COVID-19: public health

Information and guidance related to public health services, including mental health and isolation.

We are working as fast as we can to update this page with useful information for you. Please follow @LGAwellbeing for the latest updates and keep checking back. 

Official information

GOV.UK – long term health-effects of COVID-19

GOV.UK – coronavirus guidance for health professionals and other organisations 

GOV.UK – containing and managing local coronavirus outbreaks

GOV.UK – guidance on staying alert and safe (social distancing)

GOV.UK – SAGE response to coronavirus

GOV.UK – COVID-19: investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases

GOV.UK – COVID-19: reducing transmission - what you can do to help

GOV.UK – The Health Protection (coronavirus, restrictions) Regulations 2020

GOV.UK – use of face masks in the community

 

DfE/DHSC letter to Directors of Public Health on working with educational settings (23 September)

GOV.UK – briefing and Q&A for local authorities on changes to self-isolation (pdf, 2020)

Other useful information

PHE blog: novel coronavirus - what you need to know (regularly updated) 

Chief Coroner guidance on COVID-19 (pdf, 26 March 2020)

Care and support

Please visit the page COVID-19: adult social care and support for a range of resources on adult social care and health.

Data

PHE – data in the public domain (pdf, July 2020)

NHS.UK – National data opt-out compliance deadline extended

Find more info on our Test, Trace and local outbreak management page

Health inequalities

GOV.UK – coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 29 May 2020

GOV.UK – disparities in the risks and outcomes of COVID-19 (pdf, 2020)

GOV.UK – understanding the impact on BAME communities

Equality and Human Rights Commission – how coronavirus has affected equality and human rights

Equality and Human Rights Commission – inquiry into the impact of coronavirus on ethnic minorities

Public Health England (PHE) in collaboration with the LGA, Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), and NHS England and NHS Improvement, have collated a suite of resources relating to health inequalities and COVID-19 to support place-based approaches to planning and responding to the pandemic, while mitigating against potential impacts on those with the poorest health outcomes:

Health and Wellbeing

Sport England – 'Stay in, Work out' campaign

Get Creative - 'Get Creative at Home'

Mental health and wellbeing

LGA & partners

LGA and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) – a briefing for Directors of Public Health on public mental health and wellbeing issues.

LGA/ADPH loneliness and social isolation practical advice note

LGA – COVID-19: social care staff wellbeing

General

Mental Health Foundation – mental health in the pandemic

Centre for Mental Health – understanding inequalities in mental health during the pandemic

Mental Health Network – our frontline: support for frontline workers

GOV.UK – guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing

Health Network – bringing VCSE and Statutory Services together to supporting Mental Health in Communities (pdf)

Supporting mental health in communities during the coronavirus crisis

CQC – changes to the Mental Health Act complaints process

Centre for Mental Health – COVID-19 and the nation's mental health: Forecasting needs and risks in the UK: May 2020

Institute of Fiscal Studies – the mental health effects of the first two months of lockdown and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK (pdf, June 2020)

Carers

Carers UK: mental wellbeing and help and advice

Mobilise’s  a virtual 'Cuppa' for carers at 4pm,

The Children’s Society - Young Carers

Children’s and young people’s mental health

The Children and Young People Mental Health Coalition

GOV.UK – guidance on supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing

Mind for Children and Young People

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Young Minds

Mental capacity

GOV.UK – looking after people who lack mental capacity including deprivation of liberty safeguards

Isolation

LGA – reaching out: helping councils tackle loneliness

Let's talk loneliness campaign 

Campaign to End Loneliness – ideas to help older people stay connected during self-isolation

Mind: about loneliness

PHE looking out for each other resources on combating isolation

Age UK: staying safe and well at home

Alzheimer’s Society: getting support

Stroke Association managing loneliness and isolation

The Silver Line helpline for older people 

Wellbeing

Every Mind Matters – Looking after your mental health

Mind – coronavirus and mental wellbeing

Mental Health Foundation: How to look after your mental health

Mental Health and Money Advice  

PHE – Now more than ever, Every Mind Matters: new campaign resources

World Health Organisation – mental health and psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

 

PPE

GOV.UK – Personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance during COVID-19

NHS.UK – Guidance on supply and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

NHSE – FAQs on using FFP 3 Respiratory Protective Equipment, (pdf, 20 March 2020)

The BSIF run a Quality Assurance scheme and can assist with questions around PPE offered, fake documentation and products

Public health services

GOV.UK – guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol

GOV.UK – COVID-19: advice for smokers and vapers

NHS People Plan for 2020/2021

For more information, please visit our public health page. 

Support for local leaders

LGA – Health and Wellbeing Board Chair touch base Debrief and moving into the next phase of COVID-19 (pdf, June 2020)

LGA – Health and Wellbeing Boards reset tool: to support HWB chairs move into the next stage of COVID-19

More information on our developing support offer for local leaders is available on our website.

Test, track and local outbreak planning

More information is available on our test, track and local out break plans page.

Workforce

LGA – COVID-19: social care staff wellbeing

GOV.UK – guidance for coronavirus testing for frontline workers who are self isolating

GOV.UK – guidance on social distancing in workplace during coronavirus

Public health annual report 2021: rising to the challenges of COVID-19

This report looks at what public health has helped to achieve and what could have been done better during COVID-19. It also looks to the future and the significant organisational changes ahead of us.

Local authorities and the public’s mental health

Our place: local authorities and the public’s mental health examines the initiatives of local councils that are rising to the challenge of promoting good mental health and preventing poor mental health in their communities.