Consultation about the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, has closed. 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, and see a significant improvement in the quality and outputs of inpatient services.
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 numbers are forecast to be very high 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.
The Chair of the public inquiry looking into the deaths of about 2,000 mental health patients has invited applications from core participants with a significant interest in the matters being investigated, such as Essex-based families of mental health inpatients who have died, current and former mental health staff, and organisations providing inpatient services.
She said she is “committed to carrying out thorough investigations which are appropriately focused and proportionate”. The scope of the investigation will include people who died within three months of discharge, and those who died as inpatients receiving NHS-funded care in the independent sector. 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. The rapid increase in cases seen in late 2023 was initially driven by a large outbreak in Birmingham but activity there has now stabilised and recent weeks have seen a rise in cases in London and smaller clusters in other regions. 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. confirmed in England, bringing the total number of cases confirmed since 1 October 2023 to 1109.
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 cases have stabilised after the recent rise; Flu and respiratory infections are falling against most indicators.
Farm Visits are enjoyable educational experiences, but farm animals can be the source of several bugs that can be passed from animals to humans and cause illness. Some can be particularly serious for children or pregnant women.
On farm visits you must:
- avoid touching faces or putting fingers in mouths while in farm environments
- don’t kiss farm animals or allow children to put their faces close to animals
- wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas
- don’t eat or drink while touching animals or walking round the farm and only eat and drink in picnic areas or cafes
- wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking
- remove and clean boots or shoes that might have become soiled and clean pushchair wheels then wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
- don’t use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water – gels and wipes don’t remove E.coli
- supervise children closely to make sure they wash their hands thoroughly
If someone in the family has an E-coli infection, wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels in the washing machine on the hottest wash cycle possible. Toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps, hand basins and any other areas that might have been soiled, clean with detergent and hot water, rinsing with household disinfectant.
Recent data shows an increase to 2004 cases of Travel-acquired Malaria confirmed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland following travel abroad in 2023, compared to 1369 in 2022. Cases were confirmed in individuals who had recently been abroad. This is the first time cases have exceeded 2000 since 2001. The rise is linked to the resurgence of malaria in many countries and an increase in overseas travel following the removal of pandemic restrictions.
All malaria cases are preventable and simple steps like using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, sleeping under treated bed nets and taking malaria prevention tablets can lower infection risks. If infected symptoms can be non-specific and flu-like including fever, cough and diarrhoea can also be seen. Travellers feeling unwell during their trip should seek medical help while abroad. When returning to the UK, if feeling unwell, individuals should promptly seek medical attention and ensure they inform their healthcare provider that they have been travelling recently.
The Government has confirmed that from Monday 9 September Death Certification reforms will come into force. From then all deaths in any health setting not investigated by a coroner will be reviewed by a medical examiner. Care providers will be required to share records of deceased patients with medical examiner offices.
The Faster Diagnosis Standard for Cancer was exceeded for the first time ever in February. That means almost four in every five people within the record numbers coming forward for urgent cancer checks received a definitive diagnosis or all clear within four weeks – an achievement which will mean an incredible amount to hundreds of thousands of people. 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 