Our health and care colleagues in Leeds are working hard to provide up to date information and guidance in line with changing Covid developments. This page aims to collate key local information from the NHS and Leeds City Council. For the latest government guidelines please visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

This page was last updated: 01 February 2022

The advice on ending isolation for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients remaining in hospital has changed. Inpatients can end self-isolation after 10 days subject to a clinical risk assessment.

There are additional recommendations on stepping down isolation for severely immunocompromised patients.

To read the full details – click here: www.gov.uk

From 01 April 2022, all staff delivering health CQC regulated settings and/or working in such settings must be vaccinated against Covid as a condition of their employment. The requirements for care homes came into force in November.

We’ve put together this guide and a set of frequently asked questions to give you the information that you need to consider in order to inform your decisions about staff vaccinations.

Post COVID-19 syndrome is also called ‘long Covid’. It describes the signs and symptoms that develop during or after a Covid infection which carry on for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by a different diagnosis.
For details of symptoms and how to access support, view this leaflet.

Leeds City council are offering support to charities whose income is still being affected by the coronavirus outbreak to help pay their fixed business costs.

Use this form to apply for a support grant to help pay fixed business costs. This grant is for businesses or charities whose income is still being affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

To apply for this grant your business or charity must:

  • be based in Leeds
  • have started trading before 1 November 2019
  • have fixed business costs of at least £2,000 from 1 August 2021 to 31 March 2022
  • prove that its income was at least 25% (or £50,000) lower between 1 April and 31 December 2021 compared to the same period in 2019
  • have not previously received a discretionary grant towards your fixed businesses costs from 1 August 2021 to 31 March 2022

It is recommended that you continue to risk assess service, group and activity delivery and consider the following questions to help with decision making around mitigating risks and amending delivery.

Where does the service take place?
Can windows and doors be opened to maximise ventilation opportunities?
Is there enough space for people to maintain social distancing?
Could it be delivered safely outside?
Who may attend or access the service?Are staff, volunteers and participants being encouraged and supported to do a lateral flow test before attending?
Are staff, volunteers and participants vaccinated?
How many people are a part of the activity?Could the service/activity be delivered one to one or in a smaller group?
How is the service delivered and what alternatives could be delivered?Could this be done online or over the telephone?
Are sanitiser and face masks readily available and used by all attendees?

There are regular changes in government guidelines for testing and isolating, so it is always worth referring to Government Covid website for the latest guidance and the NHS website for advice.

If you are need help with interpreting government guidance, please email [email protected]

If you have a loved one who lives in a care home, speak to the care home manager about becoming an ‘essential care giver’.

An essential care giver is someone who:

  • Helps the person feel happier and well.
  • Provides companionship and support (you don’t have to provide hands on care).
  • Can visit as often as you wish.
  • Would be supported with Infection Prevention and Control (e.g. hand hygiene and using personal protective equipment).
  • Must have the same regular Covid testing as staff.
  • Can continue visiting during Covid outbreaks providing you or your loved one are not Covid positive.

The plan for people over the age of 18 to book in for a vaccine booster was brought forward one month and the vaccine programme in Leeds are now working to increase capacity to meet the 31 Dec deadline.

Earlier this year colleagues from across the health and care sector in Leeds came together to help out GP Practices and Primary Care Networks with administrative support, data entry and marshalling.

Are you able to offer any support from within your teams to support the vaccine programme? Even if it is only for one session, your support would be of great benefit to our vaccine programme colleagues and ultimately to our citizens.

If you are able to volunteer please contact [email protected] who will put you in touch with those you will be able to support.

Health and care staff (including third sector) in Leeds are now able to book their booster jabs at an additional location:

The Mount Annexe Building, 44 Hyde Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9LN. The Mount is open 8.30am – 3.30pm Monday-Friday.

To book your booster vaccination use this online booking portal or call 0113 855 88 66.

Please note the online booking form currently states you need to wait six-months for your booster following your second dose, this is in the process of being updated to reflect updated guidance of a three-month gap, so please disregard the stated timescale.

Please be aware that bookings made for this location are for health and care staff only and not for members of the public. Bookings for these groups should continue via the national booking system.

We want to start by acknowledging the hard work you have continued to carry out throughout the pandemic and recognise that people are incredibly tired. By working together we hope to support our citizens to stay well and your contributions to this is much appreciated. Many thanks for everything you do.

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub is completely confidential and offers advice and support that can help with a range of issues. The Hub services are free to everyone who works in health, social care and voluntary and community service organisations, large or small, in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, and is in addition to the support offered by your own workplace. The Hub team offers  advice and support for issues such as emotional wellbeing to bereavement, debt, domestic violence and relationship issues. Call freephone number 0808 196 3833, 8am to 8pm, every day, including weekends and bank holidays.

For more information, click here.

Regular Opening hours:

  • Monday 8:00am – 8:00pm
  • Tuesday 8:00am – 8:00pm
  • Wednesday 8:00am – 8:00pm
  • Thursday 8:00am – 8:00pm
  • Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm

Working together as #TeamLeeds

Key messages

Messages are evolving at pace in line with government announcements and increased demand for services. The NHS Leeds communications channels have the most up to date information. These are links to NHS Leeds social media channels with the latest info: Twitter Facebook 

Please help to share the key messages below on your own social media channels and by displaying posters in community buildings. 

Getting fully vaccinated is the best way of protecting you and others against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine information – NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (leedsccg.nhs.uk)

A vaccine summary has been developed for people to find out which vaccinations they are eligible to access which you can find here.

Advice for people at higher risk from Covid-19 has been developed which you can find here.

Lateral flow tests are free to obtain and easy to use. Research shows the tests detect COVID-19 effectively, including the Omicron variant. So if you plan to meet others in an enclosed space please take a test first. Order here.

Our NHS colleagues have produced a poster to help people choose the right health service at the right time. This is available here. This is also available in the following languages: Arabic, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, and Urdu.

There are also a number of social media graphics available to download here.

We recommend practical measures to follow where possible such as;

  • Take the vaccination when you are eligible, this remains the primary line of defence
  • Wear a mask when indoors in enclosed spaces, and especially where it is mandatory on transport and in shops
  • Ventilate when indoors where possible
  • Take a lateral flow test in advance of mixing indoors and undertake risk assessments for large gatherings
  • Isolate and get a test if you have symptoms
  • Follow NHS guidance for isolating in relation to international travel
  • Continue to wash hands and sanitise surfaces
  • Risk assessments should continue to be carried out. Risks should be mitigated where possible and other options (eg virtual, postponement, reduced numbers) could be considered where risks cannot be mitigated.