Coronavirus - Information

Who is being vaccinated next in north Cumbria?

The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those that experts have agreed will benefit from having it the most, as they are at most risk. 

People in cohorts 5, 6 and 7 are being invited by the NHS to have their vaccine.
 
These are:

•       Cohort 5 - all those 65 years of age and over
•       Cohort 6 - all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
•   Unpaid carers, including those in receipt of carers allowance, are also part of cohort 6 and are part of Primary Care’s roll out. The NHS will be working with relevant partner organisations to ensure that the vaccine is delivered to unpaid carers as part of the cohort.
•    Cohort 7 - all those 60 years of age and over

• ​​​​- Local GP vaccination services will be vaccinating patients in cohorts 5, 6 and 7.

Please note that 'Local GP vaccination services' are your GPs working together in local areas as part of Primary Care Networks (PCNs).  We have eight of these networks across north Cumbria who are delivering the vaccine from nine hubs.
 
People may also receive a letter from the National Booking Service, providing an alternative option which invites them to book at a Large Vaccination Centre. However as you would need to travel further for your vaccination it might be more convenient for people to wait for their local vaccination service run by their GPs to get in touch. Everyone in the priority cohorts who want to have a vaccination can do so from their local GP vaccination service.

The nearest Large Vaccination Centres at the moment are located in Kendal, Ulverston and Lancaster. There are also sites in the North East at Newcastle’s Centre for Life and the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East, Sunderland with a third Large Vaccination Centre location opening in Durham opening soon. 
If you want to wait to be called by your local GP vaccination service then please do not respond to the national booking service invitation.

Work is ongoing to develop a Large Vaccination Centre for north Cumbria and we will update any progress when a date for opening is confirmed.

The way the cohorts are being invited may result in a younger person with an underlying health condition being offered an appointment before someone in the over 65 year age group. This doesn't mean you have been missed so please wait until the NHS contacts you. 
 
In the meantime the message remains the same - the NHS will be in contact with you when the time is right for you to be invited for your vaccine.

If you are over 70 years old and have still not been contacted please now make contact with your surgery so they can advise you on when you can expect an appointment.
 
If you have had a vaccination please continue to follow the national guidance at this time, stay home, protect the NHS and help to save lives.

All people registered as having a Learning Disability with their GP are being prioritised for a Covid vaccine in north Cumbria. 

This is in line with the advice issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published this week.

Many adults with conditions such as Down’s Syndrome have already been offered a jab as part of Cohort 4.
Already people with a ‘severe or profound’ learning disability were being called as part of Cohort 6.
Now all those registered with Learning Disability with their GP will be called by their Practice as part of Cohort 6.

Please be patient. It will take a number of weeks to get through everyone in Cohort 6.

The national deadlines are:
•    Cohort 6 will be done over the next few weeks
•    all over 50s by the middle of April
•    all adults by the end of July
 

Easy read vaccination leaflets and other LD resources here.

Unpaid carers are eligible for the covid vaccine as part of Cohort 6 defined by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI).

The definition given for those eligible is:
•    Eligible for carer’s allowance 
•    Those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable. (This includes: those clinically vulnerable to COVID include children with severe neuro-disabilities, those who are designated Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), adults who have underlying health conditions and those who need care because of advanced age. 

A few things it may be helpful to understand:
•    It will take the NHS several weeks to call all of those who are part of Cohort 6 so please be patient.
•    There is a lot of work going on to ensure all those eligible will be picked up
•    We’ll update once we have a process for people to register their eligibility

You might receive a letter from the national booking service inviting you to book at a large vaccination centre (LVC) if you receive carers allowance. The nearest LVC s are currently at Kendal, Ulverston, Lancaster and the north east but more opportunities will be coming to north Cumbria shortly.

We know many carers have already been vaccinated as they fall into the over 65 age group, or may themselves by clinically vulnerable.

We are working to the national deadlines:
•    Cohort 6 in the next few weeks
•    all over 50s by the middle of April
•    all adults by the end of July

If you are feeling low & struggling right now you do not need to suffer alone. 
Below are resources and links to support that might be able to help.
 

Free support is available in Cumbria at: togetherall.com (aged 16+over).
Togetherall is a 24/7, safe online community for people who are stressed, anxious or feeling low, with self-guided courses and resources. You can register by simply using your postcode.

A free service is also available for children and young people in Cumbria at: kooth.com 
This also provides free, safe and anonymous support for young people including resources like discussion boards, magazines,  daily journal feature and the ability to chat with their team.

The Samaritans are also available on 116 123. Again this is a free 24/7 service with Samaritans available to talk through whatever you are experiencing. They also have an e-mail service at: jo@samaritans.org with a 24 hour response time. Also they have a self-help app available to track your mood and practical tips and techniques to help look after people’s emotional health. Find out more at: selfhelp.samaritans.org/ 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) - mental health and wellbeing charities
   
• 'COVID-19 places increased importance on mental health and kindness within business' - An article from Cumbria’s Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group (BERRG) encouraging local organisations to consider the mental wellbeing of their employees.
   
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources Pack: Support for individuals and businesses
   
• Mental Health at work commitment guide for employers during coronavirus
   
• 'Proven mental health therapies from the comfort of your home' - information on the NHS talking therapies service for north Cumbria.

During the national lockdown which was in place in the first half of this year to ‘flatten the curve’ and stop the spread of COVID-19, many people struggled with its impact on their mental health. As we head into a second national lockdown, you might be worried about how you and those you love will cope.

But there are simple and effective ways to help yourself – and others – to feel better. As we begin a second national ‘lockdown’, we are sharing the top ten things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing during these difficult times:

Looking after yourself

1. Be kind to yourself. At the start of May this year, Mental Health Awareness Week focussed on the theme of ‘kindness’, and we shared a list of simple ways to be kind to yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lots of us struggle to treat ourselves kindly. In fact, we’re often nicer to others than we are to ourselves. Show yourself compassion when things aren’t going well, try to put less stress and pressure on yourself, and take a few minutes to focus on your good qualities.

2.    Get outside. We know it’s much harder as the days get shorter and colder, but there’s a wealth of evidence that being in daylight and visiting any green, leafy spaces near you can really boost your mood. So wrap up warm, and try and get outside in your local area. Enjoy the crisp autumnal leaves or watch the sunset.

3.    Get moving any way you can. This year, although gyms and leisure centres have closed, so many people took up cycling, regular walks around their neighbourhood, and of course at-home workouts (maybe you joined in with PE with Joe Wicks?). Moving more is good for your mind and body. Find an activity that you enjoy, and make it part of your daily routine. Our A Weight Off Your Mind webpages have lots of resources to help you find a physical activity that’s right for you.

4. Get a good night’s sleep. In May, research showed that more than four in 10 adults have been experiencing trouble sleeping during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re struggling to sleep due to worry or stress, that’s understandable – take a look at our Sleeping Problems self help guide to find techniques that might help. Our relaxation tracks can help you to let go and drift off. Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters website also includes NHS-approved expert tips and advice on improving your sleep.
5. Look out for burnout. Many of us are working harder than ever. If you’re working from home, it can be hard to switch off from work, and you don’t have colleagues around to stop and have a break with. If you still have to go into work, or are returning to work, this can be filled with anxieties too. The Mental Health Foundation have a useful webpage with advice on looking after your mental health while working during coronavirus which covers these topics and more.
6. Focus on hobbies that you enjoy, or learn something new that you can enjoy during the restrictions. As we approach the festive season, why not make some handmade cards or presents for people? It’s a great way to show them how much you care even if you can’t be together, and can be a fun family activity. Whatever you choose, learning new things can give your mental health a boost with a sense of achievement.

Looking out for others

7. Be kind to others. The first national lockdown saw a flurry of kind community spirit – people left notes offering help to their neighbours, and drew rainbows to display in their windows, providing hope and joy through the difficult times. Get involved any way you can, however small. Simply checking on a friend can make a huge difference to their day. It will boost their mood, and yours too.
8. Where restrictions allow, visit loved ones who need you. If your loved one is currently being cared for in one of CNTW’s wards or units, you can still visit them during this lockdown – so long as you take the right precautions. We know how vital these visits are to people’s wellbeing. (Please contact the relevant ward team to discuss visiting procedures with them ahead of time.) You can also still visit people in your support bubble at the moment. (Read about who can be in a support bubble and how it works.)

Getting help early

9. Find out where to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling. If you need urgent help with your mental health, our Freephone crisis phone numbers are available 24/7. The North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network also has a directory of services, helplines and resources that might be useful to you.
10. Remember that the NHS is still here for you. All of our specialist services are still taking referrals and supporting people. If you have a healthcare appointment, please keep it. Some things may look and feel different, but we are doing our best to support you safely, and if you’re worried about something you can still seek help. You shouldn’t put off seeing a doctor about a physical health condition, and the same goes for your mental health: the earlier you seek help, the better.

For more advice on looking after your mental health during lockdown, check out this simple guide to looking after yourself and others produced earlier this year by the North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network.

Easy Read Documents (select to view and download PDF versions)

The team Cumbria, Northumbria, Tyne and Wear have created these resources for people with learning difficulties during the current Covd-19 pandemic you may find them useful.

     
 

Further Resources including information for Disabled Children

• National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff
• Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus
• Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing
• Young Minds - Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing
• Carers UK - Guidance for carers
• Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic
• Amaze - information pack for parents

Public Health England has also produced an easy read version of their Advice on the coronavirus for places of education. You can download it here.

The helpline 0800 783 1966 is there to support those at ‘high risk’ and include people over 70 years old, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions who should be protecting themselves by staying at home. The majority of these people will already be receiving support from family, friends or local voluntary groups with tasks like shopping or collection of medicines if they require it. But we know that a small number of people will not have this support. If they have no alternative, these people will now be able to call the Freephone number to request help with getting food, medicines, essential supplies and home deliveries.

Cumbria County Council has been working closely with District Councils, CVS, Cumbria Community Foundation, community and voluntary sector, private sector and military to establish these new arrangements. To support the new helpline every area is coordinating a supply of essential food, medicines and supplies which can only be accessed via the emergency helpline or email. The requests received asking for help will then be matched with local support and supplies being offered by community groups, volunteers, councils and businesses.

Cumbria is already seeing widespread community and voluntary sector support for the response to COVID-19 and informal support, including neighbourhood WhatsApp groups and community Facebook groups, alongside a commitment from existing community emergency planning groups, local churches and faith groups and formal voluntary sector organisations who are working with the county council and partners including District Councils and NHS.

• "Keep calm and take sensible steps to protect yourself and others urges region’s NHS"
  Regional Press Release from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (19 March 2020)
   
• North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Medical Director, Prof Chris Gray, speaking to ITV highlighting that the practice of social distancing is a 'life saving intervention' at this time.

We can get through this together:


Stay calm and support each other:

Using Services Wisely:

Advice on what to do if you think you have coronavirus

Why it's important to stay at home


NHS teams are working hard for you

What the NHS has been doing to prepare for coronavirus