Healthwatch City of London Bulletin 28
COVID 19 Vaccination update
St Bartholomew’s Hospital is now inviting residents aged 70 years and over who had their first Covid-19 vaccine at the hospital to book their second dose. To book an appointment, please email bartshealth.vaccinationssbh@nhs.net. Please include your full name and NHS number. You will also need your NHS number with you when you arrive for your vaccine.
Please note, the hospital is no longer offering first dose vaccinations.
Is the AstraZeneca vaccine linked to increased blood clots?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said "It has not been confirmed that the reports of blood clots were caused by the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine."
“People should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so."
"Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon. More than 11 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca have now been administered across the UK, and the number of blood clots reported after having the vaccine is not greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population."
MHRA response to the precautionary suspensions of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Vaccinations now available to the over 50s
The vaccination is now being offered nationally to the over 50s, this must be booked via the national booking system. You will not receive an invitation from City and Hackney for this at present, City and Hackney CCG are concentrating in cohorts 1 – 7 as described below.
City and Hackney CCG are now vaccinating people in priority groups 1 to 7. If you are:
- aged 70 or above or clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) and have not had your first vaccination and haven't been booked in yet, please contact your GP
- a resident or work in a care home for older adults and haven't had your first vaccine and aren't booked in for one, please contact your manager
- a frontline health and social care worker, please book on the national booking system or contact your manager or book using the staff booking system applicable in your organisation
- aged 56-69 please book using the national booking system, wait to get a letter from the NHS or you will be contacted by your GP.
- aged 16-64 and clinically vulnerable (moderate risk) or you are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or if you are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill, please wait for your GP or council to contact you
There are 4 vaccination sites in City and Hackney. You need an appointment to attend these sites:
- Primary Care sites – Bocking Street and John Scott (booked through GPs)
- COVID Vaccination Centre, 3A Bocking Street, E8 3RU
- John Scott Health Centre, Green Lanes, London, N4 2NU
- Pharmacy sites – Clapton and Mare Street (booked through the national booking portal)
- Clockwork Pharmacy - 398-400 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 1HP
- Bees Pharmacy - 199-201 Rushmore Road, Clapton, E5 0HD
Vaccinations for residents registered at Tower Hamlets GP’s are being administered from:
-
- Newby Place Health and Wellbeing Centre, 21 Newby Place, Poplar, E14 0EY
- Queen Mary’s University, Arts Research Centre, Mile End Road, E14 4NS
Eligible patients can choose to be vaccinated at other sites showing on the national booking portal (mass vaccination centre at Excel or pharmacies in neighbouring boroughs).
Shielding advice for the clinically extremely vulnerable to stop from April
Advice to the clinically extremely vulnerable to shield ceases from Thursday 1 April, as virus infection rates continue to fall. People on shielded patient list will receive letters from today with updated guidance on steps people can take to reduce their risk.
In line with the government’s COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 roadmap published last month, those on the shielded patient list can begin to follow the national restrictions alongside the rest of the population but are still advised to take extra precautions to keep themselves safe from COVID-19.
Letters to patients with updated guidance will be arriving from today and over the next 2 weeks. These set out practical steps people can follow to reduce their risk of catching the virus, including continuing to maintain strict social distancing and to keep their overall social contacts at low levels, such as working from home where possible.
For more details please read the article on our website.
Toenail cutting service
The Neaman Practice are advertising a toenail cutting service delivered by Hoxton Health a registered charity. The service, which costs £15, is available to City and Hackney registered patients/residents deemed as vulnerable, over 55, living alone or a carer – at risk of mobility issues or falls.
To refer someone, phone Hoxton Health on 020 7739 2533 and supply the person’s name and their phone number. Hoxton Health will then contact people direct to make an appointment.
Clinics are available at:
Hoxton Health, St Leonard’s Hospital, Nuttal Street, N1 5LZ
Fountayne Road Health Centre, 1A Fountayne Rd, Cazenove, London N16 7EA
Nightingale Practice 10 Kenninghall Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8BY
Home visits: The service is available to people unable to attend clinic. Please note you must be able to independently sit up, remove shoes and socks, and handle money, or you must have a carer present to use the service.
The Neaman Practice continues to offer the NHS GP referral service. The podiatry clinic at the Neaman Practice is still running, this happens every six weeks and is available via GP referral.
At Healthwatch City of London are meeting with the Head of podiatry from Homerton Hospital and City and Hackney CCG commissioner of the services, to discuss and resolve the on going issues Neaman Practice patients are experiencing in booking appointments at the podiatry clinic.
Let us know of your experience
If you have experienced problems whilst trying to access this service, please let us know by emailing info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Upcoming Healthwatch City of London Events
One of Healthwatch City of London’s purposes is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. To ensure we hear of and know of your concerns we run regular events. Ideally, we’d like to hold them face to face, but because of the current pandemic we are restricted to Zoom events.
Please see a list of our events below with joining details.
Listening to City Carers - Friday 19th March
Overview: This group is for all unpaid carers who live in the City of London. We would love to hear from young carers too.
Time: 11am – 12am
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/93199467983?pwd=aUFYU3pPMmxFTEVpOStEdFRMMTRpQT09
Meeting ID: 931 9946 7983 Passcode: 071855 Dial in: 0203 481 5237 United Kingdom
Healthwatch City of London Drop-in Session – Thursday 25th March
Overview: The theme for the session this month is ‘your experience of the COVID vaccination’. We’d like to hear of your experiences of booking, travelling to vaccination centres, access to information etc. The session if also designed for anyone to join, for you to raise any issues you have with the health and social care provided from the City of London, ask questions and to talk to us about any areas of support or help you need.
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/96303607406?pwd=WXZ1SkxBcjVlUExmamVXaldkeFl1dz09
Meeting ID: 963 0360 7406 Passcode: 538429 Dial in: 0203 481 5237
Future dates for your diary
Healthwatch City of London Board meeting in Public – Friday 16th April 13:00 – 15:00
Listening to City Carers Group – Friday 23rd April 14:00 – 15:00
Drop-in session – Thursday 29th April 14:00 – 16:00
Mental Health and Wellbeing Focus Group – Friday 30th April 15:00 – 16:00
Listening to City Carers Group – Friday 21st May 11:00 – 12:00
Drop-in session – Thursday 27th May 14:00 – 16:00
Covid Vaccines: myths and concerns event
The Greater London Authority and Age UK London are holding an online meeting on Wednesday 31st March between 14:00 and 15:15. The event will look at what we need to know about vaccines and how all communities across London can be better empowered to make informed decisions about their health including accessing balanced information about Covid vaccines. Dr Rakhee Patel will be on the panel. Dr Patel is a public health consultant and leads on the Ageing Well agenda. The event will be Chaired by Dr Tony Burch a Trustee of Age UK London. The event is aimed at all older Londoners as well as those working with and for all older adults across the capital.
To attend this event register your details on the Eventbrite page where you are also able to put your questions to Dr Patel https://conversationcovid.eventbrite.co.uk
Voice for disabled residents
Disabled residents have faced more difficulties during Covid. Healthwatch and local health providers are trying to find out what can be done to make things better.
If you have a health condition that impacts your daily life, we want you to help shape healthcare services locally by completing our questionnaire.
You can access the survey by clicking on this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NEL_disabled
If you look after somebody who would not be able to answer questions themselves, for example if you are the parent of a disabled young child, the carer for someone with a severe learning disability or dementia please complete this survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NEL_carers
Anyone who completes the survey can enter into a draw to win Amazon vouchers.
21 March is Census Day
The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The next census takes place on Sunday 21 March 2021.
Everyone must complete it and provide accurate information as it helps decide how services are funded in their local area. Organisations such as the City of London Corporation and charities use this information to plan and fund the services we all need, including transport, education and healthcare – especially important given the pandemic.
A Census form will be delivered through your door for completion. However, Census 2021 is a digital-first census, which means that people are encouraged to respond online if they can. You will be able to complete the census using any device, including your mobile phone or tablet.
If you need help, there is an online help area on the website, they also offer help by phone on 0800 141 2021. If you need to speak to them in another language, call the free language helpline on 0800 587 2021.
City Carers Community events
City Carers community invites you to a ‘Share and Learn’ session for 45 minutes via Zoom. It is open to carers or anyone who is looking after someone/ has looked after someone living in the City of London.
They share tips/advice they have come across in their own caring lives. You may have a question of " How do I get a carer letter for supermarkets? Has anyone tried..?. I've got this form any tips? There is a new testing site, anyone been? or a general natter the options are endless.
The group is run by carers and for carers voluntarily. The session is being held on Monday 29th March. There are two times at 11.15am and at 8pm. For more details and the Zoom Link please email: CityCarersCommunity@gmail.com
An Introduction to Qi Gong via Zoom for Carers and Residents Sunday 21st & 28th March
Back by popular demand. Taught by a professional instructor. Funded by the Culture Mile imagine fund. The City Carers Community invites you to join us in an introduction to Qi Gong for Free.
You will learn the art of peaceful, gentle movement-based exercise. Open to City Carers, friends, family, and City residents of all ages. One-hour Sessions at 11 am on 21st & 28th March 2021. You can attend one or both sessions. You can choose to have your video on or off. Please come along and try it out. Booking is required, for the zoom link email to CityCarersCommunity@gmail.com
Latest Covid-19 statistics for the City of London
The joint City and Hackney Public Health Intelligence Team produce regular statistics on Covid-19 levels in the City. The site below breaks down the cases in the City, and in Hackney, and by Ward, this enables residents to see the wider picture of infection rates. The site is updated regularly. https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data
Keep up to date with the latest advice
HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly.
Get in touch with Healthwatch City of London
Visit our website for more information, news and events, have your say about your care, and spread the word about Healthwatch City of London.
www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk email: info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Tel: 020 3745 9563 Facebook: facebook.com/CoLHealthwatch Twitter: @HealthwatchCoL
Portsoken Health and Community Centre, 14-16 Little Somerset Street, London E1 8AH
