COVID

New temporary timetable introduced in response to spread of Omicron variant

From Monday 17 January 2022, South Western Railway (SWR) will be introducing a new timetable, which is designed to ensure reliability for customers and cater to key workers, school pupils and those who cannot work from home.

The emergence of Omicron has necessitated the need for a new temporary timetable, with staff shortages across SWR having led to unavoidable short-notice...

Olympian Sharron Davies launches new online training programme

OLYMPIAN Sharron Davies has launched a new health and fitness programme to help people of all ages and abilities in the wake of Covid. The new website will go live in January 2022 and access to the programme will cost less than a cup of coffee a week. People are also being offered the chance to buy one and donate one subscription to charity.

Sharron Davies said: "It's been an...

Where can I get boosted this “Jabuary”?

Cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are increasing rapidly in Devon, leading to a rising number of people in hospital with Covid and causing over 1,000 hospital staff to be off work.

The World Health Organisation recently warned that, while the Omicron variant does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, it should not be categorised as “mild” and...

Long COVID rehabilitation pilot comes to an end

Eight participants taking part in a long COVID rehabilitation pilot, ran in partnership between University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and Plymouth Marjon University, have graduated after completing the 12 week programme.

The pilot, which started in August this year, was designed to help individuals suffering with long COVID build strength and improve their confidence while...

“Get boosted now”, urges new Devon health and care leader Dr Sarah Wollaston

Dr Sarah Wollaston, newly appointed leader of Devon’s health and care system, has urged people who haven’t yet had a Covid-19 vaccine to reconsider, as parts of the county experience the highest case numbers in the UK.

Dr Wollaston, a GP and former MP for Totnes, took up the role of chair of the Integrated Care System for Devon on 1 December 2021 and has been volunteering as a...

GP practices to prioritise urgent care and COVID boosters

Following the Government’s call to accelerate the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, Devon’s GP practices have, at very short notice, reallocated much of their workforce to delivering Covid-19 vaccines over the next two weeks.

This means that GP practices will focus on urgent clinical need and vaccines, and some non-urgent appointments may be postponed until the New Year....

Plymouth people coming together to fight COVID-19 restrictions to bring Christmas to those in need

A group of local people has set out to raise £2,500 to bring Christmas to people in need in Plymouth. The idea was the brainchild of local businessman Paul Shannon who owns and runs Be Unique, a personal training gym in Cattedown. “When I heard that many people who access the Plymouth soup run and Shekinah wouldn’t get a sit down Christmas meal this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, I felt...

‘Wear a mask, get vaccinated and keep your distance’ – how to do YOUR bit to help the NHS in Devon this winter

The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 has almost doubled in the first three weeks of October and is expected to continue rising as cases in the community increase.

This adds to the severe pressures that already exist in the local health and care system, leading health and care partners to remind people in Devon they can play a key role in keeping case numbers down...

It’s not too late to have your Covid-19 vaccine first or second dose

People in Devon are being reminded it’s not too late to get their first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Having both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from Covid-19 and the potential long term effects. After the second dose your chances of developing Long Covid halve; according to a study by King’s College London . It also...

Devon’s health and care system under extreme pressure

Devon’s health and social care system is under extreme pressure due to high demand for services, sustained demand for Covid beds, pressure on staffing and the need for social care exceeding the available capacity.

Pressures are being seen across the system, in mental health care, primary care (GPs) and adult social care as well as our acute hospital trusts.

Dr Paul Johnson,...

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