SWF Health & Social Care Group held its 2024 virtual AGM and public meeting on Thursday 29 August. The Agenda and 2023-24 Annual Report and papers are being published on our website, along with the recorded interview with the now retired Interim Chief Executive of the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board.
With ongoing 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.
Since our independent academic assessment of the SWF & Dengie Primary Care Network (PCN) published in June 2023, the development of our PCN has gone on with pace. The findings of our report formed the basis of the PCN’s initial agenda. Our PCN now has great understanding of the six individual GP Practices and of SWF’s and the Dengie’s communities. It has clinical and operational directors, a manager, digital lead, clinical pharmacist, 5 first contact physiotherapists, 3 emergency care practitioners, a health and wellbeing coach, 4 care coordinators and 3 social prescribers. These practitioners are supporting many patients of our GPs with their prevention and treatment specialist skills. This is a tremendous boost to our care that’s arrived during the last year.
This week’s announcement that NHS 111 is now the single national means of support for people experiencing a mental health crisis in the community is very welcome. So 111, already well known, is now the single national point of contact for all urgent physical and mental health needs, for people of all ages.
The start of the Paralympic Games puts the spotlight on the abilities of the competitors. We all have our disabilities be they visible or invisible. This is a chance to renew the path to equal accessibility for us all, whatever our strengths and weaknesses.
The start of the new academic year comes with timely reminders for students of all ages. One theme is “If we’re not vaccinated, we’re not protected”. With reduced levels of immunity so many dangerous infections are rising. Children 0-5 years old need all their vaccinations. Freshers and returning students need to be up to date with vaccines to protect against meningitis, measles and HPV. The winter programme of Covid, Flu, RSV and other adult vaccinations starts soon. We all need to make sure we and those we care for are up to date with vaccinations and if not or in any doubt must contact our GP.
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 