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COVID-19:

For information about COVID-19, please visit:  http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

Message from London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham for the 3^rd sector

13^th March 2020

I’m writing to you about the work we’re doing to support vulnerable residents in the borough. We are currently coordinating a borough-wide approach involving organising welfare calls, meals for residents, shopping trips and other ways that we can help people at this time of uncertainty and worry.

We have a great network of voluntary sector partners in the borough, and are really grateful for the support your staff and volunteers can offer to supplement the work we are doing to look after our residents. Please get in touch with on lisa.henry@lbhf.gov.uk, LBHF’s Strategic Commissioner in Adult Social Care if you can offer any additional support.

The council is also sharing all Public Health England’s current guidance and information with frontline services to explain how to reduce and delay the spread of infection. To view the latest information, which is updated live, go to the home page of the council’s website, and below. www.lbhf.gov.uk

We have a large supply of A5, A4 and A2 posters covering NHS advice on handwashing and sneezing, which we are very keen to share across the borough. You can contact dan.levene@lbhf.gov.uk to arrange to receive a supply.

No doubt you are all also updating your Business Continuity Plan in respect of this virus. Please could you send your updated plan Lisa so we can record and review – we’re here to help.

PHE guidance which will assist professionals in providing advice to the public on how to prevent spread of Covid-19 infection, what symptoms to look for, and what to do if they become unwell in a variety of settings – are here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-guidance-to-assist-professionals-in-advising-the-general-public/guidance-to-assist-professionals-in-advising-the-general-public

Thank you again for all your assistance.

Lisa Henry, Strategic lead – commissioning, Adult social Care

Translated information is available, which has been approved by Public Health England and London Councils:

 Easy read Coronavirus

Coronavirus Tamil 06.03.20

Coronavirus Korean 06.03.20

Coronavirus Farsi 09.03.20

Coronavirus Arabic12.03.20

Business continuity planning for Coronavirus/COVID-19

The continued increase of UK residents developing COVID-19 is a high concern, and will present a challenge if the spread of the virus expands as it has in other locations.  Organisations should have a robust business continuity plan in place, which considers the impact of a reduced workforce – both paid staff and volunteers, on their ability to deliver their services and how they would ensure particularly vulnerable residents will cope should the service be unavailable, reduced or provided in a different way.

For information on what to consider in business continuity planning, please take a look at this guide.  COVID-19 business continuity planning

Additional advice and resources for the charity sector are available from NCVO:  http://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus

Changes to local services

If you are introducing temporary changes to your services as a result of COVID-19, please let us know .  We will post information on this page from local 3^rd sector organisations about these changes, and circulate the information to groups and organisations in the borough.

Volunteer support

It is anticipated that the impact of COVID-19 will have a significant impact on all local services, including the local authority, health services, emergency services, shops, services, and of course local community and voluntary sector organisations.  The Council has a robust and detailed business continuity plan in place, but it may be that volunteer help would be sought to help support and protect the most vulnerable residents.  If such help is sought, information will be emailed to local groups registered with Sobus, and the council will also have information on their website: http://www.lbhf.gov.uk

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