Falling temperatures leads to emergency protocol being activated
We've put in place a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to help support people who are sleeping rough across the district. During this time, anyone who is rough sleeping and contacts the council will be verified and offered accommodation.
If you are rough sleeping or know someone who is, please contact our Housing Options team on 01626 361101(Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm and Friday 8.30am-4.30pm).
Alternatively, you can report any concerns about a rough sleeper to StreetLink - StreetLink - Connecting people sleeping rough to local services (thestreetlink.org.uk)
We will review the protocol again on Monday (4 December).
Today is officially the start of winter and there is a yellow cold-health alert for the South West, including Devon, which currently lasts until midday on Tuesday 5 December.
While most people will not be badly affected by the cold, it could seriously impact on those who are are particularly vulnerable such as
- older people (aged 65 years and over)
- people with long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition
- pregnant women
- young children (particularly those aged 5 and under)
- people with learning disabilities
- people at risk of falls
- people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
- people who are housebound or have low mobility
- people living in deprived circumstances
The UK Heath Security Agency has published information and advice on how to keep ourselves and others safe in cold weather and highlights the steps we can take such as checking on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell; making sure you have sufficient food and medicine; taking simple measures to reduce draughts at home; heating the rooms you spend most time in to 18˚C if you can; and wearing multiple layers of thinner clothing.
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Help for organisations to promote warm spaces
A Warm spaces toolkit is available from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to help organisations set up or develop a warm space for their local population during the winter.
Pensioners urged to check if they can apply for pension credit
Pensioners on low incomes are being encouraged to apply for Pension Credit by 10 December as it could mean an extra £300 cost-of-living support.
The Government is urging pensioners to act quickly as successful Pension Credit claims before the deadline can be backdated for up to three months.
Pension Credit is designed to help with daily living costs for people over State Pension age and on a low income, though you do not need to be in receipt of State Pension to receive it. See if you're eligible using the online Pension Credit calculator and check how much you can claim.
 The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West is calling on everyone who is eligible to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of Christmas and other upcoming celebrations.
This will help them get ‘winter strong’ and have safe and healthy celebrations. As the vaccines take up to two weeks to provide maximum protection, getting vaccinated soon, says the UKHSA, will help reduce the risk of severe disease in time for social events.
Recent figures show that in the South West:
- Around 1 in 4 people aged 65 and over are still unprotected from flu
- More than 60% of people under 65 and in a high risk group are yet to have their flu vaccine
- Almost 70% of pregnant women have not had their flu jab
- Around 60% of 2 and 3-year olds have not had their nasal flu vaccine
Flu and COVID-19 spread more when we spend more time indoors. If you are in one of the groups who is eligible for vaccination against flu and COVID-19 and are yet to take up the vaccines, ensure you get them as soon as possible so your celebrations stay on track
Everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and individuals with certain long-term health conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease, are eligible for free flu and COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines offer the best defence against becoming severely unwell, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 and flu.
To book Covid and flu vaccines, you can either download the NHS App, visit the NHS website or call 119 for free if you can’t get online.
If your child is unwell, consult HANDi this winter
Doctors in Devon are reminding parents to consult the HANDi paediatric app if they aren’t sure what to do when their child is unwell.
The free app, available to download onto any Apple or Android device, was launched specifically with children in mind and is loaded with expert advice, support and guidance for parents with concerns about their children.
The easy-to-use app was designed with local paediatric consultants to provide clear, concise information for parents and carers.
The award-winning app asks a series of questions about the symptoms the child has and then advises the best course of action to take, whether to treat the condition at home, consult a pharmacist or GP, and if it is serious to head to the Emergency Department.
Climate Adaptation Strategy launched
A new Climate Adaptation Strategy for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly aims to ensure the region can make the changes needed to cope with the worst effects of climate change.
Its publication comes after a consultation earlier this year in which 76% of respondents expressed concern about climate change and 69% said they have felt the effects of climate change already.
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