News

Leaders across the NHS in Hampshire and Isle of Wight have called on the public to support the NHS by staying safe and using the right service.

Seventeen leaders representing 11 organisations in the area have jointly signed an open letter to residents.

The letter calls on the public to do the right thing, by following the Hands – Space – Face advice and by encouraging family and friends to the same.

In the letter, local NHS leaders say:

“With the development of vaccines we now know we can beat this virus, but we cannot let our guard down. These next few weeks will be the most difficult we have ever faced. The colder weather makes things all the more challenging for us. That is why we are asking for your help.”

They also explain there are a range of NHS services here to support the public, such as 111 online, pharmacies, and urgent treatment centres.

The full text of the letter can be read below or be found here.

COVID-19 cases are rising. Local hospitals and GP practices are busier than ever before. There are huge pressures on NHS services, and we can only withstand those pressures if we all work together.

The […]

After speaking with Healthwatch Portsmouth, Stephen Morgan MP stood up for Portsmouth people struggling to access NHS dentistry or get the care they need in a debate in Parliament on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on dental services

Speaking in a debate in order for the relevant Government Minister to respond and take action, the Portsmouth South MP underlined he is ‘particularly concerned about the recently imposed NHS activity targets’ and the impact this is having on local dental services.

The latest intervention in the House of Commons follows Mr Morgan’s long-running efforts on concerns from constituents and came after hosting a summit earlier this week with representatives from Healthwatch Portsmouth, the British Dental Association (BDA), and the local dental committee.

New targets set by Government could lead to some practices facing steep financial penalties if they fail to hit 45% of their pre-pandemic NHS activity during the current quarter.

According to figures from the BDA, only 43% of adults in Portsmouth have seen an NHS dentist in the 2 years up to June 2020, compared to 48% across England.

During his speech, the Portsmouth South representative spoke of one of his constituents that attempted a DIY tooth extraction, using pliers to relieve […]

Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do.

Following on from the announcement from the Government last night (4/1/21) we have provided a Summary of what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown.

You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.

Who this guidance is for

This guidance is for people who are fit and well. There is additional advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.

Leaving home

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, […]
  

The pharmacies listed in the PDF below should be open as shown. The details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change.

You are advised to contact the pharmacy before attending to ensure they are open and have the medication you require.

Details of local pharmacies can also be found by visiting www.nhs.uk

Christmas and New Year opening times

As the Covid-19 vaccination programme starts to expand, GP surgeries across the area are now starting to administer the vaccine to patients.

Some GP practices across the country, including in Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, have starting to take delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine to be administered to patients.

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine.

GP practices are working together to set up local vaccination centres in surgeries, community centres and other places, to ensure the vaccine reaches those who need it most.

Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight sites going live with vaccination clinics currently are:

• Fareham Community Hospital
• Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke
• Festival Hall, Petersfield
• St Peters Surgery, Southampton
• New Milton Health Centre
• Bursledon Surgery
• Colden Common Surgery
• Badger Farm Community Centre, Winchester
• Kingston Crescent Surgery, Portsmouth
• Carisbrooke Health Centre, IoW
• Solent View Medical Practice, Gosport
• Portchester Practice
• Brune Medical Centre, Gosport
• Brook Lane Surgery, Fareham
• Waterlooville Health Centre
• Adelaide Health Centre, Southampton
• Royal South Hants Hospital (for Southampton Central Primary Care Network)
• Ladies Walk Surgery, Southampton
• Chessel Avenue Surgery, Southampton

[…]

Tier 4: Stay at Home

As Portsmouth has recently been placed in Tier 4, the updated guidance shows what you can and cannot do where tighter restrictions are in place.

This means that you cannot leave or be outside of the place you are living unless you have a reasonable excuse. You cannot meet other people indoors, including over the Christmas and New Year period, unless you live with them, or they are part of your support bubble. Outdoors, you can only meet one person from another household. These rules will not be relaxed for Christmas for Tier 4 – you cannot form a Christmas bubble in Tier 4.

Full guidance can be found here.

Advice for clinically extremely vulnerable

This group is advised to stay at home at all times, unless for exercise or medical appointments, and not to attend work, even if they are unable to work from home.

The updated guidance, which is the same as was in place during November and which clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are strongly urged to follow, includes:

socialising: