Statement from Chief Nurse Allison Cannon as Brighton and Hove announced as area for enhanced support

Yesterday it was announced that Brighton and Hove was the latest area to receive enhanced Government support following rising COVID cases in the city.

This support includes:

  • Additional testing in the city, two symptom free walk-in PCR Mobile Testing Units:
    • one at the Peace Statue on Hove seafront
    • one in Jubilee Square, by Jubilee Library
  • Additional advertising and campaigning support and materials – to further promote both testing and vaccination, aimed at the highest risk groups.
  • An engagement team to supplement the work the city’s COVID Marshalls and other council teams are doing in bars and restaurants and heavy footfall areas to promote testing and vaccination.
  • The green light to ask all secondary schools and colleges with children and young people aged Year 7 or above, to reintroduce face coverings in classrooms and communal areas for staff and pupils.

Read more about the response in Brighton and Hove.

Clearly a key part of this response is our continued drive to get all adults in the city to have the vaccine and we continue to work hard to reach those who have not yet taken up the offer. We are urging anyone over 18 to have both doses of their vaccine as soon as possible.

While the vaccination has been highly effective in reducing hospitalisations as a result of COVID-19, it is clear that we will see an increased demand on services over the coming weeks and months and all partners are working together to ensure we have clear plans in place for us to be as best prepared as possible across the system.

As we move towards the next phase of the Government’s pandemic roadmap from 19th July, we are working with national, regional and system partners to make sure we are clear on the implications for us locally across the NHS and will be able to give an update on our position around some of the key issues over the coming days.

We recognise the rising local cases are coming at a time when services and staff are extremely busy and follows an intensely challenging period for our health and care system over the last 16 months. The efforts of our staff have been, and continue to be, monumental and awe-inspiring, and system partners are currently working together to focus on what more we can do to support our people in the short, medium and longer term and ensure we are able to continue to provide high quality and safe care for our populations.

We are also encouraging the public to continue to play their part in keeping themselves and others safe, and supporting the NHS this summer. The key messages we are asking the public are:

  • Continue to behave with caution – COVID has not gone away, do everything you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe
  • Get your vaccine – anyone over 18 should have both doses of their vaccine as soon as possible.
  • Use NHS services responsibly – all NHS services are extremely busy, make sure you are using the right service at the right time.
  • If you have symptoms, get a test and self-isolate

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our populations.

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