COVID-19 communications update – 23 June 2020

General

• Staying safe in the heat – over the next few days we are expecting a heatwave. Although most of us welcome the summer sun, high temperatures can be harmful to your health. The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. Many of those who are at risk of harm from heat are also at greater risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Public Health England has published some guidance on how to stay safe in the heat:
  • Beat the heat: coping with heat and COVID-19 poster
  • Beat the heat: coping with heat and COVID-19 leaflet
  • Easy read guide – keeping healthy when it’s really hot
• All staff briefing – thank you to everyone who dialled in earlier. For those of you unable to join the call or who want to review the points made, read the Staff briefing roundup
• New COVID-19 pages live on AskHUE – as mentioned by Ian at the staff briefing, the new COVID-19 pages on AskHUE are now live. Here you can find all the information on the new ways of working, whether it’s at the CCG or at home, including risk assessments. If you have any questions about any of the content or documents, please get in touch via the Comms mailbox. We are still developing the pages, so any feedback is welcome
• COVID-19 Counter Fraud newsletter – read the latest issue of the Counter Fraud newsletter. Find out about the latest emerging scams, threats and phishing emails

Primary Care

• Primary Care COVID-19 briefing – read Issue 37 – Primary Care COVID-19 briefing. If you would like to include any content, please email Sarah Crane or Naomi Brooks

In other news

• BAME blogs – in light of recent events around the tragic death of George Floyd in the US, we thought we’d share two articles written by our NHS comms colleagues in North West London. We hope you find them insightful and thought provoking. You can also find details, by clicking on the link above, about a new BAME telephone support service for NHS staff

Further advice and guidance

• AskHUE > HR and pay > Health and wellbeing support – discover the tools, resources and support services available to you during the coronavirus pandemic
• Every Mind Matters – has lots of practical advice on how to look after your mental health during these uncertain times
• AskHUE – for the latest news and information for staff, including previous COVID-19 communications updates
• NHS website – for information on the virus, symptoms and how to prevent it spreading
• UK website – for national advice, including full guidance on staying at home and away from others