April 3, 2020

Cumbria Action for Health produces currently a twice weekly Ebulletin (snippet as below). Copies are available on the CVS website:  https://cumbriacvs.org.uk/giving-you-a-voice/cumbria-action-for-health/or to sign up: https://cumbriacvs.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=14485b8df168d9f53c7333767&id=2e4ac33305

Let’s keep the information flowing so that we can all support vulnerable people in the best possible ways at this difficult time.

CUMBRIA-WIDE – NEW information for people using a direct payment during the crisis
DaCE have produced a range of information for anyone who is currently using a Direct Payment and wants to better understand how the current crisis impacts. This is particularly useful for those who employ their own staff. Head to their website: https://carlisledisability.org/coronavirus/

SOUTH CUMBRIA – University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust announces changes to outpatient appointments
From the week commencing Monday 30 March 2020 we will see a mix of patients who are required to attend an appointment in person and some other urgent patients will receive a telephone consultation. This will be determined by your clinician. Patients who do not fall into this category will have their existing appointment postponed.
Unfortunately we have had to cancel a number of appointments. For more information follow the link: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/visiting-our-hospitals/outpatients

CUMBRIA-WIDE MS Society update
Local staff including Angie Stewart will be furloughed from 02.04.2020.  It is hoped that staff will be back in post by end May/beginning June but that will depend on how the current Covid19 situation develops.  In the meantime, if you need any information or help from the MS Society, please email ProfessionalNetwork@mssociety.org.uk This inbox will be monitored and emails will be responded to accordingly.

COUNTY-WIDE – Mental health support for 10-18 year olds
As a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis ThinkNinja app is now freely available to all 10-18 year olds UK-wide for the duration of the crisis.

In addition, ThinkNinja has been extensively updated with specific COVID-19 support content. The new content is designed to bring self-help knowledge and skills to children and young people who maybe experiencing increased anxiety and stress during the crisis.

What the new COVID-19 support brings to 10-18 year olds…
The new COVID-19 content provides an opportunity for children and young people to understand the following:

1. Fears relating to the virus
2. Isolation struggles and how to stay connected to family and friends
3. Worries about personal health and health of family members
4. Coping techniques to use during the crisis
5. Plus many other helpful tips

The new content was created by specialist child psychologists and is now available when chatting to the WiseNinja within the app.

For more information about ThinkNinja and the new COVID-19 content visit https://www.healios.org.uk/services/thinkninja1