Tag Archives: COVID-19

Podcast explains how you can help ease the pressure on the NHS this winter

As we move into the winter months, the latest NHS Sussex News podcast gives you insight into the service at one of its most challenging times of the year.

On the podcast, Allison Cannon, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Sussex, outlines how you can play your part in easing the pressures on the service at this time of the year.

Allison’s advice covers the importance of eligible people receiving their COVID-19 and flu vaccines and some of the options available for accessing health care this winter.

Allison also talks about how winter pressures impact on the NHS workforce and explains what you can do to help ease those pressure at this busy time of the year.

The podcast can be heard on NHS Sussex’s website. 

It can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Deezer – just search for ‘NHS Sussex News’.

It’s also available to listen to on Alexa smart speakers – to verbally set the command, folk say ‘Alexa, enable NHS Sussex News’, then ‘Alexa, play NHS Sussex News’.

Protect yourself during the festive period with COVID-19 and flu boosters

The NHS in Sussex is calling for anyone who is yet to get their COVID-19 Autumn Booster to come forward and ensure their health is better protected during the festive and New Year period.

The protection from vaccines reduces over time so the booster is being offered to those at greatest risk from COVID-19 to increase their protection during the winter months when viruses spread most easily.

Appointments are available at walk-in centres in Eastbourne and Hastings to make it as easy as possible for you to get the top-up jab, or you can book an appointment on the National Booking Service online, by calling 119 or by following an invitation from a local team.

To date, more than 565,000 people in the county have received their COVID-19 boosters.

People eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine include everyone aged 50 and over and those with conditions that put them at greater risk of the disease, such as people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.

People in these groups are also eligible for a free flu vaccination.

If you have a question about the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme you can contact the Vaccine Enquiries Team at sxicb.vaccineenquiries@nhs.net or by calling the vaccine enquiry phone line 0800 433 4545 (open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).

NHS campaign urges residents to ‘Help Us, Help You’ keep well this winter

Using the right services if you need help, getting your winter vaccinations, keeping active, and having a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home are some of the things that can help you stay well this winter.

Residents are also asked to keep in touch with older neighbours, relatives, and friends that may need a bit of extra help this winter.

To prepare for the expected increase in need for health and care services this winter, NHS Sussex will:

  • Help people get urgent and emergency care as quickly as possible when they need it
  • Increase the number of GP appointments available, and at more times of the day
  • Provide more support to frail people to help prevent them ending up in hospital for care
  • Provide more support to people considered at high-risk of becoming ill to prevent them from getting worse, particularly those with conditions that affect their breathing, heart and blood vessels
  • Prevent more people from ending up in hospital by providing more care at home, or their place of residence
  • Help more people leave hospital quicker when they are well enough to return to their place of residence or go to a more appropriate place to get care

Find out more about the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, along with information and advice about how to keep well this winter.