Whooping cough cases continue rising sharply. Between January and March there were 5 infant deaths and around 2,800 English cases. Health experts urge those not vaccinated to get the jab. Whooping cough vaccine is given as part of the: 6-in-1 vaccine for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks; 4-in-1 pre-school booster for children three years, four months old. If you’re pregnant, get the whooping cough vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks. Children not already vaccinated can get the jab up to the age of 10. Vaccination offers enough protection so, if affected, a child’s illness will be mild.
The proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, Consultation has ended. We’re lobbying to keep investigative and outpatient services available locally, and see a significant improvement in the quality and outputs of inpatient services. The independent report with the findings will be published in May/June. Then a ‘decision-making business case’ will be developed. Due to the enormous response it will take longer than originally planned to consider all the findings and compile a comprehensive business case. So it’s unlikely a decision-making meeting of the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board will be possible on 11 July. Indeed now a General Election will be held on 4 July there’s little doubt this matter will be delayed until the meeting on 12 September. Questioning election candidates about this issue seems to be a thing to do. Information about progress will be given at significant stages.
Serious concerns about Measles continue with further rises with infections, including. 74 cases in London in the last month.
Covid cases are increasing again for the third week running; hospitalisations remain stable. To date only 42% of people over 75 have received their Spring booster vaccination; if you’re due one please book usingthe NHS national booking system . With COVID-19 still circulating, it’s important those at highest risk who are eligible get their vaccine to help top up their immunity. This programme runs until 30 June. Flu and respiratory infections remain stable at low levels.
The appointment of Tom Abell, as new Chief Executive of NHS Mid & South Essex, has been announced. He’ll join in August. Tom was Deputy Chief Executive of Mid & South Essex Hospitals before becoming East of England Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive in 2021. He knows our area well.
Production of our ECC funded film, ‘The Impact of Covid on Dying, Death & Bereavement’, is complete; it’s launching, including in SWF, in late-May and June.
English Junior Doctors first formal talks since 2023 with the government and independent mediation, about their year+ long pay dispute has been postponed due to the General Election. The BMA had hoped the talks, expected to have lasted up to four weeks, could “help break the logjam”. This seems another issue to ask election candidates about.
Essex Parents are angry about the worst delays to assessments for children with special educational needs in the country. Only about 1% get an assessment for an educational health care plan within the legal limit of 20 weeks. ECC’s cabinet member for education said we have “let down” the young people of Essex.
An All Party Parliamentary Group’s report on Birth Trauma said improving quality and safety of maternity care must be a long-standing priority.
The UK’s independent economics research institute, IFS, said government spending on health is now £5.5bn less than was indicated in 2019.
Pre-election restrictions mean there will be little or no government and public sector data and bulletins until after 4 July. We will do our best to keep up to date with factual developments.
Latest travel health advice – including a reminder to Hajj pilgrims – is that as people venture outside of the UK, UKHSA aims to make everyone aware of the guidance and resources available to them. The Travel Health Pro website, supported by the UKHSA has information on health risks in countries across the world and is a one-stop shop for information to help people plan their trip abroad.
As we get to Farm visits during half term UKHSA is reminding visitors of these simple hygiene steps to help reduce their risk of catching infection from animals or the environment.
Visiting a farm is an enjoyable and educational experience for many people, particularly children, 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.
Latest operational statistics confirmed that there’s been an exceptionally busy Spring in urgent and emergency care services – with more A&E attendances in April than any of the peak winter months, and both attendances and emergency admissions running around 10% higher than last year. The NHS and UKHSA are trying to determine the causes for this growth and whether there are targeted measures that can be taken in response.
The long-running public inquiry into what has been called the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS has heard its final evidence. It is thought tens of thousands were infected with HIV and hepatitis between 1970 and 1991 after being given a contaminated drug or blood transfusion. The inquiry, which started in 2018, has reviewed thousands of documents and heard testimony from 370 witnesses. It plans to publish its formal conclusions and recommendations in the autumn. 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 