Pandemic local update - Wednesday

* Glenda Romeo Williams from the 

Old Vicarage care team with supplies donated by Greggs.

The Town Council says it is continuing to support the work of the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group and following a request from them has agreed to make a contribution to the purchase of care packs for individuals who the group has identified as being at home with no funds and requiring food.

The packs provide enough supplies for a week and will be supplied to individuals within the Town Council’s geographic limits, whilst other care services can be accessed.

Help group co-ordinator Cat Mead posted late yesterday: “Lots of positives today, discussions with our local police who have assured us our Llangollen Neighbourhood Support Group COVID 19 is fully supported by them, we are able to continue our volunteer services to the community at this difficult time, they are also heavily involved in monitoring all activities carried out by our group.

“All volunteers have been contacted today to check their situation and reassure on measures  going forward. We have set up a private communications board amongst volunteers, for now we have enough to continue all support areas, however we will ask if any further are needed.

“Llangollen Town Council have kindly donated £760 today to assist, £260 has gone to the Foodshare and £500 on care packages for the elderly and vulnerable, this service has been much appreciated by those who have received it.

“A kind gesture from the closure of Edinburgh Woollen Mill saw gifts of shortbread and chocolate distributed to the Health Centre and Pharmacy Staff along with our fantastic posties to say thank you to them all.

“Medication requests for delivery have excelled today, our volunteers are working hard to assist, may I ask that you check with the pharmacy that your prescription is ready prior to placing a request for delivery.

“Dee Valley Fruit & Veg have had another busy day serving the town, lots of appreciation, lovely comments and support for our fantastic team on Oak St.

“Another great volunteer has been working with local businesses to create a useful food supply leaflet, this will be distributed by the end of the week, along with Issue 2 of the support group update.

“It was great to see the town empty today (never thought I would say that) for all the right reasons.

“Please continue to stay at home, don't allow the kids to gather to go the park or to their friends, it is a community effort to safeguard us all and ensure this beast has minimal impact on our residents. It is OK to sit/play in your garden, to walk your dog at distance from others or take a casual walk, jog, bike ride for exercise, all with precaution and sensible distancing. Essential shopping only, both Aldi and HB are stocked, please only go out if it is essential, lots of home delivery services coming in the next few days.”

Volunteer Paula Lingard posted: “Mike Connolly has asked me to thank, on his behalf, Edinburgh Woollen Mill who contacted him yesterday morning and donated their stock of shortbread, chocolate etc., to the Support Group and it was in turn divided equally between the Pharmacy, Health Centre and posties.”

* Goodies donated by Edinburgh Woollen Mill  to the support group for key workers.

One of the town’s major food outlets has introduced a new measure to ensure queuing customers stay at a safe distance from the tills.

The store posted on Facebook yesterday: “To our customers at Co-op Llangollen as part of social distancing we would appreciate it if you could stay behind the tape we have put by tills. This is not just for our protection but also yours thank you from all of us at co-op.”

* The customer safety line at the Co-op tills.
Picture  taken by the Co-op staff.

Generous gestures continued, including one mentioned by the Old Vicarage care home: “Many thanks to Greggs for donating fresh food and milk for the residents of the Old Vicarage today.”

From the Co-op nationally came this message yesterday: “From tonight our stores will be closing earlier than usual to give our colleagues a chance to replenish our shelves as well as giving them a well-needed rest. Monday to Saturday we'll close at 8pm, normal trading hours will be in place on Sunday. For more information head to https://coop.uk/3doWPgc #FoodHeroes #FeedingTheNation”

Bowen Son and Watson estate agents in Castle Street had stayed open a little longer than most shops but yesterday bowed to the inevitable.

The team there posted yesterday: “In light of the recent announcement by the Prime Minister we wish to provide you with our latest update. As per Government guidelines our offices will now close from 24 March for a period of three weeks and we have made arrangements to be able to provide service levels to you by key staff members.

"In the first instance please email the office with your query & contact details and a member of staff will return to you. Our details can be found on the 'contact us' page of our website: bowensonandwatson.co.uk"

But, as it performs an essential duty, the Blue Bay Launderette announced it was staying open when it posted: “Just a reminder. We're open tomorrow (Wednesday) for you to catch up on your laundry 9am - 5pm. If you require us to collect your laundry please ring 01978 869227. It would be much appreciated if you could pay by card. Hope everyone is keeping well.”

The fortnightly kerbside collection of textile bags issued by local charity Co-options has been suspended until further notice.

A note from the charity explained: “It is not possible at this time to sort the textiles safely and the employees operating this service will be remaining at home in line with government guidance as it is not considered critical at this time.

“Co-options textile banks should NOT be used at this time as this is NOT a legitimate reason to leave your home.

“Please try to keep good quality clothing to one side so it can be collected once restrictions are lifted.”

This service usually operates in north and central Denbighshire.

A video conferencing facility normally used to train and share best practice is being used to help reinforce key messages for palliative care professionals during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Wales’ only ECHO learning hub is set up at Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham where it is normally used to offer training and share knowledge remotely for health and social care professionals working in isolation.

It brings together groups of practitioners to enable them to find solutions and share best practice. It means in these times of great strain on health and social care services we can learn from each other and not duplicate important aspects of work. It also provides a means of supporting staff in a variety of care settings in these challenging times.

The original intention of the ECHO model is to reduce isolation and improve access to case based learning and education for health and social care professionals. The impact the Coronavirus is having on the health care sector means it is proving invaluable in connecting with those who need to be kept up to date in a timely and coordinated fashion.

Hospice UK is hosting weekly ECHO sessions, which Nightingale House Hospice is taking part, to link over 230 palliative care health professionals from hospices, hospitals and community teams, to discuss issues and concerns or share best practice and innovative ways of service delivery.

Nightingale House’s ECHO hub has enabled some of the BCUHB palliative care team members to link to the national resource along with our own hospice team, cutting down the impact of face to face contact and reducing the time health professionals are away from their work.

Tracy Livingstone, Head of Governance and Education at Nightingale House, said: “We have already seen the benefits of connecting with key health and social care workers for training purposes but now the benefits of the ECHO suite has come into its’ own. We have joined forces with the palliative care teams at BCUHB to keep in touch during this unprecedented time.

“Moving forward ECHO will be held up as an excellent example of the benefits this type of communication can bring during a national crisis but also maintaining staff education and competence in practice in rural isolated communities, of which we have many within our catchment area. In Northern Ireland the Health and Social Care Board already commissions the services of the HUB in Belfast for professional education of isolated practitioners and already sees how big an impact its’ reach can have in those areas that could get forgotten about in the bigger picture.”