Stay home this Easter and save lives

Date posted: 10th April 2020

Health leaders urge residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives this Easter bank holiday

With the long weekend ahead, and the weather improving, residents are urged to follow the national guidance in a collective effort to protect the NHS and save lives.

Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, GP and Chief Clinical Officer for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said:

“Preventing the spread of coronavirus is a national effort and one that we are all responsible for. The NHS are doing all they can to support local patients. Over the Easter weekend it’s vitally important that we all continue to follow government guidance, which is in place to protect the NHS and to save lives.”

A reminder on the national guidance that you should only leave the house for very limited reasons:

  • shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, as infrequently as possible
  • one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
  • any medical need, or to provide care or help to a vulnerable person
  • travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.

When leaving the house, people should ensure they are two metres apart from anyone, other than members of their own household.

Amanda adds:

“We know that this is a really difficult time for everyone, but if you do go out, you could contribute to the spread of coronavirus to vulnerable people. Please stay home to help us save lives.”

Health organisations across Lancashire and South Cumbria will be coming together to share photos and videos promote the ‘stay at home’ message on social media this weekend using the hashtag #StayAtHomeLSC.

What to do if you feel unwell

Anyone who thinks they have coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature or a new, continuous cough – who would like advice, should use the dedicated NHS 111 coronavirus service online. You should only call NHS 111 if you think your symptoms need a clinician assessment or if you can’t get help online.

If people have a routine appointment booked with either your GP practice or another health service at either a hospital or health centre, they should speak to them before attending, to check if it is still going ahead.

There’s also a reminder that for any urgent medical help over the bank holidays, you can visit www.111.nhs.uk, or call 111 24 hours a day.

When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, people should call 999 immediately, just as they normally would.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) useful links

Advice and support for people in Lancashire and South Cumbria

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