Somerton Town Council’s latest statement on coronavirus (COVID-19).

UPDATED – 2:15pm on Monday 30 March 2020

Appeal for care staff to help to meet Coronavirus pressures.

Dear All,

Somerset’s local authorities are working together with health colleagues to protect the vulnerable and help the NHS cope with the pressures and challenges of Coronavirus.

To ensure more hospital beds are available for patients with the coronavirus, hospitals, councils and care providers will be working together to increase the number of medically-well people who can be discharged home or to a residential care home.

This will be happening quickly and safely in the coming days, and many of those leaving hospital will need care support, either at home or in a care home.

Extra rooms have been bought in care homes across the county and at least one redundant care home will be brought back into use. Local authority staff are being retrained to work in care, but more are needed across the care sector.

Somerset’s local authorities are therefore appealing for former care workers to come forward and help further strengthen the system. They are looking for people who have ideally worked in care settings before and have retired or moved into different fields.

These will be paid positions working for care providers, initially Somerset Care, the county’s largest care provider. Refresher training and support will be provided.

The following roles are needed:

• Care home workers who can assists with personal care

• Nurses who can oversee care plans

• Domestic support – cleaning and preparing meals

• Gardeners and property maintenance

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help should call 0300 123 2224.

This initiative is a joint project between Somerset’s Local Authorities, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the county’s two acute hospitals – Musgrove Park in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital – Somerset CCG and Somerset Care.

More than 60 rooms have been bought in existing care homes across Somerset, along with all the spaces in a new six-bed facility in Minehead.

A redundant care home in Yeovil (Acacia House) is also being brought back into operation providing another 40 rooms and there’s potential to stand-up a further 40-70 rooms elsewhere in the county if needed.

Thank you

County, District & Town Councillor Dean Ruddle

UPDATED – 11am on Sunday 29 March 2020

The latest Coronavirus Somerset briefing which can be found on the new site, available at https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/

UPDATED – 17:15pm on FRIDAY 27 March 2020

South Somerset District Council latest briefing on actions South Somerset District Council is taking including:

Supporting the most vulnerable and homeless
Supporting businesses
Creating a new wellbeing hub with emergency supplies for those most in need

As well as news and important links to get advice and support.

SSDC COVID 19 PARISH SHEET 27.03.20 FINAL

2020.03.24 A4_Poster

UPDATED – 8.30pm on WEDNESDAY 25 March 2020

Somerton Community Lifeline update:

A big thank you to all involved in the Somerton Community Lifeline Somerton Town Council Working Party. The effort made to step up and support your local community and most vulnerable is outstanding.

Somerton Community Lifeline has set-up an emergency response group working in partnership with Churches Together, Somerton Good Neighbours scheme and Somerton Town Council to create a group of councillors and volunteers to assist with collection/delivery of medicines, shopping, walking the dog or simply being a voice at the end of the phone, the hub provided by the Etsome Arms is a place for volunteers to obtain PPE and support.

Love Somerton led by Mary Hossack and Laura Briggs have been working hard to set up a food bank from community donations.

New Policy:

Somerton Town Council under the COVID-19 Internal Plan have adopted a COVID-19 Volunteer Petty Cash Policy.

Please click on the link below to view the policy:

STC COVID19 Volunteer Petty Cash Policy Adopted March 2020

Information related to Somerton Community Lifeline:

Somerton Community Lifeline

Help in Self Isolation

Remember to take precautions by washing your hands frequently and staying home for 7 days if you have a fever or persistent cough. If symptoms worsen or persist, or you have breathing difficulties, contact NHS Direct on 111.

We ask everyone to look out for their neighbours.

This scheme has been set up with the help of all the local churches through Churches Together and Somerton Good Neighbours with support of STC

Its aim is to ensure those in “self isolation” because of the coronavirus, can access food and medicines. It is not to give medical help.

If you need medical help contact 111, or your surgery through Ask my GP.

Please do not visit your surgery or A&E unless told to do so.

For the scheme to work we need volunteers who are happy to deliver food and prescriptions. Please contact coordinator Mo Fletcher if you can HELP. 01458 274631 mob 07718 920 198 or email: [email protected]

If you give your contact details, they will only be used for this scheme.

The scheme has a list of emergency numbers, below, given by each church group, that you can ring if you need help getting food or prescriptions.

Each church, with no denominational bias, will hold a list of volunteers who will collect and deliver food and prescriptions. You don’t need to be a church member to volunteer or benefit. Their numbers are in the list below

If you cannot phone, please contact a neighbour or someone else who will pass your needs onto the team.

Be safe – if you receive a message for help, unless you know the person, only pass the information on to one of the numbers below.

If you are calling for help, be careful when you open your door.

Safe Contact Numbers (all 01458):-

273403, 273568, 223094, 253414, 272029, 273653

If you care for someone and need additional information and guidance, please contact Somerset Carers 08003 168 600 (24 hrs)

Etsome Arms

Peter & Sharon at the Etsome Arms offer their space for potential volunteers to meet and use as a hub for shopping deliveries/collections and support.

UPDATED – 11.00pm on Sunday 22 March 2020

From Monday 23rd March, we’ve sadly taken the decision to close our outdoor play areas, to help restrict the spread of coronavirus especially related to cross contamination through the use of play equipment.

Play Area Inspections safety checks are suspended and will not be carried out during this period as the play areas will be closed per government instructions.

We urge people to observe social distancing.

The move follows the closure of pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and leisure centres announced by the government on Friday, and tightening travel restrictions and public health advice

Thank you.

Please stay safe.

Public Health England:

Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK

Updated 20 March 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Note from the Town Clerk:

The Somerton Town Council office will close from Midday on 18th March 2020, due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The office building at Edgar Hall is now closed to members of the public as the council follows government advice, following an Urgent Chairs of Committee Meeting with the attendance of the Chair and Vice Chair of Council, held today (March 17) at 5:30pm through the use of the Adopted Somerton Town Council Delegation Scheme Policy.

This decision has been made, following government advice, to close our office and to limit social interaction. The Council will still continue to operate but within the remit of the COVID-19 Internal Plan.

Our priority is to the members of our community and their safety.

Please find detailed below the Meeting Papers for your perusal:

Adopted COVID-19 Internal Plan March 2020

Delegation Scheme January 2020

Expenditure and Income

Urgent Chairs Meeting with the Clerks Office Draft Minutes 17th March 2020