Spring COVID-19 Vaccinations.

If you are aged 75 years by the 17th of June 2025, have a weakened immune system, or live in a care home for older adults, you can get a COVID-19 vaccination. For full details of everyone who is eligible, and how to make appointments/walk in, go to the Government website.

Missed Anniversary & Hastings Half Marathon

Well, I apologise, but I've been abroad and missed (just) a couple of things, including the fourth anniversary of the first Covid Lockdown (blog), and I (literally) just missed the 40th Hastings Half Marathon (website), oops!

But I shall be sharing some details of my trip to Belgium... 

East Sussex Health & Social Care News

Photo by James Fisher

I just received by email the first issue of the year from East Sussex County Council of their Health and Social Care News, copied here: 

Welcome to our first issue of 2024, where we're kicking off with stories on a range of ways you can help to protect your health - including making sure you're protected from measles, getting inspired to be more physically active, and details of HIV Testing Week. 

We're also bringing you news on some of the latest service developments, from urgent care for children at Eastbourne District General Hospital, to outreach support for the homeless community in Hastings, and the latest on construction of a new mental health hospital in Bexhill.

Finally, our feature this month celebrates 10 years of the Joint Community Rehabilitation Team, who have been looking back over all the service has achieved since it formed a decade ago.

From the newsroom...

 

Measles is on the rise, make sure you're protected

Measles cases are rising in England, so it's important to make sure you know the symptoms, what to do if you have it, and how to help stop it spreading. It can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences, and anyone who isn't vaccinated can catch it. Make sure your family is protected from becoming seriously unwell from measles by ensuring you and your child are up to date with your MMR vaccinations. The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. Visit the NHS website to learn about measles and the MMR vaccine, and ask your GP practice about catch up jabs if needed.

 

Improvements to urgent care for children at EDGH

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has shared an update for parents and carers on improvements to urgent care for children at Eastbourne District General Hospital. The improvements within the emergency department and urgent treatment centre, with increased paediatric expertise, will ensure children are seen sooner, with earlier paediatric intervention and will reduce waiting times. Read about the improvements here.

 

Get inspired to get more active in our county this year

Being more physically active has been compared to a wonder drug because of the huge range of benefits it offers to everyone, no matter your age, state of health, or disability. Getting more active can help to control weight, reduce the risk of serious diseases like cardiac problems and diabetes, and improve your mood and sleep. That’s why the Public Health team at East Sussex County Council, in partnership with Active Sussex and other partners across the county, have launched the #GettingEastSussexMoving social media campaign. The campaign highlights and celebrates a range of support to get active, as well as the wonderful locations to get moving across our county. Get involved and get the benefits.

 

Get tested for HIV in National HIV Testing Week 2024 

National HIV Testing Week starts from today. Sexually active people across East Sussex are encouraged to test for HIV, particularly if they have had new sexual partners.   Testing is free and confidential and is the only way to know if you have HIV. You can use a discreet at-home self-test kit, or attend a sexual health clinic or GP practice. The sooner you know your HIV status, the sooner you can get free, highly effective treatment to stay healthy and avoid passing the virus on. Visit the East Sussex Sexual Health website for more information about sexual health services.

 

What's the latest advice from the NHS on COVID-19? 

COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities, so it’s still important to take steps to protect yourself. Make sure you know the symptoms to look out for, what to do if you get unwell, and when to seek medical help. Take a look at the website for an overview on protecting yourself, symptoms, testing, medical help and recovery - including local services for people with long COVID. Visit the Health and Social Care News website.

 

Outreach support for the homeless community in Hastings

After many years supporting Hastings’ homeless community with their health and care needs, St John Ambulance (SJA) brought their outreach services to a close in January and their teams are thanked for all of their hard work to support people in and around the town. Outreach support for the homeless community in Hastings will transfer to Integrated Care 24 (IC24), which already runs Hastings Primary Care Hub at Station Plaza Health Centre in the town. IC24 will continue to support the homeless community with a GP and nurse-led service that builds on the valuable work of SJA, ensuring that some of the most vulnerable members of the local community continue to receive the care that they need. Find out how people can access the service.

 

Breaking ground for new mental health hospital in Bexhill

A ground breaking ceremony took place on Tuesday 30 January on the site of a new mental health hospital in Bexhill, marking a major milestone for local NHS services. The 54-bed hospital on Mount View Street, Bexhill, was officially named Combe Valley – a name chosen by staff and service users. Combe Valley Hospital has been developed by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) alongside NHS Sussex, the Integrated Care Board for Sussex, supported by significant input from local service users and staff. Opening its doors during 2025, the new hospital will provide modern, high-quality care for people who may be experiencing serious mental health problems, emotional crisis, or severe distress which can't be treated in the community. Read more about the new hospital.

 

Using data to tackle health inequalities across Sussex

New ways of accessing information about the local population is helping health and care leaders in Sussex make improvements for the future. Improving how health and care services use digital technology and information is one of the key priorities for this year in Sussex, and a new system is helping leaders gain a better understanding of where improvements may be needed. Read about the improvements.

 

Integrated service celebrates 10 years of supporting local people’s independence

 

The Joint Community Rehabilitation team (JCR) has been celebrating their 10-year anniversary and taking a look back over what the service has achieved since it formed a decade ago.

This integrated service brings together NHS staff from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and adult social care staff from East Sussex County Council into three teams across the county. They support adults who need short term support to regain their independence while remaining at home, for example by improving their strength and mobility or relearning skills after a hospital stay or illness.

The teams include a wide range of professionals, like occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, social care workers, and rehabilitation support workers.

Learn more about their work.

 

 

Where to find out more...

Get advice on symptoms and treatments and find your nearest services, including pharmacies, dentists, GPs, A&E and urgent care.

Want to stay living at home but finding it difficult to cope or look after someone who couldn’t cope without you? Find out how Adult Social Care can help.

Learn about the mental health services on offer or search for local care, support and wellbeing services on the 1Space directory. You can also find a range of resources linked with rises in the cost of living on the cost of living web pages.

Enjoyed reading this? Then why not share it with a friend so they can sign up to our monthly newsletter and stay informed of all the local health and social care news.

Two Years of Relative Normality...

Indeed, 2 years have gone by since Covid-19 restrictions were eased sufficiently (blog) to say life was returning to near normality, and now, with a return to the regular Hastings festivals and shenanigans. Also, a few years of my life appear to have disappeared, where it's still difficult to remember just how long ago other events and losses were, our memory banks were given a right bashing...

Anyway, feeling more 'normal' now, but stay safe still folks! 👌

Carnaval do Brasil returns!

Indeed, as I wrote just before Hastings own Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday festival (blog), Carnaval in Brazil was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, indeed, more than just the 3 weeks originally planned for, but it is on right now, continuing until next weekend (Sky), if you fancy flying out there! 😉 It's like the spectacle and glamour never went away, for example, see YouTube for evidence on film. 

Great to see, but let's not forget we have our own spectacle with Jack in the Green next weekend (blog), I'm so looking forward to our May Day Festival this year!

Walk-in COVID-19 Boosters In Hastings Today, Saturday 8th.

If you haven't had your COVID-19 Booster yet, and it has been at least 3 months since your second COVID-19 Vaccination, you can receive it today, Saturday 8th January 2022*, without the need for an appointment, at Hastings Town Hall, Queens Road/Priory Square TN34 1TL, and at the Hastings Centre, The Ridge TN34 2SA.

Hastings Town Hall - 10.00am to 3.00pm, use entrance opposite Priory Meadow.

Hastings Centre -  10.00am to 3.00pm.

*Information from Hastings Borough Council Facebook Page.

Do you remember the good old days before the lockdown?!?

So lockdown mark II has started today, until the 2nd of December, allegedly, although rules are a bit different from mark I. Some differences: you can meet up with ONE person from a different household, providing it is outside, for example on the beach or in a park (plus you may have a child with you, if not at school); oh yes, and children and young adults are remaining at school/college/university (I shan't go on about how I feel about that here); dentists and opticians are remaining open; there is no formal shielding; public toilets should remain open; BBC for more information. 

There are many similarities, pubs and restaurants are closed, but takeaway and deliveries of food alcohol are allowed. I've seen that most takeaways, eg many McDonald's, KFC etc are staying open, but not for sitting in. Hairdressers will be closed; libraries will be closed (although they hope to organise a click & collect service from Monday); Household Waste Sites will remain open; the Registry Office will be closed, but birth and death registrations can be arranged by telephone and appointments. And exercising is allowed, but not limited; so that's me walking the miles again daily.

Please be careful folks and remember social distancing, face coverings where appropriate, and wash your hands regularly, look after yourselves!

Hastings Library Reopening Monday 13th July

Hastings Library, Claremont, is reopening this Monday with new opening times (see below) to allow for other changes brought about because of the Coronavirus Crisis, Hygiene/Cleaning, Social Distancing etc. There are also other changes, including restricting the number of visitors allowed into the building at any one time (website).

There will be fewer books on the shelves so less browsing, no DVDs, newspapers or periodicals, fewer computers and less time allowed on computers (45 minute sessions, and staff will clean each computer in-between users); you are advised to book computers in advance (eg online), although a member of staff will be available at the entrance to book a computer for you if you don't have internet access elsewhere.

Because of the fewer books available in the library, a Select + Collect system has been set up to enable you to take out up to 20 books at a time, usually available within 5 days, but you will be contacted when they are available. These can be ordered either from the online catalogue or by telephoning the enquiries number 0345 6080196. Books can be returned at the bookdrop outside the library.

Further details an be found by reading the Libraries Reopening Plan (website).

Hastings Library Opening Times: 

Monday/Tuesday 10.00am to 4.00pm;

Wednesday 10.00am to 12.30pm; 

Thursday 10.00am to 5.00pm;

Friday/Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm;

Sundays CLOSED.

Tits, Nuthatches and Treecreepers

So, here I am at Tits, Nuthatches and Treecreepers, Birds Part III, you will have noticed that I haven't tried for a catchy title like my previous Bird Blog (I'm not naturally a comedian, though some people who know me may disagree), but I took a serious thought about what to call this one. I was worried that it may come up on search engines used by porn seekers and young boys (I was a young boy once, honest, and, like most, giggled very easily at certain words), but it is the title of the chapter, it's nonsense for me to worry, and should it happen to even one person, then maybe they'll see something they should have a healthy interest in. So welcome if you are such a reader, many thanks for clicking on this blog. And many thanks to the rest of you for bearing with me and my waffle, enjoy the blog!

Primarily, this was going to be about the Tit Family as these were the only birds from this chapter of the book* that I have noticed during my daily exercise from east to west, and back again, across Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. These birds are historically woodland birds, however, now many are seen regularly in urban gardens too, they are very adaptable. They are also very gregarious. Although being territorial during the breeding season, they can often be seen to come together in mixed flocks at other times of the year, particularly the winter, indeed Nuthatches and Treecreepers may also join in these mixed flocks!

As the image from The Complete Birdwatcher's Guide is of 2 Nuthatches, I shall start with that bird, as, although I hadn't noticed any in the last few months, one may well have been in my eyesight, honestly, how many times do birds flit across in front of you and you have no idea what it was? Many times, really, and this is true of the last 4 months for me. But the Nuthatch, this colourful little (about the size of a Great Tit), woodpecker-like bird, is an interesting bird to observe, I have never noticed one 'in the wild' but I have seen them in the days I had a garden, climbing upside down on a tree searching for insects, or breaking seeds and nuts.

I include this photograph of a Blue Tit because it is probably one of the birds that most people can recognize, and is a frequent garden visitor, and I have seen many over the months, including 'juveniles' more recently, with their pale greener plumage and crown. They are exotic, colourful, and very interesting to watch. Indeed, the only time in my life I have had a nesting box, Blue Tits nested there, I observed the pair choosing their nest site and flying to and fro whilst feeding their young ones. I also had the great honour of spotting the last half a dozen young leaving the nest; they typically have 8-12 chicks, sometimes as many as 20! You could see the nesting box from our kitchen window, and I was washing up the breakfast dishes at the time, not that I ever needed to find an excuse to watch the box, but I was fortunate that morning.

The other tits I have seen include the largest, the Great Tit, more frequently at the beginning of the lockdown period, but am still seeing them now and then. Similar the Coal Tit, which I have not seen for at least 2 months now. All the tits are omnivores, eating insects and seeds, and anyone with a Nut Feeder will have seen them tucking in there too, though mostly going for the kernel of the nut, with bits and pieces of nuts flying off for ground feeding birds to take advantage of! I have also seen Marsh Tits, maybe Willow Tits as well, difficult to tell the difference, although their song is different (YouTube), hence why I know I have seen Marsh Tits, but... Oh yes, and the video shows other tits and birds at garden feeders and tables too, so well worth the watch.

It has been a pleasure to observe these gregarious birds, but onwards I go, and the next chapter of the book* is called Warblers and Flycatchers, consequently, so will the Birds Part III blog, please watch out for it.

Sorry, as far as I'm aware, I haven't seen a Treecreeper ever, let alone recently...

* John Gooders The Complete Birdwatcher's Guide.

Photograph of the Nuthatch with many thanks to Derek Middleton, and of the Blue Tit to Bob Eade, and to the Sussex Wildlife Trust for both.

A pint in a pub and Covid-19

By Steve the Beermeister:

As we said recently (blog), it is the personal choice of every one of us, from the 4th of July 2020, whether we go to a pub, restaurant or bar, providing we take into account Government Guidance (website). Our opinion, expressed in that blog, is that, shamefully, the Government is passing the buck, indeed, passing on as much responsibility as they can, and Government Policy and Guidance is a Pig's Ear!

Whatever! I drank a wonderful pint from Kent Brewery (website) on Monday, their gorgeous 4.8% version of an American Pale Ale, Prohibition, a finalist in the 2019 CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain contest, and up there with the best. I have drunk it since lockdown and the Coronavirus Crisis began, recently thanks to the life preserving delivery service of The Jolly Fisherman (website) a couple of weeks ago, but that first pint, fresh from the cask, was wonderful. Prohibition is a very pale golden bitter, straw coloured even, with a big citrus/tropical fruit aroma and taste, particularly grapefruit flavour. A good strength and body ensures you know you have had a drink, and it finishes with what I always rave about, a dry bitter aftertaste, gorgeous!

And, knowing I can't travel far these days because of travelling restrictions brought in by the Government thanks to the Coronavirus Crisis, my drinking has to be in Hastings, or within walking distance of Hastings. So where did I have my first post-lockdown ale in a pub? The Dolphin Inn (website) at 11-12 Rock a Nore Road TN34 3DW, reopened on Monday (I stayed in at the weekend), and it was great to meet up with people I'd not seen for a while, appropriate social distancing of course, and table service! As you can see from the interior photograph above, they have redecorated and re-planned the inside to a warm hospitable environment, not that it hasn't always been so.

Everything has been reorganized so that only one person can use each toilet at a time, during busy periods there will be someone on the door to ensure the numbers of customers in the pub are restricted at any one time, and service is to the tables inside, although customers sitting outside have to go inside to a set point for their drinks, and there is off sales provision too. 

In the short-term there will be just the 4 ales on at any one time, including their 3 regulars still, Dark Star Hophead, Young's Special and Harvey's Sussex Best. This week the guest ales at the 4th pump will be from Kent Brewery (website), and as I said, they started off with Prohibition, of which they had 2 firkins, hurry if you want to drink Prohibition, as it is going quickly, but if you do miss it, it will be replaced by another excellent ale from that brewery, so no real concern. Oh yes, and they have a new chef, Tim, who many of us know from elsewhere, dishing up some very interesting looking food (website), specials on the menus are to be introduced as reopening lengthens, and a Japanese Evening is planned to be held soon.

(Ed) Not all licensed premises in Hastings are open yet, but a few reopened on Monday in addition to the Dolphin, and some will be open again very soon, but during my early morning walks (I have continued this institution!) I noticed that The Retreat Bar up at Shear Barn in Barley Lane, has reopened, although not at the hour I pass. 😉 Indeed, I noted their opening times for now as 4pm to 7pm Mon/Tuesday; closed Wednesdays; 4pm to 7pm Thursday; 5pm to 9pm Fri/Saturdays; 2pm to 6pm Sunday. Their restaurant is closed until further notice.

Whatever, wherever, remember to be careful folks!

Sheer Barn, Carpentry, Decking AND Priory Meadow Car Park

In a recent blog I mentioned that Shear Barn (website) was reopening soon with a clear 3 phase plan for 2020, and, on that day, there were 2 large new toilet block units arriving (since arrived blog), well, they're not where I last photographed them (above), in the past 2 days they have been moved to a more permanent location in the touring field, and two units are uniting and becoming one toilet block!

Here's a toilet block prepared from last year, with decking around, looking good (above). I had an idea I know who carried out this work, checked since, and I am correct. It is Lee of L S Carpentry, who previously voluntarily helped us out using his considerable carpentry skills, unpaid, thus helping Hastings Fishermen's Museum too, when we carried out refurbishment of the Museum's outdoor exhibit RX134 Stacey Marie (facebook page). I've referred to him before, because one good turn deserves another, and it isn't just that one time he has helped us out with her, but on many occasions. Therefore, and this is unsolicited, again, if you want a good local carpenter, Lee fits the description, and can be contacted at stockleylee@hotmail.com 👍 

And the 2 new toilet block units? Well, as you can see from the photograph above, they are becoming one, which I hadn't figured out until I received some advice from Yvonne on twitter, many thanks. They are now waiting to have their union completed, electricity and water supplies connected and Lee's decking to be added, presumably. I returned this morning (Sunday 28th) to take this photograph and, have edited this blog to include the new information and to be more accurate; I own up to never having walked through these fields before, mainly because they've had people camping in them, therefore I always use Barley Lane, anyway, thanks again to Yvonne!

And Priory Meadow Car Park? I mentioned in a blog way back in early April that the car park was free, well, as I was walking back home from my daily early morning walk, I noticed they are charging again now, a sign of the town centre getting back to normal... Indeed, not now left to just the 4-10 'social drinkers' that loiter, and generally appear to have a good time, near the bus stop by Jempson's, the public is returning!

Be careful out there folks, Covid-19 is still about!

Apologies! Previous Blog has now been written, honest!

Sorry about that, my previous blog had been published by me in error, completely empty of text, concerning telephone scams and Coronavirus/Covid-19 tracing and testing, I obviously pressed the 'publish' button instead of the 'save' button.

Again, apologies from this bampot (a term of endearment my brother uses for me when I've been silly or made an error), the blog is now worth reading, cheers!

I won't do it again... 😕

TELEPHONE SCAM WARNING - COVID-19 TEST & TRACE

Councils around the country are warning us to be on our guard against scammers posing as NHS Contact Tracers (BBC). In the scam a telephone call from the scammer, claiming to be from the NHS Test & Trace Service, informs you that you may have come into contact with somebody who has Coronavirus or Covid-19, and that you need to self-isolate and take a test. Then they ask you to confirm your address so that a testing kit may be sent to you, and then they request Bank Card details "to cover the cost of the testing kit." You now know this is a scam!

"In a genuine call, contact tracers will never:

• ask you to dial a premium rate number (for example, those starting 09 or 087)

• ask you to make any form of payment

• ask for any details about your bank account

• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts

• ask you for any passwords or Pin codes, or ask you to set up any passwords or Pin codes over the phone

• ask you to purchase a product - including a test

• ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet

• ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

Source: Ofcom

Anyone receiving a call they suspect is not genuine should report the call to Action Fraud."

Sorry about the previous published blog, I hadn't meant to post then, obviously hit the wrong button, instead of 'save' 😕