It's up to all of us to protect our NHS View in browser
Update from Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health

Yesterday (26 Nov), the Government announced that, like most areas in the South West region, Swindon has been allocated to the ‘High Alert’ Tier 2 level. You can read what that means for everyone living and working in Swindon here. These restrictions take effect, replacing the current national restrictions, from 00:01 on Wednesday 02 December.

Our Tier 2 ‘High Alert’ level status emphasises the care and vigilance we all need to show in the weeks ahead in the run-up to and over Christmas. These new restrictions do give us a greater degree of freedom than we have seen under national restrictions, but greater personal responsibility comes with that.

While our case rates have dropped over the past week, we cannot afford to let our guard down. With restrictions being lifted next week we run a real risk that our case rates could increase quickly like they did in October. That would put pressure on our health services, put our friends and family at risk and potentially cause us to move into Tier 3 restrictions. It means we must all take care every time we leave the house or meet with anyone not in our household which will be harder than ever as we approach Christmas. If we all continue to follow guidance carefully we can lower our case rates but it will need every single one of us to do our bit.

Today we have launched our ‘Let’s do it for our GWH’ campaign to show the impact the recent spike in cases has had on the 600+ people who have required hospital treatment for COVID-19 at the GWH and also on the hospital itself. By helping to stop the spread in the weeks ahead, we can help free up hospital beds and capacity to provide the vital medical care and treatment that we all depend on.

Latest case rate data for Swindon

As of today (27 Nov), Swindon's 7-day case rate was 136 cases per 100,000 of the population which remains above the average for the South West region of 116 per 100,000 but below the 187 per 100,000 case rate for England as a whole. In the last seven days (correct as of 27 Nov) there have been 303 new positive cases in Swindon.

Thank you from some of Swindon's key workers

We, along with our partners, want to thank each and every one of you who has continued to stay at home and not meet up with people outside your household. Your actions are helping to reduce the number of COVID cases in Swindon and ensure we don’t overwhelm our NHS.

It’s up to all of us to continue protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our community when we come out of lockdown and head into Christmas.

By following the guidelines, you’re helping to keep us safe and we’ll continue to keep you safe too.

Tune in to our Facebook Q&A this evening

Join our Director of Public Health, Steve Maddern, and Chief Executive of Great Western Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust, Kevin McNamara, for our next Facebook live session at 5pm today (27 Nov).

As well as answering your COVID questions, Steve will be updating viewers on the latest case rates and infection rates for Swindon, while Kevin will share how the Great Western Hospital is responding to the recent increase in hospital admissions.

Leave your questions in advance and watch the livestream by clicking here.

Let's do it for our GWH

As we continue to see coronavirus cases in our community, admissions to the Great Western Hospital are unfortunately increasing.

Over the past year, hospital staff have worked tirelessly to support patients, with many regular wards converted to COVID-19 wards to support the increasing number of admissions. The hospital also has to face the additional pressure winter brings, such as an increase in cases of flu.

The hospital will always be a safe place and patients must continue attending appointments but we need your support to allow the hospital to continue supporting all patients who need it.

Our actions directly impact the number of cases in Swindon and consequently the number of patients our hospital needs to support.

It’s up to all of us to play our part in limiting the spread of coronavirus in our community and to prevent overwhelming our NHS. Following the guidance is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our hospital.

Let’s do it for our GWH.

Look out for the signs of domestic abuse

Reports of domestic abuse have increased nationally during the pandemic. Abuse can start at any point in a relationship, that’s why it is so important to know what signs to look out for.

If you, someone you know, or someone you know of is experiencing domestic abuse, help is always available. In an emergency, dial 999. If it is not an emergency, contact the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service 24 hour helpline on 01793 610610, or call Wiltshire Police on 101.

Spread some Christmas cheer in our community

This year, why not spread some festive cheer to the most vulnerable and isolated residents in our community by taking part in Cards for Our Community!

All you need to do is buy or create a festive card (the more creative the better) and write a positive message inside. Once you’ve finished, you can send through your amazing cards or creations to Cards for Our Community, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH or drop them off at Central, Highworth, North Swindon and Park libraries during our opening hours.

Make sure you get your cards in by Wednesday 16 December and our volunteers will safely distribute them to as many care home and isolated residents as possible.

Other news
  • Throughout December, we’ll be sharing lots of festive fostering content as part of a South West fostering recruitment campaign – keep an eye on our Facebook page
  • We're asking for views on plans to make improvements to Station Road - read more here
  • Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has teamed up with charity Art UK to offer prints of the works from the Swindon Collection for art lovers to buy - read more here
  • Swindon is set to receive £731,500 from the Government to improve walking and cycling provision across the borough - find out more here

Make sure you are following our social media channels to get the latest COVID-19 alerts as and when they happen.

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