People aged 65 and over who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 are being asked to contact the NHS to arrange a jab.

If you are not eligible yet (specifically, people under 65 years of age) please wait to be contacted.

The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

You do not need to contact your GP about the vaccine.

Find out more here: www.nhs.uk/CovidVaccine

Please share this with your family and friends.

The COVID-19 vaccine has undergone rigorous tests and trials and is safe to receive

Join our ‘Think 111 First’ remote Forum for deaf communities on the 23rd Feb  - see BSL invite below

20 people have already participated in previous forums  They have shared their thoughts on the awareness and the effectiveness of the ‘Think 111 First’ marketing materials to help improve the service.

Findings will be reported back to the Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and shared nationally through Healthwatch England.

Would you like to join them and have your say?

Please contact David Kinross, email dkinross@hwdevon-plymouth-torbay.org or call 0800 520 0640.

There are four ways local people can help the NHS vaccinate as many people as possible

•  Stay at home 
• Get vaccinated when it's your turn
• Follow the government advice e.g. Hands  Face  Space 
• Choose the right service for your needs, such as 111 

Thousands of Torbay residents vaccinated at the Riviera International Centre

Thousands of vaccinations have now been administered at the Riviera Centre in Torquay – made possible by dedicated health professionals and hundreds of volunteers.

To make sure the jabs are delivered efficiently and there is no wastage, the visits are timed to the minute and teams of people ensure the whole operation runs like clockwork.

Volunteer marshals, mostly recruited through the Torbay Community Helpline (01803 446022) work in three shifts, from eight in the morning until six-thirty at night helping people as they arrive and making sure they go into the centre exactly on time.

One of the first to receive the Pfizer vaccination was 82-year-old Mary Ewen from St Marychurch, and she says there is nothing to be nervous about: “It is all very efficient, very friendly cheerful even. Everyone is smiling.”
 

What has YOUR experience been of receiving a vaccine in Torbay?

Good or bad, speak to us today:

☎️ Call us free on 0800 520 0640

💻 Leave reviews or use LiveChat on our website here 

📧 Email info@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk

New agreement between Care Quality Commission and Royal College of Pathologists

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) have published a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement.

The agreement sets out how CQC will work with RCPath to:

• safeguard the wellbeing of the people receiving health and social care in England
• promote patient safety and support improvements in care
• coordinate activity and use our resources effectively.

RCPath is a professional membership organisation with charitable status. It oversees the training of pathologists and scientists working in specialities such as histopathology, haematology, clinical biochemistry, and medical microbiology.

Although some pathologists work in laboratories, many work with patients in hospitals and the community.

Torbay Council has officially appointed a new Director of Public Health for Torbay

Dr Lincoln Sargeant was previously the Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire County Council and is replacing Torbay’s current Director of Public Health, Dr Caroline Dimond, who is retiring this month.

Lincoln said of his new appointment: “I am delighted to be appointed to this role and to be able to help tackle some of the challenges that our communities face, particularly those that have arisen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Colleagues across the Council, the wider health sector and the voluntary sector are already working hard to meet these challenges and I am committed to doing all I can to support these efforts.”

South West hospitals contribute to COVID-19 study

The NIHR-supported RECOVERY trial has shown that tocilizumab – an anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis treatment – reduces the risk of death for hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19.

Researchers also found that the drug reduces the length of hospital admission, and the risk of patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Attacks on ambulance staff leading to prosecutions

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is warning that anyone who assaults or abuses its people could face prosecution.

Share the news - abuse and assaults faced by emergency services workers is #Unacceptable

Do you need information about local NHS and social care services? 

Whether it’s advice on how to access mental health support or where you should go for urgent care, you can speak to us!

To find out more...

Freephone us on 0800 520 0640
Email us at info@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk
or search local services on our website here

Contract awarded for Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre

Following a competitive process, Classic Builders have been awarded a £4.1m contract to build the Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre (H&WBC).

The new centre is a partnership project between the Trust, GPs, the CCG and the voluntary sector to bring together in one centre all statutory organisations involved in providing health and care  for the people of Dartmouth and surrounding area. The ‘one-stop shop’ approach will mean different professionals can work more closely together to provide better integrated services  for local people.

If all goes to plan, the new building should be ready to open in summer 2022.