Supporting North West neonatal families during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month

DESPITE the recent easing of national COVID19 lockdown restrictions, many parents of neonatal babies in the North West continue to face significant challenges in being with their premature or sick baby.

Before the Pandemic parents typically had unrestricted access to their baby 24 hours a day, with neonatal units encouraging full participation in care giving. But in the past 12 months, parental access at many units has been restricted, with parents often unable to attend the unit together, and some having limits imposed on the length of time they can be with their baby.

Restrictions vary from unit to unit and the picture across the UK is extremely varied, with some units continuing to facilitate full parental presence and involvement in their baby's care. Policies have also changed over time, depending on national COVID19 restrictions and local infection rates.

As part of this year's Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, taking place throughout May, Bliss is raising awareness of our new research which shows the devastating impact of these restrictions. Parents whose babies required neonatal care during the COVID-19 Pandemic have told us how they struggled to access mental health support and experienced high levels of isolation.

In a Bliss survey of over 500 parents of neonatal babies born in the past 12 months, 92% of parents said they felt isolated and 69% said their mental health has become worse following their neonatal experience.

Parents with a neonatal experience are already at a high risk of experiencing mental health difficulties, and many parents feel they have not been able to get support for their mental health and wellbeing while their baby is in neonatal care.

Parents are the most important people in their baby's lives and unit access restrictions have had a substantial impact on families. The implications on family bonding and mental health will be felt long into the future.

That's why Bliss is calling on NHS England to introduce a National Roadmap for a return to usual 24/7 parent access on neonatal units as a matter of urgency, and to work with NHS Trusts in the North West and beyond to implement it consistently across the country. Our smallest and sickest babies need their parents at their side to give them the best chance of survival and quality of life.

Caroline Lee Davey is the Chief Executive of Bliss, the UK's leading charity for babies born premature or sick.

Bowl for Health in Sefton

LEARN the basics of bowls with FREE, fun and friendly group sessions. Suitable for complete beginners, with all equipment provided; anybody can join in and no previous experience required! Sessions take place:-

► Crescent Bowling Club (Bootle) � FREE 6 week course starts 1.00pm to 2.00pm, on Friday, 21 May 2021. To book please contact Maurice Sweetman on:- 07772363112 or email:- M.Sweetman@Outlook.Com.

► Hesketh Arms Bowling Club (Churchtown) � FREE 6 week course starts 10.00am to 12.00pm, on Wednesday, 12 May 2021. To book please contact George Hitchmough on:- 07977500131 or email:- Secretary@HeskethArmsBowlingClub.Co.UK.

► Sandbrook Park Bowling Club (Ainsdale) � FREE 6 week course starts 11.00am to 12.00pm, on Tuesday, 25 May 2021. To book your place please contact Dave Ogden on:- 07724042217 or email:- Dave.Ogden8@BTInternet.Com.

Bowl for Health sessions are also taking place across Merseyside - visit:- MerseysidesPort.Com/BowlForHealth for further information.

Customers reminded to look out for their Tax Credits renewals packs

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending out about 2.5 million annual renewals packs to Tax Credits customers from this week. Customers should check their details in the renewal pack and report any change in circumstances to HMRC. The packs will be sent out over the next 6 weeks and all customers should receive theirs by 4 June 2021.

HMRC recognises that many Tax Credits customers will have been affected by the Pandemic and may have earned less money than in previous years. It is important that customers check the details contained in their annual renewal pack are correct, including income details.

Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of their renewal, be reassured it is being processed and know when they will hear back from HMRC. Customers can also use the HMRC app on their smartphone to:-

► Renew their Tax Credits.

► Check their Tax Credits payments schedule.

► Find out how much they have earned for the year.

Tax Credits help working families with targeted financial support, so it is important that people don't miss out on money they are entitled to. If there is a change in a customer's circumstances that could affect their Tax Credits claims, they must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect Tax Credits payments include changes to:-

► Living arrangements.

► Childcare.

► Working hours.

�► Income (increase or decrease)

Customers do not need to report any temporary falls in their working hours as a result of Coronavirus. They will be treated as if they are working their normal hours until the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes. Criminals can take advantage of Tax Credits renewals to text, email or phone taxpayers offering 'rebates' or threatening them with arrest if they don't pay bogus tax owed. Many scams mimic government messages to look authentic.

If someone contacts a customer claiming to be from HMRC, asks for bank or other personal details, threatens arrest or demands that they transfer money, it might be a scam. Check GOV.UK for HMRC's scams checklist, and to find out how to report tax scams and recognise genuine HMRC contact.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 2,685 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,409,631 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- NO DATA within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 127,451, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 151,243.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 1,608. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 227 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 169.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,852,904 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 606,097 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-
Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,455 confirmed cases.
11

► Halton, 11,946 confirmed cases. 10

► Knowsley, 17,373 confirmed cases. 5

► Sefton, 23,917 confirmed cases. 17

► St. Helens, 17,058 confirmed cases. 5

► Wirral, 24,274 confirmed cases.
5

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

33,843,580 13,201,811

Jab Stats correct as of:- 25 April 2021

The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.