You’ve probably read or heard about Coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the news over the past few weeks.

Visit the website for a list of places where you can get all the latest information and guidance, including information on the virus, advice for travellers, and the current situation in the UK.

Catch it, bin it, kill it

Germs can live on some surfaces for hours, to protect yourself and others:

1. Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Local people are being asked to have their say on proposals to change NHS walk-in services in Eastbourne.

After careful consideration, and the approval of its governing body on 29 January, NHS Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford (EHS) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is consulting on a proposal to close the walk-in service at Eastbourne Station Health Centre.

The public consultation runs from 3 February – 30 April and as many views and comments as possible are wanted to ensure any future decision is informed by feedback from the local community. There are a range of ways you can take part, including public events in March and April.

Find out how to take part in the consultation.

Share your views until 1 March 2020

Partners across the NHS in East Sussex, East Sussex County Council, Healthwatch East Sussex and the voluntary and community sector have been working together to draw up a Health and Social Care Plan for our county.

The draft plan sets out the health and social care needs of our East Sussex residents, and how we intend to drive the transformation needed to meet them over the next 3-5 years. The plans are a continuation of the progress we’ve already made over the past few years joining up health and social care in East Sussex.

Our East Sussex plans have been informed by our most recent engagement with local people and our stakeholders. Our conversations with local people and our stakeholders will be ongoing as we start to deliver the plan together. As part of this, there is a further opportunity to share comments on the draft East Sussex Health and Social Care Plan through an online feedback form. Your feedback and ideas will be used to inform how we take forward work on our priorities in the coming year.

Visit the website to read more about the draft East Sussex Health and Social Care plan, our priorities for transformation, and how you can share your comments before 1 March 2020.

Our East Sussex plan also forms part of a wider health and social care strategy for the whole of Sussex.

Could you help Carers UK paint a picture of what it’s like to be a carer in 2020?

If you look after a family member, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without your help Carers UK want to hear from you.

Your evidence will help push carers up the agenda for policy makers and to campaign for recognition and change.

Take part in the survey until 17 May 2020.

People living in the High Weald praise their local NHS services in a report published by the Health and Care watchdog, Healthwatch East Sussex

Healthwatch East Sussex has published their rural Listening Tour report, following their tour of High Weald in June 2019.

Almost 1,000 local people contributed their views on local services. Coming out top for positive feedback were local pharmacists. GPs too were rated highly on the quality of care provided, but for many people, the frustrations getting a GP appointment are a significant challenge.

New for this tour were questions about social care, and who people thought would look after them if they became frail or disabled, and who they thought would pay for their care.

Find out more and download the feedback report.