DAILY EMERGENCY COVID-19 NEWS
... Important Daily Notices ...

AS This page is to place quick update important notices that are being sent to us from Government and other organisations over the Coronavirus Emergency affecting our country (UK)...  Please remember that the information changes quickly, so always check to see what time and when the last post was made.  We will update as and when we can...  Users of our Formby Reporter's Free Email Service will get most updates 1st and then they will be added on here as soon as we can...  If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.₤

PLEASE ALSO SEE OUR WEEKLY EDITION...
Published weekly, as normal...
Click here to see it!

This page last updated on 15 April 2020 - Easter

Plaza Community Cinema pays tribute to Merseyrail worker

"MYSELF and all the staff at the Plaza would like to pay a little tribute to Brian Boggild who worked for Merseyrail at Crosby and Blundellsands train station who sadly passed away with Covid 19. The tributes and comments by lots of people speak volumes of how nice a man he was, always their to chat and new a lot of his travellers personally. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends, as we do with everyone who has lost loved ones and been affected by this dreadful virus."

New campaign wants you to be:- "Kind to Your Mind"

PEOPLE in Liverpool are being urged to be kind to their minds during the Coronavirus outbreak. A new campaign, Kind to your Mind, led by Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, has been launched that aims to support the mental wellbeing of people living and working across the Region. The campaign also sees the launch of the new ALMA wellbeing online portal that has a suite of mental and physical wellbeing resources that has been exclusively developed for people in Merseyside and Cheshire. The campaign launched on Monday, 13 April 2020 and will run for 6 weeks. To visit ALMA and to find plenty of other resources visit:- KindToYourMind.Org.

Sheena Cumiskey, chief executive of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and lead for mental health in Cheshire and Merseyside said:- "Taking care of your mind as well as your body is crucial. Complementing the launch of this wellbeing campaign are new telephone helplines for urgent mental health support, which will be available in each area of Cheshire and Merseyside. The helplines will operate 24/7 to enable people to receive appropriate and timely support."

Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool said:- "Key workers and members of the public are likely to be feeling stress or anxiety at this difficult time as we make major changes to how we live and work. It is more important than ever that we look after our mental wellbeing and encourage others to do the same. This will help us during the pandemic and aid our recovery."

Cllr Paul Brant, cabinet member for social care and health for Liverpool City Council, said:- "I am very pleased to see the launch of this campaign, it's so important to support people at this difficult time whether they are staying at home, self isolating or carrying out vital roles in helping our most vulnerable people."

A new podcast series covering topics such as:- building resilience, mental health, nutrition, physical activity and sleep will also be released from Monday, 20 April 2020.  Mersey Care NHS Trust has also launched a 24 hour helpline to support mental health assessments away from emergency services. Members of the public who have urgent mental health needs who would otherwise have presented at accident and emergency can call:- 0151 330 7332. The line is open 24/7.

Diabetes UK urges parents to be vigilant during lockdown

DIABETES UK is urging parents not to let Coronavirus fears stop them from seeking medical help if they're worried their child is showing the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Echoing comments made by Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, that the public should; as they always have done; seek emergency care if they need it, the charity is reminding parents of the:- '4Ts' of type 1 diabetes, and reassuring them that if they need urgent help, the NHS is open. Type 1 diabetes is the most common form in children and young people. Butnew research from Diabetes UK has found that almost a quarter (23%) of all newly diagnosed children and young people with type 1 diabetes in England and Wales were not formally diagnosed until they had become seriously ill with diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA is life threatening, but in most cases, preventable. Acting quickly can save lives, so Diabetes UK wants to raise awareness of the common early symptoms of type 1 diabetes, so that children are diagnosed sooner and more safely.  The early signs and symptoms are easy to mistake for a viral infection or other illness, which is why it's so important to be 4T aware.

What are the 4Ts?

► Toilet - Going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies.

► Thirsty - Being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst.

► Tired - Feeling more tired than usual.

► Thinner - Losing weight or looking thinner than usual.

These symptoms of type 1 diabetes are also the most common symptoms in adults, who should equally be type 1 aware, and other symptoms can include:- infections such as thrush, or blurred vision. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes come on very quickly; over a few days or weeks; and need urgent treatment. Without treatment, consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to DKA. DKA can often be treated with insulin and fluids if it is picked up quickly. But the life threatening complication could be prevented entirely if the signs of type 1 diabetes are spotted early. Diabetes UK's analysis is based on the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit Hospital admissions and complications reports 2012 to 2015 (2017). These reports show that each year around 600 children and young people received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis only after they developed DKA; a medical emergency which must be treated in Hospital quickly. While the UK is under lockdown, Diabetes UK has also been hearing anecdotally from clinicians that disproportionate numbers of young people are arriving for urgent care already in DKA, further highlighting the need for people to act, and fast, if they suspect type 1 diabetes.

Dan Howarth is Head of Care at Diabetes UK. He said:- "We know that parents currently have a million things on their mind, and they're doing everything they can to keep themselves and their families safe during the Coronavirus outbreak. But diabetic ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening complication of diabetes. If a child or young person does not receive immediate treatment for DKA, it can lead to coma, or even death. It is vital that parents are aware of the early signs of type 1 diabetes and seek help if they need it. The NHS is open, and the health service is still there for you. The quicker children are diagnosed the less likely they are to become seriously ill. If you spot the signs, please call:- 999."

Information about the signs and symptoms of all types of diabetes can be found here. Find out more about DKA and what you can do to avoid on this link. Diabetes UK has also prepared up to date guidance to support anyone living with or affected by diabetes during the Coronavirus epidemic, which can be found at:- Diabetes.Org.UK/Coronavirus.

Charity shops say:- "Please hold on to your donations!"

THE Charity Retail Association is calling on the public to hold onto their donations until charity shops are able to reopen for businesses and to avoid leaving items outside of closed shops or already full donation banks. This period of social distancing has allowed people time to reconsider the items in their homes; prompting a:- 'spring clear out,' which for many, means filling bags and boxes for favourite charity shops. Charity shops will be reliant on these donations when they reopen.

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association says:- "Charity shops are so grateful that people are setting aside quality pre-loved items in this trying time, and they will benefit greatly once the time comes for them to reopen. Shops are currently closed and unable to take in donations, so please don't leave donations on door steps to be ruined by weather, animals, or stolen. Please keep them to one side and take them to your local charity shop when they reopen."

Mr Osterley reminds us that:- "Leaving items on the street, or beside closed clothing banks is considered fly tipping, and poses a risk to public safety. The overall message from the charity retail sector is that shops are extremely grateful for donations, but would like people to hold on to them until they reopen or to make direct contact with the charity they wish to donate to."

David Roman, Sustainability Manager for the British Heart Foundation adds:- "Once it is safe for us to reopen and start our collection services again, we will be hugely grateful to receive any de-cluttered clothes, home wares, books or children's toys and would encourage everyone to please hold onto any items you wish to donate until then."