Vaccinated young people urge others to come forward for Covid19 Vaccine

VACCINATED young people across Cheshire and Merseyside are adding their voices to the 'Spread the Facts' campaign to show how others can play their part in stopping the spread of Covid19.

A local, independent survey conducted as part of the campaign found that 72% of surveyed younger people in Cheshire and Merseyside agree the vaccination is necessary for a return to 'normal' life.

The survey also uncovered how younger people's lives have been severely affected by the Pandemic, with 46% stating that it had caused a deterioration in their mental health, and 53% saying that lockdown had made them feel alone and isolated.

34% also stated that their physical fitness was worse, while a similar proportion (35%) said they had suffered financially as a result of the Pandemic.

Those surveyed also reported concerns about restrictions returning, with 62% saying they were worried about going back into another lockdown and 63% saying they were anxious about the spread of new variants.

The survey also encouragingly uncovered a strong feeling that younger age groups still know they need to comply with guidelines even after having the Vaccine, with 70% disagreeing that once you have the Vaccine people don't need to follow guidelines.

The 'Spread the Facts' initiative, which originally launched earlier this year, features young frontline health workers sharing their own personal stories and telling young people how they can play their part in stopping the spread of the virus.

As part of the latest phase of the campaign, they are being joined by young people across the Region who have already stepped up to take the Vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.

1 supporter is 24 year old care worker Ellie Longman from Liverpool. After losing a family member to Covid19 and working closely throughout the Pandemic with those most affected, she is eager to share her story about how young people like her can make a difference.  She said:- "I have seen, both in my job as a care assistant and through my own experience with Covid19, exactly how important vaccinations are in helping stop the spread and serious illness due to the virus. I was able to access the vaccination in February due to my job, which involves working with people more susceptible to the harsher effects of Coronavirus, and was happy to go forward for it in order to play my part in protecting the most vulnerable in my community. I would absolutely recommend anyone to go and get the Vaccine if they are able to. I think it's important to remember that, just because we are in the younger age bracket, it doesn't mean we are automatically safe from the effects of virus and, after losing a family member to Covid19, I know the immense devastation the virus can cause to families and communities. Even though I did experience some mild side effects around 24 hours after both vaccinations, they were easily manageable with pain killers, fluids and some rest, which is a lot better than the potential side effects of contracting COVID or even long COVID. At the end of the day, science doesn't lie, and the figures show that vaccinations work in helping to significantly reduce serious illness and deaths due Coronavirus, and ultimately getting back to enjoying life out of lockdown and without restrictions. Before the Pandemic I enjoyed travelling and meeting new people, and I'm really excited to be able to do those things again."

Adam Cureton, 24, from Prenton, who suffers with asthma, has had both vaccinations and is now keen to encourage others to get their jab. He said:- "I've suffered from asthma since I was a child and I know that, while I'm otherwise fit and healthy, catching COVID could severely affect me. So, when I was invited to take up the jab a few months ago, there wasn't a question in my mind about whether I should do it or not. My girlfriend, who also has asthma, is a frontline worker as a trainee pharmacist, so we both feel very strongly about not only protecting ourselves, but protecting our families too. We're all so desperate for life to get back to normal and to be able to do the things we previously took for granted; the Vaccine is our way to do this and hopefully our route out of lockdowns and further restrictions."

Since the vaccination programme was opened up to over 18 year olds, Public Health Chiefs across the country have been amazed at the positive response and are continuing to praise younger people for stepping up in the fight against the virus.

Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool and lead Director for Communications and Marketing in Cheshire and Merseyside, added:- "It is very encouraging to see the high levels of younger people already stepping up and taking the Vaccine to protect themselves, as well as their family and wider community. It shows that younger people understand how instrumental they are in the fight against the virus and are prepared to take action to save lives. Our latest programme of activity for 'Spread the Facts' will continue to speak directly to young people and address any misinformation or misconceptions out there. The young NHS workers in our campaign are witnessing 1st hand the big difference that the Vaccine is making in the fight against Covid19 and are extremely passionate about sharing their stories, so others can understand the real facts and reasons behind why it is so important for all of us to get vaccinated. We should all be incredibly proud of our younger people for stepping up to ensure we can continue on our road out of lockdown and back to normality."

The 'Spread the Facts' campaign, which is a collaboration between the NHS and local Councils in Cheshire and Merseyside, features young people working across the healthcare community in the local area. NHS workers, including:- Young Doctors, Nurses and Support Workers, share their experiences of working throughout the Pandemic.

The real life health care heroes impart facts and recommend simple behaviours that will cut the spread of the virus and stop the spread of misinformation among young people:- SpreadTheFacts.Co.UK holds the facts and signposts to other official sites for further reading.

The Covid19 Vaccine is now available to anyone aged 18 or over. People in Cheshire and Merseyside are also encouraged to take part in regular Covid19 testing, and Home Testing Kits can be ordered at:- Gov.UK.

Those in Cheshire and Merseyside who are struggling with their mental health can visit Kind to Your Mind, which contains a variety of mental health and wellbeing resources, including online therapy and crisis phone numbers:- KindToYourMind.Org.

Independent GP Practice reports worrying Covid Mental Health Crisis in families

AN independent British healthcare company which provides a UK wide GP service has reported a 500% surge in calls and access to its services seeking help on mental health issues.

Cheshire based AKEA Life; which provides an award winning 5 star concierge GP and health service; has seen a large increase in requests from its existing client base as well as new enquiries from clients signing up to its GP and healthcare service for families.

AKEA Life; which is a CQC registered company; confirmed that around 90% of those calls seeking help on mental health issues were doing so as a result of the Pandemic and the compounded effect on the NHS.

The company also reported that it was seeing a very high percentage (around 65%) of those mental health issues coming from younger children and adolescents struggling with the re-integration back into the School.

Ben Paglia MD of AKEA Life said:- "We are absolutely staggered at the amount of calls we are taking specifically on mental health issues relating to the effects of Covid and lockdown restrictions. Rather worryingly is the number of cases involving School children that are suffering with a wide range of issues including agoraphobia, anxiety about returning to School, fear and withdrawal symptoms. Clearly the impact of the Pandemic is having a significant impact on the mental well being of many School children and its serious. We have all seen how truly amazing the NHS is and the pressure that the Doctors, Nurses and healthcare staff have been under tackling Covid. But it is clear to see that the system is desperately underfunded, under resourced and has been at breaking point for many years, Covid has been the last straw. It is no coincidence that both mental health cases and suicide rates are at an all time high. The physiological and psychological toll of the Pandemic has pushed frontline services to breaking point and put many families into crisis."

AKEA Life has seen a huge growth in corporate clients and families joining over the last few months as access to the NHS waiting list for specialist mental health care and therapy can be anything from 6 to 12 months on average.

The company warned that due to the huge waiting list for NHS referrals and therapy that it could lead to an increase in people self medicating or being put straight onto anti depressants and left without the proper support or review for years.

The local GP service across the UK is buckling under the pressure. Doctors and nurses are themselves suffering with stress and anxiety, increased workloads and the pressures that Covid has bought. Patient consultation has been reduced to a box ticking exercise with around 8 minutes per patient. GPs cannot properly assess a person's underlying health issues in this time or look at providing any other form of preventative health interventions.

Ben Paglia MD of AKEA Life added:- "Traditionally private healthcare was seen as the preserve of the wealthy, now it is seen as an essential service that many of our clients are taking out as a 'top up' to their existing NHS health care services and their local GP. Effectively we are providing another access point that can speed up that process of accessing specialist healthcare and treatment. We provide very affordable healthcare for families which means they can get a same day private patient consultation and GP visit to their home or office and immediate referral and treatment for ₤30 per month. This puts the ownership and control of healthcare and well-being firmly back in the hands of the public. Our clients don't have to wait days and weeks for an appointment they get same day consultations and referral for immediate treatment. We are seeing a sea change and a dynamic shift in healthcare provision in the same way that dentistry went through exactly the same shift from NHS dental services to the private sector opening up private practices. For some 1 who is suffering from mental health issues, they simply cannot wait 6 months for a referral to therapy and counselling. The same for children who are suffering with mental health issues. Left unchecked and without specialist treatment, a person's mental health can deteriorate and become a ticking time bomb leading to many more complex issues."

This is echoed by Chartered Clinical Psychologist Peter Dragan:- "Some psychologists have predicted a post-COVID mental health Pandemic, particularly due to many people largely not being able to access support for a prolonged period, or enduring levels of stress and trauma that are either still ongoing, or only very recently beginning to change. Particularly this can come with traumatic bereavement, chronic health problems such as long Covid, job losses and significant life changes. Other psychologists have disagreed with this prediction. But what we do know with some confidence, is that there are a number of groups who have been significantly negatively impacted by the Pandemic, including those who continue to experience long term health consequences from the virus; those who experienced bereavement; people who were already relatively socially isolated; those who have experienced job or financial losses; those experiencing housing insecurity; those working in a front line service; people who lost important coping mechanisms and / or experience reduced access to health services during a time of illness."

Akea Life provides quick, convenient access to quality healthcare for families and businesses. Patients can get the medical advice they need, when and where they need it. The company provides access to a network of 100 GPs, 7 days a week as well as health care staff, counsellors, therapists and clinicians. The company also has its own at home pharmacy supplier.

The service provides quick and efficient access to healthcare:-

► The patient calls Akea Life.

► A Doctor is then rostered to speak to the patient and assess symptoms.

► If the symptoms require, a Doctor can be sent to the patient's home, office or location same day.

► Diagnosis and immediate referral follow.

► Ultimately this means a person doesn't have to visit their local GP surgery, have time off work or waiting to book an appointment days or weeks in advance.

If you need someone to talk to, the UK mental health charity Samaritans is their to listen. They won't judge or tell you what to do. You can call them any time, day or night. Whatever you're going through, you can call Samaritans any time, from any phone for FREE, on:- 116123. Samaritans and NHS have also launched a new confidential support line for NHS and social care workers, within England, on:- 08000696222, from 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week. You can also get more help online at the Samaritans website. Don't suffer in silence!