Thank you to everyone who attend our on-line focus groups and community focus group events to give their feedback on the NHS 10 year plan.
It has provided us with valuable feedback from a wide range of participants, which will be used to inform the national NHS 10 Year Plan, the local NHS Mid and South Essex Medium Term Plan and the NHS Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust 10 year strategy.
Have you, or a family member, recently been in hospital?
We are collecting the experiences from people who have been discharged from hospital in the mid and south Essex area. We encourage anyone who has been discharged from hospital since 1 August 2024 to give us their views by completing a short survey.
We will use the feedback we receive to improve:the way patients are dischargedthe services they can receive in the communitythe way they are supported to ensure they have the right care to meet their needs when they get home.
If you have used, or are about to use, local maternity services, we’d like your views on a maternity healthy weight programme.
Our aim is to understand how the service could be personalised to provide a supportive, tailored approach to help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight around the time of pregnancy.
By completing the short survey, your feedback will help us to shape this programme, which may be available to certain groups or those people living in specific areas. All answers will remain anonymous.
Carers Voices at Healthwatch Essex have launched a survey to find out more about the mental health of people who care for others in our communities.
Carers often say they are at breaking point. Physically and mentally exhausted with no respite and very little time or energy to self-assess and acknowledge when their mental health and wellbeing deteriorates, so the pressure becomes too much, and many become overwhelmed. Those that do acknowledge their mental health and wellbeing is at risk, often do not know where or how to access the appropriate support.
The aim of the survey is to ask you, the carers, about your experiences of mental health and wellbeing, both good and bad. What you tell us will help shape and influence better awareness of mental health in the caring community and improve support for everyone.
Please share this survey to anyone else who may be interested.
Essex Frontline is a community project that provides a very helpful on-line directory that will enable you to quickly find details on local health and wellbeing services across Essex. The on-line service also enables you to contact services through call back and referral options.
A guide for patients to get the most out of their care appointments
Today the Patients Association has launched two which provide patients with the knowledge and tools they need to get the most out of their care. This includes:ensuring they are preparedguidance on how they can prevent things going wrongsteps they can take at each stage of their journey through the healthcare system
These resources will be helpful to patients who are currently experiencing difficulties in accessing the care they need. They cover themes before, during and after appointments; focusing on communication, sharing information, and accessibility.
These resources will be helpful to patients who are currently experiencing difficulties in accessing the care they need. They cover themes before, during and after appointments; focusing on communication, sharing information, and accessibility.
A new national NHS text message campaign was rolled out locally from Monday 10 February, encouraging people to get vaccinated against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).RSV is a common virus that affects the respiratory tract and can be serious in older people and infants.
It is contagious and spreads through droplets from coughs and sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces.Those who are unvaccinated and turn 75 years old ahead of 10 February, as well as those aged 75-79 as of 1 September 2024, will receive a text message asking them to make an appointment for an RSV vaccination at their GP.To get your RSV vaccination at a pharmacy in your area:Book a pharmacy appointment in parts of Suffolk and Essex at www.nhs.uk/book-rsvFind a pharmacy walk-in service in parts of Suffolk and Essex at www.england.nhs.uk/rsv-eastOr you can attend your GP surgery when they offer you an appointment.
Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK. In Essex, more than one in 20 deaths are estimated to be linked in some part to air pollution.
Air pollution reduces life expectancy by causing heart and lung diseases. It is also linked to other health impacts, such as dementia.
Consortium plans to tackle air pollution and help improve people’s health. The strategy is supported by local NHS trusts, Essex Police and the Essex Fire and Rescue Service.
Let us know what you think about the strategy before Sunday 2 March
SWF Health & Social Care Group 