National No Smoking Day took place on 12 March, but it's never too late to quit. Getting support from your local stop smoking service gives you the best chance of giving up. You’re up to three times more likely to quit successfully with the right support. 

Your Health Notts offer a free, flexible programme with expert advisors who can provide you with the tools, support and guidance you need to kick the habit for good. 

Even though it’s officially spring, norovirus, also known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, is still about. It can spread easily through close contact, contaminated surfaces, food or water.

The main symptoms of norovirus include a sudden onset of nausea, followed by severe vomiting and diarrhoea, usually one to two days after becoming infected. Other common symptoms include a high fever, a headache and aching arms and legs.

You can stop norovirus spreading by:

• washing your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water after using the toilet or contact with a sick person, and before preparing and eating food
• staying off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days
• not relying on alcohol gels instead of washing your hands, as these gels do not kill the virus
• washing any contaminated clothing or bedding using detergent at 60°C and wearing disposable gloves to handle any items
• using bleach-based cleaners to disinfect surfaces.

If you catch norovirus, stay home for 48 hours after your symptoms clear.

12 March was Young Carers Action Day. The theme this year is ‘Give Me a Break’ and a number of activities have been organised this week so that young carers can have a break from their caring duties and enjoy time with their peers.

Young carers play a key role in supporting their family. They may provide support like helping someone out of bed and to get dressed, managing the family budget, collecting prescriptions and helping to give medicine, or looking after siblings. These duties can have an impact on their education and other aspects of their lives. This week’s events allow young carers to take part in various leisure activities that may not always be available to them.

If you know a young carer aged 5 - 17 years, Young Carers Notts can offer them practical help and advice.

Image credit: Young Carers Notts

Our Local Account set out our Adult Social Care priorities during 2024 and was developed with the Our Voice Co-production group and staff. 

The Local Account Progress Report looks at progress against the Local Account, highlighting where things are going well, as well as areas where further improvement is needed. It examines the actions taken, the impact this has had on people and sets out any actions to be carried out next. It also features stories from people who draw on care and support.

Every year, World Social Work Day is celebrated on the third Tuesday of March. Social workers make a huge contribution to the people, families and communities they work with every day. World Social Work Day is an opportunity to thank those in the profession for the amazing difference they make to people’s lives by supporting their different needs and helping people to live independently.

If you’re looking for a rewarding career that makes a real difference, there are many roles available in social care.

People who are eligible will be able to book their Covid-19 spring vaccination from 25 March, with vaccinations being offered from 1 April. Eligible people include:

• adults aged 75 years and over (including those who will turn 75 by 17 June 2025)
• residents in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.

More information, including how to book, will be available from the NHS soon.