Coronavirus: find information about local services and updates relating to coronavirus
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (new, continuous cough / high temperature / loss or change in sense of smell or taste), please self-isolate and get tested as soon as you can. Find out how to book a test.
Find out more about the national guidance
If you would like information included on this page please email info@healthwatchrutland.co.uk.
Health and care services
GPs
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital with symptoms of coronavirus. For other conditions or medical checks, etc. phone your GP or look on the website, do not go to the surgery unless you have an appointment. They may arrange a telephone or online consultation instead. Call your GP practice or visit the website to find out. (There is further advice for professionals here.)
Dentists
Dental practices in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will begin opening from 8 June 2020 but patients should contact their practice to check arrangements.
If you need help from a dentist:
- contact your dental practice by phone or email.
- you will be given advice or offered an appointment if appropriate.
- for urgent dental care you can also use the NHS 111 online service.
Leicester Hospitals
Patients are advised NOT to visit Leicester’s hospitals if you have cold or flu-like symptoms or if you have had sickness or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours.
To help protect staff, patients and visitors, as the situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) develops, the hospitals have introduced restrictions to visiting. Full details of changes to visiting arrangements and attendance for pre-arranged appointments can be found here.
Leicestershire Partnership Trust
As a result of the Covid-19 situation, LPT are prioritising the care they normally provide, and some services will be restricted or closed. Patients who are affected will receive letters where this affects them. If you were expecting to attend a clinic in the next few days and have not received a letter, please phone the number provided on your original appointment letter to confirm whether you should still attend.
Check here to see what services are affected
North West Anglia Foundation Trust hospitals visiting and parking
To protect patients and staff the Trust is now restricting all hospital visiting (with the exceptions of Paediatrics, the Delivery Suite and End of life patients. Read more.
Kettering General Hospital
Message to patients and the latest advice about restricted visiting.
Peterborough City and Stamford Hospitals
Visiting restrictions at Peterborough City and Stamford Hospitals will be partially lifted from Monday 3 August after the number of Covid-19 positive patients has reduced. Find out more.
Latest Better Care Together Covid-19 Newsletter
The NHS across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is producing regular bulletins to keep you updated on the NHS response to Coronavirus (COVID -19), although as you are aware, the situation is rapidly changing. Find the latest newsletter on the Better Care Together website. It includes new information about Urgent Care Centre operation across LLR, including Oakham.
CQC
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has now stopped routine inspections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their primary objective is to support providers to keep people safe during a period of unprecedented pressure on the health and care system. In adult social care, CQC inspectors will also be acting as a support for registered managers, providing advice and guidance throughout this period in the absence of a single national body equivalent to NHS England.
Other support that’s being offered by the CQC includes the return of clinically qualified CQC special advisors to the frontline to help with the wider national response; secondments of staff to the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and NHS England. Their customer contact centre expects to start taking non-clinical COVID-19 calls in support of 111.
Rutland County Council
Find the latest local and national coronavirus updates affecting Rutland on the Council’s website. This includes health advice and guidance, changes to council services and events, and support available for businesses and educational.
Local community support, good neighbour schemes and transport
The Rutland Community Hub is open for room hire between 9am and 9pm. Various measures including track and trace information recording, a one-way system, use of face coverings in common areas, and limited numbers in meeting rooms are in operation. The facilities are deep cleaned daily.
The Community Transport Service is operating and can be contacted on 01572 724705 between 09:00 and 12:00 Monday to Friday.
Good neighbour schemes are in operation using volunteers to help people who need help and support during the pandemic with things like shopping, dog walking, gardening and collecting prescriptions and shopping.
Read more on the Council’s website
Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK - You can find your nearest Mutual Aid group here. Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK is a support network for people organising in their communities. Local support groups are not directly affiliated with Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK. PLEASE NOTE: Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK is run entirely by volunteers and not medical professionals.
Crisis helpline launched for vulnerable people without support
Rutland County Council has launched a dedicated crisis helpline for vulnerable people who have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) and have no one to support them.
The crisis helpline is available for all people who are ‘shielding’ and have concerns about their access to food and medicine or they are feeling isolated and require support.
The number to call for help: 01572 729 603.
Voluntary and community organisations
Older people
Age UK have launched a new local helpline to offer practical and emotional support to those over 50, especially those who are self-isolating and live alone.
To contact the helpline, call 0116 299 2239
Our local Alzheimer’s Society team continues to provide information, support and guidance to those who need it. They have suspended face-to-face support for people with dementia but will increase the number of telephone calls to keep in touch with service users to help maintain their wellbeing and guard against isolation.
The national Dementia Connect Support Line. Trained advisors can be contacted via 0333 150 3456 for advice and guidance.
People can join Dementia Talking Point, an online community where people affected by dementia can receive valuable support from people in similar situations.
Carers
Staff from the Carers Centre for Leicester/shire and Rutland are currently working from home to ensure that they can continue to offer a limited service. Phone lines are open and they can be contacted on 0116 2510999
Citizens Advice
Rutland Citizens Advice has suspended face to face advice for the foreseeable future. You can still access advice over the telephone - call 01572 723494 or for online advice visit the national website, www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Scam awareness
Whilst there are lots of people and groups who are doing amazing work in local communities, we need to be aware that there are people who will use the current situation to exploit others for their own benefit. Scams can come in the form of people knocking on your door, fraudulent emails, phone calls, text messages or posts via social media. Fraudsters will attempt to get recipients to disclose personal or financial information or click on links that may contain malware - which then will be used for their own fraudulent purposes.
Find out more on the Rutland Trading Standards page and find a list of scams on the National Trading Standards page.
Two examples of scams are:
1. Breached stay home regulations scam - Fraudulent text messages from GOV.UK issuing fines for leaving homes.
2. Free school meals scam - Fraudulent messages to parents entitled to free school meals requesting bank details.
Detailed counter fraud advice is available online, including from Scamsmart, ActionFraud, CIFAS, TakeFive, Citizens Advice, Trading Standards and the National Cyber Security Centre.
If you receive any such fraudulent contact please report via:
- Action Fraud, 0300 123 2040
- Citizens Advice Consumer helpline, 0808 223 1133
- To report offers of financial assistance from HMRC contact phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
Find advice from other national organisations
Mental Health
NHS phone support service (Leicestershire Partnership Trust) on 0116 295 3060 is for people of all ages across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in need of mental health support. It also support carers, stakeholders and health and social care professionals looking for information and advice.
You can refer yourself for NHS counselling services here
Rutland County Council has launched a crisis helpline for those who have been impacted by Covid-19 and have no one to support them - 01572 729603.
Local sources for help with mental health
Bereavement care and support
It may be helpful to read the step-by-step guide What to do when someone dies created by the government to help you navigate what needs to happen.
Ask your local GP practice, funeral director or crematorium what the situation is locally.
Arrangements for registering the death may have changed temporarily during the pandemic, so check with your local Register Office:
