Community Facebook Group for Practical Information/Support

Message from Penny Short, Community Emergency Co-ordinator:

I have set up a new Facebook Group called Garvald Community for the purpose of providing practical information and support to get our community through this difficult time. It is a private group to enable us to share information which will not be passed on to anyone else other than, if necessary, the Council’s Emergency Planning Team. This is a Group set up by volunteers and is not intended to take the place of professional organisations such as the NHS and Government agencies.

Please join the Group, make yourself familiar with the rules and some information will be posted shortly.

Further information can be found on:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Changes to Newton Port Practices, Haddington – Coronavirus Update

Please note: The same arrangements will apply across all 3 Newtonport practices

Due to the ongoing situation with Coronavirus, we are taking measures in line with guidance shared by Public Health authorities to minimise risks associated with the virus. In order to protect our patients and staff and we are asking our patients support with this.
What does this mean for you?

Appointments:
We are asking all patients not to attend the practice without prior agreement from a member of our clinical team. From Monday 16th March 2020 we want to minimise the number of patients attending the Practice for face to face appointments. This means that all patients are required to contact the practice by telephone to request an appointment, providing details of their need. A member of the clinical team will then phone you back to discuss your need, and wherever possible this need will be met over the telephone. If the clinician deems that you require a face to face appointment, you will be asked some screening questions to determine whether there is a need for a coronavirus assessment. If this is the case you will be asked to self-isolate for 7 days. If there is no risk you will be given a face to face appointment.
Existing appointments:
All pre-existing appointments are being reviewed by the clinical team. If it is deemed that your appointment is not urgent this may be cancelled and re-scheduled at a later date by the Practice. If the appointment needs to go ahead, wherever possible this will take place over the telephone. If your appointment is being cancelled or changed to telephone, our administrative team will contact you to advise you of this. If the appointment needs to be face to face you will be contacted prior the appointment and asked some screening questions to ensure it is appropriate for you to attend the Practice.
Access to the Surgery:
Access to the building will be restricted to the patients who have been invited for an appointment by a Clinician.
Anyone who attempts to gain access to the surgery who has not been invited will be asked to leave the premises.
Only the patient with the appointment will be allowed into the building, unless you are accompanying a very unwell or frail friend or relative.
For children, only one parent/guardian will be allowed to accompany the child.
If you are entering the building please stay behind the marked line at the front of the reception desk.
Prescriptions:
Paper requests for repeat prescriptions have temporarily been suspended, again to avoid the spread of the virus, and you will not be able to collect your prescription from the surgery. Our administrative team will contact arrange to have your prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice for collection. To order a repeat prescription, please either:
Request using Vision Online Services. If not registered please contact the surgery to register for online prescriptions.
We arranging for our web ordering service to be reactivated. This should be available in the next day or two. If absolutely necessary we will accept requests over the phone between 11am and 2pm.

Remember to use the hand sanitiser provided when entering the building or wash your hands in the patient toilets.
Please remain courteous to our staff at all times. This is a very challenging time for us all and we would appreciate your co-operation during this period of uncertainty.
Our priority is the health and safety of all our patients and staff.
Thank you for your understanding
The same arrangements will apply across all 3 Newtonport practices

Message for Morham residents

We know that in this little community you will be looking out for each other and helping your neighbours at a time like this but we want to ensure that everyone has the support they need.

The Morham Resilience Register already exists as a community-wide list of those who have offered to provide help in the event of local emergencies, and those who consider themselves especially at risk. It allows us as a community to ensure we’re kept informed of current coronavirus guidance, and to offer a network of support for those who need it.

This is co-ordinated through the Village Hall Membership, as this facility could become key in any type of emergency response, and membership provides consent to contact. If you haven’t already, please do sign up to be a Member of Morham Village Hall.

We will also use the private Facebook Group ‘Morham-We Live Here’ to make requests for specific help such as shopping and picking up medicines etc for those self-isolating. Morham residents can join this group and to keep an eye for ways you could help. If you are not active on Facebook, you can register to join a response group with your mobile phone number.

Please contact us through the Hall enquiry form:


    Morham Village Hall Enquiry Form:

    Your Name (required)

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    Are you a Member of the hall? Y/N

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    Your Message

    Please complete the form and then click the Send button:

    Keep You and Your Community Safe

    You will all be aware of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Neighbourhood Watch Scotland exists to look out for communities and at a time like this we encourage you to consider ways to keep yourself, your loved ones and those in your community safe, particularly the isolated and vulnerable. We are following the advice from the government and encourage you to do the same: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

    Ways you can protect yourself, your loved ones and your community:

    • Meet with household members, other relatives, friends and neighbours to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
    • If your neighbourhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbours, information, and resources. Alternatively, share phone numbers and email addresses particularly with those who are isolated or vulnerable.
      Consider establishing a ‘buddy’ system within your community to ensure everyone stays connected to COVID-19 related news, services and can receive support safely, such as essentials deliveries.
    • Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications.
    • Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy.
    • Learn how to self-isolate. Guidance can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
    • Create a list of local organisations that you and your neighbours can contact in the event that one of you need access to information, healthcare services, support, or resources. Consider including organisations that provide mental health or counselling services, food, and other supplies.
    • Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbours, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other local authority, community resources.
    • Learn about the emergency operations plan at your child’s school or childcare facility, and your employer’s emergency operations plan.
    • Practice everyday preventive actions including regular hand washing: The NHS provides guidance on how to wash hands: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/. The World Health Organisation provides guidance on basic protective measures: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance on handwashing for families https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/handwashing-family.html

    Garvald Village Hall – Spring Maintenance Day THIS SUNDAY at 2pm!

    Thank you to those who have already volunteered to come and help this Sunday (15th March) with the Village Hall Spring Maintenance day; however, the more helpers the better and the more jobs we can get done!
    There will be tea and cake as a reward for hard work!
    Please contact Sarah, via the contact form below, for more info or to offer assistance!

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      Please click 'Send' when you have completed the form:

      Village Show 22nd August and Seed Exchange 30th May

      The Village Show will take place on Saturday 22nd August. A couple of things to note on the schedule:

      • Show/village bunting: Next year the Show celebrates its 70th anniversary and we think bunting will be required! So this year’s schedule includes 2m of bunting, which can be donated to make a big bunting for next year.
      • Children categories – strawberries: We are having a strawberry planting session outside the hall on Saturday 30th May – all kids welcome to come and plant strawberries for the Show.

      You can see the full schedule at:

      https://www.garvald.org.uk/garvald-horticultural-society/

      Seed and Seedling Exchange – Saturday 30th May

      We are holding a seed and seedling exchange outside the hall on Saturday 30th May (alongside strawberry planting) – watch out for further notice. Bring along spare seeds and spare seedlings to swap/share.