Coronavirus: public information

What you need to do

Anyone can spread the virus:

Keep a safe distance from others
Keep washing your hands regularly
If you have coronavirus symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

Get a test now. Do not leave home for at least 10 days

Full guidance on helping to control the virus

On this page, we've collated some information that will help you stay well during the coronavirus outbreak.

However, for the most up-to-date information, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus and nhs.uk/coronavirus

What's on this page?

Join a COVID-19 clinical trial
Looking after your wellbeing
Worried about the health of a child?
Helping children understand coronavirus
Managing long-term conditions
Information on Isolation Notes
Information on Respiratory Rescue Packs
Cancellation of CCG Meetings
Guidance in large print, Easy Read and BSL
Information in other languages
Bereavement
Privacy Information
The steps we're taking to keep our staff safe

Join a COVID-19 clinical trial

The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and improve symptoms for people with COVID-19. You could be eligible to join if:

You have had these symptoms for fewer than 15 days:
► a continuous new or worsening cough
► a high temperature
You are aged 50 to 64 with a pre-existing illness
You are aged 65 and above

Get more information about the clinical trial

Looking after your wellbeing

You can find information on how to look after your well-being during the Covid-19 outbreak on the Living Life To The Full website.

If you're a carer, you can also find information for carers on the Carers UK website, which will help you to take care of your own health.

Worried about the health of a child?

If you're concerned about the health of a child, please don't ever worry about seeking help.

Even in these challenging times, the NHS is here for you. Why not keep this list of symptoms to look out for in poorly children handy? Download it to your device or print it out and stick it to your fridge.

Resources for families

From guidance on how to talk to children about the virus to tips on managing relationships at home. The Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service has put together a coronavirus resource hub to help families through this uncertain period.

We've also collated some additional resources to help children understand coronavirus:

Managing long-term conditions

Leading charities and organisations have published guidance for people with long-term conditions. Visit the below websites for information on how to manage your condition during the coronavirus outbreak.

Asthma

Including how to manage your asthma to reduce the risk from Covid-19 and what to do if your asthma is getting worse.

www.asthma.org.uk/coronavirus/

COPD

Including what you should do if you have COPD and how to manage your COPD well at this time.

www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus/what-should-people-with-a-lung-condition-do-now/copd

Other lung conditions

Including what should people with a lung condition do now and how to cope with staying at home.

www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus

Heart disease

Including how Covid-19 can affect people with heart disease and information on Covid-19 and heart medication.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/coronavirus-and-you

Diabetes

Including staying at home and managing diabetes.

www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

Parkinson's

Including staying active when you’re at home and managing your mental health.

www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/understanding-coronavirus-and-parkinsons

Multiple Sclerosis

Including practical advice for managing MS and information about disease modifying therapies and Covid-19.

www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-therapies/covid-19-coronavirus-and-ms

Dementia

Including advice for families looking after someone with dementia, and coping without support groups or day centres during the Covid-19 outbreak.

www.dementiauk.org/get-support/coronavirus-covid-19/

Arthritis

Including advice regarding managing pain at home and looking after your wellbeing.

www.versusarthritis.org

Isolation Note

If you or someone you live with are exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, use the NHS 111 isolation note service to provide a note for your employer.

Respiratory Rescue Packs

We have been made aware of some inaccurate information circulating regarding special ‘rescue packs’ for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Please do not contact your GP practice for a rescue pack if you have asthma. Some COPD patients may have a rescue pack as part of an existing management plan and should use according to this plan, all other COPD patients should continue to manage their condition in the normal way and should not contact their practice for a rescue pack.

You should continue to manage your condition in the usual way and if you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19, go to www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 before doing anything else

Cancellation of CCG meetings

Given the current and unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the UK health system and wider partners, the NHS Ipswich & East Suffolk, NHS West Suffolk and NHS North East Essex CCGs will be rationalising their scope of work and meetings. The decision has been made to cancel the majority of CCG meetings that involve wider partners to enable the prioritization of clinical work.

Any meetings held by the CCGs will be held virtually to reduce the risks of transmission to NHS and partner staff.

Although public meetings will be held behind closed doors, the public, as always, are welcome to ask questions. Queries can be sent in advance of the scheduled meetings to our joint Communications Team at neeccg.comms@nhs.net or comms@suffolk.nhs.uk

Agendas and timings for meetings can be found on the CCG websites:

www.ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk
www.westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk
www.neessexccg.nhs.uk

Statutory functions will of course have to be discharged, however this move will free up our clinical and non-clinical staff to support our population and providers in these challenging times.

The CCGs’ chief operating officers (Maddie Baker-Woods - Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG, Kate Vaughton - West Suffolk CCG, and Pam Green - North East Essex CCG) will review with alliance colleagues the local programmes of work and agree with local partners what work will be postponed. These decisions will be communicated via local channels and teams.

If you have any questions, please contact us at neeccg.comms@nhs.net or comms@suffolk.nhs.uk

Information in accessible formats

Access information on coronavirus in accessible formats and different languages.

Large Print

Large Print Handwashing Poster

Easy Read

As well as reading the information below, please make sure you fill in this Grab and Go form. The form will help doctors and nurses treat you if you go to hospital because of COVID-19 and, for example, are struggling to breathe.

Here is some guidance which will help you complete the form.

It is not a replacement for the everyday, detailed hospital passport. You should update your hospital passport and take that to hospital along with the Grab and Go guide if you need to be admitted. You can download a hospital passport from the Mencap website.

How to wash your hands - a video from Mencap

BSL

Arabic

Wearing a face covering

Bengali

Polish

Portuguese

Wearing a face covering

Punjabi

Coronavirus infornation Leaflet

Romanian

Russian

Slovak

Coronavirus Information leaflet

Spanish

Wearing a face covering

Tigrinya

Wearing a face covering

Bereavement

Bereavement is very difficult to deal with at all times. And right now, you may not be able to turn to your usual support network. To help, Essex County Council have put together some resources to help the bereaved find the support they need at this time.

Privacy Information

Please see supplementary information on how personal information is being used during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Please see privacy information regarding testing for coronavirus.

If you are working in a GP practice and getting tested through your workplace, please see privacy information. Please note that this is different to the testing for coronavirus privacy information above.

The steps we're taking to keep our staff safe

As of the 7th August 2020, 100% of all risk assessments have been completed by staff available at work (staff on maternity leave and long-term absence have not been included at this point). With specific reference to the BAME group of colleagues, currently 100% of BAME staff have completed their risk assessments. The risk assessment process is an ongoing process and regular updates will be provided.

You can find the figures regarding the risk assessments below:

Risk Assessment Figures

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