Who Was St Wulfstan?

St Wulfstan Stain glass window

St Wulfstan - The Bishop Who Fought Slavery, Patron Saint of Peasants and Vegetarians

St Wulfstan was born in 1008 in Long Itchington, Warwickshire, and became Bishop of Worcester in 1062.

He has become renowned for being the Bishop who fought slavery, and many report that he was a prominent social reformer. Legend has it that he had a daily ritual of washing the feet of the poor. It is also said that he hosted a banquet attended by local dignitaries, and at the same time invited the poor. He then insisted that the dignitaries serve the poor.

It is reported that he campaigned vigorously to end the slave trade involving Irish slaves who were sold in Bristol, and eventually resulted in the end of this trade.

He is also Patron Saint of Vegetarians. He became a vegetarian after becoming distracted from his devotions by the smell of roast goose!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2007/03/13/aboliltion_wulfstan_feature.shtml

http://thomasfowellbuxton.org.uk/tfb/blog/2013/05/02/st-wulfstan-the-bishop-who-fought-slavery/

Dementia Support

If you suffer with dementia, or care for someone who suffers with dementia there is support available for you.

The Dementia Connect Service is a new personalised dementia support service for anyone affected by dementia and can be contacted on 0333 150 3456.

They are able to provide:

  • emotional support when things get tough

  • connecting you to local support groups

  • help to understand and live with dementia, including coping techniques

  • support with everyday living, such as government benefits.

The telephone. umber is open as follows:

  • Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm

  • Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

  • Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

And you can also access help online at www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect

Or for further support services please visit the Warwickshire Council website at https://dementia.warwickshire.gov.uk/support-services-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

New Bereavement Support Pack

Loosing a loved one can be incredibly distressing, and maybe made even more so in the current circumstances of a pandemic. It is often difficult to understand what needs to be done from a practical perspective, and where to go for help when we’re struggling. Nobody should feel alone. As such Warwickshire County Council have produced a new document entitled; “Support for People Bereaved During COVID-19 Pandemic”. It provides thorough and thoughtful information on support and counselling services available for adults and children.

The document can be found at the following address: https://mcusercontent.com/6649d997a7ea14dfed06838ef/files/af682dbb-25a2-494c-a1ea-92576259f84e/Bereavement_pack_v1.pdf

Breastfeeding Celebration Week 2020

This week is Breastfeeding Celebration Week, and as such there are new online resources to help if you, or someone you know, are looking for help with breastfeeding.

Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/ for more details. There are useful sections of the site to help with breastfeeding, expressing, bottle feeding, maintaining a healthy diet, overcoming difficulties, and what to do when you need to return to work.

One new interesting tool is the 24/7 support service available to those with an Amazon Alexa or Google Home device. You can get answers to your questions, when you need them. Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-help-and-support/ for more details.

We do have a local support service which can be accessed via your Health Visitor or Midwife. If you are struggling to get referred then you can contact the Infant Feeding Coordinator on 01926 495321, Extension 8584.

Young Minds: COVID Support

Young Minds is an organisation that provides mental health and wellbeing support to young people and parents alike. In these difficult times, those of us who suffer with symptoms of low mood, depression and anxiety may require further support. As such Young Minds have developed new support materials regarding Coronavirus & Mental Health - feel free to visit at https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health/

Getting Help: Domestic Violence & Abuse

Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help.

Please see https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/ for further details.

If you need help you can (as described in the webpage above):

You can also email for support. It is important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address:

Bank Holiday 25th May

The surgery will be closed on Monday 25th May

If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 999 immediately

If you think that you may have Covid-19, please visit www.111.nhs.uk or call 111 for assistance

For any other medical advice whilst we are closed, please call 111

 

If you need to visit a pharmacy, the following are open on Bank Holiday Monday:

Lloyds Pharmacy (09:00-17:00), Shires Retail Park, Leamington, CV34 6RH, 01926 881701 

Boots the Chemist (10:00-17:00), 31 The Parade, Leamington, CV32 4BL, 01926 424945  

 

Cervical Screening Tests Resume from Wednesday 27th May

Cervical Screening saves lives

The national cervical screening programme will restart next week. If you are due a screening test, you can book an appointment from Wednesday 27th May. Please note that these appointments will be available on Wednesdays and Fridays initially, and can only be booked on the day.

We have been alerted by Public Health England of a possible scam concerning cervical screening.  There are reports of some women being contacted by text message, claiming to be from the screening test call and recall service, advising patients that they are overdue for cervical screening. The message asks recipients to call a mobile number and provide personal details. These messages are not from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme and are a scam.

COVID19: Returning To Work

Advice regarding returning to work during Covid Pandemic

 The government advice on the 11th May regarding relaxing the lockdown has caused a lot of confusion. Employers and employees are understandably anxious about whether it is safe to open up.

The essentials of the advice are as follows:

If you are in an extremely vulnerable group (and you will have had a letter from the government or the surgery telling you that you are in this group) then

 If you are not in the extremely vulnerable group then

  • ·        If you can work from home, then you should continue doing that·

  •     If you cannot work from home, then you need to discuss it with your employer to see what support they can give you to ensure safe-distancing

  • ·         If you or your employer do not think they can provide a safe-distancing arrangement, you need to discuss your position with your employer. This is not a medical issue.

  • ·        If you do not agree with your employer’s request to return to work, this needs to be something you need to discuss with your employer or union.

 Can the doctor give a sick note to say you should not return to work?

 The doctor can only give a sick note if you are medically unfit to work. Disputes between employers and employees regarding distancing arrangements are not something the doctors can issue sick notes for.

 Can I still take time off work if I or a family member  develops  symptoms of Covid 19?

 The situation has not changed regarding what you should do if you develop a fever or cough or if a family member does. If you think you have Covid 19, you should self-isolate for 7 days, and family members should self-isolate for 14 days.

 You do not need to see the doctor to take time of work under these circumstance – you can apply for an Isolation note from NHS111 at https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

 You can ask to be tested if:

 You work in the NHS or social care and do or do not have symptoms (depending on latest NHS guidance)

  • You are an essential worker with symptoms (see the full list of essential workers)

  • You are over 65 with symptoms

  • You have  symptoms and are going to work and cannot work from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers)

  • You are anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those in the above groups