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# T o g e t h e r L e e d sC o r o n a v i r u s c o m m u n i t y a n dv o l u n t a r y s e c t o r b u l l e t i n

Stay home. Pr

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# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

W h a t i s t h i s ?  

This bulletin has been designed to keepyou updated on the latest news from theLeeds health and care system, which youcan share with your networks.

Now, more than ever, we need to supportour communities in the face of this globalhealth emergency. This is where thecollective efforts of our colleagues in thecommunity and voluntary sector canmake a real difference. Together we’restronger, together we can reduce theimpact of coronavirus on our communitiesand together we can support those whosadly experience the loss of loved ones.

#TogetherLeeds

# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

T h i s i s N u m b e r 1

S t a y h o m e . P r o t e c t t h e N H S . S a v e l i v e s

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Peopleshould only leave the house for very limited purposes:

shopping for basic necessities, e.g. food and medicine, which must be asinfrequent as possibleone form of exercise a day, e.g. a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with membersof your householdany medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury orharm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable persontravelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

People in the most at risk group, ‘shielded’ or extremely vulnerable, shouldn’tleave the house at all for 12 weeks.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus don’t go to a GP, pharmacy orhospital. You need to self-isolate at home and use the NHS 111 service. Ifyour condition doesn’t improve or you can’t cope with the illness please callNHS 111. For the latest NHS information visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Now, more than ever, we need to support our communities in the face of this globalhealth emergency. This is where the collective efforts of our colleagues in thecommunity and voluntary sector can make a real difference. Together we’restronger, together we can reduce the impact of coronavirus on our communities andtogether we can support those who sadly experience the loss of loved ones.This is the first edition of a weekly bulletin we’ll be producing. It concentrates onensuring we can use your networks and contacts to share some really key pieces ofinformation from the NHS and Leeds City Council. Future editions will look at widerhealth and wellbeing as the lockdown continues, with a particular focus on thosepeople in the ‘shielding’ cohort who in effect are housebound for 12 weeks.We’d welcome your thoughts on future topics, in the meantime please do sharethese messages through all available channels.

Hannah Davies (Healthwatch Leeds), Jagdeep Passan (Leeds Involving People),Pip Goff (Forum Central)

# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

K e e p u p - t o - d a t e w i t h c o u n c i l s e r v i c e c h a n g e s

Find out how council services are affected and how to get help by visitingwww.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus. This includes support with food, money or workand emergency childcare support as well accessing help if you cannot get out.

Support for extremely vulnerable patients – Leeds City Council helplineA citywide helpline is available matching people with the support. If you need anyhelp to get food or medication delivered then please call the Leeds City Councilhelpline on 0113 378 1877. We will do our best to assist you.This number will be staffed seven days a week during standard office hours. Youmay also call and leave us a voicemail at any time.

E m e r g e n c y f o o d r e s p o n s e

If someone is finding it difficult to access food due to financial constraints or due toself-isolation they’re eligible for help.

To make a referral on behalf of someone please fill out ‘Referral for Emergency FoodProvision (COVID-19)’ form which is available by emailing thriving@leeds.gov.uk.

Please provide as much information as possible and return the form tolwss@leeds.gov.uk. You can also contact the Leeds Welfare Support Team on 0113376 0330.

C i t y w i d e v o l u n t e e r i n g p r o g r a m m e

Our colleagues at Voluntary Action Leeds have set up a COVID-19 communityvolunteer programme with Leeds City Council.

This offers a range of ways people can help in a coordinated and safe way duringthe COVID-19 outbreak. Please encourage people to sign up online, emailinfo@val.org.uk or call on 0113 297 7920.

# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

L e e d s G P p r a c t i c e s s t i l l o p e n b u t a c c e s s h a s c h a n g e d

From now on, you’ll notice differences in primary care. For example, your GPsurgery will now want to speak to you on the phone or online. GP practices in thecity have moved the majority of their appointments to telephone or videoconsultations. Face-to-face appointments are still offered where absolutelynecessary with patients being advised accordingly. In addition, any practices thatpreviously provided same-day walk-in appointments have suspended this option.

Please share this tweet with your followers and feel free to use the graphic inany other communication materials you may be producing.

I m p o r t a n t u p d a t e o n r e f e r r a l s f o r a n y o n e r e g i s t e r e dw i t h a L e e d s G P p r a c t i c e

As part of the response to coronavirus (COVID-19), GP practices in Leeds will nolonger be referring people for routine hospital appointments with only urgent referralsbeing offered.This means GPs in Leeds can’t refer for the following hospital services, and allwaiting lists are now closed.

Outpatient appointmentsDiagnostic tests for most conditions – GPs will let people know if there are anytests that still need to be carried outNon-urgent sight impairment issues – support will continue to be provided forurgent issues

Support will continue to be provided for anyone needing help in an emergency suchas a life or limb threatening illness or injury.Please feel free to share this message and social media resources.

# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

V i s i t i n g s u s p e n d e d a t c i t y ’ s h o s p i t a l s

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has suspended visiting times across all itshospitals. There are some exceptions:

the patient is receiving end of life carethe visitor is a birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour

At Leeds Children’s Hospital, only one parent or appropriate adult can be withtheir child at any given time, and currently no other children will be able to visit.Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has also suspended visitingtimes across all its hospitals.For those with family outside Leeds, similar restrictions are likely to be in forceacross hospitals in England.

A v o i d o v e r o r d e r i n g a n d s t o c k p i l i n g m e d i c i n e s

We’re urging patients not to over order their repeat prescriptions and to order asyou’d normally do. Please don’t ask for an increased supply of medicines, only orderone month at a time, unless you’ve been advised differently by your healthcareprofessional.Please share this tweet with your followers and feel free to use the graphic in anyother communication materials you may be producing

# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

We want to know about how it is for you? We want to check inwith you to see how things are going. We have a couple ofquestions for you that will help us inform organisations inLeeds how you are getting on during these difficult times.Click here to give your answers

H o w i s i t f o r y o u ? W e e k l y   C h e c k   i n   f r o m u s

# T o g e t h e r L e e d s

https://healthwatchleeds.co.uk