FLU Vaccines Now Available!

Having received a missive from East Sussex County Council I thought I should share this, "for those who fit into the categories, flu vaccinations are now available (NHS website). A severe flu season is expected this winter, with cases likely to begin rising in October - earlier than usual. The best way to protect yourself and others is with a flu vaccination. Flu vaccinations are available for everyone in priority groups from 1 October: Frontline workers in health and social care; People aged 65 years and over; People aged 6 months to 65 years in clinical risk groups; People in long-stay residential care homes; Carers (getting carer’s allowance or main carers of an elderly or disabled person); Live with someone with a weakened immune system; Pregnant people; Children aged 2 and 3; School children; Book your vaccine via your GP, pharmacy, workplace, care home or school. Protect yourself and others." Stay safe folks! 🤗

Seasons Greetings and Thanks!

I give thanks to all those who have helped us over recent times, including carers, those working in the emergency services, the police, fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, the NHS, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and ancillary staff, and the brave crews and volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat service. Respect! 💓

And many thanks to Charles Schulz for the imagery. 👍

Finally, I wish to share my best wishes with you, and peace and goodwill to all, whatever one's beliefs, let's continue to work together folks. 👌

And remember, stay safe!

Hastings Foodbank

Sadly, foodbanks appear to be a sign of the times this century, and Hastings Foodbank (website) continues to remain desperate for certain items, including:

UHT Milk, Full Fat and Semi-skimmed;

Tinned Meat (but not corned beef or pork);

Tinned Vegetables (especially peas and carrots);

Tinned Fruit;

Coffee.

Also required are:  Toilet Rolls;

Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste);

Tinned Fish;

Tinned Potatoes;

Tinned Rice Pudding;

Jam;

Fruit Juice.

At the moment they have plenty of  tea, pasta, cereal and baked beans.

There are Foodbank donation points all over Hastings, and full details of addresses and opening times are at the website, and include the HBC Community Contact Centre (Muriel Matters House), The Hastings Centre (The Ridge), Tesco Extra (St Leonards), Sainsbury's (Station Approach), Asda, Tesco Express (Havelock Road), Morrisons, NatWest Bank (Havelock Road), and Nationwide Building Society branches. 

Let's not forget those less fortunate than ourselves, especially if some of us have eaten too much chocolate at Easter, not guilty, your honour! Remember that people using the excellent service that Hastings Foodbank provides include nurses, other health service workers whose pay isn't as much as the Government pretends it to be, and other keyworkers, people who were being heralded during the Pandemic as heroes and applauded on doorsteps on Thursday evenings... 

Respect to those who deserve it👍

Hastings Amber Weather Warning: Heatwave from Pirate Sunday!

The Met Office has issued an Amber Weather Warning for Hastings for the 3 days from Sunday (Met Office website), I imagine most people are well aware that the temperature has been a wee bit warm recently, but the particular concern for an excessive heatwave in Hastings is for those 3 days (Heatwave music video). The image above is a wee bit old, but the same information is still being issued by the NHS, indeed, the advice given for heatwaves hasn't been altered for 3 years and still includes advice regarding social distancing (NHS website). But do drink plenty of water, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, stay cool, stay out of the sun during the middle of the day, watch out for vulnerable people, and wear sun screen to protect your skin.

Enjoy the coming days and piratical events (blog), but remember to stay safe folks!

"Worst public health failure ever!"

People who have been reading my blogs over the last couple of years will already be aware of how I have been very critical of the incompetent way the COVID-19 Crisis has been handled, eg this blog. but now 2 Parliamentary committees, indeed both chaired by Tory MPs, have come to the same conclusion (BBC), at last! 

As a retired health professional I have consistently criticised the use of private companies, and friends of Government ministers, with no experience, to provide unusable equipment, including PPE, to the NHS, and particularly to run the Test and Trace programme ineptly for an extortionate £37 BILLION over 2 years (Guardian)! 

From the start, people with experience should have been running the show, not pals of the Executive, that is health professionals and public health officials, and the results of any enquiries will always support this, as has already been shown. Indeed, I even have doubts about the input of 'expert' scientists, yes, their advice needs to be taken into account when appropriate, but scientists only are 100% behind things when there is 100% proof, they are scientists after all, they shouldn't be making the decisions.

And all that the MPs appear to be singling out as a success is the roll out of the vaccine programme (BBC), which, luckily, was left to the NHS, volunteers, and public health authorities to organise and run, thankfully... 

God protect the NHS, please!

Lockdown Mark I - One Year Anniversary...

One year on since the first lockdown was called by the Government, and the COVID-19 Crisis goes on, but, hopefully, with an end in sight, or at least eased, with the roll out of vaccinations. I wrote this blog one year ago to the day, which was quite upbeat, but never did we imagine that the crisis could still be going one year later, following many mistakes (I was going to use a rude word), and much wasted taxpayers' money! 

All I can say is, keep up the good work folks, maintain social distancing, wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering where required, and, if you can, do have those vaccinations, we have to beat this virus, despite having an incompetent and corrupt Government making errors, eg giving YOUR £37 BILLION of taxpayers' money to their friends to line their fat cat pockets with, yet fail to deliver Test & Trace (Parliament).

But see what can be done when resources are given to the appropriate and experienced bodies, the NHS, public health authorities and relevant charities...

Fingers crossed, but I'm not so upbeat this year...

Day Trip to Eastbourne, and above board too!

Yes, yesterday was the most exciting day of the year for me, sad me, a day trip to Eastbourne, "didn't I have a wonderful time the day I went to Eastbourne!" 🎵 And it was above board too, I kid you not, this was the 'Gatwick Express' train (from Hastings to Brighton, presumably Southern borrowed it) that I arrived in Eastbourne on. Indeed, I was here to visit the theatre, the Congress Theatre to be precise..

So I wound my way down to the Congress Theatre, behind The Stage Door here, which obviously wasn't open, though I could have enjoyed a pint of ale, but no, if you aren't already aware, the Congress Theatre is in a more modern building, part of The Welcome Building, I do believe. And, because I couldn't get an appointment in Hastings to receive my vaccination for COVID-19 after receiving a letter from the NHS sent to me 3 weeks ago, I went online on Wednesday and got a booking in Eastbourne for the next day, I wish I'd not waited! Apparently, Hastings had run out of vaccines by the end of last week and there would be no vaccinations given in Hastings this week.

Have to admit I was relieved to get this appointment, when I first looked online to book an appointment I was offered Crystal Palace football stadium, which I thought was a bit far to walk to, and back. So I managed to get an appointment somewhere a bit closer, which was also a bit far to walk to and back in the day, but not much more than a half hour trip on the Gatwick Express was infinitely better than getting to Crystal Palace!

Anyway, whilst I was there I popped down to the beach (above and, in the distance, you can even see Marine Court in Hastings, just), I didn't stay long here though, as my appointment was for 30 minutes later. So if you receive a letter from the NHS inviting you to book appointments for a vaccination, plus booster 12 weeks later, consider going online, and you can get a wee seaside day trip out of it; I'll not make any witty comments after that, but I'll leave it for you to make up your own. 😉

If it is your turn to receive the letter and make appointments, here is the link.

Stay safe folks!

Alone? Need Support? The Hastings Community Hub!

As I've written before (blog) there is support out there for people without anyone who can help them in these worrying times, via the Hastings Community Hub. I am cutting and pasting to below the latest facebook post from Hastings Borough Council:

"Are you a local resident who doesn’t have any family, friends, neighbours or carers to help?

The Hastings Community Hub is here to support you. The hub helpline is open Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 9am – 4.30pm and Saturday and bank holidays 12pm - 4pm.

If you are in immediate need of a food package or prescription within the next 48 hours call 01424 451019.

If your need is a non-urgent please complete the form on our website: https://www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/covid19/help/.

The Community Hub is a partnership between voluntary groups in the town, the NHS, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council."

Good stuff Hastings!

Deserved Congratulations to Virtual Jack!

Before I congratulate the Virtual Jack procession, I must say I was impressed with the ribbons and greenery adorning the doors and buildings in All Saints Street in particular on Sunday, but nice one to everyone who participated!

And, reading from the Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green facebook page, just over 20,000 people watched the Virtual Jack 'live zoom procession' and just over £3,000 was raised for 'NHS charities.' Congratulations! 👍

Pretty please, can we have a proper Jack in the Green in 2021...

#HastingsVirtualJack2020 

Hastings Police Information and News

I have found that the easiest way to gather up to date information from Hastings Police concerning Coronavirus related issues, and other news, is to go to their facebook page, or twitter, for example, concerning police officers on foot in the town centre yesterday reminding "people to stay indoors and away from the town centre" and maintaining "social distancing." Indeed, my thanks and respect to the Hastings Police, NHS Staff, and all other Emergency and Essential Services, including fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, refuse collectors, street cleaners, shop workers, transport workers, the list goes on... Please be careful!

Coronavirus, Advice, Help and Police Warning

N.H.S. advice (website) regarding Coronavirus is that if you have a high temperature and/or a new continuous cough you should stay at home, not go to a GP Surgery, Pharmacy or Hospital. Use the online 111 service (website), please only call 111 if you cannot get help online. Stay at home for at least 7 days, or 14 days if you live with someone with symptoms (symptoms can take up to 14 days to appear). Further advice about staying at home can be found on the website.

DO (website)

• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitiser gel;
• Always wash your hands when reaching home or work;
• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, not your hands;
• Discard tissues immediately and wash your hands;
• Avoid people with symptoms;
• Only travel on public transport when necessary;
• Work from home if possible;
• Avoid social activities;
• Avoid events with large crowds.

Sorry, old notes in image!

There could well be more information coming out later today, or any day for that matter, but currently, if you are laid off or put on short time working, go to the Government website for advice and help to apply for financial support. Keep eyes and ears open for any possible changes to the support offered.

Hastings Police (facebook) have warned of possible COVID-19 (Coronavirus) scams, eg people door-knocking, claiming to be from the Health Authority and offering COVID-19 testing, even to take temperatures; so far, apparently, to residential homes.

Do NOT let them in, do NOT allow them to take details or take money, DO report to the Police on 101. If they do not leave when requested call 999.

Keep safe folks!

Blood Donation in Hastings

In Hastings, there are 2 venues where you can donate blood (go to website to discover where), the Church of Jesus Christ, 2 Ledsham Avenue TN37 7LE (above, and where I gave blood this week), and The Hastings Centre, The Ridge TN34 2SA; nearby, donations can be made in Rye and Bexhill. Appointments can be made online at the website, so, if you are interested, then have a look at this page of the website to see if you can give blood, and please register if so, you never know when blood is required! 

I hadn't given blood for quite a while because of regular medication for a common condition, but found out I can now, and it took less than 5 minutes to make the donation itself, so pleased to contribute to the NHS this way!

Peace and Goodwill to All!

Another year has passed, and I again want to share best wishes and peace and goodwill to all, and particularly thanking those helping to keep us safe and healthy; in Britain that is those working in/for the NHS, RNLI, Coastguard, Ambulance, Police, Fire & Rescue, and any Emergency and Essential Services not already mentioned!

Much Respect.

Hastings Soup Kitchens and Workhouses...

Having recently written about Hastings Foodbank (blog) and the Snowflake Winter Night Shelter (blog) I then thought about similar facilities for poorer people in Hastings over 100 years ago, how can things still be so desperate, haven't we developed as a caring nation, the 5th/6th richest country in the World?!? For example, this shop in Queens Road (above) used to be a soup kitchen, as shown in a photograph of this building taken in 1909 that is in the Hastings Edition of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell (Wordsworth Editions, 2014).

And the building that was the Hastings Old Town Workhouse is still in George Street (Hastings Chronicle), also with a rather nicer usage now!

Since 1909 Britain has fought in 2 World Wars and many others around the world, however, in 1945 Britain adopted the fight against the "5 Evils" described by Beveridge, and there should thus be freedom from "Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness."* The Attlee Labour governments began that fight against the 5 evils despite Britain being in considerable debt following World War 2. The NHS was created, Full Employment was a target, the Education system became improved and available to children and young adults of all classes, Unemployment, Sickness and Welfare Benefits and Pensions were improved, and a great wave of building decent homes for the public was started, indeed, the number of council houses built was surpassed by Conservative governments during the 1950s. By the early 1960s there was virtual full employment, even in the late 1970s you could walk into a job which was offered to you on the spot.

How did we allow the return of the evils, poverty and homelessness continuing to worsen despite Britain being a much richer country now than it was in 1945? Hastings is the 7th worst town in the country for unemployment (nomis). Life expectancy in Britain is lower than in other developed countries and has stopped rising, indeed, lowered in some areas of the country (BBC). Furthermore, fear of the USA helping to further privatise the NHS as part of a trade deal when we leave the EU, this may well increase the influence of the evil of Disease.

Makes me feel rather sad, and angry!


* Derek Fraser, The Evolution of the British Welfare State, Macmillan 2nd edition 1984.

Happy Birthday NHS!

Today is the 70th anniversary of the setting up of the NHS, Happy Birthday to you! Now, I am a firm supporter of the National Health Service, I have been a patient in the NHS, I have worked in the NHS as a clinician, and I have taught Health Studies to clinicians and others. I do fear any attempts to privatise the NHS and, do please note, many politicians are ideologically opposed towards the NHS, including most of the current Cabinet... Any attempts to allow the USA to take over health care in Britain as part of any post-Brexit strategy (not unlikely!) should be opposed by the British as the NHS is a fundamental part of what we are. So, here's to another 70 years, at least, of the NHS!

I've had my say for today, many thanks!

£20,000,000 more?!?

£20,000,000 fund (from us, the taxpayers, it appears!) to improve a 'service' run by a private company for profit, Southern, but why oh why? Private railways do NOT work, hence, why they were 'socialised' or nationalised after World War II, in the first place, and the only rail company that has contributed to the Exchequer rather than drain money in recent years was East Coast, after it was 'socialised' by the last Labour government, before it was again sold off, to Virgin, this time! For example, see the BBC website.

Southern don't need even more taxpayers money to cosy their wee nest, it needs to be shut down, it is inefficient, it needs to be excised from the public purse and a new socialised rail company to be instituted in its place! 

And why oh why are our NHS doctors being demonised yet again (BBC), and being accused of playing politics?!? We were promised, by Brexiteers, like the (now) Foreign Secretary, that another £350,000,000 would be available a week if we voted to leave the European Union, did they lie, or were they playing politics?!? Of course they did both, and, sadly, our NHS is being attacked again... 

Hastings is being shafted by the Government in more than one way these days... not just the over the national average reduction of government funding that has occurred in recent years, now our Health Service and Railways are being endangered, sad days...