The Council has teamed up withe NHS to enable Sherborne House in Newton Abbot to become a large vaccination site for the District.
It has also been agreed to make the nearby Halcyon Road car park available to the NHS to enable those coming for vaccinations to park close to Sherborne House.
The property, which is currently unoccupied but which was due to have its first tenants in the coming months, has been opened up for NHS primary care partners to roll out the first vaccinations for residents in and around Newton Abbot.
Council Chair John Petherick announced the news at this week's Full Council: “We are delighted to be playing a small part in helping this effort by providing a local facility for some of our most vulnerable residents to get their vaccinations and help protect our communities.
“We have prioritised the use of Sherborne House in Newton Abbot to the NHS to enable them to deliver their vaccination programme in a prime town centre location, and this will benefit not only residents from Newton Abbot but also those in the surrounding areas of Bovey Tracey, Kingsteignton, Chudleigh, Kingskerswell and Ipplepen.
Vaccinations will start on Saturday, and patients at the practices involved will be contacted by their local GP surgery inviting them to attend. People are being asked not to contact their GP to request their vaccination, as this is being coordinated by the practices involved and based on eligibility.
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“I completely understand how difficult this dreadful situation is for so many people in Devon, but please, I am urging you to help stop the spread of coronavirus by staying at home and to think twice before leaving your homes.
“Every time you leave your home you risk coming into contact with an infected person or touching a surface, door handle or petrol pump which may be contaminated. Any one of these interactions could be a crucial link in the chain of transmission which could lead to someone becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19"
Highest Devon levels
“COVID-19 cases in Devon may be relatively low compared to the rest of the country but they are now at the highest level we have seen since the start of the pandemic. The number of cases continues to rise, and we are concerned about the new strain of the virus which is spread much more easily between people."
Community covid testing rolls out to key workers
Devon County Council is working with partners to ensure that rapid ’30 minute’ community testing for people without Covid-19 symptoms will soon be available across Devon.
Critical workers and those in high-risk occupations who still have to attend work, and people who are in contact with vulnerable individuals, such as carers, will be prioritised.
Organisations and employers throughout the county who have staff and workers eligible for testing are being encouraged to sign up for this new service. We've registered as part of our efforts to support staff and maintain services.
The first testing site will open at County Hall in Exeter towards the end of January, with further sites to open across Devon through February and March.
Approximately one in three people who have coronavirus do not display symptoms. Community testing will help to find asymptomatic individuals who may inadvertently be spreading the virus and need to self isolate.
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Covid-19 support fund reopens
Devon County Council is re-opening its COVID-19 Fund to provide resources to organisations working with communities who are clinically extremely vulnerable or disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the social and economic consequences of the lockdown.
Applications can be submitted from 11 January until 5 March and need to include details of how much funding will be required and what it will be used for.
Grants will typically be between £300 and £700, although where there is evidence that a project is exceptional, we may enter into discussions with applicants and offer higher awards.
Anti-fraud Covid checklist
Last week we highlighted the growing number of frauds relatingto vaccinations.
This useful Action Fraud checklist is worth sharing to reduce the risk of friends and family being exploited by criminal fraudsters.
- The vaccine is free of charge
- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details
- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password
- The NHS will never arrive unannounced to your home to administer the vaccine
- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips
- If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up
- If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk
- Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726, which is free of charge.
Anyone who believes they are the victim of a fraud should report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting the Action Fraud website.
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New codeword scheme launched to help combat domestic abuse
Victims of domestic abuse can now access much-needed support from pharmacies across the country through a new 'Ask for ANI' scheme.
If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. Anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse and needs immediate help can ask for ‘ANI’ and the pharmacy will offer a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately but also phonetically sounds like the name Annie and this new ‘Abuse Codeword Scheme’ has been launched by the Home Office to help people who are experiencing domestic abuse to signal that they need immediate help.
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Budget survey 2021/2022
Have you given us your views on what should be our priorities for the next financial year?
Some 300 people have already responded to our annual survey which only takes a few minutes to complete. With a significantly reduced income as a result of covid, we are asking whether we should be making savings and reducing services or generating more income from external sources.
The survey runs until 2 February and is open to residents across the district. Please share it with family and friends as the greater the response, the more valuable the feedback in helping us shape our budget for 21/22.
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Give your views on 'Connecting to Nature'
Residents are invited to tell us how they use their local green spaces, where they currently go and for ideas on where green space can be created or improved.
We're running a short four week survey (until 15 February) which will inform the 'Connecting to Nature' initiative - one of the elements of the major Garden Communities programme to transform Newton Abbot and the surrounding area, creating attractive, sustainable places to live and work.
The benefits of being able to enjoy and exercise in local green spaces have been magnified by the impact of Covid -19 and while the survey is mainly aimed at residents living in the Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell area, anyone can participate.
The 'Connecting to Nature' project aims to improve wellbeing by ensuring there are local green spaces for people to enjoy. It seeks to identify areas of green space that could flourish if given the right support. Not only is it focused on making an environmental difference but it is also looking at how different areas can be joined up so that people can escape the traffic and walk or cycle between them.
The survey is now live on our website so please give us your views.
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A chance to influence childcare provision
Parents living or working in Devon are being asked to help the early years and childcare team at Devon County Council to plan and make sure that there is enough childcare to support people to work or train.
The survey only takes a few minutes and the team would like to hear from people whether you use childcare or not.
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Holocaust Memorial Day Devon 2021
Every year 27 January reminds us of the unparalleled horrors of the World War ll Holocaust, as well as subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
This year’s theme is, 'Be the light in the darkness'. Devon Faith and Belief Forum's public ceremony in Exeter Cathedral has been cancelled due to Covid restictions but a number of free evening Zoom talks are being held
The Holocaust Memorial Trust will be hosting an online commemorative ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day on Wednesday 27 January at 7pm.
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Helping households save energy
The Healthy Homes team at Exeter Community Energy is running virtual energy cafes to help people reduce their energy bills and save money.
Most of us are spending more time at home due to lockdown and so may need more support with how to stay warm and safe; while those who are ill or self-isolating may also have concerns about practical challenges in paying for their energy, particularly if they have a pre-payment meter.
The next energy café via Zoom is next Thursday (21 January 2021) from 10am - 11am where you will be able to:
- Check to our are eligible for discounts, grants and support
- Switch your tariff or energy supplier to get the best deal
- Save money by becoming more energy efficient
More sessions are planned and you can find out when via the team’s website where you can also register to attend.
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Dementia funding
The Paul and Nick Harvey Fund has now opened offering a total of £500,000 to organisations delivering musical services to people living with dementia in the UK.
Latest government advice
Click on the images below for more information
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