11 February 2024
English Junior Doctors will strike again. St Peter’s, Maldon, to close?
Respiratory illnesses remain high. Measles incident worsening. Pharmacists can do more to help.
More strikes to come. English Junior Doctors will strike from 24-28 February. Last August Scottish junior doctors settled with a 17.5% increase over two years, showing both sides can negotiate successfully. Why can’t that happen in England? Government has lead responsibility for our health and welfare. Hold talks and everyone negotiate realistically without pre-conditions, compromise, and stay until settlements are reached. Consultants have rejected their pay offer. Nurses and other welfare workers are furious. Patients are suffering badly. Everyone providing and using health services are highly stressed.
There’s a consultation exercise about the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, until 21 March. The site isn’t safe or fit for purpose. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available in our area. We’re invited to submit evidence to a public consultation hearing on 19 March. We’re working to arrange a virtual public meeting about this for SWF. Details about the consultations are at the top of our website’s home page.
Covid, Flu, respiratory infections and Norovirus in England hit a new high this winter. At the end of January 2,226 flu patients were in hospital, up 70% in a month. 84 were in critical care. 688 hospital beds were taken by people with Norovirus. 3,701 hospital beds were taken by patients with Covid; 1,013 were treated primarily for Covid and the others had been admitted for another reason. These illnesses last longer and recoveries take longer. If you’re ill 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/ .
Measles continues to spread and is a declared national incident. Reduced immunity means this horrible disease is rising. Measles’ symptoms include: high fever, sore red-and-watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, small white spots inside mouths; a blotchy red or brown rash usually appears after a few days, typically first on the face, behind the ears, then spreading to the rest of the body. It’s highly contagious, spread by coughs and sneezes. Patients are infectious until at least 4 days after the rash appears. Complications include: pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures. Babies, young children and pregnant women are more at risk. 23 children and adults died from measles or related infections between 2020-22. Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine should be given to children at 1 year-old and 3 years-&-4 months. Book jabs with your GP; catch up any time. GET EVERYONE VACCINATED; 1 in 5 unvaccinated children with measles are admitted to hospital for treatment.
Pharmacy First launched on 1 February. Walk in, make appointment, be referred by GP receptionist, NHS 111 and emergency care practitioners, for seven common conditions: Sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, Impetigo, Shingles, women’s uncomplicated urinary tract infections; for a private consultation and treatment, which can include prescription antibiotics or antivirals where necessary. Govani Chemist and Village Pharmacy are doing this now and Rowlands Pharmacy expects to do so from March. 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 