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
Updates from Scottish Government
· Emergency loan fund for SME housebuilders (07 May 2020)
· Getting people online (07 May 2020)
· £75 million boost for Scottish university research (06 May 2020)
· Extra payment for unpaid carers (06 May 2020)
· Preparing for economic recovery (05 May 2020)
· Aid for private rental landlords (05 May 2020)
· Looking after each other during COVID-19 (04 May 2020)
· Short-term prisoner release (04 May 2020)
· Supporting mental health (03 May 2020)
· Supporting people affected by drug use (03 May 2020)
· Support for autistic people (03 May 2020)
· Testing expansion (01 May 2020)
· Pupil Equity Funding (01 May 2020)
Shielding
South Ayrshire now has 4278 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.
VE Day Celebrations (attached)
Nursery Court Day Service
Nursery Court Day Service had organised VE Day afternoon tea parties this week for service users, however, due to the current circumstances these have been cancelled. So staff have been delivering a VE Day gift to every service user which consists of a commemorative coin and tribute certificate (see attached). Service users are delighted to receive these and some have been recalling stories of tea parties in their street on 8th May 1945. Service users from Nursery Court Day Service also took part in a very moving tribute of ‘We’ll Meet Again’. To watch the video, please click here.
Scotland’s Service Directory
NHS Inform has developed Scotland’s Service Directory where you can find the names, addresses, opening times and service details for all NHS health services in your local area. The SSD will expand to include all health and wellbeing services within Health and Social Care Partnerships.
Stay Connected Funding
Champions for Change South Ayrshire Champions Board has launched a 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
Applications will be screened weekly.
The Champions Board has 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. We think 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
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
GP and Community Pharmacy Opening Hours on Public Holiday
All GP Practices will be open, providing normal contracted hours, on the public holiday. Please find details here https://www.nhsaaa.net/news/latest-news/pharmacies-open-in-south-ayrshire-this-bank-holiday/
Voices from Individuals and Community Organisations
Policy Scotland is supporting the pooling of expertise and knowledge to understand the implications of the sudden economic and social changes resulting from COVID-19. Policy Scotland has published an Evidence Round-Up : Voices from individuals and community organisations which highlights the impact of COVID-19 at a local level.
Supporting our Unpaid Carers
South Ayrshire Carers Centre is working hard to support unpaid carers, in the face of the 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, South Ayrshire Carers Centre manager 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 an unpaid carer 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
Clear Your Head and Feel Better
A campaign is underway to help people cope during the coronavirus pandemic. ‘Clear Your Head’ highlights the practical things people can do to help them feel better whilst staying at home, acknowledging these are worrying and uncertain times for many.
The campaign website – clearyourhead.scot – offers tips on how people can look after themselves if they feel things getting on top of them. This includes things like keeping to a routine, staying active within the current guidelines, making time to do the things you enjoy, and keeping in touch with people. The website also points to sources of advice including NHS Inform, and helplines including NHS24, Breathing Space, SAMH and the Samaritans – encouraging people to reach out if they need help.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation – Message from Police Scotland
Across the world many countries are in the midst of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this circulation is to work together to protect and safeguard the vulnerable and those most at risk of human trafficking and exploitation.
Police Scotland National Human Trafficking Unit continue their ongoing engagement with key partners to ensure we are actively looking for and responding effectively to any incident or report of Human Trafficking or exploitation. We recognise that communities can provide valuable information which can assist us in this regard.
With restrictions on movement and activity being in place, we recognise that there are fewer opportunities for potential victims of human trafficking to be reported to the Police and partner agencies. This raises concerns about reaching out to those who are most vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
The current situation will see the demand increasing for the hiring of labour in the retail, delivery, food production and agricultural sector. We are asking our communities to be vigilant to the possibility that people are being exploited and to help us tackle it.
People may see an increase in the following:
· groups of people waiting to be collected for work or dropped off where this was not previously apparent;
· houses of multiple occupancy where potential victims may be living; or
· sudden increase in homelessness.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Communities will be aware of what goes on within their own areas. We would actively encourage any changes which raise suspicions or concerns to be reported. These reports can be reported anonymously to the following numbers:
· Police Scotland – 101
· Modern Slavery Helpline – 0800 121 700 – www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
· Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 – www.crimstoppers-uk.org
The information provided will assist the Police and partner agencies in identifying potential victims of exploitation and ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.
For more information, click the following links:
· Modern slavery and COVID-19: Information from NHS England
Information for People with Dementia, their Carers and Families
Alzheimer’s Scotland has created a suite of information resources for people with dementia, their carers and families throughout the coronavirus pandemic. This includes information on activities, support for families and what to do if you have to go into hospital during this time. This is being updated on a regular basis as the situation progresses, so please check back to see the most up-to-date information. For more information, please click the following link: https://www.alzscot.org/information-during-coronavirus?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
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