One strike may be settled. What about others? Last opportunity for Covid & Flu vaccinations. Beware Norovirus. Other news.
Will Consultants accept new offer? Will Junior English Doctors strike again? Disputes must be settled. Junior Doctors announced talks with Government six weeks ago. What has happened?? Can Victoria Atkins solve and settle things? NHSEngland continues planning for industrial action throughout Winter 2023-24.
Kingsway Surgery asks us to promote their new way of being contacted for routine matters (not about medical emergencies). This is using patchs health at https://patchs.ai/practice/kingsway where you’ll need to create an account. This service is only available when the Surgery is open, that’s Monday to Friday, 0800-1800.
You have until 15 December to get Covid and Flu vaccinations. Time’s running out to get protected before Christmas as the vaccines take up to two weeks to provide maximum protection. Be healthy to celebrate Christmas and New Year and get through the winter. SWF GPs 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. Anyone eligible for a Covid vaccination can book an appointment atBook, 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.
Ongoing revelations at the Covid Inquiry may reflect an unstable situation at the centre of the Government’s handling of the pandemic. The medical and scientific evidence is authoritative. Our video documentary about the impact Covid lockdown restrictions had on dying, death and bereavement, commissioned by Essex County Council, is due for publication early in 2024. It will go to the Inquiry and stimulate consideration about how to do better when the inevitable next pandemic hits us.
The Winter vomiting virus Norovirus is doing the rounds in England. Every day last week, about 350 people were in hospital with diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms, compared with 126 in the same week last year. It’s very contagious and can be caught from infected people and through touching contaminated surfaces such as toilet flush handles. Most people recover in a few days but some become very ill. Cases of other seasonal viruses are also rising. Each day last week, on average: more than 150 beds were filled with flu patients, with seven in critical care; 131 children were in hospital with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); and, about 46,000 NHS England staff were off work sick, 1,715 with Covid.
An eight hour wait for an ambulance in Suffolk led a coroner to conclude this cost the patient’s life and calls for the government to “take notice and action”. Huge increased demand without enough resources isn’t our ambulance service’s fault. 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/
SWF Health & Social Care Group 