Content originally from Mid and South Essex
As we transition into autumn, we’re excited to bring you the latest updates, stories, and insights from across our community. This month, we have an exciting range of articles keeping you updated on our ongoing projects, recent achievements, and the incredible work being done by our teams.
To update you all on the progress of our recent consultation about proposed changes to local community hospital services, a decision-making business case will be presented to the NHS Mid and South Essex ICB Board, at an extraordinary board meeting, to be held on 30 September 2024 at 2pm, in Civic Offices, Chelmsford.
The meeting, which will be held in public, will facilitate the decision-making process for the proposals to make changes to community hospital services.
We encourage all who are interested to attend. Please note that while the meeting is held ‘in public’, it is not a public meeting, so members of the public are invited to observe but not participate in the discussions. Seats are limited, so make sure to book your spot early. Click here to find out more and to book your place. Remember, bookings close at 10 am the day before the meeting, and only one ticket can be reserved per person.
The meeting will also be available to view on-line to enable as many local residents as possible to listen to the discussion.
Help shape the future of services for people with COPD in Southend
The Community Connectors programme is designed to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of those living with COPD (in full once) when accessing support and living a healthier life andan opportunity to share what works well.
The Programme is also a volunteering opportunity for people living in Southend who have COPD, or care for someone with the condition. Find out more about the programme and how you can get involved and help to reduce health inequalities to enable everyone to live well together in the link below.
Find out more about the COPD Community Connectors
Join us in shaping the future of end of life care with Marie Curie
Are you or someone close to you living with a terminal illness?
NHS East of England and Marie Curie are conducting a study to understand the experiences of people in the East of England accessing palliative and end of life care.
The aim of the survey is to help those responsible for providing that care to ensure it is of the highest standard possible. As well as completing the survey, there is also an opportunity to take part in one to one interviews or group discussions.
All responses are welcome, but they are particularly keen to reach more male patients (rather than carers or those who have been bereaved) and those from non-white backgrounds.
Your input could help to ensure a better end of life care for all. To find out more about the survey, please visit the Marie Curie website or read the Survey Participant Information Sheet.
The survey closes on Monday 30 September 2024.
Southend-on-Sea City Vision – take part in the survey
Do you live, work, visit or study in Southend? Take part in this survey to help shape the refresh of the City’s vision. The survey will only take about 10 mins to complete and it closes on 22 November 2024. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a prize draw for the following prizes:
- Afternoon tea at Roslin Hotel for two
- Sunday lunch at Roslin Hotel for two
- 3 x £20 vouchers for hair and beauty treatment
- 1 x voucher for family bowling at Kingpin Southend
To find out more and to complete the survey, click on this link.
Find out more and take a survey
Community Health Event at Lakeside Shopping Centre Delivers Free Services and Support!
On Thursday, 15 August, the community came together for a health event packed with free services, advice, and support. From 11 am to 4 pm, attendees enjoyed free blood pressure checks, smoking cessation guidance, and health and wellbeing advice.
Specialists from the 0-19 Children and Young People team provided tips on infant feeding, breastfeeding, and perinatal mental health, while the Early Years Oral Health Team shared toothbrush packages and advice on keeping teeth healthy. Visitors also had the chance to give feedback on community health services.
The Research Engagement Network (REN) team promoted their project, inviting attendees to join Virtual Views to help shape the future of health and care research. Healthwatch Thurrock and Thurrock Council’s public health officers were on hand to connect people with local resources and support.
Organised by the Mid and South Essex Community Collaborative (MSECC), the event brought together NHS community services from NELFT, EPUT, and Provide Community, demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing community wellbeing.
New GP Exercise referral scheme – Brentwood
Brentwood residents living with long-term health or medical conditions can now access a new health-boosting service at the Brentwood Centre. This initiative, introduced by local leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council, aims to support individuals in improving their overall health and increasing physical activity levels in a safe, supportive environment.
Find out more about the GP Exercise referral scheme
Living with diabetes? Share your experiences by completing our short survey
As diabetes cases rise in our community, we would like to understand the reasons as to why this is the case. To do so, we are reaching out to residents who are living with diabetes to share their experiences by completing a short survey.
Help us to shape how we communicate with people in mid and south Essex
We are seeking the views from local residents about how we communicate with you. We want you to let us know what we are doing well and what we can improve. Your feedback will help us to inform a refreshed ICB communications strategy. Please see link to a brief survey below (this will only take one or two minutes to complete). The survey closes on Sunday 15 September 2024.
A Level students in East of England asked to consider an NHS career
School leavers who received their A-level, T-level or BTEC results this summer are being urged to consider the NHS as a career, through a healthcare degree place.
Already this year 33,560 people in England have applied for a nursing degree and 7,920 have applied to become a widwife. Plenty of spaces are still available through the University clearing system.
Student nurses, midwives and allied health care professionals could be eligible for the NHS learning support fund and received at least £5,000 per year toward their costs.
Over 80,000 local people now benefit from local NHS blood pressure monitoring programme – Essex BP@home scheme
The mid and south Essex BP@home scheme is part of a national programme which aims to prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases over the next ten years by supporting people to self-monitor their blood pressure at home. The NHS home blood pressure monitoring programme, BP@Home, now has over 82,000 participants throughout mid and south Essex.
Creating Hope Through Light: Essex Lights Up for Suicide Prevention
From 9th to 13th September 2024, the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System, Thurrock and Brentwood Mind, and local partner organisations are shining a light on suicide prevention with the ‘Creating Hope Through Light’ campaign.
As part of World Suicide Prevention Day, key buildings and landmarks across Essex will be illuminated in green to raise awareness, spark conversations, and encourage residents to take the Essex ZSA suicide prevention training.
This initiative, part of the #LetsTalkAboutSuicide campaign, aims to reduce stigma, promote mental health resources, and empower individuals to support those at risk. Essex residents are encouraged to get involved, take the free training at www.letstalkaboutsuicide.co.uk, and share their support on social media using #CreatingHopeThroughLightEssex.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 