More residents set to receive coronavirus shielding letters

More residents in Neath Port Talbot are set to receive letters this week advising them to shield from the coronavirus.

Following an expansion of the medical criteria for shielding, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales will this week send letters to further high risk patients advising them to shield. The latest letters advise people to shield until at least 15 June 2020, In line with the initial 12 week shielding advice issued in late March.

Those who have been told to shield should stay at home, avoid gatherings and avoid contact with anyone who is displaying symptoms.

Residents who have been advised to shield but don’t have anybody to call on for support, are being told to contact Neath Port Talbot Council’s Safe and Well Service.

The service was set up at the start of the coronavirus outbreak to ensure nobody is left alone while shielding and that people are able to access support with daily living tasks they are no longer able to carry out.

To help support residents the service can:

• Match people with a trusted volunteer to help with things such as picking up prescriptions, posting mail, dog walking or simply arranging regular check-in phone calls to make sure someone is okay.
• Help people to access food shopping by giving them information on local delivery services. For those who are most vulnerable and have no other way of accessing essential food supplies, an emergency food parcel can be arranged to be delivered.

The service also has links with existing support that has been set up by community/voluntary organisations, town and community councils, housing associations and councillors across the county borough.

Councillor Rob Jones, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:

“The NPT Safe and Well Service is here help our most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus outbreak. I know that many people are lucky enough to have family, friends and neighbours nearby who can help them, but that’s not the case for everyone.

“We are continuing to work closely with local councillors, voluntary organisations and housing associations to coordinate how to best support those who need it.

“The communities of Neath Port Talbot are really stepping up at this very challenging time and we are confident that by working together, we can help support those who are medically vulnerable and isolated.”

Those eligible for the NPT Safe and Well Service include:

• People who have been told shield themselves from the coronavirus and don’t have any friends, family or neighbours to call on for help.
• People who have to self-isolate because they have health conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus and don’t have anyone to call on for support.
• Carers who are supporting those who are shielding themselves or self-isolating.

To contact the service, call 01639 686868 (8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Neath Port Talbot Council’s NPT Safe and Well Service is delivered in partnership with Age Connects, NPT CVS, Tai Tarian, Coastal Housing, Pobl, Age Concern, Canolfan Maerdy and RADAR.