SUPPORT COORDINATOR COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) NON-MEDICAL INFORMATION
We understand that this is a very worrying time for many of you. We continue to receive a high volume of emails and phone calls from patients concerned about Covid-19.
Support Co-ordinators cannot give you medical advice on your specific treatment and Covid-19 and for any such queries, you must contact your Behçet’s Centre of Excellence using the contact details at the bottom of this page.
The Behçet’s Centres of Excellence are asking patients with upcoming appointments who are feeling stable to get in touch with the clinic to cancel/rearrange their appointment
Please be patient as they are also receiving a very high volume of calls and emails. We do not have access to your shielding status and cannot provide letters regarding that.
The following links might be useful:
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (covers a lot of very useful topics from basic safety to employment issues).
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ON SHIELDING AND VULNERABLE GROUPS
EDUCATION
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT IF YOU CANNOT WORK
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/worker-support
BEHÇET’S UK UPDATES
Coronavirus (COVID-19) (behcetsuk.org)
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
There are many local organisations being set up to support the most vulnerable and more are being set up all the time. The following list should help you get started on where to look but please contact your Support Co-ordinator if you are struggling to find help or the right contact details.
· On Facebook: Search for your local area and ‘Covid-19’ which should give you lists of local support groups.
· County Councils are also co-ordinating support efforts so please look for their pages online, or ring them to find out more.
· The elected local Councillor for your Ward should be able to point you in the right direction for local support.
· Social Services in your area may also be able to help the most vulnerable.
· Your local Food Bank
· Many smaller independent suppliers around the country such as farm shops and zero waste grocery stores are setting up home delivery or systems of order and collect so it is worth keeping an eye on their Facebook pages or ringing to check what services they might be offering.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Other useful links including for cooking on a limited food supply, please see the following page:
https://behcetspatients.org.uk/living-well
Your Support Co-ordinators are continuing to work from home as usual on non-medical support and for those of you on benefits, we will continue to take requests for letters of support to go with applications or renewals etc. We all work part-time flexibly but will answer your emails or phone messages as soon as we can.
We all work part-time flexibly but will answer your emails or phone messages as soon as we can.
Stay safe and see you soon.
Rebecca, Jean and Jackie
A number of our patients are finding themselves in situations where they have an urgent need for support.
If you do find yourself in this position, there are various things you can do to try and get help.
There are many local organisations being set up to support the most vulnerable and more are being set up all the time.
The following list should help you get started on where to look but please contact your Support Coordinator if you are struggling to find help or the right contact details.
· On Facebook search for your local area and ‘COVID-19’ which should give you lists of local support groups.
· Local Councils are also starting to co-ordinate support efforts so please look for their pages online, or ring them to find out more.
· The elected local Councillor for your Ward should be able to point you in the right direction for local support.
· Social Services in your area may also be able to help the most vulnerable.
· Your local Food Bank
· The NHS is also currently recruiting volunteers to help support the most vulnerable.
· Many smaller independent suppliers around the country such as farm shops and zero waste grocery stores are setting up home delivery or systems of order and collect so it is worth keeping an eye on their Facebook pages or ringing to check what services they might be offering.
BASICS TO PREVENT THE VIRUS SPREADING
The Do's and Don'ts to prevent spreading and catching the virus:
NHS ADVICE ON HAND-WASHING
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Other useful links including cooking on a limited food supply, please see our "Living Well" page:
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHIELDING, SELF-ISOLATION AND SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Shielding, self-isolation and social distancing are very important in order to protect yourselves and others from Coronavirus. What are they, and which should you be doing?
Social distancing is about significantly limiting face-to-face contact if you can and making sure that essential visitors (such as health care services, carers or family members) follow hand-washing and hygiene advice scrupulously. They should not visit you if you are unwell but make other arrangements for your care. You can go outside for a walk to the park or into your garden if you stay more than 3 steps (2 metres) from others.
Self-isolation is the most effective way of preventing Coronavirus spreading. Government advice is to self-isolate if you have any Coronavirus symptoms, might have been exposed to it, or live with someone with symptoms.
Shielding is similar to self-isolating, but for longer, and is for people who are deemed extremely vulnerable due to a specific health condition.
For many of us, staying at home and minimising contact with our friends and family will be very difficult. It's important that even though you need to be physically apart, you stay connected with friends and family over the phone or on social media.
BEHÇET’S UK are providing regular updates on the impact of COVID-19 via their website and Social Media platforms.
Follow the link below to view their latest statement regarding the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
This will be updated regularly, as and when more information becomes available.
All patients, including those aged 16 years and under, should continue to take their medication unless directed otherwise by their consultant. If you have any questions about your medication please contact the relevant Centre of Excellence, their contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Their COVID-19 and mental health guide is a useful addition resource to help manage mental health during the pandemic
Their guide " Coronavirus: Guidance for Better Mental Health" is available to view at https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus
Behçet’s Support Coordinator (London)
Behçet’s Patients Support
M: 07804 880655
Behçet’s Support Coordinator (Birmingham)
Behçet’s Patients Support
M: 07467 945269
Behçet’s Support Coordinator (Liverpool)
Behçet’s Patients SupportSupport
M: 07775 645714
The Behçet’s Support Coordinators are happy to give general advice to all patients with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of Behçet’s but can only provide detailed non-medical support for those patients who attend one of the three Centres of Excellence.
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Behçet’s Patients Support is provided by Behçet’s Patients Centres
Company No 8085618 registered in England – Registered Charity No 1148599