NHS Sheffield Health and Social Care

Flu Vaccine and Coronavirus
This year, with Coronavirus putting us all at risk,it is essential to get as much prevention as possible against flu.

- if you’re at higher risk from Coronavirus, you’re also more at risk of problems from flu
- if you get flu and Coronavirus at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
- it’ll help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with Coronavirus

The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition. All frontline health and social care workers should also get the winter flu vaccination – including all Personal Assistants (PAs). For the first time, this year, PAs will be able to access the vaccine free of charge from GPs and community pharmacies.

To access the scheme, PAs will simply need to attend a GP surgery or community pharmacy and identify themselves as a PA. If they need to prove they are a PA, they can use and show this letter of entitlement ( to be completed by their employer ).

Changes have been made to make sure it’s safe to have the flu vaccine at GP surgeries and pharmacies. These changes include social distancing, hand washing and wearing protective equipment. It’s important to go to your appointments unless you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus

See NHS’s flu vaccine website for further information.

For people with learning disabilities there is an easy read poster, and easy read leaflets.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Information Update
https://www.sth.nhs.uk/news/news?action=view&newsID=1190

Accessing GP Services
https://www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk/Your-Health/accessing-gp-services.htm

Information on Visiting Relatives
https://www.shsc.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
The service will move to telephone assessment and telephone treatments for all patients seen in primary care. No staff will enter GP practices if they have a cough or fever. If they are fit and well they will continue to work from their GP practice.

Healthwatch Sheffield
Information outlining how to stay safe and healthy and links to associate organisations who can offer specific health and social care support.
https://www.healthwatchsheffield.co.uk/covid-19/

Healthwatch Help Sheet
Getting to Essential Appointments
https://www.healthwatchsheffield.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Helpsheet-getting-to-my-essential-appointment.pdf