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Somerset Health and Wellbeing Advisory Network

Helping you to help others

The Government has published important advice for people with symptoms of respiratory infections, such as Covid-19; people with a positive Covid-19 test result and their contacts; and advice on safer behaviours for everyone.

There are simple actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching Covid-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu, which can spread easily and may cause serious illness in some people. Things you can choose to do are:
  • Get vaccinated
  • Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors
  • Practice good hygiene: wash your hands / cover your coughs and sneezes / clean your surroundings frequently
  • Wear a face covering or mask
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If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness

Public health guidance for those who are experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness advises people should do the following to minimise risk of transmission:
  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature
  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend
  • Adults with a positive Covid-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious.
  • Children and young people aged 18 and under with a positive Covid-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people, for 3 days

Vaccination Clinics In Somerset

'Grab a Jab' at Boots, Taunton (3)
New walk in clinics are regularly available across the county. Please encourage your networks to check the NHS walk in site for up to date information.

Sedgemoor

Bridgwater Community Hospital, Bower Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 6JE
Every Sunday in April: 9am - 7pm
(closed Easter Sunday 17/5)
Walk in
Bridgwater Town Hall, High St, TA6 3BL
Every Friday in April: 9am - 5pm (closing at 4pm on 15th April)
Walk in
Auction / Market at Junction 24 Market Way, North Petherton TA6 6DF
Sat 9th & 23rd April: 9am - 3pm
Walk in
Hamp Pantry, Grenville House, Rhode Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 6JE
Thurs 14th & 28th April: 1pm - 6pm
Walk in
Sydenham Pantry, Community Hub, Fairfax Road, Bridgwater, TA6 4HX
Wed 13th & 27th April: 1pm - 6pm
Walk in

SWAT

Wellington Community Hospital, Bulford Lane, Wellington, TA21 8QQ
Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Walk in
Minehead Community Hospital, Luttrell Way, Minehead, TA24 6DF
Every Tuesday April: 8:30am - 7pm
Everyday Saturday April: 10am - 5pm
Walk in
Wiveliscome Community Hall, West Street, Wiveliscombe, TA4 2JP
Wed 6th / 13th / 27th April: 2pm - 6pm
Walk in
Priorswood Community Centre, 13-14 Priorswood Place, Taunton, TA2 7JW
Sat 16th / 30th April: 9am - 6pm
Walk in
Exmoor Rural Health Hub, Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, Minehead, TA24 7DU
Wed 13th April: 11:30am - 3:30pm
Walk in

Mendip

Clarks Village (Alfred Gillet Trust Building) Outlet Shopping Village, Farm Road, Street, BA16 0BB
Sat 16th & Mon 18th April: 9am - 5pm
Walk in
Cheese & Grain, Market Yard, Justice Lane, Frome, BA11 1BE
Sunday 24th April: 9:30am - 5pm
Walk in

South Somerset

Chard Leisure Centre, Fore Street, Chard, TA20 1GR
Tues 12th & Wed 20th April: 9:30am - 5pm
Walk in
Crewkerne Henhayes Centre, South Street, Crewkerne, TA18 8DA
Sat 9th April: 9am - 5pm
Walk in

Covid Catch up Film

This week Clinton tells us about the NHS Spring Booster Programme for eligible people aged 75 and over & those who are immuno-suppressed. Please share this widely with your networks.

Covid Vaccines For Pregnant Women

UKHSA data shows that 53.7% of pregnant women in England have been vaccinated with at least one dose of coronavirus Covid-19 vaccine. The uptake remains lower amongst pregnant women compared to the general population of the same age groups.
Women of black ethnicity and women living in the most deprived areas of the UK were least likely to have been vaccinated in pregnancy. Vaccine coverage amongst these women has been increasing but despite this the figures are still significantly lower than that of white women, Asian women and those in the least deprived areas.

We urge you to encourage all pregnant women who have not yet been vaccinated, particularly those in these groups, to come forward for vaccination.
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Booking Open For 5 to 11 Year Olds

Children aged five years old and over are eligible to book their Covid-19 vaccination now.
The vaccinations are not being given to this age group in school, instead appointments can be made at local clinics via the National Booking Service or by calling 119.

For most children, Covid-19 is a mild illness that may require a few days off school but rarely leads to complications. Having the Covid-19 vaccine reduces the likelihood of them developing Long Covid or passing the infection onto vulnerable family members and friends. To find out more, please read the government guidance.

Covid-19 vaccination for at risk 5 to 11 year olds
UKHSA have published frequently asked questions on the vaccination programme for CEV 5-11 year olds, including information on eligibility, accessibility and advice for parents. Further information is available in the guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years.

British Sign Language &

5 to 11 Year Old Resources

A BSL video guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years has been added to the Covid-19 vaccination: British Sign Language resources and a link to view the guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years:
Guidance and resources.
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The Government has launched ‘Enough’, a campaign that highlights what we can do to safely challenge the abuse of women and girls. Created in collaboration with victims, academics and organisations working on this issue, the campaign aims to challenge perpetrators and the harmful attitudes that exist in wider society.

Abuse takes many forms it can be emotional, physical, sexual or financial. It can be words or actions. It can be online or in person. At home or in the street. It can be inflicted by a partner, ex-partner, family member, colleague, friend or stranger. Whatever form it takes, abuse should never be justified as ‘an act of love’ or dismissed as ‘harmless fun’. Any behaviour that embarrasses, demeans, frightens or distresses someone is abuse. And it has to stop. Knowing what abuse is helps us all recognise it when it happens. So we can all do our bit to keep each other safe. Please share widely with your networks.

Age 40-74? Get your free NHS Health Check

Somerset Public Health is urging everyone who is eligible to get a free NHS Health Check to lower their risk of developing serious health conditions.
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The NHS Health Check is available for anyone between the age of 40 and 74 years, every five years, who does not have a pre-existing long-term condition. The NHS Health Check is an important step for many people towards improving their health and becoming more aware of what they can do to lead a healthier life. It can help lower people’s risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of dementia.

NHS Health Checks are available at your GP surgery, at participating pharmacies or at a number of specialist clinics at Libraries and other community spaces – for a full list go to: https://bit.ly/freehcheck.

Extended! Somerset Food Resilience Grant

Another chance to apply for the new Somerset Food Resilience Grant! The deadline for applications has been extended to the 31st May 2022 - or when the fund runs out.
The Food Resilience grant fund is being provided to help Somerset communities that support or directly work to develop food resilience. Any community group, charity, organisation, and agency in Somerset can apply for a maximum of £2,000.

We want to hear from you

Your feedback is valuable to us and we'd like to receive more from you and your communities. Ideas on different ways to engage and issues you are spotting locally will help us to reduce barriers to adopting measures that protect us all from Covid.
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Coronavirus Helpline

If you require support please contact your local authority.
Mendip District council call 0300 303 8588
Sedgemoor District council call 0300 303 7800
South Somerset district council call 01935 462462
Somerset West and Taunton council call 0300 304 8000
Somerset County Council on 0300 123 22242
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Resources and Further Information:

For the latest local information as well as digital resources, posters and flyers please visit: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/

For information and resources on staying healthy happy and safe at the time please visit: https://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/covid-19/

The Somerset Local Outbreak Management Plan outlines how we, the council, will work with the NHS Test and Trace Service, PHE, the NHS and other partners to ensure a whole system approach to preventing and managing local outbreaks. This can be found here.
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