Having said that I was going to reduce the number of updates, immediately some new things came along, and so this is a further update on what has happened this week.
Firstly, if you are one of those who has been shielding, the Government has announced that the current guidance will stop at the end of July and you will be able to return to normal, though I would still advise you to take care. You can also meet a group of up to six people outdoors from the 6th July, which should allow you to meet up with your family again. If you are living alone you are also from then able to set up a support bubble with one other household.
You can find the guidance on this here.
The reason that this has been possible is that the incidence of the virus has fallen sharply and continues to fall. According to the Office for National Statistics, only around 1 in 1,700 people is currently affected, and so the chance of meeting someone who is infected is small.
But we need to keep it that way, which is why some restrictions remain in place, and I do know that there are concerns in our local NHS that there is a risk that the virus will return in the autumn. That’s why we all need to continue to take care.
Government Food Boxes
The change to shielding rules also means that the Government food boxes will stop from 1st August. However those who have been shielding should still have priority for supermarket deliveries for a little while longer. If you have any problems with this, please do let me know and I will do what I can to help.
Epsom Hospital – Return to Normal Service
I have been asked to provide an update about the return of normal service at Epsom Hospital. This is the current situation.
Outpatient departments are now accepting all referrals from GPs and doing 50% of the consultations virtually.
The diagnostics services have now separated out all facilities (apart from MRI) into one service for planned care and one service for emergency patients so that they minimise any risks of spreading the virus.
The Elective Orthopaedic Centre, which had been reprovisioned as an intensive care facility for Coronavirus patients, is back open and by mid July will be doing a full range of joint replacements
The day surgery unit will be back open by mid-July, and inpatient elective operations by the end of July.
Finally a lot of planned care will be carried out at Ashtead Hospital until at least end of August – it is classified as entirely Coronavirus-free hospital
Support for shops and local firms
I was out shopping in Epsom on Saturday and it was good to see many people supporting local shops. Please do continue to do so, as well as our local pubs and restaurants as they start to reopen.
Finally, Surrey County Council says that libraries will start to reopen from July 6th. More details at here.