What a lot has happened since we wrote before Christmas. Many people were ill during the holidays. Ailments and severe weather continue. Strikes remain unresolved. The NHS experiences worse pressures. Hopefully you were cheered to read about the progress our Primary Care Network (PCN) is making.
Spirometry is a simple test that helps diagnose and monitor some lung conditions including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis. In December we heard that Spirometry is no longer available from SWF’s GPs as the specialist practice nurses have left. Recognising this is a speciality across the Town and area we’ve taken this up with our PCN in our regular meetings and they’re taking steps to restore this service.
In the present state of the NHS recruiting nurses and doctors isn’t easy. We hope this prompt action will restore Spirometry as quickly as possible. In the meantime the new PCN staff we listed last time are providing: new preventative health measures and advice to keep us healthy and avoid ills and ailments; much needed local physiotherapy to which we can self-refer and not have long waits; community paramedics and emergency care practitioners making home visits and taking time to be thorough with assessments, diagnostics and treatments. It’s good these long wanted services are now in place.
When we stood outside in the pandemic to clap our NHS staff did we imagine so soon afterwards doctors, nurses and other essential health and care workers would remain so undervalued? Can we really afford not to pay them the respect they deserve?
Mid & South Essex’s hospitals, ambulance service, mental health service and Integrated Care System are under huge pressure and performance isn’t good enough. They’re constrained by the resources, funding and targets controlled by central government. Junior Doctors held their pre-Christmas and post-New Year strikes. Nurses are outraged again. Care workers continue to be worse off than if stacking supermarket shelves.
New Year’s Resolutions? Government has lead responsibility for our health and welfare. Hold talks with the lower paid essential workers, residential and domiciliary care workers, nurses and junior doctors. Both sides must negotiate realistically. Both sides must negotiate without pre-conditions and be willing to compromise. They must stick with the negotiations until a settlement is reached.
Cases of Covid, Flu, respiratory infections and Norovirus are increasing, are more virulent, last longer and take longer for recoveries. Hospitalisations for these causes are rising. Warnings about bad weather continue. If you are ill please don’t spread your germs and follow the guidance about how to look after yourself at https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/01/03/nhs-services-are-under-severe-pressure-please-choose-wisely/ .
We’ve been asked what is the present guidance for people who test positive for Covid. The present national public health guidance about Covid is at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/ . Essentially you should: stay at home and avoid contact with other people. You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better and don’t have a temperature. If you’re worried about the seriousness, worsening or long lasting of your illness contact your GP or call 111. 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 