NEWS FLASH: SWF VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETING ABOUT PROPOSED CLOSURE OF ST PETER’S HOSPITAL, MALDON, WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY 5 MARCH FROM 1830-2000. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. PLEASE PUT THIS VITAL MEETING IN DIARIES; THE FUTURE OF OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL SERVICES IS AT STAKE.
English Junior Doctors will strike again. St Peter’s, Maldon, to close? Pharmacists can do more to help. Respiratory illnesses remain high. Measles incident worsening.
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’ve just arranged a virtual public meeting about this for SWF which will be held from 1830-2000 on Tuesday 5 March. So many SWF people go to St Peter’s for appointments, treatments and investigations. These community primary services must remain available locally. Other places, including Broomfield Hospital, are already overwhelmed and don’t have additional capacities. Details about the consultations are at: https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/02/12/mid-and-south-essex-residents-are-invited-to-attend-events-to-share-their-views-on-proposed-changes-to-nhs-services/ .
Pharmacy First launched on 31 January. 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. Full details at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/launch-of-nhs-pharmacy-first-advanced-service/ . With the huge pressures being experienced by GPs, ambulances, A&Es and hospitals, please start by consulting your pharmacist if possible and not for a life- or limb-threatening emergency.
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.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced its advice to Government for the COVID-19 vaccine programme in spring this year, which includes updated eligibility criteria. This advice has been accepted by Minister Caulfield. JCVI advises the following groups to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine this spring:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)
This spring individuals who are immunosuppressed are now eligible for the vaccine from the age of 6 months and over – compared with 5 years and over in 2023. This follows updated advice last April on COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years in a clinical risk group. This announcement continues to follow the Committee’s advice to offer the vaccine to those at high risk of serious disease and who are therefore most likely to benefit from a further vaccination dose.
UKHSA surveillance data on last spring’s programme showed that those who received a vaccine were around 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 from two weeks following vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one. NHS England will confirm details on how and when eligible people can access the spring vaccine in due course. 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 