Dear John,

🦠 Over the past week, Harrow has seen 332 cases of coronavirus, ⬇️ down 250 cases from last week. Good to see the rate per 100,000 is now 154 in Harrow today; down ⬇️ from close to 1,000 just a month ago. The need to stay vigilant, to wear a mask 😷, wash hands 🧼 & socially distance remains critical though, especially with the emergence of Covid variants. The NHS continues to do surge testing in postcode areas where cases of the South African and Bristol variants have been detected.

📉 In the first week of February, 155 patients were admitted to Northwick Park with #Covid. Encouragingly, this had dropped 35 patients from the last week of January. The numbers in HDU beds had started to ease at the end of January with pressure on critical care beds beginning to ease at the start of February.

🏥 Very urgent non-Covid operations eg for cancer patients are still taking place but off site at the Royal Marsden, Clementine Churchill or London Clinic, and ‘non-complex’ operations are still taking place at Central Middlesex too (though clearly there’s a growing backlog).

💉 Over 13 million people across the country have now received the first dose of the vaccine with over 90% of the top four priorities completed in Harrow, Priority Group 5 - 65+ has started this week, with the expectation to jab all over 50s by May. Harrow has fared exceptionally well in comparison to many boroughs across London and the national vaccination programme, continues to provide some light at the end of this long tunnel. Another huge thank you to the GPs, doctors, nurses, administrators, many volunteers and everyone in between helping to roll this out.

🚨 To ensure everyone has been offered the opportunity to have the jab, people aged 70 & over who have not yet been vaccinated and who would like to, are now able to contact the national booking service directly to arrange an appointment. People can go online - www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119.

👏 Our NHS staff at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust & across the borough continue to do a quite remarkable job for us; quietly supported by Metropolitan Police Service officers, London Fire Brigade, the Armed Forces, Harrow Council staff & numerous others. A huge huge thank you to them all.

🧪 If you feel fine and are leaving the house on a regular basis – be sure to get a free rapid test and help stop the asymptomatic spread. Rapid test centres are opening across Harrow and have stopped hundreds of people from spreading Coronavirus so far. 1 in 3 people with Covid do not display any symptoms & mobile units across Harrow have already identified hundreds of people who did not know they were Covid positive. Book a free rapid test at the Beacon Centre, St Ann’s Shopping Centre, Harrow Arts Centre, Harrow Civic Centre, or Shree Swaminarayan Temple Stanmore, open 7 days a week.

Book a test: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/test

My thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of those who have died, and with those who have contracted the virus. Again, I can only begin to imagine the sense of fear and loss families must be feeling. 

I hope readers continue to stay safe, socially distance and regularly check in on loved ones.  Again, people are being urged to remain vigilant for any symptoms of Covid-19 If you're feeling unwell with any of the symptoms of Covid, a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a loss of or change to taste or smell, it's vital that you get tested. 

The response to Coronavirus is being directed by Government centrally working with Public Health England, the Government’s advice is available here. Government assistance specifically for businesses  is available here.  

A reminder that if you need to get in touch about the issues covered here – or anything else – please contact my office on 0207 219 4243 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Please bear with us, as we have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent months.

Vaccination Stats for Priority Groups 💉

Stats from our local NHS, on the progress being made to vaccinate the top 4 priority groups in Harrow as of last Friday: 

🔴 Priority 1 - Residents and staff in a care home for older adults - 85% of patients in older peoples care homes have received first dose vaccinations, with over 55% of staff having received doses too.

🔴 Priority 2 - Frontline Health & social care workers and aged 80+. 85% of people or 7385 people aged 80 and over have had a first dose, with 22.47% of people or 2602 people having received their 2nd dose.

🔴 Priority 3 - Aged 75-79. 90% or 6360 people aged 75-79 have received the first dose vaccination in Harrow.

🔴 Priority 4 - Aged 70-74 and Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals – 88% or 8,254 people of those aged 70-74 have received the first dose. The NHS has identified those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and to date 68.7% of this group or 3557 people have been vaccinated with the remainder being actively invited for an appointment this week.

Red-List Travel

Travel restrictions came into place this week, placing heavy penalties on arrivals not abiding by Government regulations. Anyone entering the UK must have a negative test taken before quarantining for 10 days - then taking a test on day 2 and day 8 – as well as filling in a passenger locator form. New measures also mean that those arriving into the UK from a ‘red list’ country will have to stay at a Managed Quarantine Facility upon arrival. Full details are available on Gov.uk. Travel bans are in place with the below “red list” of 33 countries mainly made up of countries from South America and southern Africa. Labour have been calling for comprehensive hotel quarantine on arrival but nearly six days on from the arrival of the South African variant, the action to secure borders is long overdue.

Grims Dyke Vaccination Centre

It was my pleasure to visit Grim's Dyke Vaccination Centre, Harrow’s newest 💉 centre at Grim’s Dyke Golf Club. Anyone aged 70 and over, or who are on the Shielded Patients List, are now able to use the National Booking System to book an appointment without first needing a letter, provided they are registered with a GP. This can be arranged via www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where you can then choose a time slot and location that suits you. Those not online can call 📞 119 to book a slot, free-of-charge, between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

The phone line can get very busy, so people may choose to ring later in the day, when its less busy. British Sign Language, text relay and interpreter services are available. Please share this information or assist someone that might be unable to make a booking themselves.

If you live in the north of Harrow, definitely consider booking an appointment at the Grims Dyke Golf Club ⛳ when you’re able to.

A message from Healthwatch Harrow:

We are getting in touch to let you know that Healthwatch Harrow have just launched their latest resident survey.

The short survey is all about the impact of Covid-19 on Harrow residents’ mental health and wellbeing. So if you live in Harrow and would like to share your views (anonymously), please do complete the survey on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZRMDLPS

Finding Support

The renewed lockdown measures will have created anxiety and stress for many. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you are worried about your mental health:  Samaritans: 116 123, CALM: 0800 58 58 58, Young Minds:0800 018 2138, The Mix (under 25s): 0808 808 4994, Harrow Council also encourage calling the Coronavirus Hotline: 0208 901 2698

Harrow Talking Therapies

If you're anxious, feeling low or stressed about the impact of the virus on you or loved ones, Harrow Talking Therapies Service is here to help.

Part of the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy service, it supports people feeling isolated or worrying about what's going on, as well those dealing with depression, bereavement and insomnia. 

Available via phone or video call: https://talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/harrow

Coronavirus Hotline

The council continues to operate a hotline telephone number during weekends in order to provide support to those in need of assistance in Harrow - if you are in need of support due to Covid please give the hotline a call - 0208 901 2698

Guide to Tax Debt and Mental Health​

https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-refunds/uk-tax-refund-advice/tax-debt-and-mental-health/

Some of the topics in the above guide to tax debt and mental health will be of support to constituents, in order to:

Understand the impact of debt to mental health - the different kinds of debt (e.g. tax debt) and how they can be a key source of stress, depression, and anxiety if not planned and managed properly.

Advice for dealing with debt such as setting up a Debt Management Plan or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), qualifying for a Debt Relief Order (DRO), or even filing bankruptcy to get some protection and keep life essentials like pension savings safe from creditors.

What to do if debt problems begin affecting your mental health. This includes recognizing the symptoms and early warning signs of mental health problems associated with debt as well as advice on where to turn to for help and support.

Other useful information and resources, including debt charities and organisations that are dedicated to helping people conquer their debt problems.

Support for Domestic Abuse Victims

Anyone that is experiencing domestic abuse can now go into a Boots or an independent chemist and seek help. If they say the codeword ‘ANI’ (pronounced Annie), they’ll be taken to a private room and asked if they want to call 999 or a domestic abuse helpline. ANI stands for Action Needed Immediately.

📞National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

📞Respect helpline for male victims of abuse 0808 8010327

Firm Foundation

Due to COVID - FirmFoundation have suspended drop-in facilities. If you are homeless and rough sleeping, you can call Streetlink on 0300 5000 914. Ring Harrow Council on 020 8424 1093 – you can also contact FirmFoundation through the Contact Us page on their website or call the office on 02084265515.

Fresh Horizons CND

The Fresh Horizons CND charity based in Wembley has supported accommodation available for the single homeless in Harrow during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions. If you or someone you know is in need of supported accommodation, Fresh Horizons can be contacted by telephone at 0300 321 4702 or via email at [email protected]

Support for children and young people

Harrow Council, Harrow CCG, and Young Harrow Foundation have put together a joint document signposting residents to a collection of some of the most helpful and trusted sources of information and guidance for children and young people’s wellbeing.

For young people (high school and college age), the document ‘looking after ourselves’ can be found here – covering how to stay healthy, stay connected and learn new skills during this time.

Support and online resources for the family

Harrow Council have collected a range of online resources  for all members of the family to keep entertained while libraries are closed. You will be able to find resource to help with homework, eBooks, newspapers and magazines and keeping yourself healthy and motivated.

Counselling services and mental health support

•       5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing   - A fantastic primer on stress, anxiety and depression from the NHS. Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

·       Relate Family Mediation  - a service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis. Tel: 0300 0032324 or email i[email protected].

·       DAWN  - provide a counselling service to the local community of Harrow and its neighbouring boroughs. Tel: 020 8427 6796 or email: [email protected]

·       Need To Talk  - offering 1 to 1 counselling supporting their clients or any client by telephone or webcam. Tel: call/ text on 07427548559 or email [email protected]

·       Ignite Trust   - During these challenging and uncertain times, Ignite Trust is working hard to ensure they continue to provide support to the boroughs most vulnerable and at-risk young people. Email [email protected].

·        Every Mind Matters - Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Harrow Council

The council has a webpage covering their own response to the coronavirus pandemic, this is regularly being updated and is available here.  

Book a free test online or call 119

😷 Getting tested at a local testing centre: 🧪

Feel Fine? Get Tested

Rapid test centres are opening across Harrow and have stopped hundreds of people from spreading Coronavirus so far. 1 in 3 people with Covid do not display any symptoms & mobile units across Harrow have already identified hundreds of people who did not know they were Covid positive

Book a free rapid test at the Beacon Centre, St Ann’s Shopping Centre, Harrow Arts Centre, Harrow Civic Centre, or Shree Swaminarayan Temple Stanmore, open 7 days a week. 

Book a free test: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/test

As always, book a test if:

Book a free test  - Tests must be booked in advance. 

Can you provide support?

London's Community Kitchen

London's Community Kitchen (based at The Bridge, next to Harrow Leisure Centre) run a Free Surplus Food Market open to everyone every Friday from 3-5PM. At the height of the pandemic, this operation has served over 10,000 people across Harrow and London. Please consider donating or getting involved in any way that you can with this incredible Harrow-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.londonscommunitykitchen.com/home-1

If you’re ever in need of their support, the Community Kitchen want to help - they won’t ask you for any details, or anything in return, just turn up and they will provide you with food.

Volunteer:

The Community Kitchen would love any support to keep their operation running as effectively as possible. Please get in touch with Vivette Morrow: [email protected]  and once you have had a Covid test, she will help set you up as a volunteer!

Harrow Foodbank

Harrow Foodbank continues to highlight the impact of in-work poverty and the number of ways that people find themselves at a crisis point. Donations are accepted in collection bins after checkout at all major supermarkets. The Foodbank continue to emphasise the majority of its users are in work, but many are in need of emergency food provisions. If you can, please consider providing a monetary donation to the food bank, they have acquired a van and plan to make deliveries to vulnerable residents across the borough in 2021 - send an email to [email protected] or visit Harrow.foodbank.org.uk for more.

Help from me

I appreciate that whilst this outbreak of Covid-19 is currently dominating a lot of our thoughts, other concerns and problems do not disappear. However, to help reduce the spread of infection, I am asking members of the public who need to contact my office to do so by phone or email rather than in person and further, I will continue to hold surgery appointments exclusively by telephone and Zoom video conferencing. This is a temporary measure and a sensible precaution to protect vulnerable people.  Please be assured we continue to offer a full service of advice and support to members of the public who need it. 

My office can be contacted on [email protected] or by telephone on 0207 219 4243 (Monday-Friday). Please bear with us, as we have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent months.

Stay safe,

Gareth