Tuesday 8 June 2021
 This week is Carers' Week. It's an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities across the country.
Being a carer is one of the most demanding roles there is. With many people in the borough caring for their family and friends, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the help and support that is available to carers in Havering and to thank carers for all that they do.
The Havering Carers’ Hub offers a range of support such as advice, social activities, support, as well as signposting to other help available.
If you know anyone who suffers from Dementia I also encourage you to complete a survey exploring the impact of COVID-19 on those living with Dementia, and carers supporting those living with Dementia. See the article below.
Last week I joined members of Havering Council's Cabinet team at the Deers Rest in Noak Hill to enjoy a drink (pictured).
We were there to see first-hand how pubs, restaurants, cafes and other venues across the borough are following COVID-secure measures to make sure everyone can stay safe whilst enjoying themselves. See my short video.
As long as we all do our bit and continue to follow the rules, there’s no reason we can’t stay safe and still have a great time.
Lastly, early identification of COVID-19 transmission is vital to reducing the number of infections and helping businesses flourish as lockdown restrictions ease.
You can read later in this newsletter of a new approach we are taking in Havering that will help us react faster and effectively so we can support our residents, save lives, and prevent the spread of the virus.
Our actions over the next week will determine whether the Government gives the green light to Step 4 on 21 June. For all our sakes, please keep following the Hands, face, space and fresh air message.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
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Havering’s first community hub, in Harold Hill, is now open and ready to welcome residents.
The community hub is part of the new way the Council is delivering localised services, in partnership with the voluntary community sector. The idea is to make it easier for Havering residents to access the support they need.
Designed and developed with local residents and partners, the hub will be temporarily based in the old Havering Council Housing Office in Chippenham Road. Later in the year it will move to Harold Hill Library.
The hub will help residents to access frontline Council services, such as housing advice and the employment advice service, Havering Works.
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A new service from NHS Digital, aims to more efficiently collect primary healthcare data and make it available for better planning of healthcare services, and for use in medical research.
NHS Digital has been collecting data from GPs for over ten years. That system will be replaced with their new General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) service from 1 September.
The new system will enable faster access to data for planners and researchers - particularly vital when tacking fast-evolving infections and viruses.
Only the minimum data required for any project is shared, and this data goes through a process so no individuals can be identified from it.
Names, addresses or NHS numbers are not shared. The NHS don’t sell any of this data and will never provide it for insurance, marketing or promotional purposes - or for anything other than healthcare research and planning.
Read more on how patient data helps save lives.
If you do not want any of your identifiable data to be shared outside your GP Practice, except for your own care, you can opt-out at any time.
Request that your GP practice record your preference, known as a Type 1 opt out, or use the National Data Opt Out service online by clicking the button below. Don't believe any false claims on social media that you must do this by 23 June.
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 Every week Havering Council publishes a report on coronavirus in the borough on its website.
It includes data on infection rates and testing, as well as the vaccine roll-out. It also compares the success of that programme in Havering with other parts of London and the rest of the country.
The graph above is taken from the report. It shows the number of Havering residents testing positive for coronavirus each week since 6 March last year.
There were 53 cases reported in the last week, nine more than the previous week.
This corresponds to an incidence rate on 4 June of 20 new cases per 100,000 population. This is lower than the London (46/100,000) and the whole of England (47/100,000) figures. Unfortunately the incidence rate in London has almost doubled in the last two weeks.
Sadly a total of 921 people in Havering have died with COVID-19 but no new deaths have been reported in the six weeks up to 21 May.
Vaccines
The latest data shows that by 30 May over 64 per cent of all adults in Havering have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Just under 41 per cent all adults in Havering have now received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Hospitals
As of 5 June there were six inpatients admitted due to COVID-19 to our local hospitals.
The trust that runs those hospitals, BHRUT, also publishes weekly data on the number of patients it is treating.
This week, Havering Council launched a new COVID-19 pilot project, to help support residents that need to isolate.
The Council has recruited and trained staff to work with residents that have tested positive or may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The project will offer a friendly point of contact for those residents and provide an efficient response to further outbreaks if they arise.
These ‘Isolation Outreach Officers’ will visit every positive case in the community to check how they are coping with isolation, and asking whether they need any financial or non-financial support that the Council could offer.
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 To help make sure you're not passing on COVID-19 without knowing, regular, twice-weekly rapid testing for people without symptoms is available for everyone in Havering.
You should still use testing even if you have had one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
You can order home test kits or pick them up from test centres, some libraries and most pharmacies. Find your nearest testing site and collection point.
If you aren't sure how to do a rapid test at home, visit one of these centres first and be shown by the professionals. You can then take a test kit home with you to use in subsequent weeks.
You can also order a test kit online.
Have symptoms?
It remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you are aged 25 or over (or will be by 1 July) you can book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now.
Alternatively, you can wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.
Take up of the vaccine is a key way in helping to get things back to normal and will protect you, your friends and your family. Read more about vaccines.
Vaccines Q and A
Q. I am not pregnant, but I would like to have children later. Should I get the vaccine?
A. Yes. There is no evidence that the vaccine will reduce your chances of getting pregnant after receiving it and the Government recommends that women who are trying to get pregnant should receive the vaccine if they are otherwise eligible.
Q. I am pregnant. Should I get the vaccine if I am offered it?
A. Yes. There are risks associated with catching COVID-19 while pregnant, particularly in the second half of pregnancy. Pregnant COVID-19 patients are more likely to need intensive care than COVID-19 patients who are not pregnant.
Because of the increased risk from COVID-19 during pregnancy, the Government now advises that all pregnant women should be offered the vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population based on age and clinical risk.
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Havering Council is closing its COVID-19 Business Support Helpline in order to give officers more time to work directly with businesses that require support as they reopen.
Local businesses that need to speak to the Economic Development team can still book a call back for a convenient time, meaning they don’t have to wait in a queue. It also means that they can be sure they’re connected with the most appropriate person to help them with their query.
During the pandemic, the Business Support Helpline has taken over 11,000 calls from local businesses, with advisors offering guidance on government grants, reopening, and general COVID-19 safety.
If you would like to book a call back, or are looking for general business support, please visit the COVID-19 Business Support page.
Please also sign up to our business newsletter for updates.
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The Boundary Commission for England is the independent organisation responsible for reviewing Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England.
Seats will be redrawn so they have, by law, between 69,724 and 77,062 registered voters each.
Population changes mean that some areas lose seats while London will gain two.
The Commission has set up a special website where you can see their proposed changes as part of their 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies.
You can also comment on any of the proposed changes. The consultation is open until Tuesday 2 August 2021.
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 New City College are holding an Open Evening later this week.
You can attend on-site this Thursday, 10 June, from 4 to 7pm at campuses in Ardleigh Green Road in Hornchurch, Havering Sixth Form in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, or at the Construction and Engineering Centre in New Road, Rainham.
Teachers, students and staff will be able to meet you.
Please register first before attending.
Wild in the Woods is a Forest School for under-fives held at Rainham Marshes nature reserve.
It aims to inspire children through nature, and build their confidence and self-esteem.
Whether they're trying wildlife inspired arts and crafts, building, climbing, bug hunting or making mud pies, children from 18 months to five years will have fun learning through play at their own pace, and be supported by experienced outdoor educators.
Classes begin on Thursday 10 June.
Book places or find out more information online.
The Directors of Adult Social Services in London are asking residents to complete a survey exploring the impact of COVID-19 on those living with Dementia and carers supporting those living with Dementia.
This is your chance to assist in enhancing the support offered to those living with Dementia. It will help to inform decisions that shape services at a regional level.
Click on the button below to complete the survey before the closing date of Friday 11 June.
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Many people are utilising their rear gardens more since COVID-19 has changed the way we spend time at home.
Buildings or ‘outbuildings’ in a rear garden can often be constructed in Havering without planning permission providing certain restrictions are met.
Some of the key exceptions are that:
- The building cannot be in the front garden
- The building must not be used for residential or sleeping accommodation. This means kitchen or cooking facilities are typically not allowed
- The building must not be used for commercial or business purposes
- The building will usually have to be no higher than 2.5 metres tall
- The building must not take up more than 50 per cent of the garden
- The building must be in the garden of a house. Flats and commercial premises will always need planning permission for an outbuilding.
Building regulations may also apply, depending on the size and construction type.
To check whether your proposed building requires permission, check the interactive house on our planning portal or you can send an email.
The full regulations for outbuildings can be found online.
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This week is Child Safety Week (7 -13 June).
Children are curious, they explore the world by putting things in their mouths which is why we need to keep them away from button batteries or small magnetic toys.
Sales of children’s toys in the UK are covered by safety regulations which require batteries to be enclosed in a secure compartment that can’t easily be opened by children. However, there are many unregulated toys and household appliances bought online, containing button batteries, which are not child secure.
If swallowed, button batteries react with saliva to create caustic soda (the chemical used to unblock drains) and can burn through a child’s food pipe causing internal bleeding and even death.
Magnetic toys if swallowed also pose similar dangers. Tiny magnetic balls can be moulded together to make different shapes or sculptures, but if swallowed, can cause serious long term health conditions. If the magnetic balls are swallowed unconnected to each other, the magnetic force will try to connect with others, which can rip holes within the intestine
Please be vigilant by only buying toys from a trusted brand and keeping batteries or small magnetic toys out of a child’s reach.
If you suspect a child has swallowed a battery or small magnet, take them to hospital or call 999.
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The closing date for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme is the end of this month.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the the UK, applying to the scheme is a necessary step to securing your right to remain in the UK.
Nearly 2 million European Londoners and their family members have already been granted status under the scheme with more than 100,000 Londoners still waiting for the outcome of their application.
If you know people yet to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme please encourage them to apply as soon as possible.
The European Londoners Hub hosts detailed guidance about the EU Settlement Scheme in a range of different languages to make it as accessible as possible.
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This week is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week.
This year’s theme is Including infants in children and young people’s mental health.
Havering Council's Children's Centres offer services that aim to support the early parent-infant relationship with a focus on the mental health and development of babies.
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