

The Government plans to achieve this by:

• a. Building our defences through pharmaceutical interventions: vaccines, antivirals and disease modifying therapeutics.
• b. Identifying and isolating positive cases to limit transmission: Test, Trace and Isolate.
• c. Supporting the NHS and social care: managing pressures and recovering services.
• d. Advising people on how to protect themselves and others: clear guidance and communications.
• e. Pursuing an international approach: helping to vaccinate the world and managing risks at the border.

Read more

People aged 12 to 15 to be offered the Covid-19 vaccine.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE GOVERNMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT

• People aged 12-15 in England will be offered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, starting from 20 September
• Young people will be offered one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
• The vaccine will be delivered via a schools-based vaccination programme, which is the successful model used for vaccinations including for HPV and Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP)
• Alternative provision will be made for young people who are home schooled, in secure services or specialist mental health settings.
• Move follows unanimous advice to ministers from the four UK Chief Medical Officers
• Parental, guardian or carer consent will be sought by vaccination healthcare staff prior to vaccination in line with existing school vaccination programmes.

MORE ABOUT CONSENT

• Under 16s are not automatically presumed to be legally competent to make decisions about their healthcare and, therefore, whether they should be given the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the courts have stated that under 16s will be competent to give valid consent to a particular intervention if they have “sufficient understanding and intelligence to understand fully what is proposed”. (Gillick competence).
• The Gillick test provides that if a child under the age of 16 has sufficient understanding and intelligence to understand what is being proposed, care and treatment can be provided without parental consent. If a child is not competent to give consent for themselves, consent should be sought from a person with parental responsibility.

All blood tests to be suspended says NHS.

All NHS, primary care and community testing must be halted until September 17th, 2021, except for clinically urgent testing.

There is currently an international shortage of blood bottles, affecting blood tests both in the hospitals and in the community and primary care. As a result of the shortage, a suspension of non-essential blood tests has been issued.

Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems will still get one, for non-urgent tests you may be asked to come back for a test at a later date or your appointment may be rescheduled.

If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact your GP or hospital.

Examples of clinically urgent testing include:

• Bloods that are required to facilitate a two-week wait (suspected cancer) referral
• Bloods that are extremely overdue and/or essential for safe prescribing of medication or monitoring of condition
• Bloods that if taken could avoid a hospital admission or prevent an onward referral
• Those with suspected sepsis or conditions with a risk of death or disability

Vaccination Age Groups

Anyone aged between:

• 16 and 17 years will be invited to get a vaccine by their GP or will be able to visit a walk-in clinic using the NHS England sitefinder. More clinics will be added in the coming weeks. Do not contact your GP.
• 12 and 15 years who are clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 or who live with adults at increased risk of serious illness from the virus, will be invited for their vaccine by their GP. Do not contact your GP.

Book online or by calling 119 if you:
• Are aged 18 or over (or anyone within three calendar months of their 18th birthday)
• Are at risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• Have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• Have a learning disability
• Are a frontline health or social care worker
• Get a Carer’s Allowance, get support following an assessment by your local authority or your GP record shows you are a carer.
If you are an eligible unpaid carer but cannot book an appointment via the NBS please speak to your GP surgery.

Alternatively, call in to a nearby walk-in clinic to get your vaccine dose. Either way, everyone who is eligible will get their vaccine.

National walk-in clinics finder.

This month our walk-in and pop-up clinics have been trying out the national walk-in clinics finder.

As a result, you will now find an increasing number of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent walk-in clinics here. Simply enter your postcode to find one near you.

For an overview, click here

Walk-in clinics are in:
• Cannock
• Hanley
• Stafford
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Tamworth
• Uttoxeter
Weekday and weekend slots are available, as well as opening hours for workers unable to get to a clinic during the day. These clinics are in addition to the existing network of clinics offered through GPs, our large vaccination centres and community pharmacies.

Having both of your COVID jabs will help us return to normal, by protecting yourself, friends and family. You can also enjoy night life, travel and summer knowing you have the best protection available.

Currently there are three vaccines available

You will be offered either:

• Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTechare for anyone over 18.
• Oxford/AstraZeneca is reserved for over-40s only.  

Under-40s will only be offered Moderna or Pfizer. You will be given the same vaccine for your second dose, unless you had a severe allergic reaction to your first vaccine. 

It’s easy to get your COVID-19 vaccine

• Book through the National Booking System or call 119. You will be asked for your name and date of birth, OR NHS number. Enter your postcode to find your nearest vaccination centre.
• Or just pop into one of the walk-in clinics near you – no booking needed.

For more information visit:

https://www.twbstaffsandstoke.org.uk/coronavirus/18-29-year-olds

Guidance on shielding for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

Although shielding ended on April 1st for Clinically extremely vulnerable people there are many who are seriously ill and wish to take further precautions against catching Covid-19.

The government has issued new guidance for those wishing to limit contact and take additional precautions against Covid-19.

The guidance comes into effect from 19th July when most restrictions will be lifted. Read more

Healthwatch Staffordshire Update

During the current Coronavirus outbreak, Healthwatch Staffordshire staff are currently following guidance and operating from home locations. The Healthwatch Staffordshire service will continue to be provided.

To contact us, use the messaging facility on our website HERE

Email: enquiries@healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk

Healthwatch Staffordshire

We’re an independent organisation set up to champion the views of patients and social care users in Staffordshire, with the goal of making services better and improving health and wellbeing. We want to hear about your views, needs and experiences to help Staffordshire get the best possible health and care.

Your views matter

The Long Term Plan sets out what the NHS wants to do better, including:

• Making it easier for people to access support closer to home and via technology
• Doing more to help people stay well
• Providing better support for people with cancer, mental health conditions, heart and lung diseases, long-term conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis, learning disabilities and autism, and for people as they get older and experience conditions such as dementia.

Your local NHS needs to hear from you about what it should do to make care better for your community.

Share your views and help make care better.