How green campaigners are helping people in Sheffield during lockdown

Green campaigners in Sheffield have begun a contact tracing pilot study which could help stop the spread of coronavirus and allow the country to exit lockdown at an earlier date.
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Several volunteers from environmental campaigning grousp are retired healthcare professionals, including former Public Health specialists, directors of Public Health as well as GPs. They have combined their expertise to set up the study which will see volunteers trained to contact Covid-19 patients, identify their close contacts, then advise those people to self-isolate and provide support if needed.

The volunteers will be supervised throughout, with referrals coming from local GPs, community groups and word of mouth. They will begin by contacting those infected in the Meersbrook area.

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Dr Bing Jones, retired Sheffield doctor, said: “Contact tracing is an essential part of controlling an epidemic. It takes care and effort but could be a game changer.

Protesters outside Barclays Bank on Pinstone Street in Sheffield.Protesters outside Barclays Bank on Pinstone Street in Sheffield.
Protesters outside Barclays Bank on Pinstone Street in Sheffield.

“Much of the UK’s policy so far has been hospital-based, with a focus on extra beds, ventilators and dedicated staff. But much of the epidemic is in the community and there is a need for traditional low-tech solutions like contact tracing to address the next stage. People are sometimes very ill and isolated with this virus and they need support to keep strong and to access health services if further help is needed.”

To avoid the risk of infection, volunteers will contact coronavirus patients by telephone.

At the end of the pilot a report will be published to “discuss its feasibility”. If successful, the group hope it will be widely used by the NHS, Public Health England, and local authorities.

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Retired Public Health Dr Paul Redgrave said: “Many contacts will benefit from advice and encouragement to self-isolate. This is an essential step to stop further infections in Sheffield from local volunteers.”

Dr Bing Jones who is heavily involved with the campaign, outside Sheffield CathedralDr Bing Jones who is heavily involved with the campaign, outside Sheffield Cathedral
Dr Bing Jones who is heavily involved with the campaign, outside Sheffield Cathedral

“Vaccines may be a long way off and phone apps have hurdles to overcome and will fail to help those who are elderly or poor, the groups hardest hit already by Covid. A pilot investigation of a local, community-based scheme designed to make a real difference by helping to control spread of infection is therefore necessary.”

Retired GP Dr Mike Tomson added: “Tracing is the only way to safely get out of lockdown.”

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