Your CCG newsletter

A 4-step plan to ease lockdown in England has been announced. A summary of step one is below and you can read about the full plan on the government website here.

• Pupils return to face-to-face education in school and further education in England. Wraparound childcare, such as after-school clubs, can reopen.
• Outdoor recreation, such as a picnic, is allowed. This can be on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.
• Indoor visits to care homes start again for a single named visitor.

• Outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people or 2 households will also be allowed, 
• Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.
• The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons.

The government has explained we will only move from one step to the next if they are sure it is safe. The decision will be based on four tests:

• the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
• evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
• infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
• the assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

National lockdown: Let's keep going

COVID-19 vaccination programme – what you need to know

The NHS is making good progress rolling out the COVID-19 vaccination programme. You can find more information about how this is happening in Sefton and some useful resources on our website here.

COVID-19 testing

Those who cannot work from home can access regular testing even if they do not have symptoms. Details on asymptomatic testing centres can be found here.

If you experience symptoms of COVID (fever, new continuous cough or loss/change of taste or smell or other symptoms that may be related to COVID) you can obtain a test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119. If the test is positive, you must follow the guidance including self-isolating immediately. More information on self-isolating can be found here.

Have you used NHS 111 First? Then Healthwatch Sefton wants to hear from you

Healthwatch Sefton is calling on its members and local residents to share their feedback on using the NHS 111 First service. Introduced in November last year, NHS 111 First aims to make it easier for people to access the right service for them.

NHS 111 First has a directory of services tailored for each borough so patients are matched up with the right local service. Through NHS 111 First, people can be booked into slots with A&E, walk-in centres and general practice.

How to get involved

If you have used the NHS 111 First service you can leave your views directly on the Feedback Centre on the Healthwatch Sefton website. This can be anonymous.

Click here to go to the NHS 111 First service to leave a review. 

Alternatively, you can ring the team on 0800 206 1304 or email info@healthwatchsefton.co.uk  to leave your feedback.

The Cheshire and Mersey Local Maternity System is asking for feedback to understand the views of service users who are smoking in pregnancy and those who have attempted or successfully quit smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to get involved

Click here to take part in the short survey to help the Cheshire and Mersey Local Maternity System understand your relationship to smoking and inform the development of services. 

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