Tackling carbon emissions
Decarbonisation work at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre is moving forward with the delivery this week of three heat pumps.
The plan to replace the old heating system with air source heat pumps will be more efficient and environmentally friendly, and is part of a multi million pound green investment in Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, Teignmouth Lido and Broadmeadow Sports Centre to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions
The pumps will be craned into position later this year, with one of them being transported to the Lido in Teignmouth where decarbonisation work is also progressing. We will try to minimise disruption to leisure site users while the decarbonisation work takes place.
The investment is possible due to significant grant funding from the national Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and developer contributions from Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levey. Broadmeadow will receive a new energy efficient roof over the Sports Hall, solar PV, battery energy storage and a new LED lighting system. Works at Teignmouth Lido and Newton Abbot Leisure Centre will include replacing gas-fired heating with air source heat pumps, solar PV, battery energy storage and electricity capacity upgrades. Following a project extension, the works are due for completion in Spring 2022.
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#WorldMentalHealthDay
This Sunday is World Mental Health Day which each year aims to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to boost support for mental health.
Charity MIND which has a wealth of information on its website including tips for every day living, is asking everyone to #DoOneThing on the basis that if we all do one thing, we can change everything.
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The latest Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign seeks to empower people to look after their mental health by directing them to free, practical tips and advice and to find “what works for me” to support their mental wellbeing.
By answering five simple questions you can get a tailored ‘Mind Plan’, giving you personalised tips to help deal with stress and anxiety, boost your mood, sleep better and feel more in control.
New research commissioned by Office of Health Improvement and Disparities reveals nearly half (49%) of adults in England said the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their mental wellbeing. And more than a third of all adults in England (34% or 15.1 million) said they did not know what to do to improve their mental wellbeing.
Younger adults reported struggling the most, with 57% of 18 to 34 year olds saying their mental wellbeing was negatively impacted by the pandemic, and just under half (44%) reporting that they did not know what to do to help.
The NHS Every Mind Matters website offers information and videos to help young people look after their own mental wellbeing, and dedicated support to help parents and guardians look after the mental wellbeing of the children and young people they care for. It also provides practical tips from sufferers and videos from experts on dealing with COVID-19, stress and anxiety, boosting your mood, sleeping better and what you can do to help others.
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 Devon Partnership NHS Trust also provides a range of advice and runs a first response emergency service providing 24/7 expert mental health support (0808 196 8708) meaning that people in crisis no longer need to go to A&E to get help.
New way to collect home rapid Covid tests
Pharmacy Collect is the latest way for people to collect rapid COVID-19 tests to do at home. This is in addition to the workplace, if available, community testing sites and online ordering.
Millions of people are already using regular rapid testing to help protect those around them. The pharmacy collect service will be promoted as part of a wider campaign to encourage people to get into the habit of regularly testing twice a week. You can get a code by visiting www.gov.uk/get-collect-code
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Regular food safety training
To highlight the importance of food safety in catering businesses across the district, our Environmental Health team is running monthly food hygiene classroom training courses for businesses and individuals in Old Forde House.
The training is a chance to gain a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Foundation or the Intermediate Certificate in Food Safety.
The one day Foundation training course costs £55 per attendee and the courses are held on the last Monday of every month. Group bookings can also be provided and places can be booked via our website
The Intermediate Certificate course runs twice a year and is aimed at managers and supervisors. The course lasts for three and a half days at a cost of £285. The next course takes place one day a week and starts early November. A booking form to reserve a place is on our website
COVID-19 medical vaccination exemptions
The Department of Health and Social Care has published guidance on how people can apply for official proof that, for medical reasons, they are unable to be vaccinated and/or tested for COVID-19. Possible reasons for exemptions include:
- People receiving end of life care where vaccination is not in the person’s best interests
- People with learning disabilities or autistic individuals, or people with a combination of impairments where vaccination cannot be provided through reasonable adjustments
- A person with severe allergies to all currently available vaccines
- Those who have had an adverse reaction to the first dose (for example, myocarditis)
All exemptions will be confirmed by a doctor, specialist clinician or midwife. If approved, the NHS COVID Pass can then be used by an individual to prove their status.
Frontline vaccination consultation due to end soon
The government’s six-week consultation seeking views on plans for staff in health and care settings in England to be required to have COVID-19 and flu vaccines to protect vulnerable people closes at 11:45pm on 22 October.
If these plans are approved, only those who are fully vaccinated, unless medically exempt, could be employed to deliver health and care services.
The consultation seeks views on the proposals, their scope, and any potential impact they could have on staffing and safety such as reducing staff sickness absence.
Understanding and reporting hate crimes
Saturday is the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week and Devon and Cornwall Police has produced a fact sheet designed to raise community awareness of what hate crime is and how to report it.
Deadline extended for faith groups to apply for funding
The government deadline for faith groups to apply for a share of the £1 million Faith New Deal Pilot Fund to help them support communities has been extended until 14 October.
The funding is earmarked for faith groups to use for projects that provide innovative solutions to issues such as food poverty and poor mental health as well as projects designed to combat loneliness and isolation, provide debt advice and help those unemployed during the pandemic return to work.
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Play your part in reducing the pressure on the NHS
Devon’s health and social care system is under extreme pressure due to high demand for services, sustained demand for COVIDbeds, pressure on staffing and the need for social care exceeding the available capacity.
Pressures are being seen across the system, in mental health care, primary care (GPs) and adult social care as well as our acute hospital trusts.
Dr Paul Johnson, Chair of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We really need you to support us. Please ask yourself whether you have a genuine life-threatening emergency before attending an Emergency Department (ED). If you are not in the right place, you may be redirected to a more appropriate service. This is because we need to safely prioritise those with the most urgent need.
“We are also asking people to pick up friends or relatives as soon as they are well enough to be discharged from hospital. This frees up beds for other patients who need them.
“Finally, we are seeing high numbers of children coming to hospital. There is a really useful HANDi paediatric app for advice on common childhood illnesses and when to seek help.”
Dedicated hotline launched by Government for UK exporters
Businesses exporting to Europe can access one-to-one advice via a new phone and online service. The Export Support Service will provide a single point of contact and will help exporters navigate a range of complex queries from rules of origin to guidance on recognising professional qualifications and entering new markets.
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Travel advice changes
Yesterday the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) lifted its advice against all but essential travel for over 30 countries and territories. The update comes as part of a simplified system for international travel which has seen the replacement of the traffic light system with a single red list, and reduced testing requirements for eligible fully vaccinated travellers which came into effect on 4 October.
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