Further update - for Sunday 26th April – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson
(West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)
NON-COVID: IF YOU NEED HELP, CALL THE NHS
People are being encouraged to seek medical help for urgent health issues which are not related to COVID-19.
During the lockdown, patients have been delaying seeing their GP, and there has been a urgent cancer referrals and families getting their children vaccinated.
The campaign will encourage people to call their GP surgery, or 111 out of hours, if they have urgent health concerns. In emergencies, they should still dial 999.
CASH
There is a new service which allows friends and families to be able to withdraw cash for those who are self-isolating and drop it to them securely and safely at their home.
Banks can now send vouchers to customers by text, e-mail or post which they can then share with a trusted individual to withdraw cash on their behalf. All UK Banks, Building Societies and Credit Unions are able to use this service and customers can contact their bank to find out if they have signed up.
LOCK DOWN EXIT DISCUSSION
The discussion document published by the First Minister on Thursday sparks a national conversation on not just how we exit the lockdown but how we change our lives for the next few years. The lockdown is saving lives from Covid 19 but it is also impacting on our mental health and is exacerbating inequalities. Our plan must fully include ways of addressing these problems.
The UK wide approach that has been adopted has been broadly effective at keeping the public health guidance clear. It is important that the Scottish Government backs up the need for clarity.
We are prepared to contemplate different measures for different parts of Scotland and the UK, but we are not prepared to support being different for its own sake. There is a risk from confused messages from different governments and that must be avoided to help keep people safe.
Please take time to read the document and contribute to the discussion.
AGE SCOTLAND ADVICE
Age Scotland has some helpful advice for older citizens at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice/health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus/about-coronavirus
PHISHING E-MAILS
National Cyber Security Service now has a phishing reporting service so people can simply forward dodgy emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. This is even more of an issue during the current health emergency.
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only - 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list - 0800 111 4000
NHS Inform - https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
Health Protection Scotland Guidance - www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
Ready Scotland Information - www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares - www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend