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Gloucestershire's Partnership Board Bulletin
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Welcome to the 10th edition of our Partnership Board bulletin. We hope that you, your family and friends continue to keep safe and well.
This bulletin aims to offer support, provide guidance and update you on some of the work Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), as well as what local and national initiatives are doing to protect vulnerable adults. It's interactive, so make sure you click the pictures and links to get the most out of it.
An easy-read version of this update will be circulated next week.
Have you got something to share?
We would love to hear your feedback or contributions, so if you have anything which you want to share, or have a question to ask us, email us here.
All our previous bulletins can be found on our website here. For a directory of COVID-19 related resources, visit Inclusion Gloucestershire's dedicated webpage here.
If you were emailed this bulletin by someone else, or found it on social media, and wish to receive it directly to your email inbox next time, click here to subscribe.
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COVID-19: Get tested
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19), you can get a free NHS test. There are a number of Mobile Testing Units in our county. Click here to find out more. |
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Mental health services available for those needing support
A wide range of online and telephone mental health services are available to support adults, young people and children in Gloucestershire.
A number of new services were launched in April to supplement existing services in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, to help anyone struggling with anxiety, health, finances, job security or any other issues that may have been contributing to mental health difficulties.
For a list of the services available, which are easy to access and do not necessarily need a referral from a health professional, click here.
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Guidance for visiting arrangements in care homes was published on 22 July 2020 by PHE.
This guidance states that prior to visits being allowed in care homes, the director of public health in every area should disseminate their view on the suitability of visiting in the local authority area, taking into account infection rates and the wider risk environment.
On 28 July 2020 Sarah Scott, supported by the C19 Tactical Response Group, reviewed the relevant information set out in the care home visiting guidance (July 22 2020). At this time she agrees that due to current low levels of COVID-19 in Gloucestershire
- care home visiting can be permitted
- as long as care homes are able to support the visiting guidance and have completed their own risk assessment.
- this decision will be reviewed at a minimum weekly. If there is any change to the advice to allow care home visiting this will be communicated directly with care homes.
The decision on whether or not to allow visitors, and in what circumstances, is an operational decision and therefore ultimately for the provider and managers of each individual setting to make dependent on their individual circumstances and assessment of risk.
Local principles, protocols and templates based on the national guidance are available here and have been shared with all care homes.
If you are a relative of someone in a care home or setting you can contact the council’s Health Protection Team for advice on COVID-19 related matters.
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Changes to concessionary and NHS free travel
Since 23 March, Gloucestershire County Council’s concessionary travel passes have been valid without any time restrictions.
From Monday 24 August, the concessionary travel passes will return to their normal time restrictions.
This means that concession passes will no longer be available to use for free travel before 9:30am on Mondays to Fridays.
This change reflects the easing of lockdown as well as ensuring there is capacity available for children returning to school.
Your concessionary bus pass may be used before 9.30am on weekdays only on certain Gloucestershire routes and services, details of which are available here or by calling 01452 426265. Further information on free concessionary bus passes is available here.
NHS free travel
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Stagecoach West has been providing free travel for Gloucestershire NHS staff since 23 March.
This temporary arrangement will no longer apply from Monday 24 August to reflect the easing of lockdown.
Gloucestershire NHS staff can still enjoy discounted bus travel when they show their NHS ID card.
- Travel to Cheltenham or Gloucester from anywhere in the county for only £2
- Travel on the 94U service between Gloucester and Cheltenham for only £1
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Disabled people can now benefit from financial support to work from home, thanks to an extension to the Access to Work scheme.
- People who are clinically extremely vulnerable can get new applications for grant funding fast-tracked.
- Funding can now cover taxi fares and public transport costs, if a health condition prevents you from travelling on public transport during the pandemic.
For more information, click here.
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Vitamin D guidance
NICE have recently published a Vitamin D for COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Summary. This is based on a review of the best available evidence on vitamin D for preventing or treating COVID-19 or for the susceptibility to COVID-19 based on vitamin D status. It concludes that there is no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat COVID -19. However, all people should continue to follow UK Government advice on daily vitamin D supplementation to maintain bone and muscle health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To protect bone and muscle health, the UK Government advises that everyone needs vitamin D equivalent to an average daily intake of 10 micrograms (400 international units). They advise that all people should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during autumn and winter months. They also advise that people whose skin has little to no exposure to sunlight and ethnic minority groups with dark skin; from African, Afro-Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds, should consider taking a vitamin D supplement all year round. This advice is applicable to people whose skin has little to no exposure to sunlight because they are indoors shielding or self-isolating.
This advice is incorporated in the CCG guidance published in January 2020, which recommends that at risk patients should be encouraged to maintain their vitamin D levels by self-purchasing appropriate over-the-counter supplementation. The guidance includes a patient information leaflet.
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PHE Guidance: Excess weight and COVID-19
Public Health England has issued guidance on new evidence about the relationship between excess weight and COVID-19 which suggests that supporting people to move towards and maintain a healthier weight may reduce the serious effects of COVID-19 on the population. Further information is in this government press release.
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POST-16 Leaflets
SENDIASS Gloucestershire provides information, advice and support on matters relating to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The service is offered to parents and carers of children and young people aged between 0 and 25 years old.
SENDIASS provides free, confidential, impartial advice and helps parents play an active and informed role in their child’s education.
They've created new leaflets for:
For other resources, visit their website here.
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Barnwood Trust - Our Changing World
Our Changing World report has been launched here. Arising from the findings outlined in the report, Barnwood Trust have drafted a number of recommendations to support disabled people and people with mental health challenges in both the short-term and in the event of a future pandemic.
You can find the following documents below:
If you have any comments, or wish to work alongside Barnwood Trust and partner organisations to action any of the recommendations within the report, contact Barnwood Trust directly. Roz Warden (Head of Research) and/or Georgia Boon (Director of Partnerships).
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Online resources for all
Click here for a list of websites you may find useful for you and your family, originally created for parents/carers.
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Non-Covid Research
Healthwatch Gloucestershire are undertaking a project to understand the realities of what it has been like during the pandemic for those living with a long-term health condition. They would like to gather information and build an up to date picture of the realities of accessing services over the past 5/6 months.
To ensure the project is accessible to as many people as possible, they are offering a variety of ways to take part, including photography, art, poetry etc, as well as focus groups and 1-1 discussions. They will be analysing the data by individual groups as well as a whole, and will share all their findings.
You can take part:
Experts by Experience needed at Inclusion Gloucestershire
Inclusion Gloucestershire's Quality Checking Team is expanding and have 4 x new zero hour positions available for Experts with lived experience of Mental ill health, Autism and / or Physical Disability.
Click here to view the Job Adverts and Application Forms.
If you have any questions about the roles, contact Becky Benson (Quality Checking Manager) either by email or 07889 213468.
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Inclusion Gloucestershire are also working with on a project with the NHS called Careers that Care. They would like to get more people to work in health and social care in all sorts of roles! For more information, click here.
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Health Inequalities Survey
A survey on understanding health inequalities that diverse communities face is now live here.
The reason for this project is because it has been proven that individuals from diverse communities fare poorly in terms of general health when compared to the rest of the population. Conditions can be made worse when increased risk factors are combined with ineffective service provision. Inclusion Gloucestershire and Kingfisher Treasure Seekers are genuinely keen to see improvements in the way health services are experienced by those from all of the diverse communities in Gloucestershire.
This anonymous survey is intended to be as accessible as possible to your service users, therefore if you would like a paper copy or an easy read version of the survey please let us know. An easy read version can be found here. The survey will close on 20th September, with a summary report being provided to you and key partners by the end of October.
If you have any questions, contact either Kirsty or Dawn below.
Email Kirsty: 01452 307201 ext. 014 || Email Dawn: 07525 847382
Update from Gloucestershire's Carers Hub
Lorna Carter is the Health Liaison Officer for Gloucestershire Carers Hub and covers Gloucester/Forest of Dean Hospitals and GP surgeries. Carrie Woods covers Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester and the Cotswolds. She can be contacted at Contact number 07866 145850.
- The triage team are answering the helpline every weekday and are available from 9am – 5pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and have extended hours from 8am until 8pm every Tuesday and Thursday.
- In terms of urgent and emergency care, the Carers Emergency Scheme; a two level service that provides emergency care and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The scheme can be accessed by registering on the service by calling our helpline. To make this user friendly the scheme paperwork can be completed over the phone.
- To refer to Gloucestershire Carers Hub - click here.
- The key worker team continue to complete the statutory carers assessments
- The Health Liaison team have been hosting virtual and audio groups for GP surgeries to allow registered patients to find out more about the support available to them.
Here is the information leaflet explaining the services provided. If you have any questions at all, please make contact.
Finally, here is the YouCan programme for carers for September.
Gloucestershire Carers Hub needs you!
Covid 19 has brought challenges to all of our lives and tested us in ways we may never have imagined. It has been especially hard for carers. The Carers UK report ‘Caring Behind Closed Doors’, as well as carers locally, have told us that lockdown has been really hard. A lack of respite, problems with accessing food and medication, and a huge sense of uncertainty, have all led to carers feeling anxious about the present and the future.
As lockdown eases, many people are able to start going back out into their community. We have heard that some carers are feeling anxious about this. Some are worried about a lack of social distancing in their local community, or some people’s cared for person has a hidden illness that means they don’t have to wear a mask and some carers are worried about how people will react to this. However, some carers may not be anxious at all and are looking forward to returning to the activities they used to enjoy.
We want to hear from carers across Gloucestershire, to find out what would help them feel more confident to engage in activities. What are carers looking forward to doing again and how can the Carers Hub support with this. You can watch this short film and feedback through the survey. It will just take a few minutes to answer and will help understand carers needs in their caring role and the support that could help.
Feedback via this survey. The Hub can send a paper version if you prefer; you can complete over the telephone on 0300 111 9000 or via email.
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BAME people have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus and the lockdown. Black South West Network and the University of Bristol are working together to find out more about the experiences of the pandemic of BAME people living in the South West. If you would like to take part in the survey, and be entered into their prize draw, click here. If you would like take part in an interview or in focus group about your experiences, email Rosie Nelson for more information.
MEA Statement: NHS England Guidance on the Management of Post-Covid Fatigue Syndromes
The ME Association received a response from from Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director, NHS England, to the letter they to express serious concerns about NHS England Guidance on the Management of Post-Covid Fatigue and Post-Covid Fatigue Syndromes. You can read this here.
There are also lots of COVID-19 / Post Viral Fatigue information available as free downloads here.
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