16 July 2023:
Our AGM and Annual Meeting will be held on Monday 17 July. The papers for it will be on our website in the Activities and About Us sections. The recording of the event will be published afterwards. Our 2022-23 Annual Report records a very busy year. June 2022 brought the end of our essential and hugely appreciated voluntary Covid healthcare support scheme. Immediately we moved on to getting to grips with the new Mid & South Essex Integrated Care System launched in July 2022 to deliver all our health and welfare services.
The aftermath of the pandemic, developing a brand-new care system and the worst winter pressures on record have caused delays. We’ve also had the effects of the Ukrainian War and cost of living crisis. To help locally, we’ve undertaken an independent academic Survey of some healthcare services provided by the SWF and Dengie Primary Care Network (PCN). The 6000+ word Report is being published at our AGM. It provides a rich and detailed picture of our population, our healthcare needs and services. This is going to inform and help the fresh start being made by new PCN staff and developments.
Anthony ‘Mac’ McKeever, Chief Executive Officer, Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board, is the keynote speaker on 17 July. Before he retires from his illustrious NHS career, Mac reflects on his NHS experiences, reviews the present position, and looks to the future of our local healthcare system.
JUNIOR DOCTORS in England will end the longest strike in NHS history on Tuesday 18 July, then HOSPITAL CONSULTANT DOCTORS will strike on 20 & 21 July, and Radiographers will strike from Tuesday 25 July to Thursday 27 July. The Government has announced final offer Public Sector pay increases imposed without negotiations and says there won’t be any more pay talks. How helpful is that? Latest reports say the NHS in England has an all-time record 7.47m waiting list with around 177,000 people waiting for treatment from our Mid & South Essex hospitals. Unresolved strikes will only increase the numbers waiting and the times they wait. These disputes must be settled immediately. That will only happen if both sides will talk.
We have a lull in heatwaves but fierce storms and winds at present. Climate change presents dangers as we aren’t fully prepared for such eventualities and they do affect people’s health.
Whilst many infectious diseases are at low levels in the summer there are growing worries about an alarming rise in cases of measles which could lead to large outbreaks. The UK’s Consultant Epidemiologist says: “Measles can be a serious infection leading to complications especially in young children and those with weakened immunity. Measles spreads very easily but is preventable.” Vaccination has largely eradicated measles but take up of MMR vaccine has fallen to the lowest for a decade. Full vaccination with 2 MMR doses gives 99% life-long protection. We publish public health news items on our website and in our weekly e-newsletter. If you don’t have online services, you can use the SWF and other Libraries where staff will help you access the internet. For health and welfare information and subscription to our newsletter contact SWF Health & Social Care Group on swfhealthsocial@outlook.com or leave a voicemail on 01245 322079
SWF Health & Social Care Group 