CEV Guide November 2020
Dear Resident,
Earlier this year, you were included on the national NHS list of Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people and asked to shield yourself at home to protect yourself from Coronavirus.
Shielding has been reintroduced in England from Thursday 5th November for a 4-week period. We are getting in touch to let you know what services are available to you if you need them.
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published updated guidance to CEV individuals with important additional advice on how you can protect yourself during this 4-week period. The guidance is now live and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
We have included information and links below to help you to stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home as much as possible. If you have any questions or need any help please contact us at the Hyndburn Hub on 01254 388 111 or enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Food, Shopping and Medication
You may have taken up the offer of a priority slot with a supermarket during shielding. If you did accept a priority slot, your slot should still be available.
If you did not set up a priority slot, you can now do so online or over the phone with the Hub. You will need your NHS number to register so have it handy before you register or call us.
Register for a priority supermarket slot now.
There are seven supermarkets signed up to the priority delivery scheme and you will need to have an online account with your preferred supermarket. More details are available online or by calling us at the Hub. Our Hub team have information about the different offers from supermarkets and we can help you to set up an account if you don’t already have one.
Shopping locally is a great way to contribute to our own community and there are many options to arrange delivery with local suppliers. If you need help finding contact details or need advice, please contact our Hub team.
Hub Volunteers
Our amazing Hyndburn Hub Volunteers are still active and if you need help, some shopping or an errand running, please get in touch and we can match you up with one of our volunteers. The service is free but you will have to pay for your shopping.
If you are struggling to afford essential items or food, please contact our Hub team. We can refer you discreetly and quickly to one of many local support services through our Food Hub network.
If you do not already get your prescriptions delivered, setting this up now means you will not have to make unnecessary trips to pharmacies or risk of running out of medication. Contact your pharmacy for advice on ordering your medication or to arrange delivery. Most delivery services are free and many have apps or online ordering forms.
Find out more about prescription deliveries.
Money and Employment
Some people found when shielding that they could not access their bank, Post Office or building society accounts online and they struggled to access cash and pay bills. Now is a great time to set up online banking and Direct Debits for your essential bills so that you don’t fall behind or make unnecessary trips outs.
Almost all utilities and regular household bills can be paid online, via standing order or by Direct Debit. If you are unsure how to set this up, contact the company or organisation you want to pay or contact your bank.
Get more information on paying bills online.
Mental health and loneliness
We know from experience that many types of isolation can influence our mental health and that loneliness can affect both our mental and physical wellbeing. We also know that there are people in our communities working to combat this and we have a number of partners who can help with support and friendship. If you feel that you need support, please, let us know – we are in this together.
Further help and advice
If you need support, advice or any help please contact our Hyndburn Hub team. We are here to help everyone but especially those who are at higher risk of complications or severe illness if they catch Coronavirus.
Updated 5th November 2020