Tag Archives: health

COVID-19 or hay fever?

The pollen count has been exceptionally high this summer in East Sussex and, coupled with the rising number of Coronavirus cases, it’s important to differentiate between the two in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Spotting the differences between some of the early symptoms of COVID-19 and hay fever can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the symptoms for each.

Hay fever does not cause a high temperature, you may however experience a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and coughing, sore eyes, itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.

The three main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new persistent cough, and loss of or change to your sense of taste and smell.

How can you help stop the spread of COVID-19?

  • Wear a protective face covering in busy areas, in shops, on public transport and in medical settings such as hospitals and doctor surgeries.
  • Ensure you’re up to date with your COVID vaccines. The vaccines are still the most effective tool to prevent you from getting seriously ill and possibly hospitalised with COVID.
  • Wash your hands and use hand sanitiser wherever possible.
  • Social distance wherever possible.
  • If you feel unwell and think you might have COVID symptoms, stay at home until the symptoms have subsided.

The upcoming Autumn COVID booster will be available to:

  • All adults aged 50 or over
  • Residents or staff members in a care home for older people
  • Frontline Health or Social Care workers
  • People aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
  • People aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
  • People aged 16 to 49 who are carers

Get involved in Shaping Health and Care in your area!

Shaping Health Questions

Your views are central to how we build a local system that promotes and enables good physical and mental health; helps people to help themselves stay well; offers excellent treatment when they do require health or care services; and supports people and communities to thrive.

Our Shaping Health and Care events are your opportunity to come together with a diverse group of local people including patients, Patient Participation Group representatives, voluntary organisations, community groups and strategic partners to discuss how we can best meet the health needs of our local communities.

We are excited to announce our spring Shaping Health and Care events, which will be held in Seaford and Ore. Continue reading

Integrated Support Workers, the journey so far…

Integrated Support WorkersHave you heard of the Integrated Support Workers, or ISWs as they are commonly known?

The role is relatively new, having been created by East Sussex Better Together (ESBT) at the end of 2016, but it is rapidly evolving and expanding. In October 2017 the team were finalists for the East Sussex Healthcare Trust Unsung Hero Award for “working together to improve patient care”, demonstrating the positive impact they are already having on patient care.

We spoke with Magda Barker, Clinical Lead for the Integrated Support Worker Service to learn more about the valuable work of the service, and their next steps. Continue reading