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Coronavirus Doncaster: Update

Introduction

Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.* This week marks the start of the summer term and we still don’t know when our schools will be back open again. If you are a parent or carer, I think you’ll find the Coronavirus information for parents and carers webpage really helpful. The Families Information Service has put together some fantastic resources, covering everything from home based activities to wellbeing and the page will be regularly updated for as long as it is needed.   I’d also like to give an update on the Mayor’s 10 Point plan which was launched last month to help Doncaster get through these difficult period. A lot has been happening during that time, here’s a snapshot: Since it opened on 23 March, the Community Hub, run by staff from Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust with support from St Leger Homes, the council and other partners, has responded to over 8772 calls to the helpline and provided food parcels as well as collecting and delivering prescriptions. So far, 3200 government business grants have been processed – in excess of £35.5m – to support local businesses (there are still approximately 1200 potentially eligible businesses who have not yet submitted a web form to receive the grant. For info, visit advice for businesses page )  The Community Covid-19 Fighting Back Fund has been launched for groups who are also able to help the most vulnerable. To date, 50 applications have been received to cover projects. For a full round up, see the update. Our heartfelt gratitude to residents, voluntary and community groups and businesses across Doncaster for their care and support for those most in need. The spirit and fortitude shown by our communities throughout this challenging period, continues to be tremendously humbling. And while we’re on the subject of community strength and support, I’d like to share a special message from a well known Doncaster singer/songwriter... Over to you Louis... Dr Rupert Suckling Director of Public Health   *Please note: this is an updated version of this email following issues with some of the links in our stories. Thank you.

Fly-tippers face crackdown and hefty fines

Even during this emergency, the message is clear - we will not tolerate fly tipping and we will take strong enforcement action.

We are seeing an increase in dumped rubbish, especially down back alleys, which is putting people’s health at risk and increasing the need for teams to have to respond to incidents at a time when we should all be doing everything we can to protect each other.

Some people may not even realise they are fly-tipping – they may be unwittingly handing over their waste to unscrupulous traders posing on social media sites as legitimate waste removers. These traders are then dumping rubbish illegally by the roadside. If this happens, householders could receive a fixed penalty notice of £250 if the waste is traced back to them.

To stop this from happening to you, check if someone holds a waste carrier licence and follow the SCRAP code by checking out how on Waste Carriers Licences 

To report an incident of fly-tipping visit www.doncaster.gov.uk/report-it although some incidents may take longer to deal with than usual during this time.

All cemeteries and Cusworth Hall park now open following new government advice

Following the latest government guidance, all Doncaster cemeteries and graveyards are reopen for local residents.

Rose Hill Crematorium has reopened too and people can visit the cemetery to pay their respects to loved ones, observing physical distancing at all times. The changes do not affect the existing arrangements for the crematorium itself, which must remain closed other than for funerals. Here’s the latest information for people attending funerals

Cusworth Hall park has been reopened to pedestrians. However, the car park, its playground and the facilities at Cusworth will remain closed.

All Doncaster’s parks are open but any play equipment, Multi-Use Game Areas (MUGAs) and sports courts across the borough continue to be closed.  Please continue to respect social distancing guidelines.

To check which services are currently suspended, please visit - List of services

Doncaster Primary Care services are open for business

All pharmacies, practices and most branch practices, part of Doncaster’s primary care family, remain open, but the ways in which they are providing care and services has changed in line with national guidance and important measures to keep patients and staff safe.

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, a new and separate facility has also opened in Doncaster to advise and support patients that have Coronavirus symptoms. GPs, nurses and healthcare assistants are on duty to make sure that this important facility is there to assess people that cannot be dealt with via an initial telephone call or online consultation.

Whatever your illness, if you need to see a GP or nurse, please don’t hesitate to contact your local practice by telephone or visit your local pharmacy, if safe to do so, following social distancing guidelines. It is particularly important that if you don’t ignore niggling, early warning signs about illnesses unconnected to coronavirus, such as heart disease, cancers or early diabetes. We don’t want health conditions or issues to go undetected or for treatment to be delayed, so please call your local practice if you need to.

For more information about services and how to access them, please visit Doncaster Primary Care Services

Local resident urges the public to continue using hospital services when absolutely necessary

A resident is urging the public to continue using hospital services if they have an emergency and to not let the COVID-19 pandemic stop them from dialling 999.

When his wife Anita fell ill at home over Easter, Michael Cowburn called 999, suspecting that his wife may have had a stroke as her speech had become slurred and she was unable to move the right-hand side of her body.

Paramedics arrived and took Anita to Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) for emergency treatment. A brain scan revealed Anita had a large blood clot, which was treated with medication in a 23 minutes window. Thanks to Michael calling 999, Anita has now recovered and is back home.

Michael said: “I initially felt a bit of trepidation about making that 999 call. I didn't want to put my wife at risk by unnecessarily taking her to hospital during a highly contagious outbreak but I weighed up the alternatives and knew that it needed to be done. If others find themselves in the same position, I would encourage them not to hesitate in contacting the emergency services.

“My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in Anita's care.”

Dr Dinesh Chadha, stroke consultant at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), said: 'Whilst it is completely understandable that everyone is trying to follow governmental guidance and practice social distancing, there are some conditions that require hospital attention. We want everyone to be assured that we are taking all necessary steps to protect our patients from COVID-19.

“Please, if it is an emergency, call 999.”

You don’t have to face cancer alone – we’re here for you

Living with cancer or caring for someone who is – and feeling lost and alone? A reassuring voice is just a phone call away - that’s the message from Doncaster’s Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service.

“We know lots of people are suddenly finding themselves taking on a caring role quicker than they expected, as many patients are being discharged home earlier than normal after cancer surgery,” said Joanne O’Marr, who leads the service, which is run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

“It can seem daunting in what are already unsettling times, but we are here to guide and support people who are living with cancer and those around them.”

Contact the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service helpdesk on 01302 796853, weekdays 8.30am – 4.30pm (answerphone outside these hours). Email rdash.macmillan-info-doncaster@nhs.net 

Silence is not golden

Many couples or families will have cross words from time to time but domestic abuse is entirely different. 

The current household isolation guidelines do not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.

Find out more on the support available for you, neighbours and families in your community.

Support for anyone bereaved during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Listening Ear service is there for anyone who has lost a loved one and who needs support, advice or guidance. Call 0800 048 5224 or visit the website Listening Ear to speak with a trained therapist. The service is free, and you can refer yourself. 

Do you want to make a real difference?

If you answer yes, then we need you right now to support some of our most vulnerable during this coronavirus crisis and beyond.

There are various roles waiting to be filled by you, particularly care assistants and support workers.

PLEASE CONTACT the Doncaster Social Care Academy on 📞01302 735556📞between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday or email: advance@doncaster.gov.uk

There is lots of information about working in the adult social care sector at: www.doncaster.gov.uk/social-care-academy

Happiness and wellbeing survey

This week, we launched a survey to help understand the impact the coronavirus is having on happiness and wellbeing, here it is - Happiness Pulse. The results will be used to help us respond to what our residents need, both now and in the future.

The survey only takes a few minutes and the results are anonymous.

For further advice and support around looking after your wellbeing, visit 5 ways to wellbeing   

Important - Access for gas servicing

Sadly, St Leger Homes is seeing an increase in refusals for access for gas servicing checks within council properties from local residents. It’s really important during this challenging time that we keep people safe. St Leger Homes, who manage these properties on behalf of Doncaster Council, have been directed by both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the housing regulator to continue these essential checks – please ensure that you let these gas servicing professionals into your property.

These operatives will arrive wearing appropriate PPE and will ask you to follow some simple procedures to ensure that you and anyone in your property follow social distancing rules by keeping at least 2 metres from them at all times. Failing to get your gas appliances regularly checked can put you and your family at serious risk. It is important to note that if you don’t grant us access to service your gas or solid fuel appliance before the expiry date of your last landlord gas safety record, then we will continue to follow our access protocol which could lead to legal action being taken to gain entry and service your appliance.

And finally…

Singing the praises of Jerry and the Cakemaker  

A former NHS ‘front liner’ turned cake-maker is baking on an industrial scale to ensure former colleagues and other key workers can enjoy a treat during their shift.

Since the lockdown, Lynsey Chambers, 43, from Sprotbrough has produced over 2000 portions of home-made cake and buns for on duty staff, keeping her kitchen production line running six days a week to meet demand.

Lynsey, who worked as an Operating Department Practitioner at Doncaster’s Women’s Hospital before leaving to start a family and catering business, Parti Animals, 13 years ago, said: “On a typical day I’ll make 48 cupcakes, a double batch of brownies and a couple of lemon drizzle cakes, which are then portioned up in single use packaging.

“I started out using ingredients I had in stock but found some of them hard to replace, but since I posted what I’m doing on Facebook, I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of local residents and other people who have donated flour, eggs, cocoa powder and other items to keep me going.”

The cakes are collected by Jerry Day, a Data Analyst within Infection Prevention and Control at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, where they are distributed to staff at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Montagu, Bassetlaw and Tickhill Road hospitals. 

The pair have been dubbed ‘Jerry and the Cakemaker’.

Leana Gater, RDasH Health Visitor, said: “The cakes are going down so well!  On behalf of my colleagues who have received a cake, ‘thank you’ Lynsey.”

If you would like to donate supplies to help Lynsey’s baking bonanza, please contact Lynsey Chambers on Facebook.