Call for carers to book Covid19 jab

AS the Covid19 Vaccination Programme continues to make good progress, GPs in Sefton are reminding unpaid carers to get registered and come forward for their Vaccine.  Some unpaid carers may not receive an invitation for their Vaccination if their carer status is not known to the NHS so it's important to ensure they are registered with Sefton Carers Centre who can help with this. Sefton Carers Centre will register unpaid carers and provide them with a letter as proof of their status. Unpaid carers will need the letter before booking their Vaccination through their GP practice. Carers eligible for a Covid19 Vaccine include anyone who is a main carer of someone who receives Carer's Allowance or who is at high risk from Coronavirus from a condition. This includes:-

► Children with severe neuro disabilities (you will be informed by your GP)

► Those who are designated Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (advised to shield)

► Adults with underlying health conditions

► Those who need care because of advanced age.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer for NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:- "Getting the Vaccine is the best way to protect those who you are caring for and yourself from Coronavirus. The life saving Vaccine is safe and effective. If you are a carer, please register with Sefton Carers Centre as soon as possible. This will ensure that anyone eligible for the Vaccination isn't missed and we can continue to protect our local community and the most vulnerable."

Vicky Keeley, chief executive officer at Sefton Carers Centre added:- "Unpaid carers have been under increasing demands and stress as the Pandemic continues. The Vaccination programme is vital to protect vulnerable people and carers. Sefton Carers Centre provides a range of free support, advice, and activities for all unpaid carers on their journey of care. Carers registered with us will receive a letter confirming their caring status as evidence for the Vaccination programme. Free personal protective equipment can also be accessed via Sefton Council until 21 June 2021. We would encourage anyone aged 16 and over in a caring role to register with us and then speak with their GP to make sure that they get Vaccinated."

To register as an unpaid carer with the Sefton Carers Centre, please call:- 01512886060.

If you are an unpaid carer and provide care to someone outside of your household, you can order Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge from Sefton Council until 21 June 2021. To order email:- EmergencyPPE@Sefton.Gov.UK and make sure you clearly mark your email as:- "Carers PPE" or call:- 0345 140 0845. For more information, visit Sefton Council's website.
For more information about the Covid-19 Vaccination visit the NHS website.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation have all been absolutely clear that the Vaccines are safe and effective, and people should go and get their Covid19 Vaccine when asked to do so.

NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG have been responsible for buying or 'commissioning' the majority of local health services since 1 April 2013, when Primary Care Trusts were abolished.

NHS South Sefton CCG brings together 30 member GP practices covering an area from:- Bootle in the South, Hightown in the North and Maghull to the East. NHS Southport and Formby CCG's membership are made up of 19 GP practices. For more information visit:- SouthportFormbyCCG.NHS.UK and on:- SouthSeftonCCG.NHS.UK.

Southport Air Show 2021 has been cancelled

THE 2021 Southport Air Show will not take place this year due to continued uncertainty over large scale events. Anyone who has already purchased a ticket for the show, which was due to take place in July 2021, will automatically receive a full refund within 10 working days. Sefton Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the popular Southport Air Show, despite months of hard work and planning by the authority's Tourism team and partners. While this decision has not been taken lightly, we know that thousands of people visit to see our air show and Sefton Council continues to put the safety and wellbeing of our communities and visitors 1st throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Owing to the large scale of planning and preparations required for an event as large as Southport Air Show, work began in late 2020 with the aim of delivering the spectacular and jaw dropping weekend of aerial displays that is an icon of Southport's events calendar. A number of factors have been considered in the decision, including safety of visitors and staff as well as the availability and quality of aircraft available.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said:- "The decision to cancel The Air Show has not been taken lightly. Keeping our visitors, communities, staff and partners safe remains paramount and is just one of a number of factors being at the forefront of this decision. At this time there is no certainty that the event would be allowed to take place on the scale that such an iconic event deserves. We have also taken the decision to delay the Southport Food and Drink Festival until later this year and will confirm a new date as soon as we can. While this is disappointing news to us all, we continue to do everything we can to bring incredible and amazing events back to our borough and we are working hard towards hosting the British Musical Fireworks Championship (24 September to 26 September 2021) and a rearranged Southport Food and Drink Festival at Victoria Park, Southport."

Southport and Sefton has 22 miles of coastline, with cultural highlights that include Anthony Gormley's Another Place, the most independent eateries and restaurants outside London, plus a brand new food and drink market and lots of outdoor space for you to enjoy safely this summer. To find out more about visiting Southport or Visit Southport's current situation with Coronavirus (Covid19) visit:- VisitSouthport.com.