The NHS in Calderdale have started to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to 5 – 11 year olds.

Go to Frequently Asked Questions

This follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) recommendation that all 5-11 year-olds be offered the covid vaccination to boost immunity and increase their protection against any future waves of Covid.

Appointments at selected community pharmacies and vaccination centres
Appointments are available at selected community pharmacies and vaccination centres across Calderdale and can be booked online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119, free of charge.

Some GP vaccination services offering vaccinations to 5-11s
Some GP vaccination services in Calderdale are also offering appointments for their patients in this age group and will be contacting parents to invite them to make an appointment for their child.

Type of dose
Children under 12 will be offered two smaller doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with at least 12 weeks between doses. Even if a child has had COVID already, the vaccine will still give them extra protection but they will need to wait 12 weeks before getting vaccinated.

Please be aware this is the information as we have it and as provided by the government and NHS.

Calderdale is making plans to offer vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds as soon as possible.

For more information please go to the CCG website https://www.calderdaleccg.nhs.uk/2021/09/17/vaccinations-for-12-15-year-olds/.

Please also find some resources below:

• COVID-19 vaccination guide for children and young people is available please see the link below:
  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1017171/PHE_12073_COVID-19_guide_for_all_CYP.pdf

• COVID-19 vaccination easy-read resources for children and young people are available on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-easy-read-resources-for-children-and-young-people

• COVID-19 vaccination: resources for schools and parents which includes some FAQs https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-resources-for-schools

• National update information – NHS rolls out COVID-19 jab to children aged 12 to 15 – https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/09/nhs-rolls-out-covid-19-jab-to-children-aged-12-to-15/

Please be aware this is the information we have been provided by the CCG

If you have any questions about the vaccination for 12-15 year olds please contact the CCG their details can be found at the bottom of this page https://www.calderdaleccg.nhs.uk/2021/09/17/vaccinations-for-12-15-year-olds/

How can I get a Covid-19 vaccine in Calderdale?

The vaccination for Covid-19 is now being issued in Calderdale.

You will be invited by the NHS to have a Covid-19 vaccine, based on the priority list. Do not contact your GP to book a Covid-19 vaccination or ask when it will be.

To find out if you are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine and to book a test click here

June 2021 update:

COVID-19 vaccines are being offered to:

• people aged 25 and over
• people who will turn 25 before 1 July 2021
• people at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• people with a learning disability
• people who live or work in care homes
• health and social care workers
• people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19

You’ll be contacted by the NHS when you’re eligible.

The NHS is sending invites via text message or letter.

This is the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS and you can really help the NHS to deliver it to those that need it most by doing the following:

• Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine – they will contact you when it’s the right time.
• When you are contacted, please act immediately and make sure you attend your appointments. You will be told when and where to attend.
• Please continue to follow all the guidelines – hand hygiene and social distancing in particular – to control the virus and save lives.

Please be aware, the vaccinations are free of charge. You do NOT need to give your bank details to anyone to secure a vaccination.

What is happening in Calderdale?

In Calderdale all five Primary Care Networks are providing vaccinations from local centres.

In addition, a number of community pharmacies will be starting to offer vaccinations, along with a community vaccination site at Boots, Market Street, Halifax.

Why may my Covid-19 vaccination be outside of Calderdale?

Recently some residents of Calderdale may have received invitations to centres outside of the area for the Covid-19 vaccination.

This video explains simply what will happen, please share this with friends, family and anyone who may need help understanding:

Can I still visit my GP?

All General Practices are having to alter the way they operate during this unprecedented time.

Do not visit your GP if you have symptoms of coronavirus.

Many GP surgeries are currently running a triage service, which means staff may ask you for symptoms. You may be offered an appointment by telephone or online.

Some face-to-face appointments, for example cervical screening tests, may be delayed. Baby immunisations should continue and patients are asked to follow the guidance given by the GP surgery.

What do I do if I want to see my GP rather than having a telephone appointment?

All GP practices are begin urged to move to a triage-first model as soon as possible. This will help protect patients, staff and reduce risk of the virus spreading.

Currently, unless seeing a patient is clinically-required, patients may be offered an appointment by telephone, video or online to support triage and remote management of patients.

This will mean doctors limit the number of patients they come into contact with and reduce the risk of coming into contact with the virus.

After the triage call, a clinician will decide:

• If the patient needs a home visit
• If the patient needs to come to the surgery,
• Or they can attend an alternative nearby practice.

It is important that patients do not walk into their GP practice, whether that’s to make an appointment, hand in a prescription request or to ask about any other enquiries. All patients are asked to call their surgery first.

Practices are also being allowed to delay over-75 health checks, annual patient reviews and routine medication reviews, possibly until October.

How do I order my repeat prescription if I can’t visit the practice to ask?

GP surgeries are being urged to continue offering a repeat prescription service and they may use more online services. Call your GP surgery by telephone to ask what their policy is and what you can do if you do not have online access.

Can I visit a pharmacy to buy medicine if I suspect I have Covid-19 symptoms?

No, if you suspect you have Covid-19 symptoms you should not leave your house for 7 days, or 14 if you live in a household with someone with symptoms.

Medicines like paracetamol or liquid infant paracetamol may be useful if you/your child has symptoms, but you must ask a friend or relative to obtain it for you. You must not have contact with that person.

Should I still attend the hospital if I have an appointment booked?

Yes, however Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust say they will be contacting patients where changes are necessary. More clinics and appointments may be offered via telephone and video.

Can I still go to the hospital for a blood test?

Do not attend if you have Covid-19 symptoms, or anyone in your household has symptoms.

The Phlebotomy out-patient service remains open for patients who require blood tests for immediate patient management. Blood tests such as annual screening should be deferred when government advice is for necessary journeys only.

Appointment only service

To support social distancing in Phlebotomy Departments in hospitals there is an appointment only service. This applies to patients attending for warfarin (INR) monitoring as well as patients attending for venepuncture blood tests.

Only patients who have a pre-booked appointment  will be permitted to enter Phlebotomy departments. This is to protect all patients and especially those who have medical conditions which increase their vulnerability to infection.

The patient appointment phone number is 01484 355765 for services at both CRH and HRI. The lines are open 0900-1600h, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).  Appointments are released seven days in advance of the scheduled appointment time.

When patients phone to book an appointment, they should have their NHS or MRN (hospital number) to hand and specify whether they would prefer to attend CRH or HRI (there is frequently more availability at CRH).

Patients must bring their paper blood test request form when they attend their appointment. Digital images of request forms are not acceptable as we do not have the facilities to print these in the Phlebotomy Department.

Can I visit a local hospital if a family member is there?

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust has revised its visiting times. Click here for the latest guidance: https://www.cht.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/visiting-and-other-ways-to-stay-in-touch/

There is also a dedicated relatives line where family can call to get updates about a loved one in hospital.

Click here for the visiting time guidance at Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trusts (Dewsbury): https://www.midyorks.nhs.uk/visiting-restrictions-

Maternity Services Information

We have been provided with a Maternity Services Update below:

In response to national guidance to help prevent the spread of covid-19, we have felt it necessary to make some changes to maternity appointments and visiting arrangements.

We are very sorry to ask you to do this at such an important time for you and your family, but your safety and that of your baby and your family is our top priority.

Ante natal and scan appointments

• Please do not bring anyone to your appointment or scan — you must attend all your appointments alone to help prevent the spread of infection.

Birth partners

• Always telephone Triage 01924 542069 / 543003 before you come in.
• You may have one named birthing partner with you for the duration of your labour and delivery. The swapping of birthing partners is not permitted
• Birth partners must be well and without symptoms of covid-19. Partners will be asked to wait outside until admission is confirmed.
• If a named birth partner develops symptoms of covid-19 then women can bring a different birth partner, but they too must be symptom free.
• Partners are not permitted to stay overnight in the ward areas.

Visitors

• Only your birthing partner can visit you while you are in hospital or the Bronte Birth Centre at Dewsbury. We cannot allow any other visitors, this will help prevent the spread of infection.
• Children are not permitted on the delivery suite and should not be brought to clinic.
• Women will be discharged home as soon as possible, ensuring it is safe for them and their baby.
• Facetime/Skype calls can be used on your own mobile device to keep in touch with family and friends.

Home births
During these unprecedented times we are working to keep you and your families, and our staff safe. We have therefore taken the difficult decision to suspend our home birth service with immediate effect. We are very sorry if this decision has disappointed you.

We continue to run a full maternity service at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and we look forward to welcoming you to our midwife led birth centre for the birth of your baby.

Your home birth team midwife will contact you to explain how they will continue to support you during your pregnancy and birth through our continuity of carer programme.

If you have any questions please contact your home birth team midwife in the first instance.

Can I still see my dentist?

Do not visit your dentist if you have symptoms of Covid-19.

Dental practices are being urged to reduce the number of routine check-ups by cancelling appointment for patients from vulnerable groups. Others who do not wish to attend can cancel their appointments to reduce the need to travel and have close contact with other people. You should contact your dental surgery to discuss this with them.

Updated guidance given to dental surgeries is that they should not deliver any service to people with potential Covid-19 symptoms or anyone in their household, during the self-isolating period of up to 14 days. This means you may be asked questions when you call to make an appointment.

Patients with urgent dental treatment needs that cannot be delayed, who have Covid-19 symptoms, should be referred to local services which are appropriate. Call your dental surgery or 111 if you think you require this.

Can my dentist strike me off their list if I don’t go for a routine appointment at this time?

Some dental practices require patients to have at least one appointment every 12 months. There is currently no guidance, but due to the unprecedented situation, our office in Calderdale has been told (23 March) it is unlikely anyone will be struck off a dental surgery list if they cannot attend. Patients are advised to call their dental surgery to discuss and book a future appointment.

Can a Covid-19 patient be discharged from hospital into a care setting?

Yes, if a person has had Covid-19 symptoms, no longer has symptoms and has completed their isolation period, then they can be discharged from hospital into a care setting and care should be provided as normal.

If the person has previously tested positive for Covid-19, the hospital will provide the following:

The date and results of any Covid-19 test

The date of the onset of symptoms

A care plan for discharge from isolation

What should a care setting do if it suspects they have a Covid-19 patient?

Care homes are asked to follow social-distancing measures for everyone, where possible, and the shielding guidance for the extremely vulnerable group. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19)

Care homes are asked to implement daily monitoring of Covid-19 patients. They are asked to assess each resident twice a day for symptoms.

A person with suspected symptoms should be isolated into a single room with a bathroom, where possible. Any person with a fever or respiratory symptoms should be reported to NHS 111 for guidance. Testing may be offered following contact with NHS 111.

Care homes are told to instigate full infection control measures to limit the virus spreading to other care home residents and staff.

If the person’s symptoms worsen, and you believe they require hospital admission, this can be done.

Advice for staff who work in a care setting:

Guidance says Personal Protective Equipment should be work when caring for possible or confirmed Covid-19 patients.

For staff who have Covid-19 symptoms they should:

Not attend work if they develop symptoms

Notify their line manager immediately

Self-isolate for 7 days

South West Yorkshire Partnerships NHS Trust has made changes to its services to ensure it is able to continue to support patients with mental health and learning disabilities and support people to limit their risk of infection.

The following has been issued by SWYFT:

All our services will continue to be delivered. To ensure they remain in place:

• We are asking people to stay at home in line with government guidelines
• If you have been asked to attend our service by a health care professional, you must only attend if you or the person you are with does not have the symptoms of coronavirus
• If you are using or waiting to use one of our services we may change how your care is delivered and if we do make a change we will notify you by a text, letter or phone call
• If we do make a change we will offer to deliver the service by telephone or digital technology
• The digital technology we will use for consultations during the Covid-19 pandemic is called AirMid.
• For people who can’t use or access technology there will be a number for you to call to get advice
• Just to let you know we have cancelled any non-essential events, group workshops and meetings for the immediate future
• All our staff are still working, but those who can are now working from home
• Key staff that need to be in services will be observing social distancing rules as set out by the government and Public Health England

Further details on their services can be found here: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/

An easy read guide to looking after your feelings and your body is also now available.

Here are details of other services that can support peopel with mental health needs.

Mental Health Foundation (links below).

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak

NHS – Every Mind Matters – Coronavirus and mental wellbeing

Expert advice and practical tips to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing

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

Samaritans

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

Samaritans – Call free on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website

Crisis support for young people – If you are under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, call Papyrus’s HopelineUK from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends.

Call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41

Text 07786 209697

CALM

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason.

Call 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)

Free, anonymous webchat with trained staff

Visit the CALM website

Calderdale and Kirklees Single Point of Access (adults):

Click here for the latest from the service provider: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/services/single-point-of-access-2/

What is self-isolation, and how do I do it?

Self-isolation

Self-isolation is about protecting others and slowing down the spread of COVID-19. It is very important that anyone who has the virus, or might have been exposed to it, limits the number of people they come into contact with. This is the most effective way of preventing the coronavirus from spreading.

Social distancing

Social distancing can include things like temporarily reducing socialising in public places such as entertainment or sports events, reducing use of non-essential public transport or recommending more home working.

What is social distancing? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hi9-5F2zW4

What is the current government advice about Covid-19?

From Wednesday 2nd December restrictions in Calderdale will change.

The current national restrictions end and will be replaced by a tiered approach to restrictions. Areas with higher levels of COVID-19 infections will be in a higher tier and face tighter restrictions. There are three tiers in the system:

• Tier 1 – Medium alert.
• Tier 2 – High alert.

• Tier 3 – Very high alert.

All West Yorkshire, including Calderdale, will move to Tier 3.

For the latest local guidance visit here: www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/guidance

On 14th October the government has launched their new tier system that places local areas in a tier group with a different set of restrictions per group.

Calderdaleare in tier 2 of local restrictions from Wednesday 14 October.

 We don’t know when these restrictions will next be reviewed. Wear a face covering in areas where it is mandated. Always follow social distancing rules. Do not socialise in a group of more than six people indoors or outdoors. Unless at a school, workplace, COVID-19-secure wedding, funeral or taking part in organised team sports.

The full list of restrictions can be found on the CalderdaleCouncil website :  HERE

On September 22 the government announced a series of new restrictions to try to stop the spread of coronavirus in England.

It is likely the new measures could probably stay in place for the next six months.

What are the latest changes in England?

• Pubs, bars and restaurants to close at 10pm. They will also be restricted to table service only.
• People should work from home wherever possible.
• Face masks compulsory for bar staff and non-seated customers, shop workers and waiters.
• Limit on guests at weddings reduced from 30 to 15.
• Plans to allow fans to return to sporting events paused.
• “Rule of six” now applies to indoor team sports.
• Fines for not wearing masks or following rules increased to £200 for first offence.

Further, local restrictions remain in Calderdale, they are:

• You cannot meet or host people you do not live with in private homes or gardens unless they are in your support bubble.
• You cannot visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of Calderdale, unless they are in your support bubble.

For the latest local guidance visit HERE

Local Measures

On 31st July the Government introduced a range of measures in response to increasing numbers of people with coronavirus in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

If you live in Calderdaleyou now should not:

• Meet with people you don’t live with in a private house or garden (unless they are part of your support bubble)
• Visit someone else’s house or garden even if they live outside affected areas
• Socialise with people you don’t live with in indoor public spaces (pubs, restaurants, cafes, places of worship, shops, community centres).
  At this stage it is expected that these measures will be in place for at least 2 weeks.

UPDATE AS OF 1st JUNE

What is the latest advice for people who are shielding?

As of June 1, government advice for people who are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ is that “people who are shielding remain vulnerable and should continue to take precautions but can now leave their home if they wish, as long as they are able to maintain strict social distancing.”

Strict social distancing means you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping 2 metres apart.
We know that this is really confusing at the moment and we are struggling to get a clear understanding, just like you. Here’s a link to the guidance but we know that this is changing. We want to get a clear picture and as soon as we do, this will be replaced: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

UPDATE AS OF 10th MAY

What is the current government advice about Covid-19?

As of May 10 the government advice (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus) to “stay home” was changed to “stay alert”.

They continue to advise people who can work from home to do so. Those unable to work from home are being allowed to return to work with the following guidance:

Stay at home as much as possible
Work from home if you can
Limit contact with other people
Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
Wash your hands regularly
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.

Do I need to wear a face mask in public?

The government has advised people to wear a face mask in public, which should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably.

There are some useful tips on how to make your own face mask, including with an old T-shirt, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.

How can I get a test for Covid-19?

You can apply to get a test if you’re in one of the following groups:

·         all essential workers including NHS and social care workers with symptoms (see the full list of essential workers)

·         people over 65 with symptoms

·         people with symptoms going to work who cannot work from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers)

·         anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above

·         social care workers and residents in care homes, with or without symptoms, both to investigate outbreaks and, following successful pilots, as part of a rolling programme to test all care homes (see the guidance for care home residents and workers in England)

·         NHS workers and patients without symptoms, in line with NHS England guidance.

*These lists apply to England only.

Guidance says testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.

If you are eligible (as above) click here for the self-referral form: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested