The Role of the Troon Community Council

Shielding

We have completed initial enquiries with every resident on the shielding list, with the exception of 80 people who were added by the NHS in a new batch of names received today. Additionally, there are 18 residents whom we have been unable to contact despite calling and/ or writing to them and visiting their homes. We are now working with Police Scotland to ensure the individuals concerned are safe.

Volunteering Training Programme

Further to the community planning approach we are taking to volunteering, we now have 468 Community Planning Partnership (CPP) volunteers. All volunteers will take part in online volunteering training from next week. Of the 468, we have identified 30 people who have the digital skills required to act as digital volunteers for shielding residents who may be eligible for digital support through the Connecting Scotland initiative.

Feeling Good: Positive Mindset App

Scottish charity, the Foundation for Positive Mental Health, is offering free access codes to their Feeling Good App during the pandemic period. The app is NHS Digital accredited and is designed to help people build essential skills to become mentally stronger and more resilient to stress. The app is free to download until the end of June, with free access for 6 months
thereafter.

Communication

A range of communications has been prepared to mark Volunteering Week (1 – 7 June). We have linked in with internal Council services and some external partners, to highlight just some of the volunteering work that has taken place across South Ayrshire during this pandemic. Coverage can be seen on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout this
week.​

Delivery of Critical Services

We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.

Recovery Group

A Covid-19 Recovery Group has been established to plan for a transition from lockdown through the stages of recovery. This group meets weekly and is working with Service Leads to determine how and when services can be restored within the parameters of national guidance.

Business Support Grants

We have now paid £19.5 million in business support grants to local businesses.

We continue to work through the remaining cases, which number fewer than 200. Of these, the majority require to provide further information to enable us to verify their application.

Covid Helpline

The employee volunteers who staff our dedicated Covid helpline have now handled 15,612 calls. These volunteers handle calls to and from shielding residents, from members of the public who are looking for Covid related support and from people who have been advised to self-isolate through the Test and Protect scheme.

South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership will issue a weekly briefing to provide IJB members with 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 Week 21 (18 May to 24 May 2020) figures are below.

Scotland figures

• As at 24th May, there have been a total of 3,779 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 21 (18 to 24 May), there were 230 where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, a decrease of 105 from the previous week (11 to 17 May). This is the fourth 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 54% of all COVID-19 deaths in week 21. The number of deaths in care homes fell for a fourth week.

Ayrshire and Arran

The number of COVID-19 deaths registered between weeks 1 and 21 (year to 24 May) of 2020 in Ayrshire and Arran was 262.
Of the 262 deaths in Ayrshire and Arran, 127 occurred in hospital, 116 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 7.1 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 21 (year to 24 May) of 2020 was 99.
Of the 99 deaths in South Ayrshire, 47 occurred in care homes, 47 happened in hospital and 5 occurred in home or non-institutional setting.

Shielding

There are now 4463 individuals on the Shielding list in South Ayrshire. Work continues to provide support from General Practice, South Ayrshire Council, VASA and wider community groups. HSCP staff are now seeking to address some of the emerging challenges of the Shielded group for example, mental health and well-being, loneliness and physical health. GP Practice colleagues have made contact with the majority of patients and there is now an updated Anticipatory Care Plan (Key Information Summary) in place for 95% of these patients contacted.

HSCP staff and partners are now preparing for the next Shielding phase and awaiting guidance from Scottish Government

Test and Protect Launch – 28 May 2020

Test and Protect, NHS Scotland’s approach to controlling the spread of coronavirus in our communities, was rolled out yesterday (Thursday 28 May). Test and Protect is Scotland’s way of putting into practice the ‘test, trace, isolate, support’ strategy. The aim is to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community by:

• Identifying cases of coronavirus through testing
• Tracing the people who may have become infected by spending time in close contact with them
• Supporting close contacts to self-isolate, so that if they have the disease they are less likely to transmit it to others.

What to do if you have symptoms: You and your household should not leave home, will need to request a test and, if the result is positive, help NHS Scotland to identify who you’ve had contact with. (This will be done confidentially.)

What happens when you are phoned by the Test & Protect service as you have been in close contact with someone with coronavirus: Do not leave home for 14-days. A test will be arranged if appropriate. Also, the other members of your household do not need to isolate unless they have also been contacted by Test & Protect service or you start to develop symptoms.

For more information, please click here

Care Home Safe Practice Poster

Health Protection Scotland and the Care Inspectorate produced a poster to support frontline health and social care staff to undertake safe, effective infection and prevention control practice in an accessible and understandable format.

Multicultural Counselling Support Project

BEMIS is the national umbrella body supporting the development of the Ethnic Minorities Voluntary Sector in Scotland. In response to the current challenges and impact of the Covid-19 situation, BEMIS initiated a pilot multicultural counselling provision for the diverse Ethnic Minorities, and this support has proved vital with referrals from across Scotland. We are in a position to sustain this crucial service with support from the Wellbeing Fund until the end of July 2020. The Multicultural Counselling Support Project focuses on supporting mental health needs for ethnic minority individuals and families by providing multilingual culturally- and religiously-sensitive counselling support. Counselling will be delivered remotely by telephone or online (via WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, etc.). In addition, the counselling provision will be in line with the ethical standards of BACP and other Counselling authorities. Click here for more information.

Funding Opportunities for Voluntary Organisations and Charities (attached)

Please see attached COVID-19 funding opportunities for voluntary organisations and charities.

Resources from Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs has put together a list of helpful resources on our website for families affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use.
Click here to access the resources.

Advice for Parents and Carers – Changes to Coronavirus Restrictions

As Coronavirus restrictions begin to change, you may have questions about how these changes affect your family. Parent Club has published information to support you with the changes to outdoor restrictions.

Dementia Awareness Week 2020 1 – 7 June 2020

Dementia Awareness Week takes place between 1 – 7 June 2020. Dementia Awareness Week is focused on raising awareness of dementia and making sure that people living with dementia in Scotland continue to have access to the support they need and deserve.

Social isolation, loss of networks and disrupted routines will be a huge challenge for those people living with dementia and their carers during this crisis, particularly since they will face restrictions for an extended period of time.

Carers Week 8 – 14 June 2020

Carers Week commences from 8 to 14 June 2020. Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

People across the country are continuing to face new challenges as a result of COVID-19. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, and provided with information, support and understanding.

Caring’s impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work should not be underestimated, and carers are facing even more difficult circumstances this year. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough.

It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need.

Better Health Hub

NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Better Health Hub aims to support people to live healthier lives. There are many things that can affect people’s health and wellbeing. At the hub, staff can talk about what matters to you and work with you to take positive steps to better health. They can also signpost or refer to services in the community that can offer more support. This now includes Better Health Near Me which is a video-calling service for people to get help with their health and wellbeing.

Delivery of Critical Services

We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.

New COVID-19 Ayrshire Regional Testing Site

A new COVID-19 Ayrshire regional testing site is now operating in Prestwick. This new testing site, on Welsh Road near Prestwick Airport, replaces the mobile testing unit in front of the Airport’s terminal building. Tests have to be booked in advance and more information can be found at https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/…/19676/Test-and-Protect–

Car Parks

Following a request from Police Scotland on Sunday afternoon, we re-opened North Esplanade car park, Links Road, Prestwick due to the volume of traffic in the local area. The car park will be closed again tonight and we will review the re-opening of all car parks that are currently closed over the coming weeks.

Care Homes

We have now carried out visits to 13 of the 26 care homes in South Ayrshire and anticipate completing the majority of visits by the end of next week.

Recycling Centres

As confirmed in previous Briefings, our Household Waste Recycling Centres, including two additional ‘pop-up’ sites (for general/black bag waste only) in Ayr and Girvan, reopened today. We put out extensive communications to the public in advance of reopening. These included press releases, social media, radio adverts, maps of each centre and surrounding roads and a short video to advise on the public health measures in place. We also advised the public that we expected centres to be busy and encouraged them to consider delaying visits if possible.

As anticipated, centres were extremely busy from opening this morning. Traffic management has been successful at, and around each site. Waste Management Officers based on sites will link with Communications team to issue live tweets/Facebook updates as necessary to advise the public of queues.

Golf

The reopening of golf courses has been extremely popular and we have now issued 2078 flexible memberships. Staff are actively reminding golfers to observe the measures we have put in place to ensure physical distancing is maintained at courses. The the vast majority of golfers are adhering to these measures.

Support For Local Businesses

The Economy and Regeneration Team launched the eighth issue of their e-magazine Business Beat. This issue focusses on Advice and Funding around Tourism and can be accessed here.

Communication

Last month saw a further increase in SAC Live Facebook followers, with the total post reach for May in excess of 352,000. Some of our top reaching posts were around the re-opening of Household Waste Recycling Centres (41,899 reach); special/bulky uplifts resuming (20,073 reach); and information on current COVID-19 related scams (19,406 reach).

Status For immediate release

Our Trading Standards and Environmental Health team have been at the forefront of helping to protect, and keep our residents and business owners safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Pavement marking to assist with social distancing while shopping for essentials, raising awareness of new scams and fraud, and dealing with noise complaints are just some of the things the team have done to make things safer, and a little easier, for all of us.

Their input has been invaluable at a time of uncertainty for many local companies, with the team providing support and advice to over 870 businesses since restrictions began on 23 March.

Local businesses have welcomed this support, with one business owner saying: “The information provided by Trading Standards and Environmental Health has provided a road map to help us guide our way out of this closure, and re-open our business when it is safe to do so. Somewhere to turn for professional advice during such an unsettling time has been amazing.”

In response to residents’ concerns, the team have also produced a door sticker to deter unwanted callers and mailers. The free sticker can be requested via our COVID-19 helpline on 01292 616101, or a printable version can be found on our website.

Councillor Phillip Saxton, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Wellbeing said: “I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone in the Trading Standards and Environmental Health team who have really gone the extra mile to help protect our residents and business owners during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“While this is an unsettling time for everyone, the team have quickly adapted their service delivery to meet new demands. Their ongoing hard work and commitment to providing reassurance, support and advice to those who need it most has really made a difference.”

Anyone looking for advice or assistance can contact the team on 0300 123 0900.

For the latest updates on our services visit https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

Delivery of Critical Services

We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.

Golf

We have put plans in place to safely open golf courses, with some restrictions, from Friday 29 May (pending final confirmation from the First Minister on 28 May). We have carefully considered national guidance on safe play and are taking the following interim measures to ensure we comply:

-All courses will be open for social play only;

-Tee times will be restricted;

-Customers can play up to two rounds per week to allow fair access and ensure social distancing requirements are maintained;

-Full season ticket memberships remain suspended. As we can’t offer the same access to courses at the moment as we did pre-Covid, it would be inappropriate to reintroduce our traditional 8 course Season Ticket membership at this point. A temporary, new Flexi-Golf South Ayrshire membership scheme will therefore be introduced as an interim measure;

-All tee times will be available to Flexi-Golf members 7 days in advance, on a first come, first served basis;

-Customers should play at their nearest course to comply with current travel restrictions.

We look forward to welcoming golfers back and are committed to re-opening our facilities safely to ensure the wellbeing of customers and staff. We will review the above measures on an ongoing basis and adapt them as national guidance allows. More information on these interim measures can be found on our website.

We implemented Scottish Government guidance on Enhanced Professional Clinical and Care Oversight Of Care Homes from 18 May last week. This guidance stipulates that every Health Board and its Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) colleagues in the Local Authority must put in place a multi-disciplinary team comprised of senior professional roles. This team is responsible for providing support to each care home in their area, with particular focus on infection prevention and control, but also to provide appropriate expert clinical support to residents who have Coronavirus regarding:

1. Care needs of individual residents;
2. Infection prevention and control measures, including PPE and cleaning requirements;
3. Staffing requirements including workforce training and deployment;
4. Testing arrangements for outbreak management and ongoing surveillance

In South Ayrshire, the Chief Nursing Officer is overseeing the process and daily meetings are taking place. HSCP staff are arranging isits to all 26 care homes to provide assurance and support in relation to PPE, workforce, infection control procedures and basic care provision, and are linking in with the Care Inspectorate. Three visiting teams have been set up and
the first visit took place on Friday 22 May, with the remainder beginning from today.

Communication

We continue to post information and updates through the local media, in hard copy, on a range of social media channels such as South Ayrshire Council Live Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and on our website.​

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.

Status For immediate release

Our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will re-open on Monday 1 June at 8:00 am.

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready for the much anticipated re-opening of our HWRCs.

In addition to our HWRCs at Ayr, Girvan, Maybole and Troon, we will also set up two pop-up sites in Ayr and Girvan for general/black bag waste. Information about their locations and operating hours will be made available on our website.

We know that many residents will be eager to access the sites, so we expect that they will be extremely busy in the first few weeks of re-opening. No trailers, vans or horse boxes will therefore be permitted within any site before Monday 15th June.

Our priority is to keep our employees and residents safe while accessing our HWRCs, so to help us to do this we ask that residents:

• Do not go to any of the sites if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of Covid-19, or is ‘shielding’ because of an underlying health condition;
• Bring proof that you live in South Ayrshire in the form of a driving licence, or a council tax bill. If you don’t then disposal of waste may be refused;
• Adhere to the site rules. Make sure only one person steps outside your vehicle to unload it, and adhere to social distancing within the site;
• Only come along to the sites in the first few days of opening if it’s absolutely necessary. We have extended opening hours on our sites from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, so please try to avoid peak times. If your visit to the HWRC can wait a bit longer, then please hold off;
• Don’t bring items that are too big or heavy to handle yourself, as our site attendants will be unable to help you unload your car and dispose of your waste;
• Sort your waste before you arrive to minimise the time you need to spend on the site;
• Follow the temporary traffic management and queuing systems which are in place at all sites as there will be a reduced number of vehicles allowed into any site at any one time. Plans for each HWRC will be made available soon on our website;Allow extra time for your trip – it’s likely that there will be traffic delays at, and around each site;
• Do not touch your face, and bring sanitiser if you can, to clean your hands before you drive away;
• Be courteous and patient with our staff who are there to help you.

Councillor Ian Cochrane, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “I understand that many local residents will be keen to dispose of their waste. While it’s great news that the national guidance has changed to allow us to re-open our Household Waste Recycling Centres, I’d urge people not to overwhelm the service in the first few days of opening.

“We know that when these centres opened in England, there was traffic congestion and delays, so please only visit the centres if it’s absolutely essential.

“I’m very proud of the work our Waste Management team in South Ayrshire have done to make sure the sites are ready to re-open safely on 1 June, particularly the additional effort that has gone into developing the temporary pop-up sites.

“It’s still not business as usual, and restrictions apply in all of our centres to keep the public and our employees safe, so I’d urge residents to work with us as we resume this service. The ongoing patience and support of the public is much appreciated as we begin to come through to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For the latest updates on our services visit https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

Delivery of Critical Services

We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.

Reopening of Golf Courses

The First Minister confirmed today that golf will be able to return within a few days of the easing of lockdown restrictions on the 28th May. We have already put in considerable work to plan for reopening in anticipation of a change to current restrictions. We are awaiting further details from Scottish Golf and Sport Scotland as to what measures have been agreed with the Scottish Government to allow golf courses to reopen for play as we must ensure that our draft plans comply with these. We are informing golfers of the situation through social media and our links with clubs. We will provide further updates as soon as we receive clarification on the national guidance.

Schools

The First Minister announced today that schools will reopen from 11 August using a blended model (part school based and part online learning). The Depute First Minister and Cllr McCabe of COSLA have also published specific guidance for schools today. Central teams and head teachers will now develop plans for a phased return consistent with the guidance to ensure we open safely and in line with Covid guidance. Teaching staff continue to support pupils using online and digital learning. We will discuss proposals for schools with Elected Members where there is an element of local authority decision making. Further information will be made available as we work through the advice published today.

Early Learning and Childcare

The First Minister announced today that Early Years Centres will reopen from August. The Scottish Government has removed the duty to increase the number of free early learning and childcare hours from 600 to 1140 as a result of the Covid pandemic.

This reduction in free allocation, along with the public health guidance and physical distancing measures we must put in place, means that fewer children will be able to attend each Early Years Centre and hours and sessions available may change.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of children, parents, carers and staff is our absolute priority.

We will contact eligible families over the next week to confirm the offer of an early learning place. Once restrictions are lifted, these families will be able to benefit from their full allocation of the additional hours.

We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.

Shielding Residents

We have now contacted all 4409 residents on the shielding list by phone, email or letter. Of these, we have spoken to 3813 residents and completed initial checks with them to establish and coordinate the help they need. We issued letters last week to the 596 people for whom we have no phone number or who have not responded to our calls asking that they get in touch with us. To ensure the wellbeing of people who have not responded to our letters or calls, our 19 employee volunteer pharmacy drivers will call at each address from today to offer any help or support.

Deterring Unwanted Callers

Our Trading Standards and Environmental Health (TSEH) Team have received reports of residents receiving unwanted doorstep calls and leaflets from people offering a range of services. Residents, particularly those who are self-isolating, are concerned this may put them at an increased risk and that some of the services on offer may be scams. We have therefore produced a door sticker which can be used to deter unwanted callers and mailers. Residents can request a free doorstep warning sticker via the Covid helpline (01292 616101) or by downloading one from our website.

Lockdown Lowdown Survey

The Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot partnered recently to deliver LockdownLowdown – a survey of nearly 2,500 young people from across Scotland on their concerns about COVID-19. Key findings have been published, outlining what young people are worried about and the impact that COVID-19 is having on their lives. Young people can continue to submit any concerns through a weekly check-in on social media on @YoungScot’s Instagram stories. You can find out more and view the survey findings here- https://syp.org.uk/our-work/political-work/covid-19/ or on Twitter using the hashtag #LockdownLowdown.

We continue to provide critical services and these are currently operating without issue.

Connecting Scotland – Widening Digital Access To Young People

As part of the national Connecting Scotland strategy, we are working to reduce digital exclusion and widen access to online learning for local young people. Education Services and ICT staff have worked in partnership with schools to identify children and young people in South Ayrshire with limited or no access to ICT equipment or broadband.

We have identified 6 pilot schools – Girvan Academy, Sacred Heart Primary School (PS), St Cuthbert’s PS, Newton PS, Tarbolton PS and Dailly PS. We are repurposing devices from existing school equipment and the ICT team have worked to make sure that all devices can be used safely and appropriately outwith the school environment. We are issuing approximately 50 laptops or tablets to young people who need them in this first, pilot phase. In some cases we are also providing dongles to make internet access available to young people at home.

It is our intention to continue to roll out this approach, working with schools across South Ayrshire and the Scottish Government to provide further devices.

Support For Local Businesses

The Economy and Regeneration Team launched the seventh issue of their e-magazine Business Beat. This issue focusses on support for tourism related businesses and can be accessed here.​

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

.

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sahscp