We’re now into December, the festive season is fast approaching, and our region’s health and social care services are experiencing the greatest pressure in living memory, with the possibility that the situation could get worse.
Our health and social care services are fighting valiantly to balance the volume of people currently requiring help with finite staffing resources.
To reduce the unprecedented level of pressure, families of hospital in-patients are being asked to provide whatever support they can to facilitate a speedy discharge.
People are being reminded to follow the guidance that sets out where to seek the most appropriate source of help if needed but, of course, to seek help when it is needed.
We urge you to do all that you possibly can to limit the spread of Covid and minimise the pressure on our health and social care services.
Please wear a face covering in public places, sanitise hands and surfaces, carefully consider social interactions, stick to one social group, meet in well ventilated spaces or outdoors, avoid crowded places, and get any Covid vaccination/booster and flu vaccination for which you’re eligible.
Only by acting sensibly and taking appropriate precautions can we limit the pressure on our health and social care services and avoid increasing the risk to our families and friends.
Book your Booster
Book your booster is the message to anyone aged 40 and over yet to receive a further jag against Covid or a flu vaccination.
In a change to what was previously publicised, no appointment letters will now be issued to people aged 40 and over, unpaid carers, or household contacts of people who are immune suppressed.
Instead, all those in these eligible groups need to visit the new national online portal to pick a location and timeslot for their Covid booster and/ or flu vaccination: https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp or t: 0800 030 8013.
Director of Public Health Valerie White said: “There are enough vacant slots in Dumfries and Galloway to provide vaccines to everyone, so long as people act now and take up these opportunities. We’re still seeing high numbers of Covid cases in our region so it’s really important that everyone eligible takes up the opportunity to be fully vaccinated. And it does now rely on them taking action to book their local appointment. Even if someone has already had Covid, they should get vaccinated to help prime their body’s natural immune system.”