NHS bosses’ plea to people to stay safe over festivities

Heartfelt advice to protect yourself and others as Covid cases on the rise

HEALTH leaders have issued a heartfelt plea to people across Hampshire and Isle of Wight - help us protect you and your families this Christmas and New Year.

Health and care teams are doing all they can to support patients and drive up vaccination rates as Covid-19 cases rise across the area and health and care services are put under greater pressure.

The aim is to ensure that every adult across Hampshire and Isle of Wight is offered a

Covid-19 booster by December 31.

In the last three days alone 102,700 jabs have been given out – an average of more than 4,270 an hour.

Now clinicians are urging communities to take action to support themselves, friends, family and their NHS:

Top five things they have asked are to

Grab a Covid-19 jab if you are eligible

Socialise safely

Support loved ones to leave hospital in time for Christmas when they are ready to be discharged

Only call 999 or visit the Emergency Department for life-threatening emergencies. For urgent, nonlife-threatening illnesses or injuries visit 111.nhs. uk

Don’t suffer in silence – seek support if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis

John Knighton, medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: ‘It is vital that people continue to come forward over the next few weeks to get their Covid booster and remember it isn’t too late to get your first or second dose.

‘We know first-hand the impact Covid has had, not just on our services, but the people who work and volunteer at our trust as well, so we all need to play our part in keeping each other as safe as possible. Sadly we have seen a number of patients who are unvaccinated requiring intensive care and treatment, but getting your booster significantly helps lower your risk of serious illness or hospitalisation. Our services remain very busy, so please remember to do what you can to help such as wearing a mask and lateral flow testing before going to meet with others, contacting NHS 111 for urgent non-life threatening illnesses and keeping our emergency department free for emergencies.’

Helen Atkinson , the director of public health at Portsmouth City Council: ‘We want everyone to enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations as safely as possible, while remembering Covid’s not over and the Omicron variant means cases are on the rise as this strain is much more transmissible. But if we all follow the guidance, we can all help reduce the spread and protect each other and our essential services - especially the NHS at what is always their busiest time of year.

‘I'd like to thank the people of Portsmouth for all they have done this year to help limit the spread of coronavirus, whether that's choosing to wear a face covering or volunteering to help a neighbour in need. If we keep going and keep looking out for each other, we'll get though the pandemic to happier and healthier times.’

Angela Anderson, clinical director of the Solent Vaccination Programme and Deputy Chief Nurse at Solent NHS Trust, said: ‘We’ve had such an incredible response from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight population seeking their booster vaccine and it’s great to see so many people coming forward to ensure they receive that extra layer of protection against Covid19.

‘We still have bookings available at our vaccination centres before Christmas and from December 27 through to the New Year. I would strongly encourage anyone who has not yet had their booster, or their first and/or second vaccinations to book their appointment now and help keep themselves and their families safe.’

If we keep keep looking out for each other, we'll get though the pandemic. Helen Atkinson