Consultation about the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, closed on 11 April. 5,200+ online surveys were completed, hundreds of paper surveys collected, and 15 online and in person consultative events held, including SWF’s. Our MP’s public meeting in Maldon had 400 attendees, with others shut out. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available locally.
Our submission to the Public Inquiry Hearing is this Memorandum submission-inquiry-hearing-re-community-services-inc-st-peters-cherry-trees-19mar24-vf.docx (live.com) and 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 . Recording at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSqW0r0vRPw our submission starts at 35:30. A further public consultation hearing is 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 increase; see UKHSA blog 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.
Revised terms of reference for the public inquiry into mental health deaths in Essex now cover inpatient deaths from 2000 to 31 December 2023, and 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. Hopefully the Chair will start hearing evidence soon; reassurance about the safety and efficiency of Essex’s mental health services is long overdue.
Serious concerns grow 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.
With huge pressures on GPs, ambulances, A&Es and hospitals, wherever possible start by consulting your Pharmacy First, except for life- or limb-threatening emergencies.
SWF’s GPs have started delivering Spring Covid Booster vaccinations. Full details at https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/02/18/an-update-from-swf-health-social-care-group-44/ .
Norovirus continues rising in Mid Essex. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wash your hands with soap and water to stop 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. Use bleach-based products to clean surfaces to stop the virus spreading.
Covid is rising again; Flu and respiratory infections are falling. 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/
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