Note that this page is no longer being updated.

Medical Services

111

The 111 web site contains lots of useful information on avoiding catching the infection, what the symptoms are and what you to do if you think you are infected.  

To protect others, do not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital if you think you have the virus.

Also phone 111 if you need a COVID 19 test.

Information from NHS

You can find the all the advice here.  This includes symptoms, testing, self-isolation, those at higher risk, and much more.

Visiting your GP

Practices are limiting visits to surgery but will see people when necessary. The are mainly offering a phone and on-line consultations.  Clearly they are very busy as they are currently gearing up to provide the COVID-19 vacinations.

Pharmacists 

Pharmacists are providing normal services at the moment with, of course, appropriate social-distancing measures.  But it is sensible to order repreat prescriptions well in advance. All pharmacists in Abingdon offer a limited delivery services.

Prescription delivery service AbiMeds

During the second lockdown in November AbiMeds offered a limited, targeted service to those in the government’s Clinically Extremely Vulnerable category. Phone on 01865 818351, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm.

Minor Injury Unit

It is now operating an appointment system to allow for social distancing within our waiting areas. Please call 111 in the first instance prior to your visit.  You will be offered an appointment based on your clinical need. 

If you attend without an appointment you will be triaged and may be asked to wait or return at a later time.

You and those accompanying you must bring and wear a face covering. If possible, please attend by yourself. If you require someone to bring you, they should wait in the car unless their support is essential for your visit.

For life-threatening injury, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E.

Dental care

Dental services are open but they have have a huge backlog and are offering a limited services because of social distancing.  Also, their capacity for aerosol generating services like drilling is very limited because they have to leave one hour after treatment for any droplets to settle.  If you have a problem, contact your dentist to for help and advice.  They will provide instructions on social distancing when attending the surgery which usually means arriving exactly at your appointment time.

If you don't have a dentist, you can find a list of local dentists here.

The specialist (referral only) dental service in Abingdon is also reopening.

COVID Recovery

The NHS has a web page to help people recover from COVID 19.

General support and contacts for help

Shielding and helping our most vulnerable

The Vale of White Horse has a useful web page with information about those who are most susceptible to the virus.

If you or someone you know has been identified as extremely vulnerable by the NHS and has no support network, please contact the dedicated team on 01865 89 78 20 or email shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk. 

South and Vale Community information

Anyone that is not considered high risk and does not have a support network around them to help, will be able to call their dedicated support line on 01235 422600 or email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk .

South hand vale have produced this useful three-step guide for anyone who needs help.  They have also produced a comprehensive list of contact information for a large number of support services.

Nextdoor web site

This  is a useful web site which you can register with in order to make contact with people from your local community.  There are lots of people in and around Abingdon offering to do shopping for those in self-isolating and to keep in touch to make sure that you are all right.  Do register and join in the conversation.

I recently put a message on there about obtaining face masks in Abingdon having failed to get any from three Pharmacies in the town centre. There is a deluge of suggestions from ordering on line (Amazon being the most suggested) to individuals making them at home.  The two shops most suggested in Abingdon were B&M Home Store at Fairacres Retail Park and Budgens at Peachcroft.  But things are changing from day to day.

Abingdon Community Response

Individuals have come together to help people with things like picking up shopping, posting mail, a friendly phone call or urgent supplies.  For more information, you can go to their web site, Facebook page or email abingdoncoronaresponse@gmail.com 

Another source of information

This web site provides a lots of useful information but it is not clear who has created it.

Mental Health

The coronavirus outbreak may cause you to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, helpless, overwhelmed, confused or angry. It’s important to remember it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently to different events. Oxford Health have range of helpful resources online here.

See also Mental Health Mates Abingdon.

Talking Space Plus have produced this  information sheet which gives lots of useful contacts including many which are general rather than specific to mental health.

Dementia

The Dementia Oxfordshire Support Line is available and a single point of contact for any dementia related concerns The Team of Dementia Advisers who are available for just a listening ear along with local advice and practical support. Call: 01865 410210 Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm.

Domestic Abuse

This is an even greater problem now with families being cooped up at home.  The Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 731 0055 (Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm). This is free and will not show on your home telephone bill but may appear on an itemised mobile phone bill.  Find out more here.

Food

SOFEA Community Larder, Abingdon

As a result of the current crisis SOFEA has brought forward the opening of the Community Larder in Abingdon. The larder will be providing free pre-packed boxes of food to local people requiring support.  Initially they are planning on having 60 boxes available on a first come first served basis starting Friday 20th March. They will increase the number of boxes in line with need.

Venue: Abingdon Carousel (South Abingdon Children's Centre) Caldecott Chase, Abingdon, OX14 5GZ

Time: 3:30pm.

For more information go to the SOFEA web site of phone Neil Holman 01235 510774

Food Banks

Please note that you need to be referred to use food banks.  You can find the information from the food banks.

The Food Bank at Preston Road Community Centre intends to continue on Wednesdays from 1pm to 2:30pm for as long as they can staff with volunteers.

The Christ Church Food Bank on Northcourt Road opens 11am to 1 pm Tuesday and Friday.  Check their web site.

Abingdon Community Fridge

The Abingdon Community Fridge is running but, in response to social distancing and low food supplies, they are having volunteer manned sessions only and open Mondays (including Bank Holiday) from 5-6 pm pm and Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:30-11:30 am. The situation changes from from time to time so do keep checking their Facebook page.  Some home deliveries can be arranged.

Food Access Services in Oxford

Oxford City Council has put together information which does include Abingdon.

Older people

Age UK

Age UK Oxfordshire is providing advice and information for anyone worried about Coronavirus on their website here,  and have set up a new, free telephone support service including a friendly, regular weekly call to see how people are and offer advice if needed. The number is 01865 411 288 - leave a message and an advisor will call you back to you.

Guidance for older families

A group of Oxfordshire-based organisatons has put together this useful guidance document which covers many issues.

Other Services and Information

Council Services

Up-to-date information on council services during the crisis can be found here

• Abingdon Town Council

• Vale of White Horse District Council

• Oxfordshire County Council

Keeping Active

Physical activity and exercise can have a positive impact on both your physical and mental wellbeing. So, Active Oxfordshire is advising on some of the ways you can keep active from your home during the coronavirus crisis.

See also our walks page.

Oxfordshire Youth

With schools closing, youth provision and early years providers are also closing. Children and young people will no longer have access to physical safe spaces outside of their homes. It is important that we come together to think creatively about how we continue to provide essential services.  Oxfordshire Youth are coordinating and collecting useful information in this area.

Citizens Advice Abingdon

For now, they are unable to offer a face-to-face service, at Abingdon, Didcot, Henley, Thame, Faringdon and Wallingford Outreaches. They continue to provide services over the phone or via email.  To speak to one of their advisers, call: 0300 3309042, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00

Beware of scammers

The virus is not killing off all criminality.  Indeed, some criminals are finding ways to get money out of vulnerable people. Just be aware at this time when there are lots of genuine people you have never met who are offering real help.  Some just might not be genuine.  Check the Oxfordshire County Council web page for more information.

Some common scams are

• Fake fines for breaking lockdown rules.
• People offering cures (there are no proven ones).
• People impersonating health workers to get personal information (including bank account details)
• Offers of fake masks and hand sanitizers.
• Emails offering council tax refunds.
• Emails offering bank transfers to replace free school meals.
• People offering to do shopping and taking money which they keep.