COVID - 19 Update 30th October 2020

Your Healthwatch

Hospital Discharge Wellbeing Project - report

• You can read our report on our webpage 
• Also this week, Healthwatch England published a new report describing 590 people’s stories of leaving hospital during COVID-19. This national report highlights the work of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove and our volunteers as an example of a successful project linking together local authority, NHS, and voluntary services to make sure people’s support needs were met after discharge from hospital (pages 18-19). We want to take this opportunity to thank our amazing volunteers once again for their support in delivering this project.

Integrated care: a mental health collaborative

• Mental Health is a key priority. Responding to the needs of our local community can only be achieved by recognising that mental health and wellbeing are the responsibility of the whole health and care system.
• You can listen to a discussion between leading figures (including our CEO, David Liley) about the collaborative here

Families and Friends of Care Home Residents Webinar – staying connected during the coronavirus crisis

• Please join us on 10th November 5-7pm, to hear from other families and care home managers, about their different experiences of what care homes have been like over this pandemic 

We are calling on people over 55 to share their experiences

Healthwatch England are calling on people over 55 to share their experiences to help improve support after research indicates that they are the least likely to believe care has improved during COVID-19

Health and social care updates

Long-term effects of COVID-19

The Health Secretary has warned of the long-term effects of COVID-19 in a new film. New data suggests that ‘long COVID’ affects around 10% of 18 to 49 year olds who become unwell with COVID-19.

COVID-19 on ethnic minorities

• In response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minorities, the Clinical Commissioning Group are working with Diversity Resource International to host a series of webinars.

New reports from local community organisations

Three new reports have been prepared by three Sussex community-based organisations to help “Turn information into action” and provide a more independent view on what people are really saying and doing about COVID-19.

Flu advice for pregnant people and those with long-term health conditions

Big Health and Care (Socially Distancing) conversation

New and free service – saving lives by supporting early cancer diagnosis in the city

REMINDERS: 

• Help shape the future of your hospitals 
• Help Us Help You - New NHS booklet
• NHS 111 support
• NHS ‘Test & Trace’ app

LOCAL COVID NEWS

Brighton & Hove remains on Medium alert this week In the seven days up to 23 October (based on data published on 26 October) we had 441 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Brighton & Hove.

This is:

• A 60% increase in confirmed cases from the previous week
• Equivalent to a weekly rate of 151.6 new cases of per 100,000 residents.
• This week, Brighton & Hove is classed as Tier 1 on Medium alert, but if the trend continues upwards, we will be at risk of moving to Tier 2 High alert.
• The city remains subject to basic national rules:
•  You may not meet in a group of more than six people, indoors or outdoors, unless you're in a larger household or a support bubble
• Pubs, bars and restaurants must close by 10pm

Distribution of confirmed cases

• Most confirmed cases continue to be among young people aged 15-24 years old. But we are seeing a worrying rise in cases among older working adults.
• 18-22 year olds accounted for 43% of cases.
• This includes young people across the whole city, not just students  
• There has been a steep rise in cases among adults aged 40-59 years old and
• 27% increase among people aged 60+

Stay safe

We’re in the middle of half term and it’s Halloween at the weekend. Sadly, 2020 is not the year for play dates, trick or treating and Halloween parties. We’ve prepared these suggestions for half-term activities and a Covid-safe Halloween to help everyone enjoy this autumn break safely." Kind regards Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health (28.10.20)