Consultation about the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, has closed on 11 April. Over 5,200 online surveys were completed, hundreds of paper surveys are being collected and 15 online and in person consultative events were held, including one in SWF. Additionally, our MP held a public meeting in Maldon with 400 attendees and others unable to get in. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available locally.
On 19 March we presented submission to the Public Inquiry Hearing about local community-based health services. 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 is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSqW0r0vRPw our submission starts at 35:30. A further public consultation hearing was held on 4 April, with its recording at Proposed changes to services at local community hospitals – now closed | MSE Virtual Views (ics.nhs.uk) .
An independent report with the findings is being prepared, and will be published in late spring. Feedback from the consultation will be used to develop a ‘decision-making business case’. A decision-making meeting of the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board will be held in July.
Concerns about Whooping Cough continue and UKHSA issued a blog “What is whooping cough and how can I prevent my children catching it?” on 12 April at What is whooping cough and how can I prevent my children catching it? – UK Health Security Agency (blog.gov.uk) . 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 after a worrying rise in English cases.
We’re pleased the delays and frustration about the public inquiry into mental health deaths in Essex has been addressed. This week the Government published the revised terms of reference, which now cover inpatient deaths from 2000 to 31 December 2023, extended from 2020. The new terms of reference include: serious failings related to the delivery of safe and therapeutic inpatient treatment and care; the actions, practices and behaviours of staff providing mental health inpatient care; and, the culture and governance of and at the trusts and how that affected care and treatment. We look forward to the Chair, Baroness Kate Lampard, starting to hear evidence as reassurance about the safety and efficiency of Essex’s mental health services is long overdue.
Serious concerns continue about 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.
Serious concern also continues as Tuberculosis (TB) cases, Scarlet fever and invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) are rising.
Consultants have accepted a fresh pay deal. But English Junior Doctors have an extended mandate for industrial action and can strike until 19 September. We need a fully functioning NHS. Talks must be held, everyone negotiate realistically, and settlements be agreed.
Public satisfaction with the NHS has dropped again, to a new record low. https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/03/31/satisfaction-in-nhs-falls-further/ . The public was least satisfied with A&E and dentistry.
Pharmacy First; 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 start delivering Spring Covid Booster vaccinations in April. Our article on 18 February https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/02/18/an-update-from-swf-health-social-care-group-44/ included full details.
Mid & South Essex NHS has elevated levels of Norovirus, particularly with the over-65s. This bug causes diarrhoea and vomiting. If you get it, rest, have plenty of fluids, and wash your hands to prevent spreading the infection. Until two days after your symptoms stop, stay home, don’t visit hospitals and care homes, and don’t return to work, school or college. Hand gels don’t kill Norovirus so wash hands with soap and water. Use bleach-based products to clean surfaces to stop the virus spreading.
Flu, Covid and respiratory infections remain high, although Covid and Flu rates are falling.
Mid & South Essex hospitals’ long waiting lists are falling eg Dermatology down to 150 from 1500 high.
The Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis was another shock. We wish Her Highness well. Speaking about cancer and serious conditions is difficult and brave. Many others have been stimulated to get checks and talk about their diagnosis and journey; more cancers are being caught earlier when they’re easier to treat.
Tick Bites’ annual awareness campaign says 4% of ticks are infected by Lyme disease, and rarely by tick-borne encephalitis. These spider-like, non-flying creatures feed on blood, and live in woodland, moorland, grassy areas and gardens. They climb onto humans as they brush past. Safe removal needs fine-tipped tweezers or tick-removal tools from pharmacies, vets and pet shops. Symptoms may include a circular or oval-shape rash, usually appearing within 1-4 weeks, but sometimes after up to 3 months; see: https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/04/03/tick-bites-lyme-disease/
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 