People are being urged to have their flu and Covid-19 jabs, as an increasing number of children and adults are admitted to intensive care in the south west with flu.
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in England has risen by 40% in the last week, as cases in the community rise.
NHS Devon’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nigel Acheson said: “In the last week here in the south west, there’s been a steep rise in people admitted to hospital with flu and sadly there has also a steep rise in both adults and children in intensive care units with flu.
People working in frontline health and care jobs in Devon are being urged to have the Covid-19 autumn booster and flu vaccination to protect themselves and the people they care for.
Existing COVID-19 vaccinations do not protect against two highly transmissible new variants which are currently circulating. We are also seeing a sharp rise in the number of people requiring hospital admission across the UK and an increase in the number of colleagues absent from work due to COVID-19.
This year, all frontline social care workers are being offered the free flu and COVID-19...
Do you care for a loved one who is vulnerable to flu or Covid-19? Would the person you care for be at risk if you were unwell? If so, and you are aged over 16, you are eligible for free seasonal flu and Autumn booster Covid-19 vaccinations.
As a carer, whether paid or unpaid, you’re more likely to be exposed to the flu and Covid-19 viruses.
If you care for someone who may be at greater risk, it’s easy to pass these viruses on without knowing.
NHS Devon’s Deputy Chief Nurse, Susan Masters said: “Both flu and Covid-19 can...
The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 has risen substantially over the last month. Around 250 people in hospital have tested positive for the virus, roughly five times the number in early September.
Higher covid rates add to the pressures that already exist in the local health and care system. People across Devon are being urged to support the NHS by helping to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 and flu viruses.
NHS Devon Chief Medical Officer Dr Nigel Acheson said: “Many people will be well aware of the pressures affecting the NHS and will want to do...
People in Devon, who are most vulnerable to flu and Covid-19, are being encouraged to book in for their autumn booster vaccines.
Having the Covid-19 autumn booster and seasonal flu vaccines will help to protect people from becoming seriously ill this winter, which in turn will reduce pressure on the NHS during, what is expected to be, a very challenging winter.
Clinics offering the latest vaccine are being held at supermarkets, sports grounds, pharmacies and places of worship. People in north Devon with mobility problems can also make use of drive-thru vaccine clinics,...
The Moorings, run by Mental Health Matters, is being expanded to offer additional hours of support.
The service provides free mental health support to anyone aged 18 and over from three locations in Barnstaple, Exeter, and Torquay. Staffed by a team of highly skilled Support Workers, the service offers one-to-one emotional support to individuals in mental health crisis, as well as a space for people to access advice, guidance, and information.
The expansion will see the Exeter and Torquay sites offering daytime support (10am-6pm, Monday-Friday) in addition to the out-of-...
NHS England is inviting people from across Devon to give feedback on their recent experiences of using urgent and emergency care (UEC) services.
The survey, which is live from 25th August 2022, asks people about their recent experiences to help better understand what they have accessed, why and what their experience was like.
The survey is easy-to-fill-out and will be live for 6 weeks.
Anyone who has accessed any type of urgent and emergency care over the last 4 years is invited to take part’ however the survey is particularly interested in anyone who may have...
If you’re feeling unwell this Bank Holiday weekend, remember your local pharmacist is on hand to help and can save you a long wait in your local emergency department.
Many people are unaware of the wide range of services available from their local pharmacist and spend time waiting unnecessarily for a GP appointment, minor injury unit or even in busy hospital emergency departments.
Pharmacist Jackie Lewis of Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth said: “Whether it’s sunburn, a bite or sting or an upset stomach, we’re on hand throughout the bank holiday, as always. We can support you...
A new free and confidential digital mental health and wellbeing service for adults is now available across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Qwell (www.qwell.io), delivered by mental health provider Kooth , will ensure that every adult living in the Devon has access to a choice of support to managing their own emotional health and wellbeing.
NHS Devon, working in partnership with Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Councils, has commissioned Qwell to provide all adults aged 18+ with free, anonymous, confidential digital mental health support.
Residents and visitors to Devon are being reminded that if they have an urgent health issue this summer they can access medical advice online or by phone 24 hours a day at NHS111 .
Anyone contacting 111 who needs emergency medical care from a hospital Emergency Department (also known as A&E) will be given direct access to the department. Staff at NHS111 can also refer patients through to Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centres. This will ensure that people get to the right place for treatment quickly and may reduce their waiting times.
