News

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading

Following the Prime Ministers announcement on the evening of 23rd March there are even tighter restrictions recommended in order to try and limit

the spread of coronavirus.

ALL citizens are now advised they may only leave their home for one of the following very limted reasons:

• • shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
  • one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
  • any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
  • travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

Other than those reasons listed above every person in the UK must STAY AT HOME. 

These 4 reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

The full statement from the Prime Minister can be accessed here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020

The full guidance on these new measures can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others

Advice for people at high risk

How to protect yourself if you're at high risk

If you're at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus, there are extra things you should do to avoid catching it.

These include:

• • not leaving your home – you should not go out to do shopping, pick up medicine or exercise
  • stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people in your home as much as possible

Ask friends, family or neighbours to pick up shopping and medicines for you. They should leave them outside your door.

If you need help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food, you can register to get coronavirus support.

Alternatively at risk patients who require additional support are advised to contact the surgery and  ask to be referred to our link worker.

Read the full advice on protecting yourself if you're at high risk from coronavirus on GOV.UK.

Who is at high risk?

You may be at high risk from coronavirus if you:

• • have had an organ transplant
  • are having certain types of cancer treatment
  • have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
  • have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
  • have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections
  • are taking medicine that weakens your immune system
  • are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

If you're at high risk, you will be contacted by the NHS. Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted. 

Patients with respiratory conditions including asthma and COPD  who are wondering whether they are considered high risk can access guidance from the British Lung Foundation. This guidance can be accessed here:

https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus/what-is-social-shielding

Patients with diabetes who need information about how they could be affected can access guidance from Diabetes UK by clicking the following link:

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

Patients with rheumatology conditons are advised to follow the link below for further information and guidance:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19-what-is-it-and-where-to-go-for-information/

Patients on immunosuppressive treatment for dermatology conditions can access further information via the British Association of Dermatologists:

https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/covid-19-coronavirus-immunosuppressive-treatments/

Isolation notes

If you are required to stay at home because of coronavirus and require a note for your employer you can now obtain an isolation note from NHS111 by clicking the link below. 

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

Please note- you DO NOT need to contact the surgery in order to obtain a note for your employer. 

Worried about your mental health?

For guidance and help looking after your mental health during the coronvirus outbreak please access the following services:

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus – Liverpool City Council Support

Are you unable to leave home due to coronavirus? Do you need help?

The Liverpool Good Neighbour scheme will match volunteers with people in need who don’t have anyone else nearby to help with day-to-day tasks.

The scheme is not designed to replace any social care or NHS services you may receive but it can give you additional support.

What tasks can I request help with?

You can ask for help with the tasks you cannot do because you cannot leave home, such as shopping or collecting prescriptions.  

Or you may like to ask to chat to a volunteer on the phone to break up your day and hear a friendly voice.

How do I request help?

You can request help by calling 0151 233 3066. Our lines are open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.

Alternatively, you can make a request by using online form below.

Request help from the Liverpool Good Neighbour scheme

As another alternative you can also contact the surgery and ask to be referred to our link worker.

Coronavirus – volunteer to help

Are you free to volunteer to help someone else?

Are you a community group that already provides help in the community?

The Liverpool Volunteer Scheme has been set up to find volunteers, organisations and businesses that can help, as well as existing groups in the community who need extra volunteers.

Who can sign up? 

We want to hear from you if you can volunteer or if you represent a community group that needs extra volunteers in the coming weeks and months.

We particularly want to hear from community groups and volunteers who can offer help with:

• • tackling loneliness through phone or face-to-face contact, where appropriate
  • prescription collection for someone who finds themselves unable to leave the house
  • community support such as transporting items between foodbanks or helping in a kitchen

We would also like to hear from businesses and organisations that can act as a 'hub' to co-ordinate the work of groups at local level.

How to sign up

Find out more and tell us how you can help by calling 0151 233 3068. Our lines are open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.

Alternatively, you can sign up by using the online form below.

Sign up to the Liverpool Volunteer scheme