ST PETER’S HOSPITAL CLOSURE INQUIRY. MORE STRIKES? VACCINATIONS. FALLING WAITING LISTS. MORE ROOM THIS WEEK FOR DETAILED ITEMS, SOME OF WHICH ARE GIVEN AS WARNINGS FOR AWARENESS.
Consultation about the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, is extended to 4 April 2024. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available locally. Please complete the online consultation survey 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/ .
On 19 March, our Chairman presented our submission at the Public Inquiry Hearing about local community based health services. NHS decision makers heard evidence directly from local residents, community groups and leaders as part of the consultation. We presented: Memorandum submission-inquiry-hearing-re-community-services-inc-st-peters-cherry-trees-19mar24-vf.docx (live.com) ; Slides https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fswfhealthsocial.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F03%2Finquiry-hearing-re-community-services-inc-st-peters-19mar24-vf.pptx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK . The recording of the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSqW0r0vRPw our submission starting at 35:30.
English Junior Doctors overwhelmingly voted to extend their mandate for industrial action so they can strike up to 19 September. Covid highlighted courageous NHS staff facing the unknown killer. Is this forgotten? They’re needed in the aftermath? What are health and welfare staff worth? Talks must be held, everyone negotiate realistically, and settlements be agreed.
Public satisfaction with the NHS has dropped again, setting a new low recorded by the long-running British Social Attitudes survey. Just 24% said they were satisfied with the NHS in 2023, with waiting times and staff shortages the biggest concerns. That’s 5% down on last year and a drop from the 2010 high of 70% satisfaction.
The poll – the gold-standard measure of the public’s view of the health service – has been running since 1983. Key NHS targets have never been met. Cancer waiting times are the worst on record. 12-hour A&E waits in winter are becoming the norm. Since 2020 satisfaction has fallen 29%. The public was least satisfied with A&E and dentistry.
Pharmacy First; details at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/launch-of-nhs-pharmacy-first-advanced-service/ . With huge pressures on GPs, ambulances, A&Es and hospitals, wherever possible start by consulting your pharmacist, except for life- or limb-threatening emergencies.
SWF’s GPs will start delivering the Spring Covid Booster vaccinations in April. Our article on 18 February at https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/02/18/an-update-from-swf-health-social-care-group-44/ included full details for this.
Flu, Covid, Norovirus and respiratory infections remain high, although Covid and Flu rates have started to fall a little. Flu vaccination is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. UKHSA’s guidance for 2024 to 2025 is at National flu immunisation programme 2024 to 2025 letter – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . There are no changes to the eligible cohorts. As vaccine’s effectiveness can wane the programme starts in October.
NHS England has launched a campaign to combat falling protection and support increased uptake of immunisations among children aged 0-5 and highlight the serious risk childhood diseases pose if children aren’t vaccinated. More is at Marketing campaign launches to drive up childhood vaccinations – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
Measles, the horrible, highly contagious disease continues spreading.as immunity falls. Complications include: pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures and some deaths. Book two MMR vaccine doses 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.
Vaccination for Whooping Cough shows a 13.6% fall since 2017. It’s vital pregnant women get this vaccine from GPs, between 20-32 weeks, and for their babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old in the 6-in-1 vaccine. 2024 is forecast to be a bumper year with a worrying rise in English cases.
Tuberculosis (TB) cases, Scarlet fever and invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) are rising.
Beware earlier onset of Hay Fever because of Climate Change, with longer, higher pollen concentrations, and wider spread. https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/23/will-climate-change-make-the-effects-of-pollen-worse/
Anglia Ruskin University hopes to expand its Medical School to help NHS’s Long Term Workforce Plan. Dame Priti Patel MP and Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford City Council Leader, agree. Essex needs 300 new doctors a year to keep up with demand and retirements.
Mid & South Essex hospitals’ long waiting lists are falling eg Dermatology down to 150 from 1500 high.
It was shocking to hear the news of the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis. Speaking out about cancer and other serious conditions is very difficult but that brave decision, along with that of King Charles, can help many others to both seek help and talk about their diagnosis and treatment journey. This has stimulated more people than ever before to get checks, so more cancers are being caught at an earlier stage, when it’s easier to treat.
We’re very grateful to all the NHS, care and welfare staff who are ensuring patients and service uses get the care they need. Best wishes to everyone for a Happy Easter.
It’s very disappointing and frustrating that the public inquiry into mental health deaths in Essex has been further delayed. The Chair, Baroness Kate Lampard, said she’s disappointed the terms of reference have not yet been agreed by the Secretary of State for Health. Whilst she began work last November, she’s not yet been able to start hearing evidence. This longstanding issue must be resolved as soon as possible so as to start to reassure us in Essex about the safety and efficiency of our mental health services.
Mid & South Essex NHS is seeing elevated levels of Norovirus, particularly with the over-65s. Norovirus is the stomach bug causing diarrhoea and vomiting. If you get it, it’s important to rest, have plenty of fluids, and wash your hands to prevent spreading the infection. Until two days after your symptoms stop, you should stay home, not visit hospitals and care homes, and not return to work, school or college. Hand gels don’t kill Norovirus so hand washing with soap and water is best. Using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help to stop the virus spreading.
As 24-30 March has been Tick Bite Prevention Week, UKHSA has launched its annual awareness campaign. Ticks in England can carry infections, including Lyme disease and rarely tick-borne encephalitis. On average, 4% of ticks are infected in England.
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans. With 6 or 8 legs, they vary between 1mm to 1cm in length. They live in woodland, moorland, grassy areas and gardens. They don’t fly or jump but climb on to animals and humans as they brush past.
To remove a tick safely: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you have removed it. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
Watch for symptoms of tick-borne diseases in the weeks after a tick bite. These include muscle or joint aches, stiff neck, headache, weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and other flu-like symptoms. Watch for a red spot or rash starting at the site of the bite (called “erythema migrans”).
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. It’s usually easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early.Symptoms include: A circular or oval shape rash around a tick bite can be an early symptom of Lyme disease in some people. The rash can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks. It can last for several weeks. The rash can have a darker or lighter area in the centre and might gradually spread. It’s not usually hot or itchy. The rash may be flat, or slightly raised, and look pink, red, or purple when it appears on white skin. It can be harder to see the rash on brown and black skin and it may look like a bruise.
Some people also get flu-like symptoms a few days or weeks after they were bitten by an infected tick, such as: a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery; headache; muscle and joint pain; tiredness and loss of energy.
Recent UKHSA data indicates that Travel-associated infections, including mosquito borne ones such as dengue and malaria, are approaching pre-pandemic levels. This can lead to severe illness. Travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic 4-6 weeks before traveling for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, as relevant to their destinations. Insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under a treated bed net when there’s no air conditioning can help with protection where insects spread diseases.
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SWF Health & Social Care Group 