Whooping Cough

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough (known medically as Pertussis) is a bacterial germ which is very easily spread between people. The numbers of this infection being reported by doctors are going up.

Follow the NHS guidance on whooping cough 🔗 if you think you or a family member has whooping cough.

If your doctor says you have whooping cough, you will be expected to stay away from work, school, or nursery. This will help to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other people.

Young babies, particularly those under 6 months, can be very poorly if whooping cough infection is passed onto them. Many need to be taken to hospital. Sadly, in some cases, whooping cough can be fatal.

Importance of being vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy.

As babies cannot be vaccinated until they are 8 weeks old, having the vaccine 🔗 means protection can be passed onto the baby from mum. It is important to have the vaccine during every pregnancy.

Whooping cough in older children and adults can be distressing and problematic and cause health problems.

How whooping cough can be prevented.

The NHS offers a free and very effective vaccine to protect against whooping cough. It is offered to those who are pregnant, and children as part of the routine NHS vaccines.

It's important the vaccines 🔗 are given on time for the best protection, but if you or a family member has missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.​

Move More and Connect with Nature 

The Derbyshire Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Team have launched the 'Move More and Connect with Nature' Campaign with partners across the county. 

The campaign promotes a range of local opportunities, particularly free and low-cost activities, for individuals, groups, and families to participate in physical activity and connect with nature.

As part of this, the Let’s Chat Derbyshire interactive map 🔗has been updated. It now includes details of Let’s Chat bench locations and information on a range of outdoor physical activity groups and opportunities to connect with nature, including beauty spots, walks, community gardens, outdoor gyms, parks and much more.

For more information and links to local partners, visit our Move More and Connect with Nature Webpage 🔗.

For information on training, toolkits, support, social media, and our podcast, check out our Team Information below.

Derbyshire Integrated Sexual Health Services launch a new STI Testing & Prevention Campaign

Regular testing for HIV and STIs is essential for good sexual health, and everyone should have a STI screen, including a HIV test, annually if having condomless sex with new or casual partners. 

Derbyshire Integrated Sexual Health Services is launching an STI Testing & Prevention Campaign to improve testing uptake and health outcomes. This initiative specifically targets under-represented groups, focusing on males aged 16-24 and 40+ and ethnically diverse communities.

The purpose of the campaign is to increase STI testing to ensure early detection and treatment. Share the materials with your colleagues to:

• Emphasise the importance of regular STI testing as essential self-care.
• Promote access to confidential and FREE testing services available online through the Your Sexual Health Matters Website 🔗.
• Raise awareness of the support in anonymous partner notification.

Follow the link below to access STI Testing Campaign Materials.

Free Training Course Opportunity - Encouraging Vaccination Uptake 

Derbyshire County Council has arranged FREE ‘Encouraging Vaccination Uptake’ training to be delivered during 2024.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) at Level 2.

This training program aims to equip individuals and workplaces with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote vaccination uptake within their communities. Whether you're a healthcare professional, community leader, volunteer, or simply someone passionate about public health, by participating in this training, you'll be playing an essential role in promoting vaccination uptake and protecting the health and well-being of our communities.

Anyone interested in joining this course can select from either a full-day classroom-based course or an online course delivered over 2 x 3-hour sessions.

For available dates and to register for the training, visit the official webpage below or email the Health Protection Team at ASCH.Health.Protection@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Get Active Over the Summer Holidays 

The summer holidays are here, and it’s time to get out and enjoy the warmer weather, even on the bus!

Cycling:

Find out if your workplace has a cycle-to-work scheme. If it has, you can save up to 42% on a bike and accessories; if it hasn’t, find out how it works 🔗.

Not ridden a bike for a while? Look for cycle training where you live; try Bikeability for Adults 🔗, Cycle Derby 🔗 or Inclusive Pedals 🔗.

Don’t know which route to take?  Check out Derbyshire's Cycle Route Planner 🔗.

Get yourself on the road to work on Cycle to Work Day 🔗 on Thursday, 1^st August 2024.

Walking:

Get out and about and walk to work (or at least part of the way). There are lots of walks and trails 🔗 to enjoy.

When you’re at work, take a walk around the block at lunchtime and see life away from work for a while.

On the Bus:

The £2 single bus fare cap 🔗is in place until December 2024; try getting off a bit sooner and combine your bus ride with a short walk. No more car parking hassle!

Car Share:

Get social, save money and share your car journey with the KINTO Join mobile app, available to download from the App Store 🔗 and Google Play 🔗.

Accreditation:

Modeshift STARS 🔗 is the national accreditation scheme for sustainable travel. Interested? Contact sustainable.travel@derbyshire.gov.uk - it’s FREE for Derbyshire-based workplaces.

Sightseeing:

Lastly, take it easy on the Peak Sightseer 🔗 - available every day until 6^th October 2024.

Alcohol Awareness Week 

Alcohol Awareness Week, hosted annually by Alcohol Change UK will take place this year from 1^st - 7^th July 2024. The chosen theme for this year is 'Understanding alcohol harm'.

The promotion of alcohol is embedded into our everyday lives. Whether it's showcased when watching sports, on the way to work on public transport or during TV programmes, it is present amidst celebrations and when dealing with tough times.

The negative impacts of excessive alcohol consumption aren't limited to sole individuals. Quite often it can put a strain on the personal relationships individuals have among friends and family, especially if long-term health issues are incurred.

This year's theme of 'understanding alcohol harm' aims to clearly define the subject and draw attention to the lesser-known knock-on effects alcohol can have across society.

The campaign also provides a great occasion to encourage workplaces, including GP surgeries and charities to take the time to discuss the wider impacts excessive alcohol consumption can pose within local communities. Over 5,000 workplaces across the UK take part in promoting the event annually to help raise awareness and endorse change.

To register your workplace to take part in Alcohol Awareness Week and receive a wide range of FREE digital promotional resources (posters, social media templates, etc.) for the campaign, be sure to register your interest by visiting the official website below.

Cycle to Work Day 

'Cycle to Work Day', hosted by Cyclescheme, is the UK's largest cycling commuting campaign. This year, for its 11^th edition, the event will take place on the 1^st of August 2024.

Whether it's the first time you have ridden a bicycle or you are a pedal-powered enthusiast, 'Cycle to Work Day' is open to everyone.

Cycling itself not only reduces travel costs to and from work, it also provides numerous health-related benefits including reduced levels of stress and anxiety and enhanced posture.

By participating in the event, you will also have the opportunity to win from a wide selection of prizes which are set to be announced soon. Last year, top prizes included a 'Raleigh Centros e-bike' (worth over £2,000) and a £250 Currys eGift card.

Further information is set to be published online in the run-up to the event. To keep up to date with the latest developments about the campaign and to get you and/or your workplace involved, be sure to sign up to Cyclescheme's 'Love to Ride' community website 🔗 ahead of the event and visit Cyclescheme's official website below.

Sexual Health Week 2024 

Another way to support your colleagues to have good sexual health is to take part in Sexual Health Week 2024 🔗. Sexual Health Week takes place between the 9^th and 15^th of September and the theme this year is “Are you feeling it?” - exploring the links between sexual health and mental health.

For more details on how your workplace can take part and sign up for updates visit www.brook.org.uk/shw 🔗.

Stay Connected With HWD 

Want to get in touch? You can contact us via email at: healthy.workplaces@derbyshire.gov.uk for general enquiries and/or to submit an article for the next edition of our newsletter (October - December 2024). A member of our team will get back to you shortly.

Finally, for further information on how Healthy Workplaces Derbyshire can support you and your workplace, be sure to visit our official website 🔗 and register your interest 🔗.