Visiting to be re-introduced at Trust hospitals

In-patient visiting is to be re-introduced at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals from Tuesday 3 May, after it was previously suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitors will be asked to continue to help restrict the spread of the virus by following some key requirements, including wearing face masks and observing social distancing when in the hospitals.

Throughout the pandemic, and in line with national guidelines, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the county’s two acute hospitals, has needed to restrict visiting to adult wards to just compassionate visiting and for those patients with specific needs.

This will now change from Tuesday 3 May, with all adult in-patients allowed one visitor per day, as well as continuing to provide the additional flexibility and support needed for compassionate visiting. Separate arrangements remain in place for Critical Care, Maternity, Children’s wards, and the Neonatal Unit.

COVID-19 numbers in the hospitals remain at significant levels and – in order to protect those being cared for, visitors, and staff – visitors will be asked to not attend if they are COVID-19 positive, are showing relevant symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive. Full details of the new arrangements in place for visiting can be seen on SaTH’s website: www.sath.nhs.uk and visitors are asked to please check the website before coming to the hospitals.

Hayley Flavell, Director of Nursing at SaTH, said:
Suspending visiting was a very difficult decision to make as we know how important it is to patients, and friends and family alike, but it was a necessary one given we care for some of the most sick and vulnerable in society. We are very pleased now to be able to welcome visitors back into our hospitals and will continue to do everything we can to ensure those we care for are supported by their own loved ones.
“We recognise the real impacts the restrictions had on those staying in our hospitals and we’d like to again thank our communities for their patience and understanding during this time. COVID-19 remains a very real issue for us, and the wider health system, and we ask that people continue to help us help our patients by following the new guidelines in place.

Whilst the visiting restrictions have been in place, the Trust has provided a range of other options and alternatives to allow patients and their friends and families to keep in touch. These options will remain in place and include support from our Chaplaincy Team; access for patients to ward iPads/mobile phones if they do not have a mobile phone; and the ability to send a message to those in hospital through our website.

The visiting arrangements and remaining restrictions will be kept under constant review in line with national guidelines.

NHS

Rapid Testing

From Shropshire Council – Stay Safe in the Workplace 
Overall our infection rate in the county has been coming down, but not as fast as we would like. We know that businesses and organisations are working hard to keep their sites COVID-19-safe, but we have seen a recent spike in cases linked to workplaces. 
Whether you’re a staff member or business owner, please continue to do all you can to help stop the spread of coronavirus

Government Advice:
Around 1 in 3 people have coronavirus without displaying any symptoms, therefore regular testing for people with no symptoms will help to find positive cases earlier and break chains of transmission.”

Frontline and key workers are advised to take a lateral flow test to identify more positive cases, reduce the spread of infection and protect lives and livelihoods.

The nearest rapid test centre will open in Wem on 22nd February. If you live along the A41 you may find it easier to access the test centre in Newport.

To book a test in Wem or Shrewsbury click here

To book a test in Newport click here.

Do not use this service or go to a test site, GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy if you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Order a test for people with symptoms online or call 119.

 

Health, care and wellbeing support & services during the Covid-19 pandemic

healthwatch shropshire

Health, care and wellbeing support & services during the Covid-19 pandemic

Healthwatch Shropshire wants to know how the current pandemic is affecting people in Shropshire, their well-being, how they are finding useful information, how they are being supported, what helps them cope and how their experience of health and social care has been affected.

They are trying to establish what is working well, where the gaps are and where people feel things could be improved.

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer, explained, “At Healthwatch Shropshire we know that staff and volunteers from across health, social care and the charity sector are working hard to support people in the community during the Coronavirus outbreak. Local organisations  from across the health and care system are working closely together to respond to COVID-19 whilst ensuring that essential everyday services carry on.

These organisations want to know what people think about the support available and if there are any gaps so they can make sure they are working as best they can for the people who use them. To help do this we have published a short survey asking people about their experiences and will share this feedback anonymously with the people organising services so they can see what is working well and where improvements could be made.”

Survey and more information: https://www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/health-care-and-wellbeing-services-during-covid-19-pandemic

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services.  It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.

 

Ash Covid19 helpers

Thank you so much to all those villagers who have offered help to vulnerable persons and those self isolating, the response has been fantastic. Our coordinator has been liaising with local surgeries and pharmacies to ensure that we are able to collect prescriptions when needed. We have an extensive list of volunteers but would still like more young people if you are available to help. Please contact us at info@ashvillages.co.uk

Ash Covid-19 help group

The last few weeks have been a bit alarming for us all with high winds and floods to deal with and now Coronavirus. If you are concerned about your, or a relatives health, and you think you or your relative may be affected, please visit https://shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/ for up to date local information and what to do. There is a wealth of information on this link for the public, schools, businesses and social care.

Shropshire Council’s Community Reassurance Team is providing advice and support including working with local groups and organisations to offer help to vulnerable residents and access to the Food Hub. If you need support or know someone else who does, you can call the dedicated helpline: 0345 678 9028 or email: customerfirst@shropshire.gov.uk.

For more information : https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2020/04/coronavirus-vulnerable-residents-support/

Please look out for your friends and neighbours and let them know if you are willing to help them. Residents of Ash are concerned that anyone in our village who is affected may be isolated but we would like to think not forgotten. A number of thoughtful folk have offered assistance to those self –isolating to collect shopping, pick up prescriptions, post a parcel or even just take the dog for a walk. If you are struggling let us know and we will try and connect you to a willing helper.

We will not pass on personal details of anyone who contacts us unless you have given specific consent for us to do so. If you are contacting us on behalf of someone else, please make sure you have their consent before providing any personal details to us.
If you are happy to volunteer, please let us know; a name, contact details and a postcode would be helpful so that we can better connect our neighbours. We will not pass on your personal details without your consent and unless and until there is a person in need.

Contact:-  info@ashvillages.co.uk

We urge everyone to take care of their own personal safety. Please don’t hand over cash, data or precious items unless you know and trust the person you are dealing with. In Ash we will do our best to help each other but Ash Villages cannot be responsible for mishaps or missing items.

GP Appointments – Evenings & Weekends

Local GP practices are working together to offer patients more access to appointments, in the early evenings and weekends, from Monday, 1 October, 2018.

In Shropshire, local practices will work together in a network of ‘hubs’ to provide this Extended Access service. This will ensure patients can access appointments at a nearby practice in their local area – the practices will take turns on a rota basis and patients will be advised about location at time of booking, so they can make an informed choice.
The pre-bookable appointments will be available between:

  • Weekday evenings (Monday to Friday) between 6.30pm and 8pm (at a local area hub)
  • Saturdays between 8am and 1pm (at a local area hub)
  • Sundays and bank holidays between 8.30am and 12.30pm (at a single site in central Shrewsbury)

Arranging a pre-bookable evening, weekend or bank holiday appointment is easy to do – patients simply need to contact their practice (who they are currently registered with), during normal opening hours, and speak to the practice receptionist or a member of the practice team who will be able to help. Appointments may not be with your registered GP but will be with a GP or other qualified healthcare professional.

Information to help patients understand more about Extended Access is available on the NHS England website, visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/redesign/improving-access/