Blithfield news archive

Covid Testing – December – Where to get Tested in Staffordshire.

Posted on 13th December 2021 at 2:22 pm

Dear Residents

Staffordshire County Council have provided the following Covid Testing dates and locations:

Testing

People without symptoms only:

• Everyone is being encouraged to have regular Covid tests, especially before attending a social event, even if they have had the vaccine.
• You can also find your nearest community testing centre or pharmacist offering testing kits by your postcode at Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)
• Full details of all testing options are available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

People with symptoms:

• People with symptoms should not use a Lateral Flow Test and should self-isolate and book an appointment at one of the national testing sites.
• Bookings can be made at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119
• Mobile Testing Units (MTUs): Two national MTUs are operating across the county. These are national testing mobile centres, but the county council influences where they are deployed.

• The Planned Mobile Testing Unit Rota 11 to 31 December 2021 is as follows (subject to change)

Government Update – Plan B – Covid 19

Posted on 13th December 2021 at 2:19 pm

Dear Residents

Staffordshire County Council have provided the following:

The Government has introduced a range of measures to slow the transmission of the virus with the emergence and cases of the Omicron variant.

The Government has updated a range of guidance in light of these changes:

• HMG – Guidance, Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread. Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. [Updated: 8 December 2021]
• DHSC – Guidance, Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England. How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England. [Updated: 8 December 2021]
• DHSC – Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one – GOV.UK  [Updated: 8 December 2021]
• DHSC – Visiting arrangements in care homes – GOV.UK Sets out how care homes can support families and visitors to visit residents. [Updated: 3 December 2021]
• DHSC & UKHSA – COVID-19: arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event – GOV.UK  Guidance for arranging or attending a funeral or commemorative event during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. [Updated: 2 December 2021]
• DHLUC – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations – GOV.UK Guidance for couples planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England, and venues hosting these events. [Updated: 8 December 2021]

Covid – 19 – Omicron variant – update

Posted on 2nd December 2021 at 12:37 pm

Dear Residents

We have been provided with the following from Staffordshire County Council:

In response to the emergence of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19m and the identification of cases of the variant in the UK, a range of temporary measures to protect public health and prevent transmission of the virus are being implemented from 0400hrs on Tuesday, 30^th November 2021.

These measures include:

o   Face coverings will be compulsory in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport unless individuals are exempt from doing so; but pubs and restaurants are exempt.

o   All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for ten days, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated

o   Everyone entering the UK (other than those coming from the Common Travel Area that covers the Channel Islands and Ireland) will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

o   These PCR tests can be purchased from private providers. Free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose.

o   Ten countries – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia – are now on the UK’s travel red list, meaning that until further notice any British or Irish residents arriving in the UK after recently visiting any of those countries will have to quarantine in an approved hotel for 10 days.

o   Residents from the countries themselves will not be allowed into the UK until the red list status changes.

• The prime minister, Rt. Hon Boris Johnson MP has stated that the measures are temporary and precautionary.
• He also stated that they would be reviewed in three weeks, just before most schools break up for the Christmas holidays.
• In addition, the Covid-19 vaccination scheme is being expanded to include the provision of ‘booster’ jabs to all those over 18
• The administration of a second dose of a Covid-19 vaccination to those aged 12-17 is also being considered.
• The government has stopped short of issuing advice to work from home and extending vaccine passports in England, which are part of its Plan B for winter – a contingency plan if intervention on Covid is needed to protect the NHS.
• Further information will be shared with you in the event of any additional measures being introduced or changes to the existing regulations.

For further information please see:

• Government takes decisive action against new COVID-19 variant – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus pandemic – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

£500,000 fuel poverty fund opens for grant applications – closing date Monday 22 November 2021

Posted on 18th November 2021 at 10:23 am

Help us fight fuel poverty

We are Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distribution network operator for the South West, South Wales and the Midlands. This winter we are launching our new ‘Community Matters’ scheme, a half-a-million pound fuel poverty fund to help families heat their homes this winter.

Tackling fuel poverty is a crucial and immediate priority for us, and as a result, we are calling on local charities, councils and community groups across our network to apply for grants worth up to £10,000 in order to aid their fuel poverty support activities as we enter what will be a challenging winter for many. It is expected that more than 100 grassroots organisations, across our regions, will be supported via the scheme.

The announcement follows the successful ‘In This Together – Community Matters’ fund, which throughout the COVID-19 pandemic received fantastic support from many MPs and distributed funds to a wide range of charities and community organisations. Separately over the past two years, we have worked with partners to deliver £20 million of direct savings for over 40,000 customers struggling to pay their bills.  The new scheme is the first phase of our annual £1 million community fund, which is provided entirely by the company’s shareholders.

To help guide applications, examples of the types of support we’d consider eligible for the fund are:

• Energy tariff/switching advice
• Energy efficiency guidance and products: Insulation installations, updating heating systems
• Grant/discount scheme advice
• Innovation/other to be detailed and impact clearly specified and demonstrated

Applications for the ‘Community Matters Fund’ are welcome from registered charities, community groups and councils within our distribution network area. The application form is available from our website https://www.westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund. We are welcoming applications up to £10,000 but no funding request is too small.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 22nd November 2021. 

Look out for us on social media #WPDCommunityFund.

Covid 19 – Testing and details of Mobile Testing centres 13th – 30th November 2021

Posted on 15th November 2021 at 11:01 am

Dear Residents

Please see information for testing centres:

Testing

People without symptoms only:

• Everyone is being encouraged to have a Covid test twice weekly, even if they have had the vaccine.
• You can also find your nearest community testing centre or pharmacist offering testing kits by your postcode at Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)
• Full details of all testing options are available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

People with symptoms:

• People with symptoms should not use a Lateral Flow Test and should self-isolate and book an appointment at one of the national testing sites.
• Bookings can be made at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119
• Mobile Testing Units (MTUs): Two national MTUs are operating across the county. These are national testing mobile centres, but the county council influences where they are deployed.

The Planned Mobile Testing Units Rota 13^th to 30^th November is as follows (subject to change)

Covid -19 Vaccine – how to book

Posted on 15th November 2021 at 10:58 am

Dear Residents

Please find below information from Staffordshire County Council regarding vaccines.

Vaccinations:

• Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine give you the best protection from coronavirus.
• The county council, together with our partners continues to push vaccination take up for those who have not yet had their first or second dose.
• Anybody who is 50 or over or has had certain health conditions are eligible six months after their second dose.
• See here for more details https://www.twbstaffsandstoke.org.uk/coronavirus/how-to-get-a-vaccine-where-and-travelling

Walk-in Vaccine Clinics for over 16s

• The latest walk-in clinics for the coming days can be found at:  Search – Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site (www.nhs.uk) 

Act of Remembrance -14th November 2021 at 10.45am in St Leonard’s Church

Posted on 11th November 2021 at 11:26 am

Dear Residents

An Act of Remembrance will be held on 14th November 2021 at 10.45am in the churchyard of St Leonard’s Church, Church House Mews, off Lea Lane, Admaston, WS15 3NL

There will be no service at 6.30pm

Have Your Say on Policing and Fire and Rescue In Staffordshire

Posted on 28th October 2021 at 9:43 am

Dear Residents,

We have been provided the following:

This is your chance to have your say on the Staffordshire Commissioner’s proposed priorities as part of the new police and fire plans.

These plans set out Commissioner, Ben Adams’, priorities for the next three years and should result in fewer victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, fewer casualties on our roads, and fewer people who suffer due to fire or the actions of others.

Do these plans reflect your priorities, and the concerns of your community? Your views matter, and the Staffordshire Commissioner’s office want to hear from as many people as possible.

You can have your say on the plans by visiting the PFCC website before the 23rd November:

https://staffordshire-pfcc.gov.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/

How to report a pot hole or any highway issues to Staffordshire County Council

Posted on 18th October 2021 at 10:45 am

Dear Residents

If you want to report a pot hole or any highway issues, to Staffordshire County Council, please use the link below, remember you will need a postcode that is near to the issue you are reporting:

Report via www.staffordshire.gov.uk/reportit

or download the Staffordshire County Council App

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/MyStaffs-App/MyStaffs-App.aspx

Covid – Walk-in Vaccine Clinics for over 16s

Posted on 18th October 2021 at 10:27 am

Dear Residents

Staffordshire County Council have provided the following

The latest walk-in clinics for over 16s can be found at:  Search – Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site (www.nhs.uk) 

Covid – Testing information

Posted on 18th October 2021 at 10:24 am

Dear Residents

Please see below information provided by Staffordshire County Council

Testing

People without symptoms only:

• Everyone is being encouraged to have a Covid test twice weekly, even if they have had the vaccine.
• You can also find your nearest community testing centre or pharmacist offering testing kits by your postcode at Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)
• Full details of all testing options are available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

People with symptoms:

• People with symptoms should not use a Lateral Flow Test and should self-isolate and book an appointment at one of the national testing sites.
• Bookings can be made at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by phoning 119

East Staffordshire Borough Council – Budget Consultation

Posted on 18th October 2021 at 9:58 am

Dear Residents

We have been asked to provide you with the following, in order that you can comment on East Staffordshire Borough Council Budget.

East Staffordshire Borough Council is currently consulting in advance of considering its budget for 2022/23 and beyond and have asked residents to comment by Friday 22nd October 2021..

Please complete the survey https://wh.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=163110133009

Or access via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eaststaffsbc/photos/a.10150515510618635/10158565756453635

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eaststaffsbc/status/1447884020952535045 )

Mental Heath Survey – launched by Staffordshire County Council

Posted on 7th October 2021 at 10:52 am

Dear Residents,

Please see below a survey for you all to complete.

Mental health survey launched

Residents in Staffordshire are being asked to share how their mental health is, in a survey that will influence how organisations approach the issue.

The survey, which has been launched by Staffordshire County Council and local Clinical Commissioning Groups, aims to understand how people are feeling, what has affected their mental wellbeing both negatively and positively, and what can be learnt from how people have been helping themselves and supporting others.

Data from the survey—which will be confidential—will then be used to develop a new strategy, to influence what organisations should address over the next five years.

As well as residents, the county council and CCGs will be seeking the views of professionals, other key organisations, and people currently accessing in-patient mental health care.

County Councillor Julia Jessel, Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Care said: “Good mental health is incredibly important, especially as around one in four people are affected by some kind of mental health issue at any time. The Covid-19 pandemic has also had a profound impact on some people’s mental health, and it is likely to continue to do so. This is why we want as many people as possible to fill in this survey. The more information we have about the state of people’s mental health in the county, the more we can do to ensure maintaining good mental health is at the forefront of everything we do. This is your chance to directly inform our approach to mental health in Staffordshire, so I would urge people to fill in this survey.”

The survey can be found at: https://bit.ly/3mjmagX, and is open until 12^th November.