Local Health Network News: December 2021

Christmas message from County Council Leader
The Leader of West Sussex County Council, Councillor Paul Marshall, would like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all residents.

Cllr Marshall has recorded a short video message reflecting on the past year, the County Council’s work throughout the pandemic, and looking forward to the year ahead.

Watch the video


Stay safe from Covid-19 this winter

“We want everyone across West Sussex to be as safe as possible during the festive period, and throughout the rest of winter.

 

“The best way to do that remains the Covid-19 vaccination,” says Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health for West Sussex.

“We encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward and book their booster vaccination, or their first or second dose, if they are yet to have them.”

Read the message and advice in full.

Eligibility for booster jabs has now been extended by the government to everyone aged 18 and over who had their second dose at least three months ago.

Further information and support on getting your vaccines, with links to the NHS and how to book are on our webpage.

Use the postcode checker on our data dashboard for case data where you live.

Covid Pass for venues and events

To help us enjoy events safely some venues across England are now legally required to check the Covid status of visitors over 18.

The rule is part of new national measures to further slow the spread of the virus.

Where required, we’ll need to show that we’re fully vaccinated, or proof of a negative test taken in the past 48 hours, or an exemption using the NHS Covid Pass.

Test to protect

Please take a lateral flow test before going into a crowded space or visiting vulnerable friends and family. Free testing kits can be collected locally or ordered to your home.

Please report your results via the NHS app or website.

Support is available if you test positive and so have to self-isolate.

More local information on Covid-19


Urgent appeal for foster carers
West Sussex is in urgent need of more people to foster teenagers, with two-thirds of the county’s children in care aged between 11 to 17.

Currently 541 (64%) of the 845 children in care are aged 11 to 17 and many of these children are waiting to be fostered.

Michelle has been fostering for 26 years and recently shared her experience: “They just want someone that will vouch for them and care for them.”

West Sussex is in urgent need of more people to foster teenagers, with two-thirds of the county’s children in care aged between 11 to 17.

Currently 541 (64%) of the 845 children in care are aged 11 to 17 and many of these children are waiting to be fostered.

Michelle has been fostering for 26 years and recently shared her experience: “They just want someone that will vouch for them and care for them.”

If you have a spare room, contact our fostering service by calling 033 022 27775 or find out more below. Children are carefully matched with carers and full training and support is provided.

Our foster carers receive up to £510 per week in allowances for fostering, making fostering a great career alternative.

Hear from foster carer Michelle and find out more about fostering


#NoExcuseForAbuse this Christmas

Due to the seasonal increase in alcohol consumption, financial pressures and spending more time at home together, Christmas always sees a sharp increase in domestic violence and abuse.

This time of year can be stressful and difficult for anyone experiencing abuse.

There is never an excuse for domestic abuse and help is available for anyone needing support.

Our WORTH Domestic Abuse Service’s Christmas opening hours are listed below and they can be reached by calling 0330 222 8181:

  • Monday 20 December to Friday 24 December: 9am to 5pm
  • Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December: CLOSED
  • Wednesday 29 December to Friday 31 December: 9am to 5pm
  • Monday 3 January 2022: CLOSED
  • Tuesday 4 January: 9am to 5pm

On the days that WORTH is closed, anyone affected by domestic abuse can call the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

If you are in immediate risk of harm always call 999 and press *55 to use the silent solution option if you are unable to speak.

There is also still time to have your say on a draft Domestic Abuse Accommodation and Support Strategy for Sussex setting out how we, alongside East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, will protect and assist survivors of domestic abuse in safe accommodation.

You can find out more and complete the online survey on the link below. But please be quick as the consultation closes this Sunday (19 December 2021).

Click for more information and to complete the survey


Be part of the largest UK council-led EV charging project

A new electric vehicle chargepoint network is being set up across West Sussex.

Connected Kerb, West Sussex County Council, Adur and Worthing District Councils, Arun District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council, and Mid Sussex District Council have formed a partnership to provide the network.

The partners will be working together to install thousands of chargepoints across the county within the next ten years, forming the new West Sussex Chargepoint Network.

This ambitious scheme will give West Sussex residents the confidence to go electric in time for the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030.

The partnership wants to deliver chargepoints in locations that work best for residents. Chargepoints will be located on streets and in council car parks. The partnership will also work with local community not for profit landowners to identify opportunities at community facilities across the county, and we also want to know where you want to see chargepoints.
Residents have your say

To help us plan a network that works for you, we want to hear from you. We’d like to know your view of where chargepoints should be located across West Sussex.

We cannot guarantee that a chargepoint will be installed in the location you suggest but it will help us map demand and plan for EV charging in West Sussex.

Register your interest here


Early Help Service redesign – next steps
Following the redesign of our Early Help Service we will be renaming each of our 12 Children and Family Centres as Family Hubs in the New Year. The name change is in line with a national programme to provide drop in spaces for children, young people and families, allowing easy access to a range of partners and Early Help support while increasing the Early Help offer to vulnerable children, young people and families in our communities.

Details of the name changes can be found below:

If you have any concerns about a child or young person, please phone: 01403 229900 (Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm).

If you require the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) outside of office hours (5pm to 9am weekdays) or at weekends and bank holidays, please call 033 022 26664.

Further details of Early Help service and how to get help and support


Public Consultations

  • Since April 2021 a pilot booking system has been in operation at six of the eleven Recycling Centres in West Sussex. We have now launched a public consultation to seek views on whether the Book to Recycle scheme should be made permanent . Share your views, before the consultation closes on Tuesday 21 December 2021.
  • Share your experiences of using GP (General Practice) services in the last six months. Covid-19 has changed the way we all access GP services and Healthwatch West Sussex are carrying out a short survey which is anonymous and confidential. The survey closes 31 December 2021.
  • The West Sussex Community Equipment Service provides free equipment loans and minor adaptations for adults and children with physical disabilities and illnesses. We would like to hear from those who have experience using this service by participating in our survey on how we can best provide equipment in the future. It only takes around 10 minutes to complete. The survey closes on 14 January 2022.

  • West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is running a public consultation around proposals for their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP). This document sets out the direction of the fire service over the next four years, and as part of this there are six improvement proposals that the service is seeking feedback on. The consultation will close on 21 January 2022.
  • The Environment Agency is consulting on both its Draft Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) and River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) up until 21 January and 22 April 2022 respectively. The consultations cover a new set of plans for the period from 2021 to 2027 and arose after Flood Risk Areas in Worthing and Crawley were identified as at risk from nationally significant flooding.

West-Sussex-County-Council-

website www.westsussex.gov.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/West-Sussex-Matters


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