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 2pm each 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 17th May, there have been a total of 3,546 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 20 (11 to 17 May), there were 332 where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, a decrease of 83 from the previous week (4 to 10 May). This is the third weekly reduction in a row.
- 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 in recent weeks and now represents 55% of all COVID-19 deaths in week 20.
Ayrshire and Arran
- The number of COVID-19 deaths registered between weeks 1 and 20 (year to 17 May) of 2020 in Ayrshire and Arran was 241.
- Of the 241 deaths in Ayrshire and Arran, 113 occurred in hospital, 109 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 6.5 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 20 (year to 17 May) of 2020 was 93.
- Of the 93 deaths in South Ayrshire, 45 occurred in care homes, 43 happened in hospital and 5 occurred in home or non-institutional setting.
Shielding
South Ayrshire now has 4527 individuals who are Shielding in South Ayrshire. Because of the long term nature of their self-isolation, work is now being developed regarding on both supporting their mental/emotional and physical health. Work continues to support them in practical ways – for example food and medication. As the initial shielding period becomes more imminent (18th June) there is more planning both nationally and locally, to look at supports for this group in the medium/longer term.
Resources for South Ayrshire Families
South Ayrshire Council continue to provide food boxes to families with children receiving free school meals. If services would like any other resources distributed to families along with their food boxes, please contact Linda Warwick on 01292 559403 or Linda.Warwick@south-ayrshire.gov.uk.
South Ayrshire Speech and Language Therapy Service (attached)
From Monday 25th May, the Speech and Language Therapy service will stop running on a pan-Ayrshire basis and resume as a South Ayrshire only service.. If you are concerned about speech, language or swallowing difficulties, call 07970 657 681 Monday to Fridaybetween 10am and 2pm.
Foster Care Fortnight
During these unsettling and challenging times, dedicated foster carers are making a difference to children’s lives across South Ayrshire. We’re supporting Foster Care Fortnight (11 to 24 May), an annual campaign which raises the profile of fostering. We are actively encouraging people to consider how they might be able to help a child and you can find more about foster care; adoption; supported care placements and shared care here. There will also be a radio campaign seeking to recruit more foster carers across South Ayrshire, so there are a range of ways to find out more, if you or any one in your family or social groups are interested.
Learning Disability Week
This week we have been celebrating Scottish Learning Disability Week 2020 (18 – 24 May). The theme for 2020 is ‘My Environment – my place, my planet.’
Scottish Learning Disability Week 2020 is an opportunity to share the stories of people with learning disabilities getting involved to help make positive change in their environment – whether it be in their own home and community, or in the wider world.
The team in the Learning Disability Service have been full on organising a whole range of activities and events. So far, they have:
Organised an Art Colouring competition currently running with over 70 entrants.
o Planted up 2 shrubs and 3 planted patio containers which were hand delivered to Girvan Core and Cluster.
o Planted up 2 patio containers which were hand delivered to Ardfin Court (Turning Point).
o Planted up 2 patio containers which were hand delivered to Margaret Blackwood Housing.
o Hand delivered 10 recycled water bottles to service users with “a message in a bottle”.
o Hand delivered 36 bunches of flowers to carers between yesterday and today.
Mental Health Awareness Week
This week has also been Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 (18 – 24 May).
This year’s theme is ‘Kindness Matters’. In these difficult times, it’s never been more important that we are kind to ourselves and support our family and friends with their mental health.
Kindness is defined by doing something towards yourself and others, motivated by genuine desire to make a positive difference. We know from the research that kindness and our mental health are deeply connected. The research shows that kindness is an antidote to isolation and creates a sense of belonging. It helps reduce stress, brings a fresh perspective and deepens friendships. Kindness to ourselves can prevent shame from corroding our sense of identity and help boost our self-esteem. Kindness can even improve feelings of confidence and optimism.
To view the Kindness Matters video, please click here.
Patients and service users of mental health services, provided by South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, have been reflecting on the current lockdown and have reported positively on the continuity of contact from services, reassurance that other people feel similar regarding the current situation and some feel that their personal resilience is stronger than they thought.
Other positives highlighted are neighbours/communities helping each other out and looking out for one another and families are reconnecting via video calls and people enjoying family time together. A service user stated that she now has more contact with her family than ever before. They are engaging in a video call each week with her son hosting a quiz.
The NHS Ayrshire and Arran App has lots of information on mental wellbeing. Please see attached poster for information on how to download the app.
Samaritans Scotland is encouraging everyone to be kind to themselves with their new, free self-help app. The app is full of simple techniques and activities which can help you feel better. Find more information here.
Young Scot’s ‘Aye Feel’ campaign gives information on how young people can look after their own wellbeing, available support from organisations and tips on how to promote a positive mindset. Find more information here.
Penumbra, one of Scotland’s leading mental health charities has produced a useful information pack for young people on responding to change and managing wellbeing during COVID-19.