Local Health Network News: June 2021

Covid-19 update

We are seeing an increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases across the county in most age groups and all local areas. Variations in rates are to be expected and measures are in place to respond to specific incidents as they are identified.

You can check infection rates in your area through our Data Dashboard and if you use the postcode tool under the ‘cases in your local area’ section, more detail about cases in that area will appear. Please help share the link to other people who may not receive this eNewsletter so they can check rates in their local area too, or you can see our daily dashboard updates on our social media.

Everyone should continue to follow the sensible measures in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, such as handwashing, physically distancing, wearing face coverings, fresh air, getting regularly tested, and vaccinations.

Do you test regularly for Covid-19?

You should take a regular test if you:

  • leave home to work, volunteer or provide care
  • have children attending school
  • are visiting someone or attending an appointment in a hospital setting
  • if you’re meeting up with friends outdoors, for a drink, a picnic, a walk, or to exercise.

We’re asking all residents to take part in a survey to understand how you feel about asymptomatic testing and to find out how often you’re using symptom-free tests. Take part here and give us your valuable feedback.

Please remember, it’s important to get tested regularly if you don’t have symptoms. Anyone without symptoms of coronavirus should visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/communitytesting where free packs of rapid lateral flow test kits can be ordered and delivered direct to your home.

Anyone with symptoms should self-isolate immediately and book a free PCR test here or call 119.

Remember to book and attend your vaccination appointment as soon as you are eligible and follow the guidance even after you’ve had your vaccination.

West Sussex County Council’s Public Health team is working closely with health service colleagues and partners, such as District and Borough Councils, across the county to provide support to their local communities to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and save lives. This includes reviewing Covid-19 data daily, providing infection prevention and control advice, and implementing additional prevention measures where required.

It is important that we all keep doing our part to prevent the spread of this virus and help #KeepWestSussexSafe.

Find out more


Vaccination update

The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has now started inviting remaining adults for their Covid-19 jabs.

The last group of adults have begun to be called forward, with around three million people across the country aged between 25 and 29 getting invited to book their first dose. Read more here.

In West Sussex, services are being extended to increase the places where people under 40 can go for their vaccination. The vaccination service at Chichester’s Westgate Leisure Centre is being extended so that it can offer the Pfizer vaccine (which is recommended for people aged under 40) as well as the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Appointments are expected to be made available from next week and will be through the national booking service either online or by calling 119.

NHS England has now also confirmed that appointments for a second vaccine will be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks for the remaining people in the top nine priority groups who have yet to receive their second dose. This includes those aged 50 and over, those clinically vulnerable and unpaid carers. Read more here.

Everyone is encouraged to come forward for their second vaccination when they have an appointment. Both doses give you the maximum protection against the virus.

A dedicated ‘Quiet Covid-19 Vaccination Session’ for people in West Sussex requiring their first dose Covid-19 vaccination is now available.

The session is taking place on Sunday 27 June, 9am – 2pm at the Hindu Temple, Apple Tree Centre, Crawley, RH11 0LF.

This ‘Quiet Session’ is being offered to people living in Sussex who are currently eligible for the vaccine who may need more time for their appointment, or who have extra access needs where a quieter and calmer environment would help support them to receive their vaccination.

People can also book their carer in at the same time if they need their first vaccination dose too.

Information on how to book, together with useful easy read documents, and how to access free transport if required, can all be found here.

Please don’t forget to follow government guidance around ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ once you’ve had your vaccination.

For more information about the Sussex vaccination programme visit their website via the link below.

Find out more


Sussex Day: safely celebrating our county’s past, present and future

The past, present and future of our county are once again being celebrated next week on Sussex Day – 16 June.

Here are some ways you can celebrate the Day:

Remember to celebrate Sussex Day safely by following the hands, face, space and fresh air guidance, as well as current national restrictions.

For more information on Sussex Day please click on the link below.
Find out more


Talk with Us – meet your local county councillor

‘Talk With Us’ sessions are running this month and next, giving you the opportunity to meet your local county councillors and ask any questions you have on county council-related matters.

The sessions will be run virtually from 8pm to 8.30pm on the following days:

  • Monday 14 June: Crawley
  • Thursday 17 June: Chichester district
  • Monday 21 June: Arun
  • Tuesday 22 June: Mid Sussex
  • Tuesday 29 June: Adur and Worthing
  • Thursday 1 July: Horsham district.

Email talkwithus@westsussex.gov.uk if you would like to attend your local session and you will be sent the joining details.

If you would like to ask a question please email it to the same email address at least two days before the planned session. If you attend the session you can then put the question in person as well as hearing other questions and how they are answered.

Having the questions in advance will help ensure they can be fully answered in the meeting. If you’re unable to attend the sessions, but would still like to ask a question, email it in to the same address and officers will ensure you get a response.

Find out more


Introducing your new county council

Following the elections last month, you can now see who your local county councillor is, along with their contact details, their photo and the area of West Sussex they represent on our website.

You can also use the search function to find your local county councillor, local district and borough council, and town or parish council.

Find out more


Keep calm – get an alarm!

Last year West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attended over 300 house fires.

Therefore, during Home Safety Week, which runs from 14 – 20 June, the service is urging all residents to make sure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes, and to ensure their loved ones have them too.

This also coincides with the service’s #KeepCalmGetAnAlarm campaign, which was created as a sad result of the service attending three fatal fires in a two-week period, where smoke alarms were not present.

Find out more