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Somerset Health and Wellbeing Advisory Network
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As this is the first winter without pandemic restrictions in two years, adults and children may be more susceptible to the usual winter bugs and viruses this year. Winter bugs and viruses are usually mild, but can sometimes become more serious, particularly in younger children or if an infection spreads to a vulnerable family member.
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Top 5 things to do to help protect little ones under age five and reduce the risk of infections spreading amongst your loved ones this season.
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- Check children are up to date with their vaccinations
- Take up any additional vaccinations your child is eligible for
- Important to ensure children wash their hand and cover their coughs and sneezes
- Learn about the symptoms of common infections and what you can do if they get worse
- Support your child's school or nursery by keeping them off when needed
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Heard of RSV?
RSV is a common winter virus and the most common cause of bronchiolitis in children under 2. Most cases are mild but, in some children, it can be more serious. Learn more about bronchiolitis by clicking on the link: Bronchiolitis - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
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Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist for the UK Health Security Agency, said:
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“Hospital admission rates for flu have increased in recent weeks and remain highest in those under five. Already this year a small number of young children have needed intensive care. Please book your pre-schooler in for flu vaccine at your GP surgery as soon as you can.”
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“Flu nasal spray vaccine is also currently being offered to all primary school children and will be available for some secondary school years later this season.”
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To book a FLU inactivated injection please contact 0300 323 0032 to arrange an appointment.
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FLU and COVID-19 Vaccination for all Social Care and Health Workers
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A reminder to anyone who works in social care, or patient facing / frontline health workers are entitled to free a FLU vaccine and COVID-19 jab.
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Indications are that there will be high rates of both illnesses this coming Winter. Even if a person is carrying the virus, they may not always show symptoms. These viruses can still be spread to people who are being cared for and loved ones so it is vital to get protected ahead of the Winter and boost your Pimmunity by getting vaccinated.
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Appointments for both are widely available across Somerset.
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How to book your NHS FLU Vaccination:
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Those who are eligible for the NHS free flu jab can be vaccinated via their Community Pharmacy or GP Surgery.
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Those that are eligible may have received a letter from their GP about getting the flu jab and should follow the instructions outlined on that letter. If an individual has not yet heard from their GP surgery regarding the flu jab and they are eligible for a free flu jab, then please help them to book at a local pharmacy.
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How to book your NHS Covid-19 Autumn Booster:
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Appointments are available to people aged 50 and over, pregnant women, clinically vulnerable / immunosuppressed individuals, health and social care workers and paid and unpaid carers. Anyone who falls into these groups are able to book now online or by calling 119. Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines. 119 provides support in 200 languages.
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Please look out for older relatives, friends and neighbours who may need help and support to book their vaccination appointments.
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Autumn Booster walk-ins and appointments at Clarks Village
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Between the 3rd and 20th November there will be a COVID-19 vaccination clinic based in the Alfred Gillet Trust Building at Clark’s Village in Street.
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Appointments can be made in advance, or walk ins are available every day between 11am-3.30pm.
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It is open for the following groups:
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- 50 & over
- Pregnant women
- Health or social care workers
- Paid or unpaid carers (aged 16+)
- Clinically vulnerable (and all family members)
The nearest car park is the A39 side of the outlet village (follow signs to the white historic Alfred Gillet Trust building).
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On Monday 24 October, the Somerset SEND Partnership released their draft Special Education Needs and/or Disability Strategy to the public for consultation.
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This may sound like a daunting thing to read and feedback on, but it’s quite exciting!
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We need your help to shape the future our SEND services for the next three years.
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To draft this Strategy, we used feedback from our “future plans for SEND discussion groups” and we would like to thank everyone that got involved!
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We have four themes that we would like to focus on in the next three years:
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- Working together
- Getting help as early as possible
- Access to the right support and provision
- Preparing for the future
The consultation will be open until Friday 23 December 2022 and after the consultation closes, the Partnership will review all feedback and use this to update the strategy.
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Winter Holiday Activities
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Monday 19th – Friday 23rd December
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The Happy Healthy Holidays programme will be returning for the winter, offering an array of free fun activity days for school-aged children and young people from the 19th - 23rd December 2022. The programme is delivered by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership in conjunction with Somerset County Council and will provide support to families by offering healthy food and a range of activities to children receiving benefit-related free school meals in Somerset.
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Bookings open on Tuesday 15th November at 10am. You must have your unique booking code from your school to book an activity.
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COMING UP on November's Talking Cafe live streamed sessions - watch via:
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Watch LIVE every Wednesday at 1pm and ask questions in the comments for instant answers!
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9th November - Move More Together with SASP
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16th November - Interfaith Week - celebrating Somerset's Faith communities
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23rd November - Reduce Week with Somerset Waste Partnership
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30th November - Flu Vaccinations in Somerset - everything you need to know.
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Want to take part and SHOUT about the organisation or community project you are passionate about? Contact hannah@somersetrcc.org.uk or message the Talking Cafe page!
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Talking Cafes also take place in venues across Somerset throughout the week - we have 20 venues open, nearly back to pre-pandemic levels! Anyone over 18 years old can drop in to meet their local Village Agent for advice and support.
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We want to hear from you
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Your feedback is valuable to us, and we'd like to receive more from you and your communities. Information on issues you are spotting locally will help us to reduce barriers to accessing healthcare. Use the button below to give us your details and we'll give you a call back.
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Local Helplines
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Mendip District Council call 0300 303 8588
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Sedgemoor District Council call 0300 303 7800
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South Somerset District Council call 01935 462462
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Somerset West and Taunton Council call 0300 304 8000
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Somerset County Council call 0300 123 22224
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Resources and Further Information:
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You have received this Health and Wellbeing newsletter from Somerset County Council as you are currently part of the Health and Wellbeing Advisory Network. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, click here to unsubscribe
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