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.