The NHS and local authorities in Sussex want to know about residents' experiences of health and care during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that they can improve the way services are provided in the future.

Delayed care:  Have you been affected by delays to your care, either because your appointment or treatment was delayed or postponed or because you decided to wait until the pandemic had eased before having your treatment or appointment? 

Click here to tell us about your experiences and any decisions or changes you have made as a result.  https://yoursaysussexhealthandcare.uk.engagementhq.com/delayed-care

Wellbeing:  Since the lockdown period due to Covid-19 began, people have made many changes to their lives and what they saw as “normal”. We would like to know more about the changes you made due to Covid-19, whether you think they are good for your wellbeing or not.

• What have you STOPPED doing since the start of lockdown? (for example, you might have stopped travelling to work, smoking, or stopped eating healthily due to changing your routine)
• What have you STARTED doing since the start of lockdown? (For example, you might have started taking daily exercise, reading more, or eating more chocolate!)

What do you feel about these changes?  Will there be things you will carry on?  How has the easing of lockdown rules affected you?  

Click here to share your experiences:  https://yoursaysussexhealthandcare.uk.engagementhq.com/wellbeing

We're encouraging residents to take part in the East Sussex Active Travel Challenge which is running during October.

The challenge is an online journey-logging tool. The Covid-19 pandemic is impacting on how we travel and work, so individuals can record their current commuting; work-based journeys; or even any journeys they take if they are home working, then win prizes and share their experiences

It is designed to encourage people who live and work in the county to travel actively and switch to walking, cycling - for all or part of journeys - and to public transport where appropriate.

Participants can log any journey such as their usual commute, a trip to the shops, or the school run. Many more people are working from home now, so the Challenge also encourages people to have a break and walk, run or cycle during the day, and these can be logged too.

It's free and easy to participate, all you need to do is register to take part and start logging your journeys in October to move up the leader board. Anyone in East Sussex can take part and you can compete against other organisations and individuals across the county too.
Sign up for the East Sussex Active Travel Challenge

A reminder that a new testing centre opened in East Sussex on Friday, increasing the options for residents seeking to check if they have Covid-19.

The drive-through site at Plumpton racecourse, as a regional testing centre, will have the capacity to provide an estimated 700 tests a day and will strengthen the national Test and Trace scheme.

Anyone seeking a test must book an appointment before arriving at any of the testing sites. Only people with symptoms of the virus should book a test.

Book a test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test  or call 119