Whooping cough cases continue rising sharply. Between January and March there were 5 infant deaths and around 2,800 English cases. Health experts urge those not vaccinated to get the jab. Whooping cough vaccine is given as part of the: 6-in-1 vaccine for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks; 4-in-1 pre-school booster for children three years, four months old. If you’re pregnant, get the whooping cough vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks. Children not already vaccinated can get the jab up to the age of 10. Vaccination offers enough protection so, if affected, a child’s illness will be mild.
The proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, Consultation has ended. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available locally, and see a significant improvement in the quality and outputs of inpatient services. The independent report with the findings will be published in May/June. Then a ‘decision-making business case’ will be developed. Due to the enormous response it will take longer than originally planned to consider all the findings and compile a comprehensive business case. So it’s unlikely a decision-making meeting of the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board will be possible on 11 July. That’s likely to be delayed until the meeting on 12 September. Information about progress will be given at significant stages.
Serious concerns about Measles continue with further rises with infections, including. 74 cases in London in the last month.
Covid cases are increasing; Flu and respiratory infections remain stable at low levels.
The appointment of Tom Abell, as new Chief Executive of NHS Mid & South Essex, has been announced. He’ll join in August. Tom was Deputy Chief Executive of Mid & South Essex Hospitals before becoming East of England Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive in 2021. He knows our area well.
Production of our ECC funded film, ‘The Impact of Covid on Dying, Death & Bereavement’, is complete; it’s launching, including in SWF, in late-May and June.
English Junior Doctors will hold the first formal talks since 2023 with the government, with independent mediation, about their year+ long pay dispute. The BMA hopes the talks, which will last up to four weeks, could “help break the logjam”. The Health Secretary says she wants to give people the time and space for discussions, away from the glare of the media and social media, without deadlines or tweets. She agreed the negotiations would be “effectively talks in secret” to try to get a settlement.
Essex Parents are angry about the worst delays to assessments for children with special educational needs in the country. Only about 1% get an assessment for an educational health care plan within the legal limit of 20 weeks. ECC’s cabinet member for education said we have “let down” the young people of Essex.
An All Party Parliamentary Group’s report on Birth Trauma says improving quality and safety of maternity care must be a long-standing priority.
The UK’s independent economics research institute, IFS, says government spending on health is now £5.5bn less than was indicated in 2019. Public health news is on our website and in weekly e-newsletters. SWF Library provides online services and help with internet access. For health & welfare information and subscription to our newsletter, email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com , or leave voicemails on 01245 322079 https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/
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