Healthwatch City of London Bulletin 45
Healthwatch City of London events
We are running a series of events over the coming months to keep you up to date on the latest information on Health and Social care, and on our work here at Healthwatch City of London. We would welcome your feedback on what more you would like to hear about and how you would like to get that information. Please complete the survey below (it’s a very short survey, that won’t take very much of your time) Thank you
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HWCOLinformationsurvey
Covid 19 booster and Flu vaccination programme update webinar
Wednesday 15th September 6pm – 7pm
Following the success of our COVID 19 vaccination programme webinar we’ll be hosting another on the COVID 19 booster and flu vaccination programme that will be rolled out across the NHS from September.
The webinar will be held on Wednesday 15th September between 6pm – 7pm. Confirmed for the panel so far are Dr Sandra Husbands, Director of Public Health, City of London & London Borough of Hackney, Dr Mark Rickets, C&H Chair NEL CCG and Clinical Lead Primary Care - NEL CCG & Health and Care Partnership and Gail Beer, Chair Healthwatch City of London.
The webinar will give you the latest information on the roll out of the Covid 19 vaccination booster and the flu vaccination programme across the City, and answer questions from the audience.
To join the webinar or to submit a question for the panel please email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Healthwatch City of London Annual General Meeting
Thursday 16th September 2pm – 4pm
We will be holding our annual general meeting on Thursday 16th September between 2pm – 4pm in which we’ll present our annual report, our annual accounts, we’ll be giving an overview of our work from the previous year and outlining our plans for the coming year to deliver upon our top seven priorities and to ensure that your voice is heard in the changing landscape of the delivery of health and social care provision across the City.
Everyone is welcome to attend to meet the Healthwatch City of London team and to ask questions.
To join us please email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Annual Public Meeting
In October we will be holding our Annual Public meeting for which we are lining up some exciting speakers. We’ll publish the details as soon as they are confirmed, so watch this space!
Patient Voice Partners – Barts NHS Trust
Barts NHS Trust are working on re-developing their Patient Voice Partners panel for Barts Hospital and are trying to ensure they look at existing patient networks across the borough and the diversity of the population to ensure adequate representation and participation. Such panels in the past have not been as representative as they could be of our diverse community and patients in City and Hackney and Barts are looking to change that. Such a panel will look at improving services at Barts and helping to co-design future services.
If anyone on this email is interested or know of someone who may be interested in taking part, please get in touch with Darren Barnes Darren.Barnes@nhs.net who would be pleased to hear from you.
For more information, please see the attached leaflet below.
Toynbee Hall – City Advice – Community Advocate Coordinator
Following the extension of their contract with the City to provide their service for another two years, Toynbee Hall are looking to increase resident involvement in the monitoring/evaluation and development of the service. To this end they are currently recruiting for a new role of community advocate coordinator – Details of which can be found on the TH website: https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/get-involved/work-for-us/
Latest Covid 19 information
From Monday 16th August rules regarding isolation changed across the UK. If you’re fully vaccinated or under 18 you no longer need to self-isolate after close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you have symptoms, you should still isolate and take a PCR test. Find out when to self-isolate and what to do on the NHS website.
As restrictions are lifted, we know that many of you remain cautious and naturally anxious. There is still a good deal of guidance around, but interpretation varies, and this can be confusing. Our advice? Act responsibly and think of others, follow the guidance, and do what you feel comfortable with.
You do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with. There are also no limits on the number of people you can meet.
However, in order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually. This includes minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
You should meet outdoors where possible and let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces.
The requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted. However, the Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.
All healthcare settings still have infection control procedures in place, which we urge you to adhere to.
Covid 19 vaccinations
Adults aged 18 or over
If you're aged 18 or over (or will turn 18 within 3 months) you can:
- book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
- find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment. You can find locations of these on our website
- wait to be contacted by your GP surgery and book your appointments with them
If you cannot book appointments online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to.
If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
Children and young people aged 12 to 17
People aged 16 and 17, and children aged 12 to 15 who are eligible, will be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery to book their vaccination appointments.
Some walk-in COVID-19 vaccination sites are offering the vaccine to people aged 16 and 17. Nearest sites available for walk in vaccinations for 16+ are:
Counting House at Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT. Opening times 8am – 7pm
St Thomas Hospital, Gassiot House at Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH. Opening times 8am – 7pm
Canonbury Primary School, 124 Canonbury Road, London, N1 2UT. Opening times 3pm – 7pm.
Please check the NHS website for venues and opening times. Please note that most sites only offer walk in appointments to over 18s.
Pop up vaccination clinics
You can attend a local vaccination pop-up clinic by walking in or calling 020 8356 3111 to confirm your appointment.
Community groups across the City and Hackney are running pop-up walk-in clinics for those 18+ who need their first dose and those who need their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
- 21 and 22 August 10am-3pm, Hackney Marshes, E9 5PF
- 22 August 12-4pm, Morningside Community Centre, Cresset Road, E9 6SJ
- 29 August 2pm-6pm, The Round Chapel Old School Rooms, Powerscroft Road, E5 0PU
- 1 September 10am-2pm, Ridley Road Market Ridley Road, E8 2PD
- 8 September 9am-1pm, The Edge Youth Hub 7 Woodberry Grove, N4 1SN
- 18 September 11am-3pm, Clissold Park, Near Clissold Park House, N16 9HJ
Get Self Isolation Support
If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or you live with someone who has tested positive, and are finding it difficult to self-isolate, there is help available!
The City Corporation is running a short-term project offering extra support to people living in the Square Mile in August.
Call the Covid-19 Helpline on 020 8356 3111, and select option 3 when you have tested positive, or live with someone who has tested positive.
They can offer home delivery of a care package that includes a PCR test and a supply of PPE for your household, welfare calls, advice on how to keep your household safe and free hotel accommodation for household members of a positive case if they cannot successfully self-isolate at home.
Don’t wait - there is support available. Let’s stop Covid-19 in its tracks and keep your household safe!
Please see attached flyer for more information
Upcoming Healthwatch City of London Events
One of Healthwatch City of London’s purposes is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. To do that we need to hear from you so we provide a number of regular events where we can exchange views and raise issues or concerns. Ideally, we’d like to hold them face to face, but because of the current pandemic we are restricted to Zoom events.
Please see a list of our events below with joining details.
Listening to City Carer’s event – Friday 27th August
Overview: An opportunity for Carer’s to provide feedback on their experience of Health and Social Care.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/96737224444?pwd=bWE5R3l3OGVvY21tbDRpcURqOXFmdz09
Meeting ID: 967 3722 4444 Passcode: 364136 Dial in: 0208 080 6591
Covid 19 booster and Flu vaccination programme update webinar - Wednesday 15th September
Overview: The webinar will give you the latest information on the roll out of the Covid 19 vaccination booster and the flu vaccination programme across the City, and answer questions from the audience. Confirmed for the panel so far are Dr Sandra Husbands, Director of Public Health, City of London & London Borough of Hackney and Dr Mark Rickets, C&H Chair NEL CCG and Clinical Lead Primary Care - NEL CCG & Health and Care Partnership.
Time: 6pm – 7pm.
Joining details:
To join the webinar or to submit a question for the panel please email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Healthwatch City of London Annual General Meeting - Thursday 16th September
Overview: We’ll present our annual report, our annual accounts, we’ll be giving an overview of our work from the previous year and outlining our plans for the coming year to deliver upon our top seven priorities and to ensure that your voice is heard in the changing landscape of the delivery of health and social care provision across the City.
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Joining details:
To join us please email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
City Carers Community Events
The City Carers Community are holding another of their Share and Learn sessions via Zoom. This is being held on Monday 30th August at 11.15am and 8pm. The sessions last for 45 minutes.
You are welcome to join in. Ask questions and learn tips from city residents who are looking after a family member, friend or neighbour (other terms are informal/unpaid carers). Topics are determined by residents' questions or help to navigate the NHS/Social care systems for yourself / the person you look after etc. Open to anyone who is looking after someone in the City of London. A friendly group, run by residents voluntarily. For the zoom link email:CityCarersCommunity@gmail.com
City and Hackney Adults Safeguarding Board Newsletter
The CHSAB have published its July service user newsletter. You can read it by clicking the box below.
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 and vaccination uptake data in the City. The site is updated regularly and accessible at https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data
Keep up to date with the latest advice
HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly. https://www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk/advice-and-information
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
Portsoken Health and Community Centre, 14-16 Little Somerset Street, London E1 8AH
