Category Archives: Health & Wellbeing

Green Homes Grant Scheme is now open

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The Green Homes Grant gives homeowners in England vouchers to help cover the cost of energy efficient improvements to their home – such as low carbon heating systems, insulation or double glazing to replace single glazing.

For most, the vouchers will be worth about two-thirds of the cost of the energy efficient improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 per household.  If you are a private tenant your landlord can apply.

However, if you’re on a low income or certain benefits, you can get vouchers of up to £10,000 to cover the entire cost of installing the measures. (Homeowners only)

Qualifying benefits: income-based/contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-based/contribution-based employment and support allowance, income support, pension ‘guarantee’ credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, universal credit, disability living allowance, personal independence payment, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, severe disablement allowance, industrial injuries disablement benefit and housing benefit.

Vouchers must be used to install at least one primary home insulation, (solid wall, under floor, cavity wall, loft, flat roof, room in roof), or low carbon heating measure.

If you install at least 1 of these, your voucher can also be used to help cover the cost of any of the following secondary measures: draught proofing, double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazed windows), secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing), external energy efficient doors (replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002), heating controls or hot water tank thermostats and insulation. This can only be up to the same value as the primary measure.

All work must be completed within 6 months (by the end of March 2021) so if you want to take advantage of this scheme you need to do so as soon as possible.

There is now a Government website where you can find all the infomation and apply for a Green Homes Grant

Simple Energy Advice has lots of information as well as tools to help you check eligibility and find accredited tradespeople:  www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk   Or you can call them on 0800 444202.

Alternatively, if you want to chat to Valerie about this – call 0748 3333 115 or email valerie@caringtogether.org.uk

NHS doctors look to tackle misinformation about coronavirus

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The local NHS has bought together NHS doctors and public health to talk about misinformation about coronavirus on Tuesday 29 September, from 6 to 7.30pm on NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Facebook page www.facebook.com/nhsleeds

The speakers for the evening are Dr Mo Sattar, Dr Andrew Lee, Dr Mizanul Hoque, and Dr Najeeb Rahman. This first session is part of a number of online health education sessions that the CCG will be looking to hold in response to feedback from local people looking for trusted information online.

Dr Mohammed Sattar, GP in Leeds, said: “There’s a lot of misinformation about coronavirus, you hear different things from a number of sources and feel overwhelmed with so much information that you don’t know what to believe.

“The purpose of this Facebook Live session is to explore some of that misinformation, this includes social distancing, how you can reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, when to get tested and myth busting. We want people to hear what GPs and other health professionals are saying to take away that learning, and to share with family, friends and people within their communities.

“There’s so much information on social media, some of it which is true and some of it isn’t. Some of us will take in what’s being said on the news whether this is in England or your home country. However, we need to feel assured that the information we hear and read is accurate and reliable. Having this live session, we’re hoping to uncover some of the information which may be misleading and inaccurate.”

Dr Jason Broch, GP and Clinical Chair at NHS Leeds CCG, said: “By running the Facebook Live session we’re hoping to provide misinformation about coronavirus.

“It’s an opportunity for people learn more and they can submit their questions to the speakers in advance or on the day of the live session. I would strongly encourage Leeds residents to join the session, we can only overcome misinformation about coronavirus if we hear the truth from healthcare professionals who will give advice in line with the current government guidelines. Visit the NHS website which has the most up to date and accurate information about coronavirus.

“Over the coming months we will be looking to deliver more of these sessions, this will include winter health and cancer signs and symptoms, as well as prevention.”

Join the Facebook Live session on Tuesday 29 September, from 6 to 7.30pm on NHS Leeds CCG Facebook page www.facebook.com/nhsleeds

Questions to the speakers can be sent in advance of the live session, they can be sent by email leedsccg.comms@nhs.net or by Facebook www.facebook.com/nhsleeds or Twitter https://twitter.com/nhsleeds

Image may contain: text that says "NHS FACEBOOK LIVE SESSION: MISINFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) -NHS DOCTORS GIVE YOU ACCURATE INFORMATION TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 6-7.30PM FACEBOOK.COM/NHSLEEDS The local NHS will be looking to deliver a few online health education events. The first the series will look misinformation about COVID-19, this will include social distancing how to prevent the infection, when to get tested and myth busting. Speakers: DR MO SATTAR GPinLeeds Leeds DR MIZANUL HOQUE GPi East ondon DR NAJEEB RAHMAN Consultantin Emergency medicine DR ANDREW LEE Reader GlobalPubli Global Healthatt Jniversity Sheffield f LIVE"

NHS Covid19 app launches today

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If you have a smartphone you can now download the NHS Covid 19 app from today. The more people who use the app the more useful it will be and so everyone over 16 in England and Wales is asked to download it.As well as contact tracing, health chiefs say the goal is to change people’s behaviour to make them less likely to catch or transmit the coronavirus.

Apple and Google’s automated contact-tracing technology will be used to tell people to self-isolate if their phone detects they were near someone later determined to have the virus.
But there’s more, including:
  • a venue check-in barcode scanner
  • a postcode-based risk-level checker
  • a symptoms-reporter tool
  • the means to order a coronavirus test and receive its results
  • a countdown timer to keep track of how long to stay in self-isolation
  • a guide to the latest advice on local restrictions, financial support and other related information

There’s more information about the app and how it works here: https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/pdf/introducing-the-app.pdf

You can download it by going to Google Play on an android phone or Apple App Store on iPhones and searching for  “NHS Covid-19”.  Or there is a guide if you need some help downloading it: https://covid19.nhs.uk/help-downloading.html

Unfortunately it doesn’t work on some older smartphones.

I downloaded it this morning and it looks fairly simple to use – Valerie

Would you like to help on the Caring Together Allotment?

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Caring Together has an allotment, complete with raised beds and a shed on Woodhouse Moor.

We would love to hear from members who might like to take part in looking after this allotment.

This would be a good way of getting some outdoors, socially distanced, exercise as well as a source of fresh, healthy produce and gardening also helps to relieve stress – so a positive result all round!

If you are green fingered and would like to take part, or if you are not at all green fingered but enthusiastic anyway, then contact us.

Covid “Enhanced Support” status for Leeds and texts to vulnerable residents

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The Government decided not to put new local lockdown restrictions on Leeds this week but it has been moved up to being an area of concern and to receive enhanced national support to help curb the rise in coronavirus cases.  A statement from Leeds City Council is here :

https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/leeds-people-urged-to-help-city-stay-out-of-further-restrictions

Leeds City Council are texting the most vulnerable residents (on the shielding list) and are asking everyone to take care to protect the vulnerable – and all of us in the city:

 

Your health and accessing NHS Leeds services

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A survey from ‘We are magpie’ – Leeds based campaigns agency.
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They say:
“If you are in #Leeds we’e love to hear your thoughts on your local NHS services. Our survey takes around 5 minutes to complete but could influence health campaigns & services for years to come. http://ow.ly/606b50AyYdd
 
If you are over 16 and live in Leeds please answer this short survey about using health and care services. The survey takes around five minutes to complete and it is anonymous – we don’t ask for your name and nobody will contact you about your answers. By taking part in this survey you’ll support your local NHS develop a health awareness campaign to help people understand which service they should access when they’re unwell or injured. If you change your mind about doing the survey, simply close your web browser. If you have any questions about the survey, please email impact@wearemagpie.com
 
To say thank you, we’ll donate £1.50 to ‘Leeds Cares’ (the charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) for the first 500 fully completed surveys.
 
Thanks for your help!

Face coverings mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July

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The government  plans to make face coverings mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July.

Use of a face covering is not a replacement for social distancing and keeping up regular hand washing.

A face covering is something that covers your mouth and nose. Under the new rules, people who do not wear a face covering will face a fine of up to £100. Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.

Should someone without an exemption refuse to wear a face covering, a shop can refuse them entry and can call the police. If people refuse to comply, police can issue a fine.

For information on how to use a face covering correctly, watch this video.

face covering

Public Transport

The new Government guidance means more people are likely to be using public transport. However, you are still encouraged to use other means of transport where possible. 

Public transport users must wear a face covering when travelling on buses and trains. In line with government guidelines, visitors to travel centres will need to wear a face covering from 24 July.

The exemptions for wearing a face covering in supermarkets and shops also apply on public transport.

Those exempt from wearing a face covering can download an assistance card to help communicate this to staff on bus and rail services in West Yorkshire. You can print them off or take a picture on your phone to show staff.

You should also continue using contactless payment if you can.

Taxis and private hire vehicles

You should wear a face covering when using taxis or private hire vehicles. A taxi driver or private hire vehicle operator may be entitled to refuse to accept you if you do not wear a face covering.

Follow the advice of the driver. For example, you may be asked to sit in the back left-hand seat if travelling alone. You may want to check with your taxi or private hire operator before travelling if they have put any additional measures in place.

Full guidance on face coverings including other exemptions, and how to make your own face covering, is available here.

New localised measures re Covid 19

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The Government has announced that from today (Saturday 18 July) councils will be given specific powers to tackle localised outbreaks. This means the council will be able to intervene to shut down events, premises and outdoor spaces at short notice.

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the infection rate in Leeds is currently low and we have a comprehensive plan in place to keep it this way in order to keep residents safe and support the city’s recovery. Our plan is regularly reviewed and updated to make sure we are meeting our aims.”

To prevent the spread of the virus and the need for localised measures please remember:

  • As part of the NHS Test and Trace, businesses are being asked to keep a record of their customers and visitors for 21 days. You should assist by providing details when asked to do so.
  • Maintain social distancing.
  • Regularly wash your hands and wear a face covering if you’re using public transport.
  • Stay home if you or anyone in your household experience any symptoms and book in for a test.

End of Lockdown? written by Oliver Cross

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Dear all,
AS the national lockdown lurches its way towards a resolution, I realise that the reopening of pubs, restaurants and other places I miss is leaving me less filled with joy than I had expected.

Firstly because viruses can’t be wished away, however much we wish they could,  and second because I think I  might have become institutionalised, which first happened to me when  I was aged about six and which  I wouldn’t want to go through again.

I was admitted to hospital with a big lump under my chin which everybody called ‘swollen glands’, although nobody told me what glands were because it was none of my business.

It was decided that I would have to have the swelling, or maybe the glands, surgically removed, which I’m sure would now be done in a day, but which then required me to stay in hospital for what seemed like half of my short lifetime – maybe  a fortnight or more.

My mother explained to me later that this was due to an administrative oversight – the hospital forgot to discharge me and my parents forgot to ask for their son back.

I was the only child in a men’s ward, probably because, this, being the 1950s, the children’s ward was packed with victims of polio, TB, diphtheria, rickets and other diseases a lot more dangerous – to children at least.

This gave me a special status; I became, for the first and last time in my life, a kind of novelty or ward pet, particularly to the nurses, who must have welcomed treating a patient who felt perfectly well and asked for no more medication than a daily dollop of yeast extract, a thick, syrupy substance once  given to all children to ‘build them up’ and now almost certainly now banned under obesity guidelines.

When things got sorted out I remember sobbing uncontrollably on the way home from the hospital. I had become institutionalised; so used to living on the ward, that I couldn’t imagine life outside it.

Now I wonder whether my unease over relaxing the coronavirus rules is connected with this institutionalisation. Perhaps I have become, over the lockdown months, so comfortable with the present limitations that I’m frightened of moving on from them.

On the other hand, it could be that, having invested so much time and effort into the collective effort to stem the disease, I don’t want to go out into the great wide world and walk straight into a stray coronavirus particle.

Thank you Oliver, until next time….