Healthwatch City of London Bulletin 23

This week's bulletin gives the latest information of the vaccination programme, information on our next Board meeting in Public and on messages from colleagues in the NHS promoting the safety of the vaccine.
Nurse

COVID 19 Vaccination update

As of 31st January a total of 834,418 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been given out across Greater London, including 777,531 first doses and 56,887 second doses *

St Bartholomew’s Hospital are not administering vaccinations this week. They hope to continue the roll out next week (week commencing 8th February).

We will publish updates, as and when we get them, on our new COVID 19 information pages

*Source: City Matters 31st January 2021

Healthwatch City of London Board meeting in Public

Join us for our next Board meeting in Public on Friday 12th February between 1pm – 3pm. We will have an update from David Maher, Managing Director of City and Hackney CCG, on the vaccination programme. We’ll hear from Jo-anne Sheldon from Tower Hamlet’s CCG on the new GP surgery in the Goodman’s Fields Health Centre in Aldgate. There will also be an update on the work of Healthwatch City of London. 

Due to the ongoing pandemic we will be holding this event virtually over Zoom.

To join us please email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk to register your interest, you will be sent the joining details nearer the time.

New videos produced to ensure vaccine uptake

NHS doctors, nurses and other frontline staff have come forward to help reassure communities that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and have been independently tested to the highest standards.

The clinicians have recorded messages in some of the most commonly spoken non-English languages in the capital to make sure all parts of London know the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

These include Dr Fharat Raja, a Consultant Oncologist at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust who speaks in Urdu, explaining how the vaccine is given, and providing clear evidence that the vaccines work and are safe for all.

The videos can be viewed here. The languages the videos have been produced in are: Urdu, Arabic, Turkish, Bengali, Polish, Romanian, Gujurati, Punjabi and Spanish.  More videos in additional languages, including Swahili and Yoruba, are in development.

Children’s mental health week

More than ever, we need to focus on our mental health. It has been a tough few months for everyone but especially younger children who are missing their friends and the usual routine of school. This week marks children’s mental health week (1- 7 February) with the theme ‘Express yourself’. The NHS campaign site ‘Every mind matters’ has advice and guidance on looking after your mental and that of young people. Every Mind Matters | One You (www.nhs.uk)

Ask for ANI

Ask for ANI, a new pharmacy domestic abuse help scheme has been launched by the government. If you are affected by domestic abuse, you can go into any pharmacy which is displaying the Ask for ANI logo and ask for ANI. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse services. Here is a link to more information from the government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

City Connections February Newsletter

Download the City Connections February newsletter for a schedule of all their upcoming events, and latest information. City Connections February Newsletter | Healthwatch Cityoflondon

Shoreditch Park and City Primary Care Network Consultation – closing 5th February

As a reminder, the Healthwatch City of London, Healthwatch Hackney and the Shoreditch Park and City Primary Care Network (PCN) joint consultation on the future of Primary Care provision closes on Friday 5th February.

The Shoreditch Park and City PCN is the collective name for our local GP practices who have come together to focus on local patient care which includes the Neaman Practice.

By taking part in this survey, you will help us understand what is working well and what is not, where you would like to see improvement in local health care delivery by the PCN and what services you would like to see develop in the future. The PCN welcomes your thoughts and there are more opportunities to be involved, all the details are at the end of the survey.

Please be fully reassured that your views are confidential and will in no way ever affect the care you receive by your GP surgery.

Please use this link to access the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ShoreditchandCity

Latest Covid-19 statistics for the City of London

The joint City and Hackney Public Health Intelligence Team produce regular statistics on Covid-19 levels in the City. The site below breaks down the cases in the City, and in Hackney, and by Ward, this enables residents to see the wider picture of infection rates. The site is updated regularly. https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data

Virtual Dragon Café in the City

The next virtual Dragon Café in the City session is taking place on Wednesday 10 February on Zoom.

The award-winning Dragon Café in the City is free and open to anyone working or living in the City and provides a (virtual) space for them to release the pressure, try something new, and engage in creative activities designed to foster positive mental and physical wellbeing.

Next week’s programme includes:

  • Cartoon workshop
  • Dealing with uncertainty
  • Yoga
  • Reading Friends Group

The programme can be found online here.

Keep up to date with the latest advice

HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly.

Get in touch with Healthwatch City of London

Visit our website for more information, news and events, have your say about your care, and spread the word about Healthwatch City of London.

www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk email: info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk

Tel: 020 3745 9563 Facebook: facebook.com/CoLHealthwatch Twitter: @HealthwatchCoL

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