Health & Wellbeing

As Premier League clubs prepare for the start of the new season, the world-first arrangement which has seen women's outpatient care delivered from Tottenham Hotspur's superb stadium approaches the full-time whistle. The groundbreaking arrangement which kicked off in mid-April, at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, has seen the state-of-the-art stadium host antenatal, gynaecology and obstetric services in its spacious facilities. The drive-through Covid-19 testing service will continue to operate from the THFC stadium roomy basement car park, and is even due to expand capacity in the near future.

London borough leaders, the mayor of London and community leaders across the capital joined in the launch of the 'Keep London Safe' campaign last week, to address low awareness of Covid-19 testing and contract tracing in the capital. The campaign follows polling that found 46 per cent of Londoners don't know how to get a test and 35 per cent know 'little or nothing' about NHS Test and Trace.

Many people who live and work in London are feeling anxious about coronavirus and how it might impact them, their loved ones, their work and their future. It’s important to know that it is normal and okay to feel upset, anxious or confused at times. The Coping Well During Covid webinar series has been developed to support you if you are feeling anxious about coronavirus and how it is impacting you, your loved ones or your work.

On 24th June Healthwatch Enfield organised an online question and answer session with senior staff from the North Middlesex and Royal Free/Chase Farm hospitals. The entire session was recorded. A long video (one hour), but filled with useful and interesting information. Subject matter includes how the hospitals coped during the acute phase of the Covid-19 outbreak, how they are continuing to provide infection control and how services are gradually being restored.

An investigation by two local journalists has revealed that, despite a pledge by health secretary Matt Hancock, care homes in Enfield were refused Covid-19 tests for symptomatic residents at the peak of the pandemic.

This survey is for women who are pregnant or who have given birth during the Covid-19 pandemic. It will help maternity services better understand the impact of decisions taken about changes to services on women';s experiences of being pregnant and giving birth during this time.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, North Middlesex University Hospital is continuing to treat cancer patients. While some treatments which weaken the immune system have had to be paused until a safer time, innovative methods are being used to reduce inconvenience to patients. The hospital is using 'chemo buses' to enable treatment without entering the hospital buildings, and has introduced a new type of radiotherapy.

A short video published by North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group explains why you should not ignore possible cancer symptoms and why you should not hesitate to contact your GP practice.

The Covid Symptom Study suggests that cases have been increasing since 8th May across the country, though they are still a fraction of the peak estimate on 2nd April. The most recent estimate for Enfield is 1.1 per cent of the population - nearly twice the estimate at the beginning of the month. The Covid-19 Symptom Study is running out of funding and has launched an appeal for donations.

Healthwatch Enfield would like to find out what impact Coronavirus is having on people in the borough in order to find out what information and support local people need in future. Please complete their 5-minute survey online or over the phone.