HAVE YOU BEEN TO ST PETER’S HOSPITAL MALDON, FOR APPOINTMENTS, TESTS AND SERVICES? ARE YOU GOING THERE AT PRESENT? SWF PEOPLE GO THERE A LOT SO YOU ARE LIKELY TO NEED THOSE SERVICES ONE DAY. VIEWS ARE NEEDED ABOUT THE FUTURE AS ST PETER’S IS CLOSING. OVER 400 PEOPLE ATTENDED A MEETING ABOUT THIS IN MALDON. PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOICE AND VIEW HEARD AT SWF’S VIRTUAL MEETING ABOUT THIS FROM 1830-2000 THIS TUESDAY 5 MARCH Link Meeting ID: 336 739 546 628 Passcode: 2bdgRe
Consultations about the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, continue until 21 March. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available in our area. We’re submitting evidence to a public inquiry hearing on 19 March. We’ve arranged the above mentioned virtual public meeting about this for SWF. You will have gone, or you’re likely to go, to appointments, treatments and investigations at St Peter’s. These community primary services must remain available locally. Other further away 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/ .
English Junior Doctors have struck from 24-28 February. Did you watch ITV’s ‘Breathtaking’ 3-part drama about the horrific first year of the Covid pandemic? A chilling reminder of the courage of NHS staff dealing with the unknown killer. Our forthcoming documentary film tells the harrowing story of an Essex death, a widow, and carers who did their best for them. Have we forgotten this bravery? Or that it’ll be needed next time and is needed now in the aftermath? Clapping doesn’t pay their bills; what are frontline health and welfare staff worth? Please hold talks and everyone negotiate realistically. It’s estimated the latest strike led to 91,000 more postponed appointments and 23,000 staff absences. Over 1.4million operations and appointments have been cancelled since December2022 due to strikes by all healthcare professionals.
Use Pharmacy First; Walk in, make appointment, be referred by GP receptionist, NHS 111 and emergency care practitioners, for additional seven common conditions: Sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, Impetigo, Shingles, women’s uncomplicated urinary tract infections; get 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, wherever possible please start by consulting your pharmacist first except for a life- or limb-threatening emergencies.
Measles continues to spread and is a national incident. Reduced immunity means this horrible, highly contagious disease is rising. Complications include: pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures and there are a few deaths. Book two doses of MMR vaccine with GPs for children at 1 year-old and 3 years-&-4 months; catch up any time. GET EVERYONE VACCINATED; 1 in 5 unvaccinated children with measles are admitted to hospital. In the last week 69 more confirmed cases brings the total of cases in England since last October to 650. This outbreak is happening in all English regions. Latest UKHSA news is at Latest measles statistics published – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
Vaccination for Whooping Cough shows a 13.6% fall since 2017. It’s particularly vital that pregnant women get this vaccine from GPs to protect their babies when they are 8, 12 and 16 weeks old or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuberculosis (TB) cases rose in England by 10.7% in 2023. A bacterial infection linked to deprivation affecting the lungs is treated with antibiotics; symptoms include: cough lasting over 3 weeks; high temperature; drenching night sweats; loss of appetite; and weight loss. This rebound to pre-pandemic levels threatens planned elimination by 20235. See TB cases rise in England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
Whilst Covid, Flu, respiratory infections and Norovirus in England is starting to decrease, they remain high. 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/ .
Beware earlier onset of Hay Fever because of Climate Change. Lengthening higher pollen concentrations, and wider spread, are possible. See https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/23/will-climate-change-make-the-effects-of-pollen-worse/
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has announced its advice to Government for the COVID-19 vaccine programme in spring this year. This advice has been accepted by Minister Caulfield. The following will be offered this vaccination: adults 75+ years old; residents in adult care homes; individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the Covid chapter of the Green Book). 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
SWF Health & Social Care Group 