Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.

This week, the government announced further easing of lockdown including the news that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen from 4 July, providing they adhere to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

Also from the same date, where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. This means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission

If you are attending hospital or travelling on public transport, remember that face coverings are mandatory. 

While the infection rate continues to fall, it is vital that we must continue to follow physical distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control. The government will keep all measures under constant review and will reverse measures, should the virus begin to run out of control.

Let’s do it for Doncaster.

Tomorrow, Saturday 27 June, is Armed Forces Day. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to hold an event this year but we will be marking the occasion virtually. More details about this can be found further down in this week's update.

And finally, we've certainly experienced some warm, sunny days this week. Please  stay safe and well during the summer months by following the sun safety advice.

Dr Rupert Suckling

Director of Public Health

Green bin collections resumed this week on a monthly basis but not all areas will have had a collection yet. You should have received a letter through your door telling you when your collection date is but you can also check online - bins, recycling and waste

Our crews have been collecting some really heavy bins this week so please make sure your's isn't too heavy. Also remember we can only take green waste so please remove any waste that might contaminate your bin such as plastic bags.

You can still take excess waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. For opening times and guidance on how to prepare for your visit, please follow this link HWRC

Health professionals at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) want to hear from patients who have undertaken virtual appointments and consultations throughout the past few weeks.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Trust has had to significantly change the way it works to continue to meet the needs of local people, whilst trying to keep travel to an absolute minimum during the restrictions presented by the national lockdown.

By mid-March, many of the organisation’s outpatient appointments transitioned into virtual sessions, conducted first via the phone and, by May, transitioning to video calls. Almost 25,000 such appointments have been conducted and the Trust is looking forward to further evaluating the approach with patients and the public.

Working with Healthwatch Doncaster, colleagues at DBTH want to find out more about patients’ experience when accessing health services virtually, what the hospitals can do better and what things they would like to see in the future.

All responses are anonymous and the survey can be completed by following this link - digital appointments

In his latest blog, Dr David Crichton, local GP & Clinical Chair, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group talks about the importance of continuing to follow the staying safe outside your home guidelines following the easing of lockdown restrictions and the current warmer weather. 

He also emphasises the importance of not delaying appointments if you are concerned about a health issue.

He adds: “As a GP, I know that many people are nervous about going out, not just to enjoy the fresh air or to shop, but to seek medical help or to attend a health appointment.

“Please be reassured that health services are open for you. Safety measures have been put in place in all health settings – local practices, hospitals and pharmacies, both to keep you and our staff safe. So don’t sit at home worrying about your health; we want to avoid missing serious conditions like heart disease, early diabetes or cancers. It’s vital that if you do need treatment for a health condition, we can start this as early as possible, so I’m asking you all to think about your health and if you need to speak to someone, please don’t be afraid to ask."

Find out more about Dr Crichton’s message this week…