Healthwatch Bulletin - Health, Social Care and COVID-19

Brighton and Hove is now in Tier 2 “High Alert”

The Tier 2 rules are:

• you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place

• you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outdoors, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’

• businesses and venues can continue to operate in a COVID-Secure manner

• hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to provide table service only in premises which sell alcohol; alcohol can only be served with substantial meals, and close between 11pm and 5am

The Brighton and Hove website has more information about what this means. Alternative format versions of the guidance on the local restriction tier system, including what you can and cannot do in each tier.
 

Meeting friends and family

There are different rules on meeting friends and family, depending on when you meet them.
From 2 December to 23 December, you must follow the guidance for the tier in our area.
From 23 December to 27 December, you may choose to form a Christmas bubble.
From 28 December, you must follow the guidance for the tier in your area. Christmas bubbles will no longer apply.

Visiting loved ones in care homes

Care home residents in all tiers will be able to see their families again this Christmas period as over a million tests are to be sent out providers over the next month, with visits to begin Wednesday 2 December. Visits out to family homes or outdoor spaces like parks may also be possible for some care home residents under 65.
You can access the new guidance using the links below:
Care home residents to be reunited with families by Christmas
Visiting arrangements in care homes

NHS 111

From 1st December 2020, the NHS is introducing a new system called NHS 111 First. If you have an urgent, but not life- threatening health problem you can now contact NHS 111 First to find out if you need to go to A&E.

NHS 111 can book you an appointment at your local A&E or emergency department.
This means you will have an allocated time to attend hospital and be treated, so
you do not have to wait a long time to be seen and can also help services avoid
becoming overcrowded.

How do you use NHS 111 First?

You can contact NHS 111 either online or by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is free to use, including from a mobile phone.

Call 111

NHS 111 online

Free flu jab

Information from Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group regarding the flu vaccination is here
• NHS Guidance on who is eligible for free Flu Vaccinations is available here
• Why have the flu vaccination? Advice is available here. This includes translated materials.
• Frequently Asked Questions about the flu
• Information on the free flu vaccine is available in Easyread formats and in a variety of languages.