8 October 2023:
SWF sees GPs merge whilst NHS England creaks.
On Monday 16 October, Greenwood and Wyncroft Practices merge operationally. Both separate IT systems will be connected, allowing staff to use one system for both surgeries. Both sites will continue to operate in exactly the same way. The advantages will be shared working across the sites between staff, and increased flexibility for patients.
This is a huge undertaking and NHS IT will be helping on site.
On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 October Greenwood and Wyncroft will provide limited services. The IT system will be temporarily shut down in the 16th afternoon, but all clinicians will be on hand to help manage emergency or urgent issues. PLEASE POSTPONE routine queries on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 October until afterwards. The online Patchs consultation platform will have increased capacity to allow patients to contact with routine requests during this time.
- Consultant Doctors struck on 19-20 September + Junior Doctors on 20–23 September; all Consultants and Junior Doctors struck from 2–5 October. These disputes must be settled by immediate negotiations. Surely the estimated £1billion+ cost of NHS strikes so far to provide cover could have been better spent to settle the Doctors’ dispute?
- Our three hospitals in Chelmsford, Basildon & Southend have 186,683 people awaiting treatment; 89,500 have waited 18+ weekswith 11,000+ waiting more than a year.
- Industrial action has contributed to the record 7.7m people awaiting treatment now.
- Since December 2022 when industrial actions began, 1.01m hospital appointments and treatments have been cancelled in England due to staff strike action, plus more than 60,000 community and mental health appointments. The doctors’ strikes have caused the majority of the disruption.
- Doctors are providing emergency cover and the awful M53 accident was an example of when doctors left picket lines and went to work.
- NHSEngland continues planning for industrial action throughout Winter 2023.
- Patients’ waiting lists grow and lengthen. Gaps in staffing and services are increasing. NHS staff endure ever-more stress and some are leaving.
SWF GP Practices are running Covid booster and flu vaccination clinics by invitation for appointments so vaccines’ supplies are available. Please don’t ask about this unless you’ve received an invitation. PLEASE GET VACCINATED IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE. IT’S AS NECESSARY AS EVER.
Anyone eligible for a Covid vaccination can book an appointment at Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or call 119 free of charge.
Adults and some maternity patients eligible for free flu vaccinations can also get them from some pharmacies; details are atFlu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) .
Children can get flu vaccinations: 6months-until start primary school from GPs; primary and secondary school children at school; details atChild flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) .
Sexually transmitted infections’ (STIs) diagnoses have soared recently; 15-24-year-olds are most likely to suffer. Students should get a free test before having sex with a new partner. Gonorrhoea cases increased by 20+% to more than 82,500 in 2022. Among 15-24-year-olds in 2022, 400 STIs were diagnosed every day. 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
SWF Health & Social Care Group 