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Thursday, 27 October

In this issue...

  • Jump on board for an autumn booster
  • Vaccines for people who are housebound
  • Stay safe this Halloween and bonfire night 
  • Mental Health Friends handbook
  • Be ‘breast aware’ and take up screening invites
  • Funding boost to help vulnerable residents 
  • Payment increase for those hosting Ukrainian guests
  • Support for victims of domestic abuse
  • See the #BeSkinSmart colouring competition winners
  • Join a bowel cancer support group online
  • Kent and Medway health and care symposium
  • How is the cost of living affecting you and your diabetes?

News

Photo of leaves on the ground

Jump on board for an autumn booster

 

West Kent 

Residents in Tonbridge – eligible for a Covid-19 autumn booster – can get their vaccination at a temporary clinic in the town centre from this week. 

The bus-based clinic will be in the Sovereign Way North Car Park – three days a week for the next four weeks and will be open:

  • Tuesdays from 2 to 6pm
  • Thursdays from 2 to 6pm
  • Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.

The clinic is accepting daily walk-ins but appointments can also be booked on the national booking system.
 

East Kent


Residents in Dover and Deal – eligible for a Covid-19 autumn booster – can get their vaccination at temporary clinics in the towns from this week. 

The bus-based clinic will be at the following locations:

  • Sundays – St James Retail Park 10am to 4pm
  • Mondays – Dover Health Centre 10am to 4pm
  • Tuesdays from 1 November – Deal Hospital 10am to 4pm
  • Wednesdays – Buckland Hospital 10am to 4pm

There is no need to book an appointment – simply walk in and join the queue.

Photo of a health worker visiting a patient at home

Vaccines for people who are housebound


Autumn booster vaccinations for housebound patients have started and will be delivered in line with national guidance via a local GP practice, pharmacy or community provider. 
Please support us by being patient with the providers as they are working hard to make sure they visit as many homes as possible per day. Vaccinations for housebound patients requires providers to travel varying distances and may be subject to delays due to traffic or other travel constraints. This means the vaccine delivery to housebound patients will incur more wait times as compared to vaccinations delivered at a GP surgery or community pharmacy.

It is expected all eligible housebound patients will be offered a vaccine appointment by early December.

If you or someone you care for has not heard from your provider by early December, please contact your GP practice.

Stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night

 
The NHS is urging people across Kent and Medway to celebrate Halloween and bonfire night safely.
 
Health services can face an increase in demand at this time of year, particularly if the weather turns cold, and it’s important to use the right service for you.
 
Help is at hand from NHS 111, online and by phone, and with www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk, which helps patients make an informed choice about the best service for them.
 
The Stop Think Choose website lists a range of available options, including details on Kent and Medway pharmacies, urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and minor injury units (MIUs).
 
UTCs and MIUs can treat a variety of minor illness and injury. Patients can either walk in or call NHS 111 to get a same-day appointment booked.
 
Pharmacists provide expert, free, confidential advice on health issues such as cold sores, constipation, coughs, cystitis, diarrhoea, hay fever, headache, mild eczema, sunburn, sprains and strains. You can simply turn up and ask for advice with no prior appointment.

Mental Health Friends handbook

Front cover image for the The Mental Health Friends handbook
The Mental Health Friends handbook provides advice for young people aged 13 to 16-years-old on how to support friends, including how to start a conversation, what to do when a friend is struggling and safety information.

The Mental Health Friends handbook was launched at the recent Big Mental Health Conversation organised by Kent County Council’s (KCC) Children’s and Young People’s team with support from NHS Kent and Medway.
Watch this video to find out why the handbook was created.

Be ‘breast aware’ and take up screening invites


Do you know how to check your breasts for symptoms of cancer? Have you had an invitation for breast screening but haven’t yet booked your appointment?

This Breast Cancer Awareness month (October), NHS Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance is encouraging women of all ages to be aware of their breast health and know how to check themselves for cancer symptoms.

The team is also urging those aged 50 to 70, who have received an invite for breast screening to take up the offer and make an appointment, even if they received their invite weeks or months ago.

The NHS website has a ‘How should I check my breasts’ page. Additionally, you can find your nearest breast screening service and book your screening appointment online too.
Money worries banner highlighting that support is available

Funding boost to help vulnerable residents 


Are you struggling financially and looking for support?

KCC has announced a funding boost to help vulnerable residents, families, and communities during the challenging winter months ahead.

Those most in need will be able to access additional support, including help with energy and water costs and free school meal vouchers.

Find further information and support at Kent Together.

Payment increase for those hosting Ukrainian guests


People hosting Ukrainians as part of the KCC ‘Homes for Ukraine Scheme’ are set to receive more money every month to help with cost of living.

The increased payments will begin at the end of October and will continue until March 2023, when the current Government scheme ends.

KCC has taken the decision to increase the payments after fears many people wouldn’t be able to afford to extend their current six-month agreements as winter approaches and the cost-of-living bites.

Find out more here.

Support for victims of domestic abuse

Remember this Halloween that for people experiencing domestic abuse, being scared is an everyday reality.

They can feel alone and fearful to find support. Help them, by reaching out, and knowing where to signpost them to safety.

Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, or social background.
Find support services in Kent and Medway.
 

In the community...

See the #BeSkinSmart colouring competition winners


Congratulations to the winners of the #BeSkinSmart poster design and colouring competitions.

The contest was part of NHS Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance's summer campaign to raise awareness, increase earlier diagnosis and support the prevention of skin cancer.

You can see the winners’ and runners-up’ entries below:
Winners 
Runners-up 
Under fives – Matilda
Under fives – Jude
Five to eight-years-old – Hattie
Five to eight-years-old – Sara
Eight to 11-years-old – Chloe
Nine to 11-years-old – Lexi
Bowel Cancer UK logo

Join a bowel cancer support group online


Chat Together is an online meet-up for people living with and beyond bowel cancer. The sessions are free to attend and last for one hour on Zoom. The six week programme starting on Monday, 14 November is a chance to share experiences in a friendly, supportive and warm environment. 

To register for your free place and find out more, visit the Bowel Cancer UK website or email chattogether@bowelcanceruk.org.uk.
 

Get involved and have your say...

Kent and Medway health and care symposium


The health and care symposium is an exciting event that brings together leaders from the NHS in Kent and Medway, Kent County Council, Medway Council, district councils, the voluntary sector, community organisations and business partners to discuss how we can all work together to support people to lead healthier and happier lives.

The event takes place tomorrow (Friday, 28 October) and will focus on four key topics and your views and ideas are important – we want to make sure all voices are heard. 

Join the discussion and give your views at Have your say and help shape the future of health and care now and for the generations to come.
Have your say illustration

How is the cost of living affecting you and your diabetes?

Photo of a frustrated person looking at their laptop
People living with or at risk of developing diabetes are being encouraged to share their views on the rising cost of living.

Diabetes UK has launched a short, anonymous survey, to find out how people are being affected by the economic challenges and what support they need.
If you'd like to share your views, take part in the survey between now and Sunday, 20 November. 

Find information here to help you and your loved ones living with diabetes through the cost-of-living crisis. 
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