Coronavirus (COVID-19) – a public message from local health services and councils

Dear residents

Health and care organisations across Sussex are doing everything we can to manage the ongoing COVID-19 situation and prepare for what is expected to be an increase in infection over the coming weeks.

All partners across the system are working together as one to ensure our populations get the care they need and our staff can continue to work in the safest possible way.

Across the country we have world renowned clinicians, allied health professionals, public health experts, scientists and support staff working around the clock to keep the country safe.

We have fantastic dedicated and committed staff who continue to go above and beyond every day to give our patients the best possible care in very difficult circumstances.

Across Sussex, a huge effort is underway to mobilise changes that need to be made in the way hospitals and GP practices run and to change the way our social care services operate to meet the new and changing demands on them.

We are confident that our local system is well prepared. But we must be ready for the situation to get worse before it gets better and we now all need to play our part.

The government have announced further measures to delay the spread of the infection and have urged us all to play our part and follow the national guidance around social distancing and self-isolation.

Everyone have been asked to stay at home unless you need to get essential supplies, such as food or medicine and only travel if absolutely necessary.

If people do need to go out, they should adhere to ‘social distancing’ guidance and stay two metres away from other people at all times. Read more information around social distancing.

Those who become ill with symptoms of a new continuous cough or temperature need to self-isolate for seven days and those who live in a household with someone who has symptoms needs to self-isolate for 14 days. Read more information around self-isolation.

By adhering to the guidance, we will be able to reduce the spread of infection and help health and care services manage the situation in the best possible way.

It is essential our health and care workers across the system are able to continue to safely go to work and can carry out their job in the most effective way.

Each health and care organisation have put in place measures to enable staff to continue to work and we are using all resources possible to make sure this is maintained.

We recognise this is an extremely difficult period for everyone and that is why it is so important that we all work together to help manage the situation the best we can.

We can all play our part and we urge you to do so.

All the national information needed around COVID-19 can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Kind Regards

Adam Doyle - Chief Executive, Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups

Marianne Griffiths - Chief Executive, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust

Adrian Bull - Chief Executive, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Sam Allen - Chief Executive, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Siobhan Melia - Chief Executive, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Steve Jenkin - Chief Executive, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Phillip Astle - Chief Executive, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Geoff Raw - Chief Executive, Brighton & Hove City Council

Councillor Nancy Platts - Leader, Brighton & Hove City Council

Becky Shaw - Chief Executive, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council