Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
Here’s our second weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date with local news and information during the current Coronavirus crisis.
With the Easter weekend coming up, I’d like to emphasise how important it is that we continue to follow the STAY AT HOME guidance.
Please THINK TWICE about travelling further afield when not necessary, for example shop closer to your homes or use businesses’ online services rather than heading into town.
Before you venture out, check if independent traders are doing home delivery services, many of them now are, including those in the town centre and markets.
Also, avoid driving out to beauty spots or parks at this current moment in time.
Keep playing your important part and together, we will #BreakTheChain.
And please join us in the clap for our carers tonight (Thursday) at 8pm to show our united support for our key workers. On Friday, Doncaster Youth Council are asking people to post a selfie on social media wearing something red and making a C with your hand to show support to carers along with #WeCYou
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For further advice and information, visit our dedicated pages on the Doncaster Council website - Coronavirus (COVID-19) - and on Facebook and Twitter - https://www.facebook.com/CovidDoncaster and @CovidDoncaster
Rupert Suckling,
Director of Public Health
Preparations for COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, local hospital teams have been working tirelessly to ensure everything is ready to help care for patients who come into hospital with Coronavirus.
In an open letter, Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), spoke about changing the way they work, the introduction of firm visiting restrictions, moving services and wards around to make them more sustainable, and switching the majority of urgent outpatient appointments over to telephone consultations.
In addition, taking steps to ensure they have in place all of the medical equipment they need. You can read Richard’s letter, dated 5 April, in full here - Trust preparations for COVID-19
Local resident, 92, home safe after battle with COVID-19
Local resident William Gelder, 92, (pictured) is one of the latest patients to have recovered from Coronavirus at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH).
After displaying severe symptoms, William was urgently admitted to Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), where his relatives were told to brace themselves for the worst. Testing positive for COVID-19 and pneumonia, he remained on an inpatient ward for a few days, relying on oxygen support, fluids and antibiotics.
With the help of dedicated healthcare professionals, Bill has fortunately recovered from the virus and is now at home following discharge from hospital, where he is self-isolating.
Granddaughter Jemma Moralee, a Staff Nurse at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, said: ‘’Thank you to all the amazing staff at DRI - in particular the staff from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit and the Respiratory Unit - all who played a part in getting Grandad Bill back home safe. We are forever grateful!’’
Richard Parker, Chief Executive at DBTH, said: ‘’We are so pleased for Bill and his loved ones. Bill is not alone in this either, as we can happily announce that, to-date, we discharged 23 patients from our hospitals following COVID-19 related care and treatment. We wish them all the very best in their continued recovery and share deep thanks with those colleagues who have supported them throughout their hospital journey.”
Update on waste and recycling
Collection days remain the same over bank holiday, although please remember there are no green bin collections.
Resist the urge for a big clear out just yet as Household Waste Recycling Centres are closed for the time being and kerbside collections of clothing and electrical items have been suspended. It you do have excess bulky waste, please temporarily store this until services reopen.
Do not fly-tip, it is a serious offence and if convicted, fly tippers face a fine up to £5000 and/or five years in prison.
Calling all key workers
You’ll be aware that a number of Doncaster schools and early years providers/childminders have remained open to support the children of key workers.
To assist the schools, early years providers and their staff, ALL key workers are asked to contact their school/provider as soon as possible to advise them of what childcare they will need over the Easter weekend and beyond if they can.
We know this won’t be possible for everyone with changing shifts and working patterns, but if you can, having this information with some notice can help schools/providers to ensure the right staffing and planning.
Contact the school or setting your child is currently at directly, and advise them of your childcare requirements.
A full list of schools and early years providers that remain open are available at www.doncaster.gov.uk/FIS
If you are a key worker and your child does not have a place at an early years provider or school, you can still apply for one. Visit the above link to find the most convenient school for you and contact them directly.
Free school meals
If your child/children are eligible for free school meals, please see the details below:
Information on rent holidays for St Leger Homes tenants
If you are a St Leger Homes tenant and you are struggling to pay your rent because your income has reduced as a result of COVID-19, you may be able to defer your rent payment until a later date – please note, you will still need to pay this shortfall back in the future. Call 01302 862 862, if you need this assistance.
(If your rent is covered by Universal Credit or Housing Benefit you won’t be eligible to defer payments).
Please note that St Leger Homes will only be undertaking urgent emergency repairs – including gas servicing – at this time, rather than non-urgent repairs. For the latest information about St Leger Homes services and what other support is available to tenants, please visit the Question and Answers section on the St Leger Homes website here: https://www.stlegerhomes.co.uk/news/coronavirus-qas/
Have you completed the self-isolation form yet?
We’re encouraging people to complete the online self-isolation form – www.doncaster.gov.uk/self-isolation-form
This will help us to get to know the impact of Coronavirus on our local communities and to identify people who are self-isolating that might need our support.
Service suspensions
To check which services are currently suspended, please visit - List of services
Easter Bank Holiday information for primary care health services
And finally…
Making history with Heritage Doncaster
Heritage Doncaster are challenging local people on lock-down to share stories of joy-giving items in their own homes to exhibit in a unique ‘Living Room Museum’.
They are inviting members of the public to share the stories of possessions that are on display in their own homes, from quirky family heirlooms to souvenirs of holidays past that have become part of their home décor, which have happy memories associated with them.
“We all have personal possessions that tell a story – perhaps it carries memories of the person who gave it to you, or it’s not quite what it seems, or reminds you of a special moment. The monetary value may be irrelevant, but if it makes you smile when you see it or think about it, then it’s a treasure. That’s what we’re trying to capture with the Living Room Museum; everyday objects that bring a sense of joy,” explained programme manager for Heritage Doncaster, Victoria Ryves.
Everyone is invited to take part by taking a photo of items and writing a museum label of around 25 words for each, explaining what makes the item special. All of the items submitted will be added to an online gallery, and curators are hoping to be able to borrow a few of the most fascinating pieces submitted for exhibiting as part of local community display when the new museum opens later this year.
Heritage Doncaster has also devised other ways for people at home to get their heritage fix. These include downloadable activity booklets for adults and families, craft ideas linked to museum objects, home school resources and new social media content.
For more information click here
Here's a fine example...
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