Dear all

Please see below your Covid-19 updates from the last few days.

Schools

We are raising serious questions in relation to the schools and nurseries proposing to open on Monday 15^th. Our primary concern is of course the wellbeing of children, young people, parents, guardians and educators. In a letter to the Director of Public Health, Director of Children’s Services and the Chair of the Children’s committee, I have asked where the scientific rationale is for the action; if we have the speedy response infrastructure in place, like in France; if evidence emerges that this approach has been a mistake, how quickly can the city council revert; what information- if any- is being shared with the city council or the Local Resilience Forum (basically all the statutory authorities) to provide a fuller picture to safely educate. We are asking about timing and how confident the city council is that the testing regime is as robust as is needed to effectively and comprehensively test, trace and isolate. We are also raising precedent, wary that the move appears to ‘normalise’ behaviour that may potentially increase the spread of the disease among families and educators. Needless to say, we will keep you posted with updates.

Local businesses grants

We have already been in contact with a number of you but there’s more information about the discretionary grants fund- £3.7 million and three levels of grants. Flyer attached. We will be approaching the outstanding businesses in our area which haven’t applied and if you know of a business that you believe may be eligible, get in touch and we will try our best to get them some of this grant funding.

Supporting the city to recover

We have worked hard on trying to get the city to recover well and have welcomed what we have understand of the proposals to help local businesses and help safe outdoor exercise, cycling, walking. We have been pursuing a number of queries for you on shops that have not been practising safe distancing and environmental health have approached a number of businesses not adhering to safe practices. There’s now advice for retailers provided too.

Beach lifeguards

The proposal is to introduce a consolidated Beach Lifeguard service from tomorrow (Saturday 13 June) until Sunday 6 September.  Initially there will be two lifeguarded bathing areas located on the central beach in Brighton and another in Hove (See enclosed map). An initial group of 29 seasonal Beach Lifeguards have been recruited who have commenced their induction process.  A further 15 Lifeguards will undertake an induction process in the near future. More information attached.

Work on anti-social behaviour

We have been working very closely with Sussex Police and the council officers on helping report and effectively deal with anti-social behaviour. Please continue to report using 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk and cc the PCSO Amy.Green@sussex.pnn.police.uk and ourselves in. Please also find updated reporting guide attached.

Healthwatch updates further below too with information about access to health services. We have a lot more information should you need it.  

We are here to help if we can. PLEASE continue to practice safe social distancing, and stay safe.

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           4.45pm Wednesday 10 June 2020

Briefing number:     60

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online.

Update about schools and early years

This briefing provides an update on the council’s position on opening schools and early years settings to more children and young people.

Latest news

The council has today advised that Brighton & Hove schools and council nurseries should start opening more widely from Monday 15 June.

The full statement is available on the council newsroom

Overview

The priority now is for a phased return for the years previously identified by the government. Infant and primary schools are asked to take in nursery years, reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils. Secondary schools are asked to provide face to face support for young people in Year 10 and 12 during this summer term.

Our previous position that reopening to more pupils should not take place was based on advice from the council’s Public Health team that there was not reasonable assurance that all the government’s five tests were met locally, in particular around the Test and Trace programme.

In a meeting this morning, councillors and senior education officers heard the latest updates from the council’s Public Health team.

Over the last ten days, the council’s Public Health team has been closely monitoring the progress of the Test and Trace programme and how this is working in Brighton & Hove. Our Public Health colleagues now have sufficient reassurance that this service is in place to test anyone with symptoms of the coronavirus and trace their close contacts.

This situation is continuing to develop and is under constant review.

Pupils in the priority age groups are expected to return in a gradual way, with numbers being different from school to school. Individual school risk assessments will inform how best to manage this. Control measures are also in place in case of outbreaks, which will be managed working with the Public Health England Health Protection team for Sussex and Surrey. 

Parents and carers can decide whether to send their children back in. While we would like to see as many pupils as possible back in schools, individual family choices will be respected and no fines will be issued for non-attendance this term.

We recognise that schools and early years settings have been open throughout the pandemic, including the school holidays. Childcare has been provided for children of keyworkers and for vulnerable children, including SEND pupils, since schools closed to most pupils at the end of March. The system in place to support this small number of children attending school is well established and will continue.

We encourage schools and council run nurseries to follow our latest advice. We would like to be clear that the final decision on whether to open an individual school lies with the head teacher, in consultation with their governing board.

Non-council early years settings can make their own decisions based on their risk assessments. Some early years settings have already opened to more children.

Sharing the news

Headteachers were updated on the latest position by Deb Austin, Interim Executive Director of Families, Children and Learning.

A letter has also been sent out through schools to all parents and carers.

Background

Back in March government restrictions which came into force which saw schools and early years providers close for almost all children.

The council has been working closely with headteachers and early years providers across the city during the current pandemic.

Last month the government asked schools and early years providers to prepare to open to more children at the start of June.

Here are our responses to the government’s announcement:

• Safety first approach (15 May)
• Letter to parents and carers (18 May)
• Statement advising schools not to open (29 May)
• Update on advising schools not to open (4 June)

More detail about the decision not to reopen schools more widely (9 June)

(B) Health and Social care updates

(1) COVID in care homes.  Recent reports have shown that nearly 40% of all care homes in Brighton and Hove have reported outbreaks of the coronavirus. Similar levels have also been reported across England (see national data for the weekly number and percentage of care homes reporting a suspected or confirmed outbreak of COVID-19).

This week the government announced that every care home in England will now be offered a coronavirus test for all residents and staff, even if they have no symptoms. Previously, whole care home testing was offered only to homes for the over-65s and those with dementia. 

(2) Updated guidance for people in receipt of direct payments during COVID-19. The government has updated its guidance which provides advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support.

(3) Data has been published showing the social impacts on disabled people in Britain (14 May to 24 May 2020). You can access this data by clicking here. The data reveals that disabled people are more likely to be ‘very worried’ about the impacts which the coronavirus is having on their lives. Disabled people are three times more likely than non-disabled people to say that their health had been impacted and twice as likely to say that access to healthcare and treatment for non-coronavirus (COVID-19) related issues is being affected. 

(4) NHS test and trace statistics (England): 28 May to 3 June 2020)

Early data complied about the NHS contact tracing has been published. The scheme went live on 28th May. Between 28th May and 3rd June 2020:
● 8,117 people who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) had their case
transferred to the contact tracing system, of whom 5,407 were asked to provide details of recent contacts.
● 31,794 contacts were identified.
● Of these 26,985 were reached and advised to self-isolate.

The government has said that some people who tested positive could not be reached either because their contact details were unavailable or incorrect or they did not respond to attempts to get in touch. There is more work to do to make sure everyone can be reached.

The government has announced that local authorities can apply for a test and trace grant to help them make plans for local outbreaks of coronavirus.

If you want to learn more about how track and trace works, please click here.

(C) Local COVID updates

(1) Avoid track and trace scams

The Police and Trading Standards are concerned that fraudsters may try and exploit this new system and get people to click on links or pass over information they shouldn’t.  The information below will help you make sure you are in contact with the right people. 

Genuine Contact Tracers will initially contact you by sending a text messages from ‘NHS’, calling you from 0300 013 5000 or by e-mail.

They will ask:

– That you sign into the NHS test and trace contact-tracing website seen here: https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk
– Your full name and date of birth to confirm your identity, and postcode to offer support while self-isolating.
– About the coronavirus symptoms you have been experiencing.
– You to provide the name, telephone number and/or email address of anyone you have had close contact with in the two days prior to your symptoms starting.
– If anyone you have been in contact with is under 18 or lives outside of England.

They will never:

– Try and get you to dial a premium rate (09 or 087) number to speak to them.
– Ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind.
– Try and get you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else.
– Ask you to access any website other than this one https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk
– Try and get any details about your bank account.
– Ask you for any passwords or PINs.
– Try and get you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone.
– Ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts.
– Offer any medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms.

If you suffer from fraud as the result of any such scams then please do report to Action Fraud using the link here:  Action Fraud website

The National Cyber Security Centre is also keen to have phishing attacks that people receive forwarded to them via the e-mail address here: report@phishing.gov.uk

(2) Local data on COVID

As at 11 June, there are 473 (452 last week) confirmed cases in Brighton and Hove, out of a local population of 290,885; and 144 (136 last week) coronavirus-related deaths up to the 29 May. In this area 21% of all deaths involved coronavirus between 29 Feb and 29 May.  (NB: Cases only include people who have had a positive test for the virus. Not everyone with the virus will have had a test. Deaths include any death where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Death data updated weekly; cases updated daily).

This link provides data on the Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

The Office for National Statistics is publishing a wide range of data. This link will enable you to enter your postcode and see the number of confirmed deaths in your area (scroll down to Section 6: Middle Layer Super output Areas). 

(D) Government COVID updates

You can click this link to access Slides and datasets to accompany last night’s coronavirus press conference (11 June).

(1) COVID-19 data and testing 

There is some evidence that the number of people in England testing positive has decreased in recent weeks. Data produced by the Office for National Statistics shows that during the two weeks from 17 May to 30 May 2020, an average of 53,000 people in England had the coronavirus.

For up-to-date numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK, click here

The reproduction number (R) is the average number of secondary infections produced by 1 infected person. The R number range for the UK is currently estimated to be between 0.7-0.9 as of 5 June 2020.

This link to the government website explains all you need to know about how to get a test. 

And to find out more about the government’s test and trace programme and what you need to do, click here

(2) Government announcements

The current situation means that new guidance is being issued daily. Below we have provided links to some announcements which may be of interest.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak.

Answers to the most common topics asked about by the public for the government’s coronavirus press conference

Places of worship to re-open for individual prayer. From Monday 15 June places of worship will be permitted to open for individual prayer in line with social distancing guidelines.

More PPE supplies. Millions more visors, aprons and gowns will be delivered to frontline health and social care workers treating coronavirus patients, manufactured in response to the UK government’s call to arms.

In addition, Healthcare providers can order additional personal protective equipment (PPE) through the portal to top up their existing supplies for COVID-19 in an emergency

NHS volunteers extend support to frontline health and social care staff
Frontline health and care staff will be able to access support from the hundreds of thousands of NHS volunteer responder

From 15 June, you must wear a face covering on public transport.

£63 million for local authorities to assist those struggling to afford food and other essentials

What parents and carers need to know about schools during the coronavirus

(E) Support & resources

(1) Quit for COVID

There has never been a more important time to quit smoking than right now. People who smoke may be more likely to suffer from a serious respiratory infection than non-smokers if they get COVID-19. Smoking tobacco damages the lungs, weakens the immune system and causes a range of severe respiratory problems.

As well as reducing the risks from COVID-19, quitting smoking quickly improves your circulation and breathing, reduces the risks of other health problems such as heart attacks and strokes. There are financial benefits too.

Get support to quit 

Many smokers try several times before they succeed but getting the right support and using stop smoking aids gives you a much better chance of success.

·         Download the NHS Smokefree app to find local support or create a personalised quit plan.   

·         Get advice from experts and hear other people’s quitting stories from Today is the Day. 

·         The council’s Healthy Lifestyles Team continue to offer telephone sessions. Call 01273 294589 or email healthylifestyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk  

(F) Healthwatch information and advice

The following Healthwatch COVID-19 guides are available (these are being regularly updated): 

Guide to local health and social care services

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Dedicated Covid-19 webpage

Maternity and pregnancy advice and information

Top tips for staying active and looking after your mental health.

Guides which provide information about:

– visiting a dentist

– seeing a GP

– collection of prescriptions.

Dear all

We have attached two city council briefings below- today’s as well as the briefing from Friday. I have also attached updates from the local NHS and below pasted updates from Healthwatch.

Today both Hannah and I attended a special policy and resources committee which was considering the financial implications of the Covid-19 crisis on the council and some of the implications in terms of our care homes and protective equipment. We continue to raise serious concerns about the pandemic’s effect on our neighbourhood on your behalf. A deepening concern for us is the financial position the council is in. Conservative government ministers said at the start of the pandemic that they would provide councils with “whatever it takes.” Yet only two weeks ago, the minister for local government, Robert Jenrick warned that not all costs would be reimbursed.

Further to many reports of anti-social behaviour along the beach huts and seafront, we are lobbying hard for the opening of the public toilets at the bottom of Second Avenue. This reaffirms the call we have been making now for weeks. Yesterday with residents of Norfolk Square we met Sussex Police and I have contacted Divisional Commander Nick May about the re-emergence of anti-social behaviour ‘hot spots’. We continue to liaise with the PCSO.

I will be taking part in the pandemic ‘recovery’ committee on Friday and welcome your thoughts. The agenda for the committee is published here.

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           5:30pm Wednesday 27 May 2020

Briefing number:     54

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online.

In this briefing: Information about support for businesses in the city

Don’t miss out on financial support for your business

The council is working hard to make sure businesses in Brighton & Hove get vital financial support they are entitled to help them stay afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the government announced its grants scheme for small businesses, the council has paid out £63 million to more than 4,600 businesses in the city, and we’re still working through applications as they are received.

These grants don’t have to be paid back, but we estimate there are still up to 800 businesses that might be eligible and have yet to apply.

Council leader, Councillor Nancy Platts, said ensuring small businesses get the support they need is an absolute priority.

“We urgently need businesses to claim so that we can ask government whether we can use any remaining money for businesses that have so far fallen between the cracks of the various government schemes,” Councillor Platts said.  More information can be found on our newsroom.

Discretionary fund for small businesses

We are developing a local discretionary grant scheme for the city’s small businesses.

Brighton & Hove’s fund, anticipated to be around £3.6 million, will provide small grants for some of our independent businesses who have not been eligible for the government’s small business grants.

The proposed criteria and application process will be discussed at the first meeting of the Policy & Resources (Recovery) Sub-Committee on Friday, 29 May.

View the Covid-19: Support for Businesses report (agenda item number 5). The committee will be webcast.

We will design the criteria so that it captures small businesses who make a significant contribution to the city’s economy, including the visitor economy, retail, events, creative and digital, as well as charities and not-for-profit organisations. These reflect the core sectors identified in the Economic Strategy and our Corporate Plan priorities.

Once agreed, guidance about who can apply and an application process will be posted on this page where we will also provide regular updates on how to apply and when it will be open for applications.

Scam emails

We are aware of scam emails asking businesses for information relating to small business grants. Please do not reply to scam emails.

More information for businesses can be found on our website.

Brighton & Hove Buses

From Monday 1 June, Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company will be increasing its number of services as more people return to work. 

They are continuing to accept Older Person’s and Disabled Person’s concessionary passes 24 hours a day until further notice and they continue to ask that you pay using contactless payment methods or have exact change.

There is important information about travelling and physical distancing measures on their website.

Help to get the information out to the city

We are sharing these graphics highlighting support available in the city. Please share on your social media platforms to help the information reach residents.

 

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           4:45pm Friday 22 May 2020

Briefing number:     53

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online.

In this briefing: Information you may need over the Bank Holiday weekend ahead.

Restricting access to the beach

Cllr Appich, Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, has called for people to avoid crowding our public spaces and to maintain physical distancing.

From today, the central beach area from East Street to West Street will be monitored to restrict the number of people accessing the area if necessary.

This measure is about public safety. There will be stewards stationed at entry and exit points from 12 noon to 9pm each day up to and including bank holiday Monday to encourage physical distancing and direct people to less busy parts of the seafront if the area becomes too busy.

Read more on our newsroom

No lifeguards on duty

The seasonal lifeguard service for Brighton & Hove will start a little later this year and there will be no provision in place for the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend.

Lifeguards normally patrol the city’s beaches from the end of May until the end of the school holidays in September. The Covid-19 pandemic and social-distancing restrictions interrupted our usual recruitment drive for lifeguards.

Find out more

Eid Mubarak

Councillor Nancy Platts wishes Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating in very different circumstances this year. Eid al-Fitr falls at the end of this week and marks the end of the month of Ramadan. 

Councillor Platts acknowledges that it’s been a very difficult time for our Muslim community, who have been unable to get together with family, friends and community to celebrate Ramadan as they usually would. She also thanks the city’s Muslim community for their part in supporting the residents of Brighton & Hove throughout the Covid-19 crisis

For Eid, it’s important to retain physical distancing to continue to protect lives. As places of worship remain closed, the Muslim Council of Britain has produced some guidance on Celebrating Eid Al-Fitr during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Read more in our newsroom

Thank you to our school, nursery and early years staff

Schools and early years providers will continue to be open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children during another Bank Holiday and half term week.

Councillor John Allcock, Chair of the Children, Young People and Skills committee, has written in praise and thanks of all working in schools and early years settings.

Read more on our newsroom

Household waste recycling sites

We have reopened our Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) in Brighton & Hove.

There are two recycling sites – also called tips – one in Hove, off Old Shoreham Road and one in Brighton, off Wilson Road. They take household waste or recycling, electrical items, garden waste and some DIY waste.

Strict traffic measures are in force with people driving to the sites only being allowed to queue on the smaller access roads leading to the tips, and not the major approach roads. Find more information on the reopening of our Waste and recycling sites.

Only cars will be allowed on site, with no trailers, vans or camper vans being given access. Pedestrians – those on foot and not in a car – will not be allowed to enter the site.

At busy times, we will close the queues an hour before the site closing times to manage physical distancing.

Find out more

Where to go for healthcare

It is important not to ignore health concerns. Healthcare is still available for those who need it, so please use it. Find out about the NHS services available in Sussex this bank holiday weekend

(A) Your Healthwatch 

In case you missed it, David Liley, CEO of Healthwatch, made his first video update last week. David describes the role Healthwatch has played during the current COVID-19 crisis. You can access the video here  

We have published a series of Healthwatch reports which you can access on our website: 

1.    Stakeholder report which gathered the views of those we work with and represent; our work and activities over the previous year.

2.    Activity report describing the work we have done between January to April 2020.

3.    An Equality Impact Assessment of our work and activities over the previous year.

Our Hospital Discharge Wellbeing project continues to support people who have recently left hospital. Our volunteers are calling recently discharged patients to check on how they are since being discharged, as well as asking how they are coping during this lockdown and if we can signpost or refer them for any extra support. We have received very positive feedback from those contacted about this service  – a big thank you to our team of volunteers who are doing this vital work.

(B) Health care updates

(1) Mental Health Awareness Week, 18-24 May

At this present time looking after your own mental health, and the mental health of loved ones, friends, neighbours and employees is so important. The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week this year is Kindness. We have posted more information, advice and guidance on the Healthwatch website

(2) New opt-out organ donation law comes into force in England 20 May.

The change in the law aims to make more organs available for those in need. Make sure your choice is based on facts. Tell your family about your decision and register it on the NHS Organ Donor Register. 

Remember: you are free to register your decision whenever you like, before or after the change in law.

You can view a video on organ donation law change and the impact of COVID-19 here.

And a link to official fact sheets relating to different aspects of organ donation, such as organ donation and religious beliefs can be found here. 

(3) Cancer survey

The Speak Up Against Cancer team at Albion in the Community have launched a survey to find out what people in Brighton and Hove know about sun safety and skin cancer. Please do complete and share this. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete and will close on Monday 25th May 2020.  Please click here. As a thank you, responders who leave contact details will have the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.

(4) Maternity and pregnancy 

We are pleased to present information on maternity and pregnancy from Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group and Brighton and Hove Maternity Voices Partnership. Please see the document which is attached to this email.

(C) COVID-19 updates

(1) Data on COVID

There are 410 confirmed cases in Brighton and Hove, out of a local population of 290,885

In Brighton and Hove there were 108 coronavirus-related deaths up to the 8 May. In this area 20% of all deaths involved coronavirus between 29 Feb and 8 May. Note: Cases only include people who have had a positive test for the virus. Not everyone with the virus will have had a test. Deaths include any death where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Death data updated weekly; cases updated daily.

The Office for National Statistics is publishing a wide range of data. This link will enable you to enter your postcode and see the number of confirmed deaths in your area. All data should be viewed with some degree of caution.

Slides and datasets to accompany last night’s coronavirus press conference can be accessed via the link.

(2) Face masks

The general public are urged not to buy medical grade masks so they can be saved for frontline health and care workers, and instead make your own face coverings at home  You can make your own cloth face covering using this guidance.

(3) COVID-19 symptoms

You may have seen in the news this week that the government added loss of taste or smell to the list of common COVID-19 symptoms. You should stay at home if you have:

·         a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

·         a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

·         or loss of smell or taste

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you need to stay at home for 7 days.

(4) COVID-19 Testing

There has been a lot of talk about who can be tested for COVID-19, when this can be performed and how. If you are confused about this and the different tests for COVID19- sampling tests or self-tests – then these articles should help to explain things:

How testing kits work

Who can apply for testing and how is testing done

Testing for COVID-19 was extended this week to anyone over 5 years of age who has suspected symptoms. Should a child under 5 develop symptoms, please call NHS 111 for advice.  Children returning to school can also apply for a test, along with any members of their household.

Today, the government announced a trial of a rapid coronavirus test in Hampshire involving 4,000 people. The test provides results in 20 minutes without any need for it to be sent to a laboratory.

The government is to offer antibody tests to health and social care staff and patients in England

The Healthwatch Frequently Asked Questions document has also been updated with more information about testing. 

 

(D) Government updates

The current situation means that new guidance is being issued daily. Below we have provided links to some announcements which may be of interest.

Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy

Hospital discharge requirements, including Easy-Read

An explanation of ‘R’ number (i.e. an estimate of how many people one individual may pass the virus onto, and an indication of whether the virus is spreading or declining)

The Government’s plan to allow children to begin returning to school from 1 June, including their scientific evidence. 

The government has announced a new care homes support package backed by a £600 million adult social care infection control fund. This has been introduced to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in care homes. 

A new dedicated app for social care workers has launched to support staff through the coronavirus pandemic.

Government begins large scale study of coronavirus immunity
A major long-term study will track spread of coronavirus in general population. The research, involving up to 20,000 people of all ages, will measure blood antibodies to help determine what proportion of the population has already had the infection, the duration of immunity after being infected, and why the virus affects people differently

The government will invest up to £93 million to accelerate construction of the new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre which, when completed, will have capacity to produce enough vaccine doses to serve the entire UK population in as little as six months.

Dear all

Thank you to residents who’ve kindly responded to the request for volunteers to help keep the seafront tidy. I met with the brilliant local Surfers Against Sewage today about how the city council along with people like Surfers can work to keep the beach and seafront tidy. I will be following this up with a series of questions for council officials too.

We (safely and appropriately) helped with the community plant and dig in Norfolk Square last night.

We continue to receive queries on accessing dental care- Healthwatch have produced guidance below and the sorts of care you may, in the circumstances, be able to provide for yourself at home is attached too.

Work is ongoing on the economic recovery for the city- there will be a public committee next week (webcast with Councillors attending virtually) which will examine this. Keep an eye here for the agenda as it goes live over the next few days.

A number of you have inquired about the quantities of confirmed positive Covid-19 cases the city has and indeed how many people have, very sadly, died from the pandemic. The information below has been provided by officials from public health. As ever we have been pushing for as much clarity on the many different aspects of the numbers here, as well as continuing to press for action on protective equipment and contact tracing in the city.  

Please find the city council briefing below.

We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help. If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails please drop me a line.

Please continue to exercise safe social distancing and, above all, stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           4:30pm Wednesday 20 May 2020

Briefing number:     52

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online.

Special Policy & Resources Committee meeting

Next Thursday 27 May, a Special Policy & Resources Committee meeting will take place via Skype to consider a number of key reports.  This briefing will outline some of those reports and provide links for further reading.

Covid-19 – Financial Position Statement

Members of the Policy & Resources committee will be asked to note a report updating the council’s financial position as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Included in the report is information about:

• Costs and losses to the council in response to the pandemic
• Business rates information
• The processing of grants to businesses in the city
• Other Covid-19 government support.

You can find the report being presented to committee on the council’s website.

Personal Protective Equipment expenditure

Councillors will be asked to consider a report into Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) expenditure during the Covid-19 pandemic and into the future.

The report gives details on the current services requiring PPE through the council as well as the number of items of PPE being distributed in April and May of this year.  It also states that the need for PPE is likely to become ‘business as usual’ for the next 12-18 months.

More information on this report can be found on the council website.

Remote council meetings and use of Urgency Powers

In March, the Policy & Resources Committee agreed arrangements for democratic decision making during the Covid-19 pandemic.  In April, new regulations were made to allow the council to hold virtual meetings. 

Councillors will next week be asked to consider proposals which include:

Allowing the resumption of a number of council working groups remotely

Allow all Committee and Sub-Committee meetings to take place with remote attendance by members, the public and press.

You can find more information on the council’s website.

More information

More information about next week’s Special Policy and Resources Committee meeting can be found on the council’s website.

Read our news story about embracing digital democracy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Council meetings are webcast live and recorded to watch at a later date.  Details of which can be found on the website.

You can also access the full calendar of council meetings.

Dentistry: access and home care advice Non-urgent dental activity has stopped in line with social distancing requirements. You can still access dental care and should in the first instance contact the practice you are registered with – if you are not registered with a dental practice then you can contact any practice which is near to you. A summary of the key points is included below.  We have also attached some advice about how to deliver self-care for common dental issues such as toothache, wisdom teeth pain, ulcers, lost crowns and knocked-out teeth. A detailed Healthwatch guide to accessing dentists is available by clicking here.  KEY POINTS ABOUT ACCESSING DENTAL TREATMENT * Patients can still contact a dentist if they require medical help. Contact the dental practice you are registered with first, but you can also contact any practice which is near to your home. You can find the contact details for a local dentist by entering your postcode in the NHS.uk search facility. * Face to face dental appointments have mostly stopped, but dental practices have replaced these with telephone consultations. * Dentists can still prescribe medications such as pain relief and antibiotics for a suspected infection where appropriate. * If a dentist thinks you need to be seen for urgent treatment, they will make a referral to one of the new Urgent Dental Care Hubs. Please note that you cannot self-refer to one of these Hubs. The range of symptoms being offered is limited to very severe dental conditions. * You can still be referred to a Hub for urgent dental treatment if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are vulnerable or shielding, although you will be seen at dedicated sites only. * Some Hubs are based outside of Brighton, but support is available to help you travel to these sites. * It is possible that you may not be treated at a Hub if your condition is not deemed serious enough and you may be referred by your dentist to a pharmacy to privately purchase home dental kits, for example a temporary tooth repair filling. If you experience any difficulties in obtaining dental care please get in touch office@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk

Dear all

Last week I was in touch with Nick May Sussex Police Divisional Commander for the city.

I reported residents’ anxiety about visitors to the city. Sussex Police alongside British Transport Police are encouraging those from outside the city NOT to come to Brighton and Hove at the weekend. You will have seen that there are police along the main roads and BTP are routinely checking at the London and Brighton ends.

I have also raised the growth of anti-social behaviour both in some of the ‘hot spots’ and as we come out of lockdown. Nick May advised me that his officers can move quickly when they have relevant information and made a number of drug-related arrests in Brunswick last week. So please continue to report intelligence to the usual channels of the 101 and PCSO emails. Obviously if you see a crime report on 999. We will be sending over some new updated guidance for you too.

101@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Amy.Green@sussex.pnn.police.uk

At the weekend as well as being interviewed about people not coming to the city, (not yet) I also led a (safe social distance) tidy up of Waterloo Street and Brunswick and Adelaide beach. We have been using our daily exercise to litter pick most streets across the neighbourhood, most weekends. I am meeting campaigners Surfers Against Sewage this week about what will happen especially to the beach with lockdown lifting, the weather warming but without pubs and restaurants opening. I would like to canvass opinions about people’s potential desire to help keep green spaces and the beach clean, especially as the relevant council teams are yet to get back to full capacity. What do you think?

We are receiving your thoughts on the important work to see our local economy to bounce back. As I reported last week I will be sitting on the pandemic recovery sub-committee  and would welcome your thoughts on how our local economy recovers fairly and how we make best use of available resources.

Please find today’s city council update below- the focus this week is mental health- a lot of residents have reported poorer mental health during lockdown- lots of resources below.

I have received a lot of queries on being able to borrow library books and the good news is deliveries are here. More information below.

We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help. If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails please drop me a line.

Please continue to exercise safe social distancing and, above all, stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           6.45pm Monday 18 May 2020

Briefing number:     51

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

In this briefing

• Mental health awareness week – ‘Why kindness matters’
• Food hubs across the city are helping those that can’t access food
• Household waste recycling centres and bulky waste service reopen

Click here to view today’s briefing online.

Mental health awareness week – why kindness matters

Councillor Clare Moonan, the chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board, talks about Mental Health Awareness week and how this year’s theme of ‘kindness’ is so important at a time like this.

Find out more in our newsroom.

Share your own acts of kindness on social media

During Mental Health Awareness Week you can share any acts of kindness that you have given or received using the hashtags #kindnessmattersbrightonhove and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

Coronavirus and your mental health

Each week Mind in Brighton & Hove share weekly wellbeing tips that include local and national initiatives, activities and simple ideas to maintain and improve your wellbeing during this challenging time.

The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is working hard to help and support those in our community who may be struggling. They have also shared some top tips and useful resources to help you look after your health and wellbeing.

Book deliveries from Brighton & Hove libraries

Do you enjoy reading, but you have read everything you have at home? Would you love to be able to get your hands on a new supply of books, but you don’t have Internet access and can’t use e-books?

Brighton & Hove City Libraries is offering a free book delivery service to help raise spirits and improve well-being, during Covid 19. We can deliver standard print, large print or audio-books. If you are interested in having books delivered to your door, please call 01237 290800, and after the voicemail message, press 1 to leave your name and phone number – don’t forget to say that you are interested in the Home Delivery Service. A member of staff will ring you back in the next 48 hours to discuss how we can best help you. You can also email libraries@brighton-hove.gov.uk. 

Our library service also offer free ebooks, ecomics, emagazines and audiobooks for you to download.  

Mental health support

If you or other household members feel low, anxious or stressed, there’s information that can help on the NHS Every Mind Matters website. This also includes specific advice on the impact of coronavirus.

While it’s normal to feel afraid and lonely at a time like this, worsening mental health could indicate the need for outside help.

• Sussex Mental Healthline – freephone 0300 5000 101 – provides 24/7 support from registered clinicians. As well as crisis support it provides psychological support to anyone with general concerns about their mental health, and if needed they can refer you for local assessment and treatment.
• Community Roots – online or freephone 0808 196 1768 – a network of local services committed to supporting good mental health and wellbeing in Brighton & Hove.
• Samaritans – call 116 123 – 24hrs a day, 365 days a year.

Support for children and young people

If your child is of school age and you have any concerns about their emotional or mental wellbeing, you’re invited to talk to a Primary Mental Health Worker from the Schools Wellbeing Service.

Telephone consultations are available while schools are closed. Please email SWSConsultationLine@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 293 481.

You might also find the following helpful for supporting your children: 

• Advice on talking to your child about the coronavirus from Young Minds
• 10 Minute bursts of exercise for young children from the NHS
• Yoga for young children from Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube
• Five minute work out for Key stage 1 children from The Body Coach on YouTube
• PE for kids with Joe Wicks on YouTube – 9am each day

Get support for yourself or others in Brighton & Hove

If you, or someone you know, is finding things tough right now, whether it’s food, money, wellbeing or loneliness, you can search for support for all ages on the Covid Brighton & Hove help directory.

Vulnerable people who have no-one to help them at the moment can also request additional COVID-19 related support, including emergency food bank referrals, shopping and medicine collection by contacting the council’s community advice and support hub.

Food hubs across the city are helping those that can’t access food

Volunteers have sprung into action all over the city to meet the demand from vulnerable residents that need access to food.

Within days, the emergency food network that exists across the city started to organise an extensive approach to supporting vulnerable people in the city that needed access to food.

This network of community projects – including the 21 food banks already in operation supporting vulnerable people and the 21 new food projects that have joined this effort due to the Covid-19 pandemic – exists so that no-one in Brighton & Hove will go hungry.

Organised and run almost solely by volunteers, these projects have being supplying food parcels and hot meals to vulnerable residents that aren’t able to access food themselves

Read the latest update and watch our short film featuring the food hub at Hove Park School in our newsroom.

• twitter.com/BrightonHoveCC/status/1262322630633324545
• Share the film from facebook
  www.facebook.com/BrightonandHoveCityCouncil/videos/337732570528687/

Household waste recycling centres and bulky waste service reopen

Our two household waste recycling centres reopened today. There are strict traffic regulations in place, and long delays could occur.

Cars are not allowed to park or queue on Old Shoreham Road or Wilson Avenue, with people driving to the site only being allowed to queue on the smaller access roads leading to the tips, and not the major approach roads.

The temporary opening hours are:

• Hove: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm; Saturday 8.30am – 1.30pm; Sunday 10.30am – 1.30 pm. The site is closed on Bank Holidays.
• Brighton: Monday – Sunday and Bank Holidays 10am – 4pm.

At busy times, we will close the queues an hour before the site closing times to manage physical distancing, so please get there early.

If the tip roads are full, drivers will be asked to move and told to return when the queues are shorter.

Only cars will be allowed on site, with no trailers or vans being given access.

There are also a number of other restrictions in place to make sure we can maintain physical distancing and protect staff and everyone using the site.

We are appealing to people to only visit the sites if waste cannot be stored at home without it causing a risk of injury, health or harm to the household members. 

Read more details on the household waste recycling centres re-opening in our newsroom.

Bulky waste

Our Bulky Waste service has also restarted today to help people wanting to get rid of large items like mattresses, tables, chairs, fridges and other white goods. 

The Bulky Waste service is operated by contactor KSD Environmental Services already taking bookings. The company can be contacted on 01273 608 142 from 8am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Read more details of the bulky waste service in our newsroom.

Help to get the information out to the city

We’re sharing these graphics highlighting support available in the city. Please share on your social media platforms to help the information reach residents.

Suggested text: Councillor Clare Moonan, the chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board, talks about Mental Health Awareness week and how this year’s theme of ‘kindness’ is so important at a time like this.

Read more: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2020/kindness-matters

 #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #kindnessmattersbrightonhove #wearebrightonandhove

Suggested text: Taking care of your mental health is more important than ever. Support and information is available to help but it can sometimes feel overwhelming to understand what is useful.

Have a look at some top tips and useful resources to help you look after yourself from the local NHS: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-mental-health.

About this daily briefing

Dear all

Apologies yesterday’s briefing is only going out today.

This afternoon I was interviewed by Al Jazeera and BBC South East, I reminded them of our city’s message not to come to Brighton & Hove yet, not until it’s safe to do so. And that most residents in this neighbourhood don’t have gardens and the seafront is their only place to exercise.

We have remained critical of the u-turn from government on their proposed funding for councils- at the start of the pandemic we were advised we would get “whatever it takes” while last week the minister for councils advised that not all of our costs would be reimbursed.

So we will need to have an imaginative approach for the local economy to bounce back. Some of this will be helped with our proposals for transport which will help small traders. I will be sitting on the recovery sub-committee detailed below in the briefing and with all of the other issues I deal with, would welcome your thoughts on how our local economy recovers fairly and how we make best use of available resources.

Please find today’s city council update below. We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help. If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails please drop me a line.

Please continue to exercise safe social distancing and, above all, stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           6.15pm Friday 15 May 2020

Briefing number:     50

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online

A localised approach to a phased recovery

Through the newly formed Policy & Resources (Recovery) Sub-Committee, councillors and council officers will develop the Recovery Programme which will seek to build a solid foundation for the city, so that Brighton & Hove has the best opportunity to emerge as a safer and healthier city.

This is an unprecedented challenge for our businesses and communities, and we will work with partners in the city and across the region to consider the longer-term implications and provide a recovery programme.

Our preparations for recovery will enable the council, its residents and businesses to be in the best possible position to minimise losses and make best use of opportunities that emerge. This will require a co-ordinated programme over the next 18 months.

Read more in our newsroom.

A fair and sustainable recovery  

In our city, there has been a dramatic increase in people using food services. In one week alone in April, 40 local projects gave out food parcels to 3,001 households, supporting over 4,831 people, including at least 996 children.

While there is no underestimating the tragedy of what is happening, or the scale of the challenge ahead as we feel the long-lasting effects on our economy and our way of life, there is cause for optimism.

We have been given a once in a generation opportunity to renew, rebuild and reshape our society for the better and in a way that leaves nobody in our city behind.

Read more details of the plains in our newsroom.

A ‘safety first’ approach to re-opening our schools

The government has asked schools to prepare to begin to open for more children from 1 June. The council is working very closely with our schools and their staff teams, trade unions and governors to ensure that this wider reopening of schools happens safely.  

Councillor Allcock reassure residents that the most important factor for us is the safety and well-being of our children, teaching and support staff, and the wider community including parents, grandparents and carers.

We have strongly advised our schools that they should only reopen to more children when their risk assessments indicate it is safe to do so.

Read more in our newsroom.

Wish you were here – but not just yet

Councillor Carmen Appich outlines that while we miss our visitors, it’s still in everyone’s best interest for visitors stay away for the time being. Protect our city; protect the people who live here and who make it such a special place to visit. 

Read more in our newsroom.

Exercising and public spaces

We’ve published an update on the latest guidance regarding exercise and going out.

• spend more time outdoors – for example sitting in parks and open spaces and enjoying the fresh air
• exercise as often as we wish – following physical distancing guidelines
• meet one other person from a different household outdoors – following physical distancing guidelines
• use outdoor sports facilities such as a tennis court or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart. Team sports are not permitted.

Despite the changes, it’s crucial we keep two metres apart from anyone that we do not live with. We are encouraging and reminding people about the need for physical distancing through signage and pavement stencilling across the city.

Read more in our newsroom.

You can now:

• spend more time outdoors
• exercise as often as you wish
• meet one other person from a different household outdoors
• use some outdoor sports facilities

But please keep 2m apart from those not in your household

More info: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2020/exercising-and-public-spaces

Dear all

I proposed changes (attached) to the transport plan for the city at today’s urgency committee about bringing in new measures to expand space for outside exercise, walking and cycling in Brighton and Hove. Those measures will provide a strong response to help the city recover with wider pavements, more access for people on the A259 (the seafront road) and will help small traders. We were able to convince Labour to support it to get through. Many of you have approached us during lockdown about the problems of us all wanting to have safe social distance and the city’s transport plan will now enable us to do that. It’s far from over and we are happy to continue banging the drum to have more space for all of us to get out for our exercise.

• 

Some of you will already have received the community newsletter from the city council and a number of the city’s community and voluntary sector groups. I am looking for kind volunteers to help deliver the rest. Drop me a line if you’re fit and healthy and fancy it.  

You may recall that we have been calling for weeks- since 30^th April- for the city’s waste sites (tips!) to be reopened mainly because it was seeing a lot of people burning rubbish and increasing air pollution. We are glad to see that the council is now reopening them but please note the very tight restrictions. This follows waste centres around the country being inundated so please only go if you absolutely must. Both Brighton and Hove will reopen as of Monday at 10AM.

Please note East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are having a consultation about the future of the service. You can make comments here.  

We have raised massive concerns about the consultation which will cut appliances and jobs and have said the timing of the consultation-during a global pandemic- is not right!

We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help.  

If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails, or you want to be removed please drop me a line.

Please continue to stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           3:45pm Thursday 14 May 2020

Briefing number:     49

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online

Full council meeting virtually

The meeting is available to view via the council’s website where you can also find the meeting’s agenda.

During the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Brighton & Hove City Council has been holding meetings virtually in order to continue with day-to-day business while continuing to be held accountable to residents.

You can read more about how the council is embracing ‘digital democracy’ in our newsroom.

Mayor Making 2020

Cllr Alan Robins will become the Mayor of Brighton & Hove when he is elected by fellow councillors at the Annual Council Meeting later today.

Dear all

Many of you have approached us during lockdown about the problems of us all wanting to have safe social distance. Further to winning proposals at Policy and Resources committee on 30^th April to get the city to spend resources helping us all keep safe social distance, further details on what will be proposed for the city come to committee tomorrow- detailed in the city briefing below. I don’t believe that report goes as far as we need and am trying to have the report amended to incorporate many of the issues you have raised with us including:

• Changes to the seafront road, the A259- for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists 
• Footway widening for pedestrians

This will incorporate many of your concerns around more space for safe social distancing.

Please also find the briefing from Brighton and Hove bus company beneath the update which is about their escalation in bus services.

We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help.  

If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails, or you want to be removed please drop me a line.

Please stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           4:45pm Wednesday 13 May 2020

Briefing number:     48

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online

This briefing’s theme is transport in the city

Councillors to consider transport action plan tomorrow

Councillors will tomorrow, Thursday 14 May, be asked to approve a transport action plan designed to support the city in its short, medium and long term recovery from the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Read more on our newsroom

Temporary cycle lane for Old Shoreham Road

Work has taken place to create a new temporary cycle lane on the A270 Old Shoreham Road, freeing up space for cyclists in response to government guidance on physical distancing and changes to how people are currently travelling around the city.

The cycle lane has been painted in both directions from its junction with Hangleton Road in west Hove, to The Drive, where it meets with the existing cycle lane network.  The new cycle lane will be approximately 1.7 miles in length, 3.4 miles in total. 

The council has already closed Madeira Drive to motor vehicles as part of this reallocating of road space.

Read more about the temporary Old Shoreham Road cycle lane on our website. 

Valley Gardens and Shelter Hall work continues

During the pandemic, work has continued on some major projects in the city.

Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee Anne Pissaridou said: “Work has progressed on a number of projects, including Valley Gardens and Shelter Hall, with physical distancing measures in place and regular risk assessments carried out to protect our workforce. 

“At Valley Gardens, reduced traffic has meant teams have been able to continue with road and footway resurfacing, tree planting and landscaping.  The last of the new streetlights have been installed and most of the signal junctions have been completed. 

“At Shelter Hall, work is continuing on the building itself while reduced traffic has meant good progress is being made on the A259/West Street junction, with support from the Churchill Square Shopping Centre.” 

“I’m pleased we have been able to continue with these vital projects at such a challenging time for our workforce.”

Read councillor Anne Pissaridou’s open letter on A Positive Future for Valley Gardens.

Respecting those helping to keep our city moving

While many of us are getting used to working from home, the council still needs to have staff working in our communities to ensure we are kept safe and that roads and highways are accessible for those people and services who need them most.

Street lighting teams have been repairing broken or damaged street lights, work has been continuing to keep roads safe and clear and local bus companies have been adjusting timetables so that essential workers can still make key journeys.

Please respect those who are working to keep our city moving.

Help to get the information out to the city

The council has produced these graphics highlighting support available in the city. Please share on your social media platforms to help the information reach residents.

(Social media text for awareness about transport action plan)

Councillors will tomorrow, Thursday 14 May, be asked to approve a transport action plan designed to support the city in its short, medium and long term recovery from the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.  Read more:  https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2020/council-consider-transport-action-plan

(Social media text for awareness about Old Shoreham Road cycle lane)

A new temporary cycle lane has been created on the A270 Old Shoreham Road, freeing up space for cyclists in response to government guidance on physical distancing and changes to how people are currently travelling around the city.  https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2020/new-temporary-cycle-lane-a270-old-shoreham-road

Phased escalation in bus service levels across the city in line with government guidance for social distancing

From Monday 18th May 2020 Brighton & Hove Buses are increasing service levels on routes 1, 1A, 12, 12A, 24, 26 & 49 to continue to enable physical distancing. Routes 2, 25 & 46 have also been revised. Plus, there will be some timing changes on route 27 in response to passenger feedback.

Our new timetables form part of a phased escalation in services that are in line with government guidelines around social distancing on buses. Our aim is to help keep passengers and drivers as safe as possible. Details of further phases will be announced shortly.

There is also a continued focus on maintaining early morning bus services for key workers, particularly those bus routes serving hospitals. To help with essential journey planning, you can find detailed timetables here.

Martin Harris, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses said “These changes are a result of our close monitoring of bus usage and listening to passenger feedback. We want to ensure our buses are safe and comfortable for key workers, those making necessary journeys and our drivers.”

The company is continuing to encourage passengers to observe physical distancing at bus stops and on the bus. When boarding the bus, passengers are encouraged to pay by contactless, scratch cards or mobile phone to help minimise contact. If paying by cash, please use the exact change where possible as drivers are not providing change at this is time. It’s also important to observe on bus information designed to help with physical distancing. 

Meanwhile, the bus company is maintaining an enhanced cleaning schedule, including deep cleaning and en route cleaning throughout the day. Drivers, cleaners and all other bus workers use PPE to help keep passengers and drivers safe.

Dear all

I send out a daily email at the moment on the Covid-19 pandemic- I’ve recently added a number of residents who have been in touch recently. The information below ‘City Briefing’ relates to what the city council has been doing. You can of course ask to be removed from these emails at any time.

We have been lobbying for public toilets to be re-opened since the decision was made to close them, unilaterally with no consultation with us- despite us having a public toilet in our ward. The decision has doubled the isolation felt by many who couldn’t leave the house for fear of being caught short. So we were glad to see that yesterday, the council has reversed the decision and is opening 12 of the 37 public toilets.

Our work on supporting small businesses and the local economy continues and we have raised concerns about gaps in the government job retention scheme. In response to the confusing recorded speech from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Sunday night, we have raised concerns that it will grow the pandemic. While we have called the government guidance for pupils returning to schools “reckless and dangerous”. We have also reiterated our message which we sent out after the prime minister’s speech that people in the city should continue to stay at home. And reminding anyone thinking of coming to our wonderful city not to, as it’s still not safe. Councillors approved a temporary cycle lane extension on the Old Shoreham Road- effective as of yesterday morning- as part of the response for more space for safe social distancing. Another report will address more detail about widened pavements and pedestrian priority areas to allow jogging and walking. We will of course keep pushing for the necessary support for the neighbourhood.

Please find today’s city council update below. We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help. If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails please drop me a line.

Please stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           5.05pm Tuesday 12 May 2020

Briefing number:     47

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online

This briefing’s theme is support for vulnerable residents

Help for those experiencing domestic abuse

Councillor Clare Moonan, chair of health and wellbeing board, talks about support available for people in need and those at risk of abuse.

Read the full statement on our council newsroom

At home shouldn’t mean at risk

This is a worrying time for us all, but particularly for adults and children living with domestic violence, or who have experienced stalking or sexual abuse. Risks will be heightened and you may be feeling that you are trapped or that your mental health is suffering as a result of isolation.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, isolation rules do not apply. Police response and support services remain available to help and advise you.

If you have been affected by domestic or sexual abuse and violence you can talk to someone and get support from:

• The Portal freephone 0300 323 9985
• National Domestic Violence 24hr helpline 0808 2000 247
• In an emergency call 999

If it is not safe for you to speak to the police you can use the Silent Solution system – call 999, and if you don’t speak you will be diverted to an automated system. You can then press 55 to be transferred to the local police.

If you think you are experiencing any type of abuse, it is important to remember that it is not your fault and that there is support available. Speaking to someone about what you are going through can help you to feel less alone and can support you in understanding your options. You can speak to a colleague, your GP, a teacher, or any other trusted professional.

Exploitation must be reported to the police

People can be tricked into situations where they are bought, sold, abused, and exploited in many different ways including: sexual exploitation, forced labour, street crime or domestic servitude.

The COVID-19 pandemic is heightening the risks for those that are being exploited.  

If this is happening to you, or you know it is happening to someone else, contact Sussex Police online or by calling 101. Please call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

Protecting vulnerable adults and children

Safeguarding means protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect. This can happen in different ways, and can be perpetrated by anyone. This might be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse. Abuse is always wrong.

If you see something, are told something, or something doesn’t feel right – you need to report it.

You can report your concerns to adult social care services, through Access Point:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/adult-social-care
01273 295555 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm)

If you are worried about a child, contact the Front Door for Families:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/front-door-families
01273 290400 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and Friday until 4.30pm)

What is financial abuse?

Financial abuse can take a lot of different forms, for instance someone who:

• Makes you hand over control of your accounts
• Asks for money to buy shopping or pay bills and doesn’t do it
• Takes out credit cards or loans in your name.

It can come from a partner, or from other relationships, such as family members, friends and carers and can take away confidence and leave you feeling isolated.

You can find more information about financial abuse and where to go for support on the Money Advice Service website.

Organisations that exist to also provide advice and support on financial abuse include the Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Adults Board.

Spotting scams

During the coronavirus pandemic there has been a rise in scams seeking to exploit people’s anxiety and uncertainty over COVID-19.

These include:

• Telephone ‘cold calls’ claiming to be arranging distribution of face masks and hand sanitiser to the ‘over 50s’ and then asking for payment
• Doorstep selling of ‘anti-virus kits’
• Email scams that trick people into opening malicious attachments or hand over their bank details

We have put together useful advice from our trading standards team detailing the types of scams currently out there and what to do if you are contacted.

There is also advice for vulnerable people on our ‘how to stay safe at home’ web page which includes how to protect yourself from fraud and keep your money safe.

We are alerting families to a free school meals email scam and businesses to potential scams when they are applying for small business grants or rate relief.

Help to get the information out to the city

The council has produced these graphics highlighting support available in the city. Please share on your social media platforms to help the information reach residents.

(Social media text for stay at home shouldn’t mean at risk)

At home shouldn’t mean at risk. If you or someone you know is suffering from #DomesticAbuse isolation rules do not apply. Police response and support services remain available.

Find local support at @SussexPortal

Or call 999 if you are in immediate danger #YouAreNotAlone

Dear all

In response to the confusing recorded speech from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, last night, we have been clear that we believe the move could lead to higher contraction of the pandemic and lives lost. As such we would defend workers’ rights to refuse to work in unsafe conditions https://www.brightonhovegreens.org/2020/05/11/greens-defend-workers-rights-to-refuse-to-work-in-unsafe-conditions/

We have also reiterated our message which we sent out after the prime minister’s speech that people in the city should continue to stay at home. And reminding anyone thinking of coming to our wonderful city not to, as it’s still not safe.

You may have caught that late on Thursday Councillors approved the decision to create a temporary cycle lane extension on the Old Shoreham Road- effective as of this morning- as part of the response for more space for safe social distancing. Another report will now start detail more of the detail about widened pavements and pedestrian priority areas to allow jogging and walking.  

Please also find an update from the Clinical Commissioning Group- the local NHS for some services.

Please find today’s update below.

We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help.  

If you have a neighbour who would like to be added to these emails, or you want to be removed please drop me a line.

Please stay safe!

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

01273 291357

Twitter @phelimmac

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           6.05pm Monday 11 May 2020

Briefing number:     46

Queries about this briefing can be sent to: news@brighton-hove.gov.uk            

Click here to view today’s briefing online

This briefing’s theme is a response to the changes in coronavirus restrictions

Concerns about an influx of visitors

Cllr Nancy Platts, leader of the council, gave an immediate response to the Prime Minister’s announcements yesterday calling on visitors to stay away from the city to give space for residents to maintain physical distancing.

This statement is also available online

Government advice on the changes starting on Wednesday

The government website has been updated with questions and answers about what people will be allowed to do and what is still prohibited from Wednesday.

Help to get the information out to the city

The council has produced these graphics highlighting support available in the city. Please share on your social media platforms to help the information reach residents.

The advice remains to stay at home as much as possible and follow the guidance on what is an essential trip out.

When you do go out:
keep at least 2 metres (6 feet) apart

#stayhomesavelives

About this daily briefing

This briefing is sent out daily on weekdays to share the latest actions being taken in response to Covid-19.

These daily briefings also include information and updates from across the council and partner organisations in Brighton & Hove.

Each day we will also give a summary of information available for a key issue affecting people in the city during the pandemic.

The latest briefing will be published online soon after you are sent it. This is the link for sharing. 

Information on council service changes due to coronavirus (COVID-19) is on our website

Additional briefings will be sent at other times if information needs to be shared urgently.

If the daily early evening Downing Street announcement requires major service changes to be made locally, this will be communicated as soon as possible. Updates will usually follow the next working day when changes are agreed.

Government guidance and announcements are available from the government website.

Website:        www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/BrightonHoveCC
Facebook:     https://en-gb.facebook.com/BrightonandHoveCityCouncil/

Dear all

Your council update is below.

Thank you for all of the things you are doing in the neighbourhood to help our community withstand the crisis.

It’s another week where we have continued to raise questions with health and council officials for answers on personal protective equipment (PPE), tests and care homes. It has been exasperating to watch the crisis unfold when we raised serious concerns with government 6, 7, 8 weeks ago.

At the start of the week I co-signed a letter to government ministers with the other political leaders on the council to push for much more PPE and sustainable chains of supply. One of the key issues is that we get supplies for only a few days at a time from government, which is leaving us unable to effectively use what resources we get and plan.

For the formally constituted groups in this mailing, the application form for The Police Property Act Fund is attached. The fund aims to support charities and voluntary and community organisations working to keep communities safe and feeling safe- applications can be up to £500. I can’t see a deadline but can chase queries and help with applications.

Further to pushing for the expansion for space for walking, outdoor exercise and cycling, we won the argument at yesterday’s committee, here’s our press release https://www.brightonhovegreens.org/2020/05/01/keep-toxic-emissions-low-and-expand-space-for-walking-outdoor-exercise-and-cycling-to-support-residents-now-and-in-future/

Brighton and Hove Buses have compiled information https://www.buses.co.uk/communitysupport

There are FAQs on Covid from the Clinical Commissioning Group attached. You may be aware there is some concern that people, understandably, have been reluctant to attend hospital etc, please see the updates from Healthwatch below.

We will answer your queries just as soon as we can. If you are self-isolating and need shopping or a prescription delivered or just a chat on the phone, both Hannah and I are more than happy to help.  

Whether or not we have passed the ‘peak period’ or not, please, continue to stay safe.

Yours sincerely

Phélim

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty

Leader of the Official Opposition

Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, Brighton and Hove City Council

Opposition Spokesperson on the Policy and Resources Committee

Member of the Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Planning Committee

Greater Brighton Economic Board, Strategic Delivery Board, Board of Trustees Brighton Dome & Festival Limited, Representative to the Local Government Association

phelim.maccafferty@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

@phelimmac

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward surgeries at 7.15pm on last Weds of every month at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square (except August and December)

City briefing

Subject:                            Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Date:                           4.30pm Friday 1 May 2020

Briefing number:     41

Contact:                      Queries about this briefing can be sent to:

news@brighton-hove.gov.uk                

Overview

This briefing is sent out daily on weekdays to share the latest actions being taken in response to Covid-19 coronavirus.

These daily briefings include the latest information from across the council and partner organisations in Brighton & Hove.

The latest briefing will be published online soon after you are sent it. This is the link for sharing. 

Additional briefings will be sent at other times if information needs to be shared urgently.

If the daily early evening Downing Street announcement requires major service changes to be made locally, this will be communicated as soon as possible. Updates will usually follow the next working day when changes are agreed.

Government guidance and announcements are available from the government website.

Council newsroom

This briefing contains information directly related to the response to Covid-19. For an overview of all council updates, please visit our newsroom on the council website.

In this briefing

• Service changes
• Keep your distance, protect the NHS, save lives
• Covid-19 City Recovery Programme
• Join in with our meerkat hunt on your daily exercise
• Update on small business grants
• Protect our street cleaning team – dispose of used PPE at home
• Helping people get support in the city
• Celebrating Nature2020 at home!
• Take part in University College London’s Covid-19 research

Service changes

Information on council service changes due to coronavirus (COVID-19) are on our website.

Keep your distance, protect the NHS, save lives

As the lockdown continues Alistair Hill, Brighton & Hove’s director of public health, describes how important it is that everyone keeps to the restrictions to protect key workers and vulnerable people.

The latest figures suggest that more people have been going out to open spaces like parks and the seafront, and to shops. In some cases, people are not keeping at least two metres apart, increasing the spread of Covid-19 which is highly infectious. 

On behalf of all health and care staff, please play your part in the fight to save lives.

Read the full story in our newsroom.

Covid-19 City Recovery Programme

Yesterday’s Policy & Resources Committee agreed to establish the Covid-19 City Recovery Programme to help prepare and steer the council and the city through the recovery phase of the pandemic.

The Recovery Programme will aim to build a solid foundation for the city, so that Brighton & Hove has the best opportunity to emerge as a healthier and more sustainable city, through a three-staged programme.

We’ll also be setting up a five-member Policy & Resources (Recovery) Sub-Committee, chaired by the council leader, to focus on the programme and make decisions quickly.

We’ll be working with businesses and communities across the city, including Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, the universities and the NHS.

You can read the full story in our newsroom.

Join in with our meerkat hunt

Children (and parents!) across Brighton & Hove are being given the chance to add a little more fun and adventure to their daily exercise outing.
 
The council is looking for nursery and school children across the city to take part in a new meerkat trail and scavenger hunt while out walking, scooting or cycling as part of their once-a-day exercise routine.

More details about how to take part and a link for printing off your meerkat can be found in our newsroom.

Small business grants

We’ve been working hard to reach out to eligible businesses to arrange payment of small business grants. As a result, we’ve already paid more than £42 million to nearly 3,000 small businesses.

We estimate there are around 1,000 eligible businesses who have yet to get in touch. We are proactively making contact with businesses, but if you run a small business or know of a business that might qualify, please ask them to contact us by sending their details through our secure online Covid business support portal.  

While applications where we need to double-check records are taking longer to process, we are treating the payment of these grants as a priority to ensure small businesses benefit as soon as possible.

Businesses can also check what financial support they are entitled to using the government’s online financial support checker.

Protect our street cleaning team – dispose of PPE at home

We’re sending out a reminder about the need to dispose of used gloves, masks, other PPE and tissues double-bagged in your waste at home.

To protect our street cleaning team and everyone else from infection, please do not dispose of any of these items in the city’s litter bins.

We are still seeing these being put into litter bins – please be mindful of our staff working hard to keep the city tidy. We’d like to thank our street cleaning team for the excellent job they’re doing helping to keep residents safe from infection.

Please follow government advice on safe disposal:

Read the latest Covid-19 waste and recycling service updates.

Helping people get support in the city

If you know someone is finding things tough right now, whether it’s food, money, wellbeing or loneliness, they can search for support on the Covid Brighton & Hove help directory.

Vulnerable people who have no-one who can help them at the moment can also request additional Covid-19 related support, including emergency food bank referrals, shopping and medicine collection by contacting the council’s community advice and support hub.

Celebrating Nature2020 at home!

The Living Coast team have been really boosted to hear how residents in the Round Hill area of Brighton got creative so they were still able to celebrate Nature2020 despite the current lockdown.

Nature2020 was planned to be a year-long programme of events marking the UN Decade of Biodiversity. Unfortunately, with the exception of the City Nature Challenge, all events scheduled in the spring and early summer have been cancelled or postponed.

The Round Hill residents haven’t let the lockdown stop them from celebrating biodiversity in the Biosphere and on our doorsteps. 

You can see more details and photos on the Living Coast website.

Take part in Covid-19 research

University College London is running a study into the psychological and social effects of Covid-19 in the UK.

The results are being used to understand the effects of the virus and social distancing measures on mental health and loneliness in the UK and to inform government advice and decisions.

We’re looking for adults in UK who are happy to take part and spread the word about the study. Participation involves answering a 10-minute online survey now and then answering a shorter follow-up survey once a week whilst social isolation measures are in place.

To take part, visit the Covid-19 Social Study UK website.

Website:        www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/BrightonHoveCC
Facebook:     https://en-gb.facebook.com/BrightonandHoveCityCouncil/

Covid-19: Healthwatch update

We are hope you are all keeping well. This week’s briefing includes information on the work we have been doing to support the NHS ‘Open as Usual’ campaign, and the results from issues we have escalated including PPE and access to GPs for the d/Deaf community. We have included updates on the government’s testing programme and local data on new Covid-19 cases. 

Your Healthwatch

Recent press releases

(1) NHS ‘Open for Business’ campaign

This week the NHS launched its ‘Open for Business’ campaign to encourage people with urgent medical needs to visit their GP, A&E or other health professional. Healthwatch issued a press release encouraging anyone to access NHS services for non-coronavirus medical issues where they have an urgent medical need or have been instructed to. 

The focus of the NHS over the last six weeks has rightly been on preventing the spread of Covid-19 and treating those affected by the virus, but it is now clear that thousands of people who might normally have gone to their GP, dentist or their A&E department have not attended. There is now a concern that for some of those who are not seeking early help for conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and mental health issues, they will experience poorer health and that their conditions may be more difficult to treat. You can read more on our website.

Over the coming weeks, we will be working with the CCG, key health officials and colleagues across other Healthwatch teams in Sussex to deliver targeted messaging to higher risk groups.  Look out for further information from us on this.

(2) Basic amenities for all

Last Friday evening, Healthwatch issued a press release raising concerns that some people in Brighton and Hove had no access to water, sanitation and washing facilities. We welcomed the Council’s engagement and response to our concerns. Following this, yesterday the government announced new guidance to mitigate impacts on Gypsy and Traveller communities.

An update on our work

(1) PPE for carers

Yesterday, the Council launched a new online form to allow carers to apply for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Applications can be submitted where the care is unpaid, provided through a care agency, funded through direct payments from the council, privately funded by the person receiving care or provided in the person’s own home. Healthwatch has been liaising closely with the Council and CCG over the issue of PPE and are pleased that this new facility is available. We continue to ask for clarification on some aspects of this service. We would like to express our thanks to one of our Healthwatch volunteers for bringing this to our attention and their help in pushing this important issue forward – proof that together we really can deliver improvements to the health system for everyone. We would also like to congratulate the Council and CCG for introducing this facility.

In addition, from 1 May, PPE purchased by care homes, businesses, charities and individuals to protect against Covid-19 will be free from VAT for a three-month period.

(2) GPs services offering services for deaf

From this week, d/Deaf people across Sussex will benefit from a new Video Relay Service (VRS), which has gone live in all GP practices and offers telephone consultations to British Sign Language (BSL) users. The new, improved service will see GP practices being able to offer the consultations with support from Signlive, a free to download App that connects the caller to a fully qualified interpreter before connecting to the recipient. It will mean d/Deaf patients across East Sussex will now be able to call their registered practice for free, using the standard telephone number, speak with receptionists and book a telephone appointment with a GP, just as a hearing person can.  David Liley, CEO of Healthwatch, had escalated this issue with the CCG and we are extremely pleased to see this new service going live. We would like to congratulate the Council and CCG for introducing this service.

Health updates

NHS responders (volunteers)

It is now possible for people to refer themselves for help from an NHS volunteer. This new site will provide you with further information if you are self-isolating and are in need of support.

Testing and treatment

This week testing was extended to include more people. Those now eligible for testing include NHS staff, care home staff and care home residents whether or not they have symptoms; essential workers; everyone in England aged 65 and over with coronavirus symptoms along with symptomatic members of their household and symptomatic workers who are unable to work from home also eligible for testing.

Mobile testing units operated by the Armed Forces will also travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing. Units will respond to areas of highest demand. The new units will work alongside the country’s drive-through test sites. 

In addition, a major home testing programme for coronavirus which will track levels of infection in the community was announced this week. It will help improve understanding of how many people are currently infected with the virus, and potentially how many have been infected and recovered. The testing programme will help identify an antibody test that is accurate and easy to use. In the first part of the programme, 100,000 randomly selected people from across England will be invited to provide swabs, which will be tested and look for evidence that someone is currently infected with the coronavirus. In the second part of the programme a number of different antibody tests will be assessed for their accuracy and ease of use at home.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials of 6 new drugs offering potential treatment options for those with Covid-19 were announced this week, accelerating the development of new drugs for patients hospitalised with the virus.

A clinical trial has been given approval to determine if plasma donated by patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can help those battling the illness. If effective, up to 5,000 severely ill patients with COVID-19 could soon be treated each week.

Data on deaths from Covid-19

The way data on the numbers of deaths from Covid-19 changed this week, showing an increase in overall numbers. The revised data includes deaths in all settings with COVID-19 for the first-time including hospitals, care homes and the wider community. The new figures do not show a sudden increase in the number of deaths as it includes retrospective data.

Government updates

This link will take you to a set of graphs which show that numbers of people in hospital with Covid and deaths from the virus are both falling.

Brighton and Hove & Sussex data

There are 355 confirmed cases in Brighton and Hove, out of a local population of 290,395. In the South East, 2,310 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Adult Social Care

An adult social care recruitment campaign launched last week to boost workforce levels. ‘Care for others. Make a difference’ aims to attract people with the right values to take up work in social care, now and in the future. You may have seen adverts on television, radio and social media. 

Other items of interest

The government has supported the development of several online apps which offer additional support to people who may be particularly vulnerable or isolated during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Apps include:

Beam is a digital platform that supports the homeless and vulnerable. Beam takes referrals from local authorities and homeless charities, then ensures goods are funded, delivered and documented.

Vinehealth is a mobile app to support cancer patients and their loved ones during treatment by allowing them to easily track and understand their care, including their symptoms, side effects, appointments and medications.

Domestic Abuse
Due to the lock down there is concern that we may see a potential increase in domestic abuse. Support is available. RISE, a local charity. People can email and talk to Anita Johal over the phone. More information has been produced by the government which can be accessed via this link.

Brighton and Hove STI week

This week, our city’s annual STI (sexually transmitted infection) Testing Week launched. Sexual health is often forgotten, and the present situation offers people an opportunity to order online testing kits to check their sexual health. (#BAHTW20). More information is available on twitter and THT Brighton’s facebook page. People should be sexually distancing at this time. Further information is available on the SHAC website.