Thanks to the new owners for producing monthly Focus Issues. Our challenge is to keep readers without online access suitably informed. Do we cover what’s happened in the last month, what’s happening now and/or guess what will happen before our next article? Please do tell us what you want from us! Do comment on anything in this article. The end paragraph tells you how to get in touch; don’t hesitate to ask, including about things that crop up which we haven’t been able to include any time between now and the next Issue. If you’re able, get someone to look at our website for our latest information. Some things in this article have been covered in more detail in recent Focus articles.
Details will be announced shortly for a virtual Town meeting using Folder: Community Engagement | Change NHS to Help Build a Health Service Fit for the Future. Do let us know what you think about this.
The Get Britain Working White Paper was published on 26 November, proposing health and skills support to reform employment, tackle economic inactivity and support people into good work. Three NHS Health and Growth Accelerator sites will test a new way of delivering more personalised, pro-active prevention programmes that will reduce health-related labour market inactivity, whilst testing the feasibility of broader future implementation.
World AIDS Day on 1 December will see UKHSA’s results from those A&Es running testing programmes for blood-borne viruses, making every contact count to identify thousands of people living with Hep B, Hep C or HIV so they get the treatment they need.
The debates about the future of the Assisted Dying Bill will continue through its Parliamentary stages where issues raised in the Second Reading debate need close investigation. Senior doctors and others say fixing the struggling palliative care and hospice system is an immediate priority and our local end of life services definitely need improvements.
A fifth person in England has been confirmed with a strain of mpox, which is spreading in central and east Africa. The first four in London have all recovered.
Norovirus cases are double the 5-season average despite dropping slightly during half term. If you get it: stay home for 48hours after symptoms clear; wash hands with soap and warm water; don’t prepare food for others. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids and to isolate.
Whooping Cough activity remains high. It’s vital pregnant women and young children get vaccinated.
Forecasts for the coming weeks and winter are that COVID-19, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) will increase significantly in most age groups. A&E attendances and hospital admissions are already rising. Vaccinations are offered against flu, COVID-19 and RSV and those eligible are urged to take up the vaccines to ensure you’re protected for the winter. 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 