Dealing with the pandemic in York – the answers are in our local communities

The first two cases in the UK were identified in York and we got to hear about them through the local paper and before PHE told us. Those patients were quickly moved into isolation out of the city and no local transmission was found. However, it was clear more cases would occur so our city’s infection control plan was brought into play. We soon agreed on three areas of focus to help contain the virus: communication, communities and close collaboration.


Communication

We started putting out regular simple, clear messages, relating them to local people and making complex government guidance – when received - easier to understand. Not all of our messaging was telling people not to do things; we also stressed what they could do and where - particularly to encourage exercise in the fresh air.

We produced and circulated a regular ‘single version of the truth’ and held public on-line Q&A sessions, based around relevant public health topics, visitor information, businesses and other subjects we had been asked about. Members of the Executive and officers were on the panel to pick up questions as they were submitted.

Of all the things we did and still do, this is the one that has been most widely welcomed and recognised by residents, parish councils, voluntary organisations and many others.

Communities

Our councillors know their communities well and we used that knowledge. Community hubs were set up in local halls so that food, information and help could be easily accessed. Working with our local area co-ordinators and social prescribers (who were already well established in our communities), the volunteers who came forward – and there were 4000 of them – could be directed to where they were most needed. They did whatever residents required, they collected shopping, delivered food boxes, helped with prescriptions, and made regular phone calls to those who felt isolated and lonely. They also pointed people to help with DWP claims and to our own local Financial Assistance Fund when money had run out and all else had failed.

In later lockdowns, CVS took over as the volunteer hub and worked closely with systems already in place.

When we were setting up local testing sites and later, the vaccination sites, the local knowledge of elected members was invaluable in getting things in the right place and accessible to the greatest numbers. Our local testing teams could reach people not contacted nationally and their success rate is very high.

As grants from national government arrived, we got them out as quickly as possible to our local businesses to sustain and support the local economy.

Close collaboration

From the start, we were working closely with our local CCG and all parts of the local NHS, including York District Hospital and Tyne, Esk and Wear Valley, or mental health services provider. We were and are in regular contact to ensue we knew the current situation and to discuss ways to working together for mutual support. 

Regular meetings were soon set up with both Universities and our two colleges who have worked closely with our Public Health Team to get appropriate messages out to students and to ensure teaching spaces, when used, were sanitised properly and with safe access. We have found no transmission within establishments; only outside in the community.

The first two cases in the UK were identified in York and we got to hear about them through the local paper and before PHE told us. Those patients were quickly moved into isolation out of the city and no local transmission was found. However, it was clear more cases would occur so our city’s infection control plan was brought into play. We soon agreed on three areas of focus to help contain the virus: communication, communities and close collaboration.

Local head teachers met regularly, including right through the summer, to consider the latest government guidance and interpret it. Our Public Health Team were on hand to give advice about school safety and testing in schools.

Local businesses also met together to exchange information and our DPH was present to listen to their concerns and give advice.

We are in touch with all our care homes daily and worked with them to source local PPE when the national supply chains ran out.

Conclusion

Alongside all of this, in January we coped with flooding, so everyone was at full stretch for some weeks to try to reduce the effects of a lot of water in the Ouse.

Everything has been done with local councillors involved, particularly the members of the Executive. We feel that if national Government had involved us at a local level much earlier, we could have helped to reduce the transmission rate much more effectively and quickly.

Finally, we can see that, as lockdown is lifted, more mental health issues will become apparent, so we are putting £100k into the 21/22 budget to work with MIND to provide help and support for those with low level mental health issues, before they become more serious.

Local people need local messages, put out by people they know and in ways they can trust. They need help in their own local communities and local councillors are absolutely key in that.

Cllr Carol Runciman is Executive Member for Health and Social Care, Chair, CYC Health and Wellbeing Board, City of York Council.