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Your CCG newsletter
COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 vaccine offer to all 5-11 year olds 

The NHS is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged 5 to 11 years.

Vaccination is particularly important for children who have health conditions that put them at high risk from COVID-19, as the benefits are greater.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours. Book now through the online booking service or by calling 119.

There are also convenient vaccine walk-ins across the country which families can find through the NHS grab a jab website.

It isn't too late for anyone who hasn't yet taken up the offer for a first, second or first booster dose to book through the online booking service or by calling 119. 

More information 
Read a guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 with useful information around the benefits of the vaccine, the possible side effects and more. 
Book your spring booster when eligible 

A spring booster of the COVID-19 vaccine is available to people aged 75 and over, people who live in a care home for older people, or people aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system. You will be contacted by the NHS when you are due for a spring booster.

Once you have been contacted, you can book your COVID-19 vaccination in a number of ways. Patients can book an appointment at Southport Centre for Health & Wellbeing by calling 01704 395830, online through the online booking service, or by calling 119.

Some people will be contacted by their local GP practice who will invite them to book an appointment at one of their clinics.

Still need your first, second or first booster dose? It's not too late - book through the online booking service or by calling 119. 
Happy Ramadan to everyone celebrating

We'd like to wish a Happy Ramadan to everyone who is celebrating.

COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters do not contain pork or animal products and getting vaccinated will not break your Ramadan fast. You can book a vaccination or booster appointment that fits around your prayers.

Find out more from the British Islamic Medical Association here.
End of free universal COVID-19 testing

In line with government guidance, universal free testing for COVID-19 has now ended.

Free tests will still be available for people with symptoms if they are:
  • Patients in hospital
  • Those eligible for treatments because they are at higher risk of getting seriously ill
  • Those living or working in high-risk setting such as care homes or the NHS
You can read the government guidance here.

Director of public health for Sefton, Margaret Jones thanked all those who staffed COVID-19 test centres for helping to keep our communities safe. 
Latest news
How to get healthcare help in Sefton over the Easter holidays

We are sharing advice for getting the help you need in Sefton over the Easter bank holiday weekend (15-18 April) should you become unwell.

NHS 111

People who need urgent NHS care, but it is not a 999 emergency, are advised to contact NHS 111 which is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians who will direct people to the most appropriate health service.

Planning ahead

Opening times for services such as pharmacies, walk in centres and GP practices may change over the bank holiday, so residents are advised to plan ahead to make sure they know where to go for help. Healthcare leaders are also urging residents to make sure they have enough supply of any medications they need by ordering their repeat prescriptions early, and getting their medicine cabinet stocked up with essentials.

Easter bank holiday pharmacy opening times

A number of pharmacies are open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Residents are advised to check the opening times in the link below and to call their local pharmacy before travelling, just to make sure nothing has changed and that they are still open. 

View the pharmacy opening times.
Find out more about healthcare help in Sefton over the Easter bank holiday.
Chair-designate and Sefton place director confirmed for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board

NHS England and NHS Improvement has announced that Raj Jain be the new chair-designate of the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), ready to take up the post from July 2022 should Parliament confirm the current plans.

Deborah Butcher has been appointed to lead Sefton Partnership as place director within the ICB. Working closely with local partners, Deborah will play a central role in the future integration of health and care, taking a lead on tackling the health inequalities within our communities. Deborah’s new role is a joint appointment between the NHS and Sefton Council.   

Read more about the appointment here.
Our good health checklist

We have developed a good health checklist to help people in Sefton find the right advice or treatment when they need it, from looking after common ailments yourself, to looking after your mental health and wellbeing, support to get active and more. 

If you’re feeling unwell, there is plenty of help and advice available. Please don’t put off seeing a health professional if you need to.
New website provides reliable health apps

People in Sefton can help themselves to live healthier, happier lives using accredited health applications on https://sefton.orcha.co.uk.

Sefton Partnership, which brings together organisations in the NHS, local authority and voluntary, community and faith sector (VCF), have worked with the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications (ORCHA) to develop an online health app library tailored to the health needs of the Sefton population.

Health apps can provide people with important information to help them manage their health conditions through exercise and healthy living. The ORCHA Health App Library makes it quicker and easier to access safe, accredited health and wellbeing apps, which can make a real difference to people’s lives, such as: 
  • Help people with children and young families
  • Help people keep active
  • Help people eat healthier
  • Support people’s mental health
  • Help people manage long term conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease
Anyone can use the app library to access health support and information that they can rely on. In addition, as part of a pilot project, some health and care professionals in Sefton are being trained on how to use the app library to select specific apps that can help to support the people they care for and securely recommend them via email or text.
COVID oximetry at home

A pulse oximeter is a small medical device that measures oxygen levels. Sefton residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are clinically vulnerable, aged 65+ or pregnant, are eligible for a free device and should receive a text offering them one. 

Find out more about the COVID oximetry service here.
Get involved
Share your ideas with Solving Together
 
NHS Horizons has launched a new platform called Solving Together, and are asking for health and care staff, service users and their families, and partners in other sectors to get involved. Solving Together is a platform for people to post their ideas, experiences and good practices that will help the NHS to reduce the current waiting times for elective care. People are encouraged to add their own ideas, or vote and comment on ideas already posted on the platform.

Find out more about Solving Together.
Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey


The NHS is gathering feedback from children, young people and their families about their experiences, to continue to improve the care and services the NHS delivers.

The Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey will inform how the NHS delivers cancer services with the aim to radically improve the outcomes for children and young people affected by cancer.
 

How to get involved

If you receive an invitation in the post please complete the survey.

For more information visit www.under16cancerexperiencesurvey.co.uk

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