Healthwatch Bulletin - Health, Social Care and COVID-19 (19.3.21)
COVID vaccinations
739,357 vaccinations had been delivered across Sussex by 14 March. The latest figures include a breakdown of vaccinations given by age and ethnicity, and also by local area and constituency. More than 94% of people aged over 70 had received their first dose by the end of February.
Symptom free COVID tests
Local testing offers free, rapid lateral flow tests to anyone over 18 who isn’t showing signs of COVID-19, who can’t work from home and who can’t access testing through other means. Further details, including how to book, are available on the Brighton & Hove City Council website, or call 01243 642130.
Ovarian cancer
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. In the Surrey and Sussex areas, women are being diagnosed at a much later stage of ovarian cancer compared with national figures. This late-stage diagnosis reduces their chances of survival. Learn more here. If you have any concerns, speak to your GP as soon as possible.
Become a member of our new NHS Foundation Trust
In April, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS are planning to merge and form a new Foundation Trust. They are looking for thousands of new members who represent the communities they serve across Sussex. It’s free to join and takes just 5 minutes to register using the online form.
Visiting a care home
From 8th March, residential care providers can arrange for visits to residents from single named visitors and essential care givers. Once the data shows it is safe, the Government also has plans to go further and allow more visiting and more visitors. In mid-April, the Government will look carefully at the effectiveness of the vaccine for people living in care homes. Read more here.
COVID-19 cases in Brighton
In the 7 days up to 12 March (based on data published on 17 March) we had 85 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Brighton & Hove.
This is:
- 9.6% less than the previous week
- equivalent to a weekly rate of 29.2 per 100,000 residents
- lower than the rate for England, which was 58.7 per 100,000 and the South East which was 37.1 per 100,000
- on 17 March there were 12 inpatients with COVID-19 at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Downloads
You can download the bulletin here. If you need it in a different formate please contact us at:
office@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
01273234041