Sussex NHS Commissioners Public Involvement Fortnightly News Briefing on COVID-19

11th September 2020 This briefing will be produced bi-weekly, and is aimed at patient leads, public members, voluntary and community sector (VCS) leads and community group leads in Sussex.

The NHS is committed to keeping our people informed, ensuring that communities have the information they need, in the right format, and at the right time. We know that our patient leaders, VCS and community organisations are all working exceptionally hard to support local people, and that they are key to working together to make sure that our communities have the support and information they need.

Local Focus Changes to social distancing measures

The government announced new measures to suppress Covid-19 on Wednesday 9th September 2020.

From Monday 14th September 2020, you must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than 6 people. This will apply indoors and outdoors, including in private homes.

There are a limited number of exemptions, which are places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues, weddings, funerals, organised team sports and education and work settings. This new limit will be enforceable by law.

You can read further information about this, including exceptions to the 6 person limit here.

For more information on how you can protect yourself and others, please visit Keep Sussex Safe which provides a simple summary of key advice and guidance.

Big Health and Care (Socially Distancing) Conversation: Your experiences of care

As part of the Big Health and Care   (Socially Distancing) conversation, we are asking the public and local community groups to help play a key role in helping us understand people’s experiences of care during the Covid-19 crisis.

We want to make sure that we understand what it has been like for people if they have needed to use health and care services during Covid across Sussex – what has worked well, and what could have been better? If you didn’t access services when you thought you needed to, why not? What changes should we maintain, and what needs to go back to normal as much as possible?

Our second Big Health and Care Conversation theme was…‘Looking after your mental health and wellbeing’, which was held between Monday 10th August – Sunday 23rd August 2020. You can learn about what we heard during this theme in this video from Elaine Colomberg, Head of Participation, Experience and Involvement at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

This is your chance to tell us your experiences, ask questions and share your ideas as we move towards restoring services.

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Over the next two weeks (Monday 7th – Sunday 20th September 2020) we would like to hear about your experiences of care during the pandemic. Do you depend on someone to care for you? Do you care for someone, paid or unpaid, who couldn’t do without you? If so, how did lockdown affect that care?

To feed in your views and experiences, you can:

- Visit the website and share your experience, ask questions, and more!- Email the team at sxccg.involvement@nhs.net or call us on 01903 708411 - Write to us at:           FREEPOST RTUZ-ECYG-ERRK

Attn: Public Involvement TeamNHS Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning GroupHove Town Hall, Norton Road, Brighton, BN3 4AH

- Invite the Public Involvement Team to your (virtual) group meeting for us to hold a discussion to gather feedback – please do get in touch!

Patient Transport Services – have your say

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS) cover all of Sussex, with a population in excess of 1.6 million. Patients are transported via pre-booked journeys to and from health appointments seven days a week, including Bank Holidays. PTS is free at the point of use for all eligible patients and currently provides around 25,000 journeys per month.

In the past the service has failed some patients, the issues were so serious that they were raised in Parliament. This is why it is so important the commissioners understand what is working well and what needs to improve – and the only way they can fully understand this, is to hear from people who use the service.

Healthwatch in Sussex have launched a new patient survey on experiences of using Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services. These ideas will help inform the commissioning of a future service.

Sussex NHS Commissioners, representing Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Sussex, approached Healthwatch to conduct this important piece of work. This service is currently provided by South Central Ambulance Service.

Once they have gathered patients’ views, Healthwatch will be sharing the findings and recommended improvements with the commissioners. Patient’s views will help shape the future of the service which is due to be re-commissioned in 2021.

The survey will be open from 1st to 20th September and people are encouraged to take part by offering a prize draw to win one of five £25 gift vouchers. People are also encouraged to share their individual stories with their local Healthwatch:

Brighton and Hove – office@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk East Sussex – enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk West Sussex – helpdesk@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk

Sussex NHS Commissioners Annual General Meetings (AGMs)The Annual General Meetings (AGMs) for the Sussex CCGs started to take place this week.

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The AGMs are an opportunity to look back on the previous year, as well as look at how we are working now and our plans for the future.

2019-20 was a significant year for our CCGs in Sussex; we started the year as eight CCGs, East Surrey CCG joined Surrey Heartlands CCGs in July and we then merged to form three CCGs in line with local authority boundaries. Legal directions were lifted by NHS England across our CCGs and a new operating model was launched to align the way we work more closely with our system partners.

Improvements in patient care were made, particularly to improve access to primary care, improve the way people are discharged from hospital and how the NHS works with partners to support people to stay and live well.

As we approached the end of the financial year the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and the CCGs have worked with our partners through difficult times to make sure the health and care system across Sussex was able to cope with the urgent demand and local populations got the care they needed at this time of national emergency.

Two of our AGMs have already taken place, and you can watch the recordings by clicking on the links below:

West Sussex on 08 September 2020 from 2.00pm – 3.30pm

East Sussex on 09 September 2020 from 12.00pm – 1.30pm

You can attend the Brighton and Hove AGM on 15 September 2020 from 2.00pm – 3.30pm - please email sxccg.comms@nhs.net to register your place and to receive joining instructions.

NHS Volunteer Responders

The NHS Volunteer Responders scheme is seeking new members in parts of Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton and Hove.

The volunteers support people who are vulnerable because of COVID-19, and anyone who needs to self-isolate as a result of the virus. You can read more about the voluntary roles below:

Community Response Volunteer: volunteers to collect and deliver shopping, medication or other essential supplies.

Community Response Plus Volunteer: volunteers to collect and deliver shopping, medication or other essential supplies for patients with cognitive impairments and or significant vulnerabilities who are shielding.

Patient Transport Volunteer: Providing transport to patients who are medically fit to attend routine medical appointments.

NHS Transport Volunteer: volunteers to transport equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites. It may also involve assisting pharmacies with medication delivery. This role can also help Local Resilience Networks with transportation and delivery of items such as food parcels.

Check In and Chat Volunteer: volunteers to provide telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness.

Check In and Chat Plus Volunteer: this is a peer-support role, provided by responders who are shielding themselves. Regular telephone support and a ‘listening ear’ is offered to clients who are also shielding or experiencing challenges as a result of COVID-19

For more information and to sign up visit the NHS Volunteer Responders website.

To arrange support for yourself or someone you know call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm seven days a week).

Community Matters – Frequently Asked Questions

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The Covid-19 Community Connectors Team have been answering questions from our communities in Sussex about accessing health and care services at this time through the Frequently Asked Questions.

You can read the Frequently Asked Questions via the Clinical Commissioning Groups websites.

NHS Brighton and Hove CCG

NHS East Sussex CCG

NHS West Sussex CCG

Community Hubs

Community Hubs are run through our Local Authorities, District and Borough Councils, and voluntary and community sector partners in East and West Sussex. Community hubs are the contact point that people can turn to if they need extra help in coping with the effects of coronavirus or know someone else who needs help.

The Hubs have been supporting those who are on the “shielded" list by ensuring people have access to food and other support. The Hubs are also a key contact point for other residents who are vulnerable, in order to access wider community support, which may include help with shopping and money advice, but also support with reducing isolation through access to services such as telephone befriending.

Community Hubs also provide a place for people to find out about local volunteering opportunities.

Brighton and Hove Community Hubs

Brighton and Hove Community Support Telephone: 01273 293117 

East Sussex Community Hubs

West Sussex Community Hubs

West Sussex Support Team Telephone: 033 022 27980 (Lines are open 8.00am - 8.00pm)

NHS GuidanceVisiting Hospital Keeping patients and staff safe is a top priority during the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why hospitals in Sussex continue to recommend that friends and family use digital services such as Facetime, Skype, Zoom and WhatsApp to stay in touch with loved ones during their hospital stay, to minimise the risk of spreading or contracting the virus. iPads are also available on most hospital wards for use by patients who do not have a smartphone or other mobile device. While the specific rules on visiting will differ between hospitals - and also between wards - the following principles are being adopted by most hospitals in Sussex: 

One visitor per day for a one hour maximum Visitors must have booked in advance Visitors must wear face coverings Visitors must wear any additional PPE provided by the hospital. Visitors must adhere to the 2m distancing guidance. Washing your hands is one of the most important ways of reducing the spread of the virus.

Please check with your local hospital in the first instance about visiting restrictions:

Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust East Sussex Healthcare Trust

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Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

World Sepsis Day take place on 13 September 2020

Sepsis affects more than 700 people in the UK each day, and kills one person every three seconds across the world. 

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death - especially if not recognised early and treated promptly. Sepsis is the most common pathway to death from most infectious diseases worldwide.

Sepsis – symptoms:

The following symptoms might indicate sepsis: Slurred speech or confusion Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever Passing no urine all day Severe breathlessness It feels like you’re going to die Skin mottled or discolored

Risk Groups

Everybody can get sepsis, no matter how healthy or how good in shape you are, or where you live. Certain people are at an even higher risk. Those include:

Children under 1 Adults over 60 People with no spleen People with chronic diseases, e.g. lung, liver, heart People with weakened immune systems, e.g. AIDS, Diabetes

The first annual report of Sussex NHS Commissioners’ Learning Disabilities Mortality Review Programme shows the rate of learning disability deaths in Sussex is above the national average. In 2018, Sepsis was the cause of seven per cent of deaths in people with learning disabilities in Sussex and the third most commonly recorded cause of death.

If you have a confirmed or suspected infection and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your local hospital or physician immediately.

What are we doing?

Working with the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Academic Health Science Network deteriorating patient programme to support training into care settings to include clinical observations, signs and symptoms and the use of escalation tools

Supporting the management of multiple morbidities via annual checks Working to provide holistic care across systems Promoting the use of easy read information such as the resources below:

o How to avoid Sepsis - Easy Read o Signs of Sepsis and what to do – Easy Read o Problems after Sepsis – Easy Read

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o Purple All Stars performing the song: Check me for Sepsis o World Sepsis Day 2020 - toolkits

Do you have a learning disability? Don't miss out on your free annual health check!   Speak to your GP practice receptionist about being added to the Learning Disability Register.  

Your GP practice will send an appointment for your Annual Health Check.  

At your health check, a Doctor or a Nurse will talk to you about staying healthy and you will have time to talk about anything that is worrying you.  

Ask if you need extra support; like having more time, or easy read information. These are called reasonable adjustments.  

You can find out more about having an Annual Health Check – Easy Read Guide (click here)  

Look out for the Thumbs Up sign in Sussex GP Practices, which shows they are Learning Disability friendly.   

If you or someone you care for has a learning disability, telephone your local doctor’s surgery to find out more about Annual Health Checks. 

National Updates The latest position in terms of confirmed cases of Covid-19, broken down into total UK cases and local areas, is updated daily here.

From Monday 14th September 2020, indoor and outdoor social gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England. There are exceptions for workplaces, schools and occasions like weddings and funerals. You can read more about this here.

The self-isolation period has been extended to 10 days for those in the community who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or a positive test result. You can read about this here.

Information on face coverings, when to wear one and how to make your own, can be found here.

Safer travel guidance for people using public transport can be found here.

Travel advice: List of countries and territories from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate can be found here.

Sussex NHS Commissioners Public Involvement Team In April 2020, the Sussex NHS Commissioners Public Involvement team were repurposed as Covid-19 Community Connectors to support our people and communities across Sussex in accessing health and care services at a time of crisis. The Covid-19 Community Connectors team have now returned to the Public Involvement team, where the team will be working with partners in the Sussex Health and Care Partnership to support the Big Health and Care Conversation. The Sussex NHS Commissioners Public Involvement Weekly News Briefing and Frequently Asked Questions will also now be sent out bi-weekly.

You can contact the Public Involvement Team using the contact details on page 7.

Healthwatch You can also raise issues through Healthwatch, which is an independent body responsible for gathering people’s views of health and social care services. Contact details are below:

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Healthwatch Brighton and Hove:

Telephone: 01273 234 040

Email: info@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk

Website: https://www.healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk/contact-us/

Healthwatch East Sussex

Telephone: 0333 101 4007Email: enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk

Website: https://healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk/contact/

Healthwatch West Sussex

Telephone: 0300 012 0122

Email: helpdesk@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk

Website: https://www.healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk/contact-us

Contact Details If you have any questions, or if you need this brief in an alternative format, please contact the Public Involvement Team:

Email: sxccg.involvement@nhs.net

Telephone: 01903 708411

Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users can use a Video Relay Service (VRS) called SignLive (a free app which connects deaf people to a qualified British Sign Language Interpreter before connecting you to one of the Public Involvement Team). This service is currently available every Thursday from 14:00-16:00. Please contact the Public Involvement team using the details above if this is not convenient.

Let us know what you need to see in this briefing, give us feedback on services and support related to Covid-19 and let us know about issues you are picking up from your communities.

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