South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership will issue a weekly briefing to provide information on the planning and preparation for COVID-19.
Confirmed Cases
The Scottish Government publishes an updated picture of cases and testing at 2pmeach day. For more information, please click on the link to the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
The National Records of Scotland have published figures of all deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate by the doctor who certified the death. This includes cases where the doctor noted that there was suspected or probable coronavirus infection involved in the death. For more information, please visit the National Records of Scotland website: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/covid19stats
Scotland figures
- As at 10th May, there have been a total of 3,213 deaths registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. The first mention of COVID-19 in a registered death certificate was the week beginning 16th March 2020.
- Of the total number of deaths registered in week 19 (4 May to 10 May), there were 415 where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, a decrease of 110 from the previous week (27 April to 3 May). This is the second weekly reduction in a row.
- From 4 May to 10 May, three quarters (76%) of all deaths involving COVID-19 to date were of people aged 75 or over.
- The proportion of COVID-19 deaths which took place in care homes has risen over time but has dropped back slightly in the latest week to represent 57% of all COVID-19 deaths
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Ayrshire and Arran
- The number of COVID-19 deaths registered between weeks 1 and 19 (year to 10 May) of 2020 in Ayrshire and Arran was 220.
- Of the 220 deaths in Ayrshire and Arran, 103 occurred in hospital, 98 happened in care homes and 19 occurred at home or non-institutional setting.
- Overall, the rate of COVID-19 deaths in Ayrshire and Arran was 6.0 per 10,000 population.
South Ayrshire
- The provisional figures on deaths registered where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate in South Ayrshire between weeks 1 and 19 (year to 10 May) of 2020 was 84.
- Of the 84 deaths in South Ayrshire, 41 occurred in care homes, 38 happened in hospital and 5 occurred in home or non-institutional setting.
Shielding
South Ayrshire now has 4438 patients identified in the Shielding category – many of them requesting assistance for food and medicine supplies. GP Practices have contacted patients and, in most cases, an updated Anticipatory Care Plan (Key Information Summary) has been put in place.
The Partnership is working closely with colleagues in South Ayrshire Council, Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) and local community projects to provide support.
Joint Letter to Care Home Staff in Scotland
A letter has been issued to all care home staff in Scotland from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, and Scottish Care CEO, Donald Macaskill, and can be accessed here
Public Health Response to Care Home Admissions
This is a Public Health response to a query received from SA HSCP/Care Homes regarding admission of residents to care homes with an ongoing COVID 19 outbreak.
“In general, we would not recommend admission of a person from their own home to a care home while a COVID-19 outbreak is ongoing. Also, we would not recommend the transfer of a resident from one care home to another if either the discharging or receiving care home has an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. However, there may be certain circumstances in which we might support admission/transfer – for example if there is a section of the receiving care home that is physically clearly separate from other sections containing residents with COVID-19 and with separate staffing arrangements. Also, repatriation of a care home resident to a care home from hospital. It would be helpful if SA HSCP and care home managers could contact us in Public Health in order to risk assess any proposed admissions to a care home with an ongoing COVID 19 situation.”
Supporting our Unpaid Carers (attached)
South Ayrshire Carers Centre is working hard to support unpaid carers, in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As well as providing practical and emotional support, the Centre has produced a letter which can be used as identification, for example, as carers pick up prescriptions, or get shopping for the vulnerable.
All unpaid carers currently registered with South Ayrshire Carers Centre will be issued with the letter in the next two weeks. The letter identifies the owner of the letter as someone who is caring for the vulnerable.
Kayleigh Hamilton, manager (South Ayrshire Carers Centre) said: “In the current lockdown situation we are acutely aware that many carers are worried they may be challenged if they have to travel to carry out their caring role. We hope this letter will give carers peace of mind when they are out in the community due to their caring commitments. The Carers Centre has liaised with Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) to raise awareness of this initiative with local retailers and supermarkets. South Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Health and Social Care partners have also been in contact with the South Ayrshire Division of Police Scotland so their officers are also aware of the scheme.”
If you are or know an unpaid carer and not currently registered with South Ayrshire Carers Centre and feel this letter would be of benefit, please contact the Carers Centre on 01292 263000, email or via Facebook www.Facebook.com/SouthAyrshireCarersCentre
The Partnership has also developed a Supporting Unpaid Carers during Coronavirusdocument (attached) which can also be shared. This is a working document which will continue to be developed and updated during the COVID-19 pandemic
Testing for Unpaid Carers
Unpaid carers and young carers have been included in the priority groups of key workers who are able to access testing for coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you are a carer or young carer, you can find further information on eligibility and access to testing here https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/
Guidance for Households with Possible Coronavirus Infection
It’s very important that you stay at home if you have symptoms that may be caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) or you live with someone that has symptoms. Household isolation will help to control the spread of the virus to friends, the wider community and the most vulnerable.
Household isolation means you and all household members should remain at home and shouldn’t go to work, school, public areas or use public transport. You shouldn’t go out to buy food or other essentials.
Avoid close contact with others by:
- not having visitors
- not using taxis or public transport
- asking a friend or neighbour to get your shopping or arranging for a delivery to be left at your door
- not sharing towels, clothes, toothbrushes or razors
- The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house became ill.
For detailed information and advice please go to the NHS Inform website
Self-Isolating Warning Sticker
South Ayrshire Council Trading Standards designed a door sticker to prevent people receiving unwanted mail. The sticker also provides useful contact numbers people on the inside whilst relaying the message that no unwanted mail or cold callers are welcome on the outside. These stickers are currently being printed and will be distributed soon. They are being sent to those living in South Ayrshire who are on the shielding list and will also be distributed by the communities team and by VASA.
To request a sticker, please call Trading Standards on 01292 616101. It would be very much appreciated if you could share that these stickers are available and encourage your service users to request these direct at the number above or you can request these on their behalf. If you would benefit from a small supply to distribute yourself then please contact Samantha.McCluskey@south-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Mental Welfare Commission Advice
The MWC has published new advice on the coronavirus situation for people who use mental health, learning disability and dementia services and for their family or carers. Please click here to access the latest information.
Healthcare for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
NHS Inform has published guidance to make it clear that everyone, no matter their immigration status, has free access to COVID-19 treatment. Click here for more information.
The Scottish Refugee Council have updated the health and support section of their website, with information about food, helplines and using technology in various languages. Click here for more information.
Child Contact and Coronavirus: Answers to Common Questions
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre has published information and answers to frequently asked questions around child contact between parents. Please click here for more information.
Parent Club
Parent Club provides information for parents and expectant parents on a variety of topics including looking after yourself and your family, learning at home and feeding your family. Click here for more information.
New Click Helpline for Women who Sell/Exchange Sex
The CliCK service has launched a new helpline for women who sell/exchange sex or images online to get in touch with a CLiCK women’s worker.
The helpline number is 0300 124 5564 and is available during the following times:
- Tuesday from 3pm to 5pm
- Wednesday from 11am to 7pm
- Thursday from 6pm to 9pm
- Saturday from 12pm to 2pm
For more information on the CLiCK service, visit https://www.click.scot/
Be Aware of Scams
There has been reports of fraudsters posing as charity volunteers offering to help with shopping, offering fake virus testing or claiming to be raising funds for charity. If you have any concerns, contact 0300 123 0900 and ask for Trading Standards and Environmental Health.
Lives in Lockdown: Parents’ Accounts
Parenting Across Scotland (PAS) is asking parents and carers to share their experiences of life in lockdown. Their aim is to share parents’ views with the Scottish Government to give parents and carers the best support possible during the pandemic. If you, or any parent or carer, that you know would like to share their story, please email Alison Clancy or complete the online form.
Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice Seeking Young People’s Views
The Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) is looking for young people over 18 years old who are in contact with youth justice services or have previous experience of the youth justice system to share their views and experiences of COVID-19 and lockdown. For more information, please click here or call 0141 444 8622.
Stay Connected Funding
Due to the incredible response the closing date of the STAY CONNECTED fund is now WEDNESDAY 20th MAY 5pm.
Champions for Change South Ayrshire Champions Board have launched our Stay Connected Fund. This fund is designed to support young people with care experience, aged between 14-26, with the impact of Covid-19 and the social changes that come with it. Young people can apply for up to £250 which will help them to:
- Cope with social distancing or isolation
- Improve or maintain their physical wellbeing
- Improve or maintain their mental wellbeing
- Help stay positive with creative outputs or activities
For easy access to the application form please follow the link below and scroll to the top of the page: https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/grants/#grantsource
The Champions Board have specifically ring-fenced some of this funding to invite young people to apply for £240.00 which will cover one year’s worth of mobile phone data. This is a great deal and would encourage young people to take up this offer to help them stay connected.
If you or a young person have any questions about the Stay Connected Fund, please email
Dawn.parker@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: 01655 884882 or Marion.Young@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: 01292 612626
Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Booklet
Neighbourhood Watch Scotland have produced a booklet packed with practical tips on how to keep you, your family and your community safe, including protection from scams, doorstep crime and rogue traders.
Please share with family, friends, neighbours and community groups.
Website: Changes to South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership Services
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