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Social Care and Health.
On this page:
- General information and advice
- Contacting Social Services
- Accessible information and communication.
- Physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Other useful organisations
- Eye Care Services
- Benefits
- Other resources
- Crime, domestic abuse and fraud
GENERAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE.
Essential food and supplies.
Welsh Government advice: https://gov.wales/getting-food-and-essential-supplies-during-coronavirus-pandemic
How to book a test if you have symptoms.
Anyone experiencing these coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature and continuous cough – is able to apply for a home testing kit using the new UK online portal. For further information and a link to the booking website visit:
Alternatively, members of the public can apply for a home testing kit by phoning the free number 119.
People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119.
What is contact tracing?
Welsh Government is attmpting to map the occurences of Coronavirus in Wales and needs your help if you've tested positive for the virus. To find out more about how this is happening, go to https://gov.wales/contact-tracing-your-questions
Welsh Government guidance on protecting vulnerable people (formerly know as shielding).
Vaccination.
What is vaccination and how is it being implemented in Wales? Public Health Wales provides patient information here: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/patient-information/
Guide Dogs advice on vaccination is here (England-focused): https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/covid19/support-for-people-with-sight-loss/coronavirus-vaccine
Advice to health workers on making vaccination accessible [Word document]
Local Health Board Covid-19 pages.
- Aneurin Bevan: https://abuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/latest-official-information-from-the-health-board-on-coronavirus-covid-19/
- Betsi Cadwaladr: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/health-advice/covid-19-patient-advice/
- Cardiff & Vale https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/
- Cwm Taf Morgannwyg https://cwmtafmorgannwg.wales/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
- Hywel Dda: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/covid-19-information/
- Powys https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/
- Swansea Bay https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus-covid-19/information/
Welsh Government guidance for unpaid carers.
https://gov.wales/guidance-unpaid-carers-coronavirus-covid-19-html
Welsh Government links to help and information in Wales.
https://seneddresearch.blog/2020/03/17/coronavirus-constituency-support/
Optometry and ophlamology.
(See Eye Care Services below).
Sight Cymru's Bablin Molik talks to Rhagu Ram about the situation in Cardiff's Ophthalomology cinic in this Zoom video.
Health and behavioural advice.
For advice and updates about the Coronavirus, visit these official websites:
- Official guidance: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
- Symptoms: Online symptom checker for Coronavirus
- Updates from Public Health Wales: latest information
- Public Health Wales and SightAdviceFAQ advice on social distancing etc.
Information in other languages.
Covid 19 videos in a number of languages (for England primarily): http://hawaherts.co.uk/covid-19-advice-in-other-languages/
Also: http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Older People's Commissioner for Wales.
Older People's Commissioner for Wales coronavirus information hub.
CONTACTING SOCIAL SERVICES
If you have any questions about the support you receive from social care such as from your Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired (ROVI) or would like information on such services as meals on wheels, contact your local authority directly:
- Anglesey 01248 752 752
- Blaenau Gwent 01495 315700
- Bridgend 01656 642279
- Caerphilly 0808 100 2500
- Cardiff 029 2023 4234
- Carmarthenshire 0300 333 2222
- Ceredigion 01545 574000
- Conwy 01492 576333
- Denbighshire 0300 456 1000
- Flintshire 03000 858858
- Gwynedd 01766 771000
- Merthyr Tydfil 01685 725000
- Monmouthshire:
- - Monmouth/Usk/Raglan 01600 773041
- - Abergavenny 01873 735885
- - Chepstow/Caldicot 01291 635666
- Neath Port Talbot 01639 686802
- Newport 01633 656656
- Pembrokeshire 01437 764551
- Powys 0345 602 7050
- RCT 01443 425003
- Swansea 01792 315969
- Torfaen 01495 762200
- Vale of Glamorgan 01446 700111
- Wrexham 01978 292066
ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION.
This advice on communication needs has been compiled for health workers in Word and PDF. Additional material from Welsh organisations can be found in Word format at communications_needs_wales.docx
Accessible coronavirus advice.
There is signed information at signhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/
and NHS has the following:
Welsh Ambulance Service.
The following BSL and audio videos talk about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), what it is and why you may see our staff wearing it:
- PPE FAQ’s BSL & English Audio - https://youtu.be/_sYmY0lMhOI
- PPE FAQ’s BSL & Welsh Audio - https://youtu.be/rg2LSOFsqi0
The following explains the new Covid19 Symptom Tracker App and encourages all to download and report their symptoms daily, even if that means reporting having no symptoms:
- Covid App BSL & English Audio – https://youtu.be/U8bvXlWiXwQ
- Covid App BSL & Welsh Audio – https://youtu.be/uyhj_8vy-5E
A wide range of information in Easy Read can also be accessed on the NHS Direct Wales website https://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/easyreads/articlelist/Coronavirus (COVID19)
PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING
- How to cope if you're feeling anxious about Covid-19...
- and looking after your mental health during the outbreak
- and mental health advice for workers.
- Mental health tips for young people (docx).
- Staying fit tips from British Blind Sport.
- Tips (pdf format) for Behçet's patients to manage anxiety whilst at home.
- Guidance for better mental health from rehab4addiction.
- Mental health impacts of remote working (from People Managing People).
Top Five Accessible Mindfulness Apps.
The team at Vision Support has identified their top 5 mindfulness apps:
1) Headspace (seven day free trial, subscription) - Chances are that if you are at all interested in mindfulness apps, you will have heard of this one. Headspace is worth mentioning, however, because of its large variety of features and its colourful, user-friendly design.
2) Moodfit (Free) - This great app allows you to track moods, set goals and complete tasks to help your physical and emotional wellbeing. It encourages a proactive approach while still focusing on self-compassion. It also features a bold, simple design.
3) The Mindfulness App (Free with in-app purchases) - A good alternative to Headspace, the Mindfulness App can be synched with Apple Health for a more integrated way of keeping on top of your wellbeing.
4) Ten Percent Happier (Free with in-app purchases) - Designed ‘for the sceptics’, this is a self-help app that focuses on small steps toward emotional wellbeing. It features a minimalistic interface and is easy to set up.
5) Breethe (Free with in-app purchases) - Now with features designed to help you during lockdown, this app allows you to tailor your wellbeing goals with a variety of relaxing ambient sounds and guided meditations.
OTHER USEFUL ORGANISATIONS.
Age Cymru Friend in Need service.
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/friend-in-need/
Care and Repair "Keeping in Touch" Telephone Support Service.
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak Care and Repair in Bridgend are offering a telephone befriending and advice service to older people who are self-isolating.
They want to help as many older people to get the help and support they need during this difficult time by "keeping in touch" and offering advice over the telephone to help you keep well, feel less isolated and more connected to your community.
If you don't have any family or neighbourhood support or know another older person who could benefit from a "keeping in touch" telephone call, contact Bridgend County Care and Repair on Tel: 01656 646755.
Address: Avon Court, Cowbridge Road, Bridgend CF31 3SR
Email: enquiries@bridgendcareandrepair.co.uk
Web: www.careandrepair.org.uk
Diabetes UK.
Information for people with diabetes, including the impact of Covid-19: www.diabetes.org.uk/
EYE CARE SERVICES.
Welsh Government has issued the following advice to eye care professionals:
- Letter regarding Optometry Practice Services
- Letter regarding process for managing eye care provision
- Guidance: enhanced cataract and glaucoma data gathering pathways
- Guidance: primary and secondary care opthalmic services
Low Vision Service Wales.
Update February 2021.
The start of 2021 sees all of us in Wales continuing to live with the restrictions that COVID 19 inflicts on day to day life. Happily, since August 2020, Welsh Government has allowed all Low Vision Service Wales (LVSW) Practitioners to once again see low vision patients (both existing and new) in opticians practices on the high street (and sometimes within a patients home). All LVSW practitioners have appropriate social distancing, infection control processes and safety equipment in place to ensure that the safety of all is the top priority.
Some things however are a little different than in pre pandemic times. Some parts of the LVSW assessment may now be done remotely (perhaps over the phone). Until we move out of what Welsh Government refer to as the ‘amber phase’ the service continues to try and keep physical face to face consultation time to a minimum in order to keep people as safe as possible. Patients currently also have the option to consent to have prescribed Low Vision Aids sent directly to their home rather than having to collect them from the opticians practice.
The situation with COVID 19 and the WG response continues to evolve and the LVSW continue to work very hard to safely maintain the quality of service and support for our patients that we have always provided in the past.
Should you have any problems or questions in relation to any aspect of the Low Vision Service Wales please contact Donna.martin@wales.nhs.uk
Optometric practices.
All 354 opticians across Wales should now be seeing patients. Some will be operating a ‘locked door’ and ‘by appointment’ policy and will be undertaking where possible ‘remote’ consultations to avoid the need for a patient to have to make unnecessary trips. PPE has been provided to all practices and the highest standards of infection control are in place. Routine Recall of patients started in August to allow practices the opportunity to recall routine (non urgent) patients for their due sight test; however, the prioritisation and scheduling of appointments will continue with domiciliary and low vision services suspended and delivered via individual arrangements within each health board on a case by case basis.
The list of optometry practices can be found here: http://www.eyecare.wales.nhs.uk/home/
If you have any queries, contact Sali Davis, CEO, Optometry Wales on 01443 400796 or email Salidavis@optometrywales.com
Tips on maintaining eye health while Coronavirus measures are in place.
This is a UK perspective, so be mindful that certain advice may require modification in Wales: http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/news/news
BENEFITS
Disability benefits have been affected due to the coronavirus outbreak. The following information has been announced by the Department for Work and Pensions:
All face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits have been suspended for at least three months, effective from 17th March 2020. This will affect new claims for, and existing claimants of, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), those on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), some on Universal Credit, and people who receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. If you have a face-to-face assessment appointment scheduled from 17th March onwards, you do not need to attend and you will be contacted to discuss the next steps and alternative arrangements. Further updates will be available at:
The DWP is continuing to accept new claims for all benefits. Anyone already receiving PIP, ESA, Universal Credit or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, will continue to receive their current payments as normal while alternative arrangements are put in place to review or reassess their claim. You now have more time to complete and return your form.
Personal Independent Payments
Website: https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim
Personal Independent Payments Enquiry Line: 0800 121 4433
Some information here: Temorary Changes to PIP
Attendance Allowance
Website: https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
Attendance Allowance Enquiry Line: 0800 731 0122
Disability Living Allowance (if you are under 16)
https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
Disability Living Allowance Enquiry Line: 0800 121 4600OTHER RESOURCES
Direct Payments.
If you are worried about how Covid-19 affects your Direct Payments, check the following links:
English: https://socialcare.wales/service-improvement/flexible-use-of-direct-payments-during-the-pandemic
For information, here are the generic direct payments web pages:
English: https://socialcare.wales/service-improvement/direct-payments-a-guide
Cymraeg: https://gofalcymdeithasol.cymru/gwella-gwasanaethau/taliadau-uniongyrchol-canllaw
Sight Advice information
https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/independent-living/Covid-19/
CRIME, DOMESTIC ABUSE AND FRAUD.
Live Fear Free.
The Live Fear Free Helpline offers support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Welsh Women's Aid offers a National Helpline for Wales and supports women, men and children. They are acutely aware that the period of social isolation when victim and perpetrator are possibly in the same property 24/7 is exacerbating what may already be a volatile situation. The service is bilingual and they can also offer the services of Language Line if required:
Llinell Gymorth Byw Heb Ofn / Live Fear Free Helpline 0808 80 10 800
Di-dâl. Ar agor 24 awr / Freephone. Open 24 hours.
Hate crime.
If you are a victim of a hate crime, or witness one, contact:
Phone: 0300 3031 982
e-mail: Hate.CrimeWales@victimsupport.org.uk
Web: https://www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk/
Contact:
This page is being maintained by Richard Bowers: richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk. Please send updates and corrections to him.