This article is written on Sunday 30 June for publication in Issue 1081 of Focus when it will be delivered and read on 4 July, voting day in the General Election, or after it’s over. So this version for immediate publication on our website is slightly edited for clarity. Our articles in Focus are word-count limited by the available half page space we’re kindly given by Focus.
At the SWF Hustings event held on 25 June one of the questions was: “How do you and your party intend in the first 12 months of the next Government to deliver at least a 10% improvement in the numbers of: care home places; less blocked hospital beds; better times for ambulance attendances; better times for treatments in A&E Departments; better communications by hospitals and GPs with patients and carers; and more GP service appointments, for the people of South Woodham Ferrers and the rest of the country?” Whatever the Election result this is what we need.
Pre-election restrictions mean there have been less government and public sector data and bulletins. We’ve done our best to keep up to date with developments. The English Junior Doctors strike about their pay dispute will finish at 0700 on Tuesday 2 July; talks were postponed due to the Election. Last week’s heatwave, the cyber-attack on pathology provider Synnovis and the industrial action have put huge strain on the NHS.
Screenings of our film, ‘The Impact of Covid on Dying, Death & Bereavement’ finished in Chelmsford on 27 June. SWF’s was held on 14 June, graced by the presence of Town Mayor, Cllr Alan Shearring. There’s no doubt there remains a very painful legacy from Covid for those who were bereaved in such awful, unusual circumstances. Our film aims to help unlock that and identify ways of improving things for the next inevitable pandemic. Our film will be submitted to the Covid Public Inquiry and will be published for free use after the Election.
Latest data says Covid cases are increasing again; A&E attendances are at the highest level since February and deaths were up to 139 in the last week. The Spring Covid vaccination programme ended on 30 June. Flu and respiratory infections remain stable at low levels.
UKHSA says STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) continue increasing. Adolescents, young adults and men having sex with men are at most risk of STIs. Nearly half of STIs occur in people ages 15-24. But others aren’t immune. The best way to avoid STIs is to use condoms “consistently and correctly” with new or casual sexual partners.
Dr Shreya Singhal, a keen backpacker and worker in infectious diseases, has shared her top tips for travellers at this holiday time. Her blog about safe travel minimising risks to health is at https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/06/28/from-measles-to-malaria-how-to-keep-you-and-your-family-healthy-on-holiday/ .
Last week we celebrated:
- World Sickle Cell Day. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited health conditions affecting red blood cells. SCD is particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean family background.
- Learning Disability Week, with the theme – “Do you see me?” – challenges us to think about how we ensure people with learning disabilities are seen, heard and valued.
- Windrush Day – important to mark that the NHS has always not just welcomed talented and hard-working colleagues from around the world, but relied on them, and that is just as true today.
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 