SWF Health & Social Care Group’s 2024 virtual AGM and public meeting will be held from 1830-2030 on Thursday 29 August; send requests to attend to swfhealthsocial@outlook.com or 01245 322079. Agenda and papers will be published between now and then.
With more forecast heatwaves, UKHSA’s “How Heat-Health Alerts contribute to keeping the vulnerable safe this summer” is at: : https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/30/how-heat-health-alerts-contribute-to-keeping-the-vulnerable-safe-this-summer/. Significant health implications accompany changes in temperature.
The spread of Mpox to Europe has led the WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern; informative UKHSA blog https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/23/mpox-clade-1-what-you-need-to-know/ . The present UK risk is low. Travellers to affected areas should protect themselves from risk of infection by reducing touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals with a rash; and get vaccinated if not had it in the 2022/23 surge for the last outbreak.
Recent civil unrest and groundswell of hate swept across the country, including online. NHS England observes that racist and Islamophobic riots, following other recent racial incidents and antisemitism, had a deep impact on NHS staff and patients. It’s working with others to combine and interpret resources, guidance and policies supporting staff and addressing racist or other discriminatory behaviour, from patients or colleagues.
Dr Hilary Cass’ comprehensive and evidence-led report on gender services for children and young people is published. Up to six new specialist regional centres will be set up by 2026, joining existing services at Great Ormond Street and Alder Hey. Multi-disciplinary teams will provide holistic assessment and tailored support for children and young people who need it.
Dr David Levy is the independent chair of a review into adult gender services, supported by a panel of experts. This will pull together the best available evidence, along with the views of patients and clinicians, to inform an updated adult gender service specification which ultimately serves the people who need better services.
CQC’s report into the treatment of Valdo Calocane follows the horrendous murders of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates in June 2023. NHS England is implementing CQC’s recommendations, with every provider of mental health services reviewing the care people with serious mental illness receive; fresh guidance has been published about not discharging people who don’t attend appointments and sharing of risk assessments with partners and patients’ families.
UKHSA has launched a campaign encouraging eligible groups to get RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccinations from September. This additional protection for people age 75-79 and pregnant women is important in building winter resilience, alongside flu and COVID vaccines.
Whooping cough cases rise to over 10,000 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . There were 10,493 laboratory confirmed cases from January to June. Sadly another infant death brings the total to 10 since this outbreak began last November. Timely vaccination is vital for pregnant women to pass protection to unborn babies so they’re protected from birth for their first months. All babies get 3 doses of the 6-in-1 jab at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old to protect them against whooping cough and other serious diseases including diphtheria and polio. Pre-school boosters follow at 3 years 4 months old.
The summer wave of Covid continues. UKHSA continues warning about Measles, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Farm Visits, Flu & respiratory illnesses, ticks & Lyme disease, travel health, & Festivals. We’ve written about all these previously. 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 