This has been an extremely busy week.
Key issues:
Mid & South Essex Integrated Partnership met in public on 11 September and heard a very encouraging and innovative report about a new programme being piloted to improve access to NHS dental services which has started well. Whilst our area does not suffer as badly as others, nevertheless we know of the difficulties people have in accessing NHS dentists. It was disappointing to hear that 6% of patients aren’t attending the increased new appointments.
Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board met in public on 12 September when in answer to our questions the new Chief Executive reiterated his predecessor’s commitment to us that patient and public communications and engagement remains a top priority. They also welcomed our suggestion that a survey be undertaken into transport access to medical services and appointments in our area and we will be exploring this with them in the coming months. This meeting’s papers provide a candid view of the situation with our local health services and the challenges they are dealing with in the context of the NHS as a whole, reported on by Lord Darzi. The agenda papers at https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/publications/nhs-mid-and-south-essex-integrated-care-board-meeting-paper-12-september-2024/ include reports about health inequalities, corridor care in our hospitals (of which there is relatively little), the NHSE’s annual assessment of the ICB and Chief Executive’s report, quality of services, finance, performance, primary care and Alliance reports. It is important that we are aware of the complex overall nature of our area’s healthcare.
On that day the final report about the consultations into community health services and future of St Peter’s Hospital services was published and it was confirmed that an extraordinary Board meeting in public would be held at Chelmsford Civic Offices starting at 1400 on Monday 30 September to facilitate the decision-making process of the public consultation into community hospital capacity.
Significant reports and inquiries are in the news:
Lord Darzi concludes in his report that the NHS “Is in a critical condition but its vital signs are strong.” It continues to struggle with the aftershocks of the pandemic. Its managerial capacity and capability have been degraded by disastrous management reforms, and the trust and goodwill of many frontline staff has been lost. The service has been chronically weakened by a lack of capital investment which has lagged behind other similar countries by tens of billions of pounds. All of this has occurred while the demands placed upon the health service have grown as the nation’s health has deteriorated. His report is at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e1b49e3b0c9e88544a0049/Lord-Darzi-Independent-Investigation-of-the-National-Health-Service-in-England.pdf . He doesn’t blame the managers. Better decisions by them would only have made marginal differences. The extraordinary depth of clinical skill, passion and determination is the beating heart of the NHS. The principles of the NHS, taxpayer funded, free at the point of use, based on need not ability to pay remains unquestionable. It is imperative the situation is turned around; we cannot afford not to have the NHS. It will take time as it has taken a decade for the NHS’s disrepair. The full report runs to 133 pages and everyone should read it to understand the gravity of the situation, but the ways it can be fixed over time.
The Main Points of ONS report for August on the Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England: September 2024 included:
- An estimated 94.3% of adults who attempted to make contact with their GP practice in the last 28 days were successful, and most (76.8%) made contact the same day.
- Of those who tried to contact their GP practice in the last 28 days, 67.4% of adults perceived their overall experience of their GP practice as either “Very good” or “Good”.
- Over half of adults (52.1%) reported having an NHS dentist, and of those who attended an NHS dental appointment in the last 28 days, 89.5% were “Very satisfied” or “Satisfied” with the care they received.
- 90.6% of adults who did not have a dentist and who had tried to make an NHS dental appointment in the last 28 days, reported they were unsuccessful in making an appointment.
- The majority of adults (85%) who had used an NHS pharmacy service in the last 28 days were “Very satisfied” or “Satisfied” with the most recent service they had received; however, of those who had been dispensed an NHS prescription, 20.1% had a problem getting their prescription.
- Throughout the survey, levels of satisfaction tended to be higher among the older age groups, those living in the least deprived areas, those without a long-term health condition and those in the White ethnic group.
This seems to support Lord Darzi’s view that whilst the NHS is in an awful state it can be fixed.
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has now started to take evidence looking at the impact on patients, healthcare workers and the wider NHS. This will include end-of-life care, to which we have contributed with our documentary film about “The Impact of Covid on Dying, Death & Bereavement”.
In Chelmsford on 9 September Baroness Lampard opened her public inquiry into more than 2,000 mental health related deaths at NHS-run children and adult inpatient units in Essex between 2000 and 2023. It is essential this blight on our local mental health services is addressed effectively as soon as possible so that our confidence in these crucial services is restored.
The Thirlwall Inquiry into how the Countess of Chester Hospital handled Lucy Letby’s crimes also started this week. It will look at the experiences of the parents of the babies named on the indictment at the trial, consider the conduct of the hospital staff and then look at the wider NHS relationships between professional groups, the culture within hospitals and how these affect the safety of newborns in neonatal units.
SWF Health & Social Care Group held its 2024 virtual AGM and public meeting on 29 August.The Agenda, 2023-24 Annual Report & Appendices, and the keynote recorded interview with Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board’s recently retired Interim Chief Executive are at https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2024/09/01/the-swf-health-social-care-group-public-meeting-agm-2024/ .
Since our independent academic assessment of the SWF & Dengie Primary Care Network (PCN) published in June 2023, the development of our PCN has grown at pace. Our report formed the basis of the PCN’s initial agenda. Our PCN has great understanding of the six GP Practices and of SWF’s and the Dengie’s communities. It has clinical 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 using their prevention and treatment specialist skills.
NHS 111 is now the single national means of support for people experiencing a mental health crisis in the community. 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 Paralympic Games has put 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 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 (Human Papillomavirus) which commonly causes warts. The winter programme of Covid, Flu, RSV and other adult vaccinations starts soon. We and those we care for need to be up to date with vaccinations; if not, or in any doubt, we must contact our GP.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a major cause of respiratory illness. Brand new vaccinations have launched to protect infants by vaccinating pregnant women (from 28 weeks) via midwifery services, and older adults aged 75-79 by invitations from GPs.
September starts Flu vaccinations for pregnant women, nursery and school children up to year 11, and all children from 6-months up to 18-years in clinical risk groups. Parents of children 2-3 years old should book with their GP. School children will be offered vaccinations at school. Most children get this with a quick and painless nasal spray. October will bring the start of the adult winter Covid & Flu vaccinations for people with long term conditions, everyone 65+ years old and pregnant women.
UKHSA is warning about concerning rises in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea and syphilis, along with overall increases in all STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Condoms are the best defence; if not used with new or casual partners, free testing is recommended, through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres or postal self-sampling kits. 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 