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Coronavirus

Your health

NHS teams across Kent and Medway continue to work extremely hard to tackle the pandemic. The number of Covid-19 patients in our hospitals has thankfully reduced and the infection rates in the community are low.

The vaccine is helping protect everyone. Have you had yours?

You can also help to protect yourself, family, friends and those most vulnerable to Covid-19 by regular testing.

Stop the virus, help the NHS

Covid-19 vaccination

Covid-19 testing

Helping people get fit to fight Covid-19

The NHS is here for you

Patient experience of Covid-19

If you need support with any mental health issues linked to the pandemic please get in touch with local services. There is lots of help available. The two council's websites have more information and links:

Immediate support 24/7

Kent and Medway residents can contact the Release the Pressure helpline. It's free, confidential and open any time by phone, text or online. Call 0800 107 0160 or text either Kent or Medway to 85258. A webchat service is available at www.mhm.org.uk/helpline-webchat 

They offer free expert advice from trained counsellors for every mental health concern, including:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • low self-esteem
  • money worries
  • relationship troubles
  • stress
  • suicidal thoughts.

 

 

Your Covid Recovery is an NHS website designed to help you recover from the effects of Covid-19. It includes information from experts about how to look after your health and wellbeing. It also includes information on returning to work, and a helpful section for family, friends and carers of people who are recovering from Covid.

Some people recovering from infection by Covid-19 are experiencing longer term symptoms including pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, and memory problems (commonly called brain fog). Long Covid  is the name given to this condition if symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks as explained in these NICE guidelines. 

If you are worried about continuing symptoms (or if you develop new or worsening symptoms) you should contact your GP or hospital team. You should not feel you are wasting NHS time.

People with Long Covid in Kent and Medway will soon be able to be referred to a Post-Covid Assessment Service. Because of the nature of Long Covid, the clinic will draw on expertise from a range of health professionals and have access to a number of assessment and diagnostic tests, which will help support your recovery.

As Kent and Medway CCG develops services to help people who are suffering from the longer term effects of a Covid infection, we want to hear their views and the views of their families and carers. This is particularly important as this is a new condition and we need to focus on what matters to patients.

If you are interested in telling us about your experiences of recovering from Covid-19 and help the NHS build better services, please visit this page.

Kent TogetherKent Together helpline

A 24-hour helpline has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.

You can contact the Kent Together helpline at: www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether or by phoning 03000 41 92 92.  

NHS volunteer responders

If you feel fit and well, you can join the national volunteer army of people who have signed up to help the NHS, patients and vulnerable people shielding themselves from the virus. Find out more and sign up at: www.goodsamapp.org/NHS 

On behalf of all the NHS in Kent and Medway a huge thank you to everyone who as already volunteered.

Become a covid champion and help beat the virus

Please help protect the NHS by following all the guidance to reduce the spread of the virus.

Trusted sources of information on Covid-19

Online NHS111 symptom checker
www.111.nhs.uk/Covid-19

NHS health advice and information
www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Government advice and guidance
www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Local infection rates and alert levels
www.medway.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.kent.gov.uk/coronavirus

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