What difference a week makes? A(nother) new Health Secretary. NHS England in what state? Any progress with Strike talks? SWF’s health issues? Covid Inquiry revelations.
Will Consultant and Junior Doctors strike again? These disputes must be settled. Junior English doctors announced talks with Government four weeks ago. What has happened?? The estimated £1billion+ cost of NHS to provide cover could have been better spent settling the disputes? Will Victoria Atkins solve and settle things?
NHSEngland continues planning for industrial action throughout Winter 2023-24. On 30 September 7.77 million were waiting for non-emergency care. About one million English people are on more than one waiting list for treatment. Most are on two or three waiting lists, but some are on up to five. Gaps in staffing and services are increasing. NHS staff are increasingly stressed, and some are leaving.
England’s chief medical officer, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, warns the UK faces an ageing crisis, particularly in rural, largely coastal areas – like the Dengie & SWF. He says people are living longer but some spend many of their later years in bad health, in places with poor healthcare provision. In deprived places age-related issues emerge on average 10 years earlier.
This is supported by our independent Health, Welfare & Social Care Assessment of the SWF & Dengie Primary Care Network (PCN), summarised in the mind map we published previously, and which is the agenda for action selected jointly with the PCN staff. What should be done about: High blood pressure; Diabetes; Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis; Depression; Heart diseases; Cancer; accessibility to services? Please tell us what you think.
SWF GP Practices aren’t running further weekend Covid and flu vaccination clinics. But they’re continuing to invite those who remain eligible for NHS vaccinations to attend surgeries during the week. Please don’t ask about this unless you’ve received an invitation. 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 starting primary school from GPs; primary and secondary school children at school; details atChild flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) . PLEASE GET VACCINATED IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE. IT’S AS NECESSARY AS EVER.
Revelations at the Covid Inquiry seem to reflect an unstable situation at the centre of the Government’s handling of the pandemic. We’ve nearly finished filming our documentary about the impact Covid lockdown restrictions had on dying, death and bereavement, which is commissioned by Essex County Council. We hope to publish it early in 2024 to stimulate reflections for those affected severely, and consideration about how to do better when the inevitable next pandemic hits us.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR – resistance to medicines treating infections) was a central theme at this week’s UKHSA conference. Chief Executive Jenny Harries called for renewed focus and action to address this potential public health crisis. 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, subscription to our newsletter, and comment about the mind map email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com , or leave voicemails on 01245 322079
SWF Health & Social Care Group 