Coronavirus (COVID-19) Latest Updates, Resources and Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing many of our members and service users concern. Please find below some information which we hope is helpful.

Local News and  Response

Healthwatch Bromley Have your Say – Covid 19 Response
Healthwatch Bromley are the independent champion for people using local health and social care services in Bromley and one of our key roles is to listen to what people experience of health and social care services and what could be improved. In response to the current social distancing measures to the coronavirus Healthwatch Bromley are setting up 2 weekly zoom community engagement sessions on Tuesdays afternoons 2-4pm and Wednesdays mornings 10am-12pm. Please request by emailing info@healthwatchbromley.co.uk for the login and password details. Further details in the attached community engagement poster here
The Healthwatch Bromley website page with up to date information on local service support and information can be found here

Protection from Scammers
London Borough of Bromley has put together a guide to some of the scams they know about, click here and how we can protect ourselves and those around us from becoming a victim of scams along with contact details for organisations providing help and advice, click here

Request for practical help
London Borough of Bromley & The Bromley Voluntary Sector have coordinated a network of volunteers to help elderly & vulnerable residents & carers of vulnerable people during the pandemic. Please use this form to request for help and practical assistance from the Bromley borough volunteer community.
Some of the assistance that can be arranged through the volunteer network;

  • Bin(s) to be left outside property for collection day
  • Dog to be walked
  • Shopping – food, household provisions etc..
  • Friendly regular phone call
  • Medicine to be collected from Pharmacy
  • Post a letter

Latest Coronavirus news and support from Bromley Council here

Messages from the NHS in Bromley

Health Advice

Can I exercise more than once a day due to a significant health condition?
You can leave your home for medical need. This could include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day – ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional. See section 15 of government guidelines here

For individuals
Get advice from the NHS on what to do if you think you may have symptoms of, or been exposed to, Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NHS overview of the condition Coronavirus (COVID-19): Coronavirus (COVID-19) overview

Keping Fit at Home
Get Yourself Active is pulling together resources for disabled people to keep exercising through the Coronavirus crisis more here

Easy Read Resources

Latest Government Advice and Guidance here

Your Rights and Coronavirus
A partnership of advocacy organisations has produced an easy read booklet about Advocacy and Rights during the coronavirus crisis which you can download here

What to except if I have to go into hospital with Coronavirus
Easy Read guide here

What happens if someone I know goes into hospital with Coronavirus
Easy Read guide here

Easy Read at risk patients letter
Easy read letter for patients at risk

Coronavirus Social Narrative
Little Puddins has created a social story for young people with autism

Easy read shielding information
NHS England easy read version of the extremely vulnerable persons guidance.

Easy read information on COVID-19 from Royal Mencap

Public Health England stay at home guidance, translated and in easy read

Public Health England guidance on social distancing, translated and in easy read

Resources

Hospital Passports during the COVID-19 crisis
Hospital Passports can be used to tell healthcare professionals what they really need to know if someone with a learning disability goes into hospital . The hospital passport should be used along side the specially designed COVID-19 grab and go form 

Click here for more information

BBC Special report into the impact of coronavirus on people with learning disabilities.  More here

Fury over Do Not Resuscitate Notices
Disabled people have watched the unfolding stories about disabled and older people being asked to agree to sign Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate Notices with horror over the past few days.DR  UK CEO Kamran Mallick said: “We have been horrified at the undervaluing of our lives and have joined with others to sign a statement, which upholds the principle that the NHS is for all of us and that judgements about our lives should in no way influence the treatment we are entitled to receive.” More here

Guidance for children and young people with SEND
The government has published guidance on how the needs of children and young people with SEND will be met during the coronavirus outbreak. It includes a number of frequently asked questions around provision for young people with EHC Plans. The guidance is available here

If you are a parent carer with a question about your individual circumstances you may be able to find an answer below

The handwashing rap, produced to help people who have a learning disability

COVID-19 resources for people with profound disabilities
A list of resources suitable for people approaching isolation/home education, with a particular focus on resources for people with profound disabilities – many suitable for people of any age. Including resources specific to supporting people to understand and cope with COVID-19

Coronavirus Register for Vulnerable People
Register if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food. Register here

Information and advice in other languages
Doctors of the World have translated government advice on Coronavirus into 20 languages and are working on more.
Get the guides here

Coronavirus Information in British Sign Language

Free Virtual Resources

Updates and Guidance

  • National Autistic Society– guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff
  • Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing
  • Young Minds – Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing
  • Carers UK – Guidance for carers
  • Covibook– an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic
  • Amaze – information pack for parents
  • NHS England and NHS Improvement Learning Disability and Autism Resource – Easy read guides, advice, e-learning and health resources

National Autistic Society (NAS)
NAS has made a number of changes to their services due to COVID-19. You can read about these changes in the Chief Executives blog

National Response

Government Social Care Action Plan

Healthwatch Bromley Have your Say – Covid 19 Response

The Government has published an action plan that sets out how it will support the adult social care sector in England throughout the coronavirus outbreak, so that everyone who relies on care will get the care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan looks at support in people’s homes, residential care and nursing homes and community settings, and applies to people receiving direct payments, those with personal budgets, as well as those who fund their own care.  Read the Action Plan here

UK Government response

Disability Rights UK CEO writes to Disability and Care Ministers to raise concerns about safeguarding disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and older people in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Read the letter here

Click here for virtual tours of famous places

Click here for list of theatre, film and music