The report of our independent academic survey about accessibility to healthcare services in the SWF, Dengie & Maldon Integrated Neighbourhood Team area will be published by early June. Only a monopoly can get away with it being so difficult for its users to access its services.
Working Group Recommendations for Community Health Services include investing to keep St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon operational for five years while funding is assembled for a purpose-built new facility, ideally on the current site. Continuity of services exactly is as we recommended. NHS business plan to be developed for July.
Norovirus activity remains high even though it has stabilised in the recent weeks. There are still many new local cases each week. You can catch Norovirus twice. If you have Norovirus
- Stay home; don’t return to work or school until two days after the vomiting and diarrhoea have stopped
- Drink plenty
- Wash hands regularly with soap and water; disinfectants and alcohol hand-gels don’t work against the virus
- If you’re concerned – eg if a child can’t keep fluids down or the illness doesn’t stop after a few days – seek medical advice.
In March performance for Broomfield, Basildon and Southend Hospitals was:
| 66.8% patients were seen within four hours in the emergency departments |
| 33 minutes was the average time for ambulances to hand over patients, compared to 33 minutes in the East of England and 40 minutes nationally |
| 68.1% patients received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days (up from 60.1 in January) |
A report from the Health and Social Care Select Committee says: Failing to fix England’s social care system is costing the country in financial and human terms. Reform of social care for older and disabled adults is essential.
A UK Research & Innovation study“Multiple chronic illnesses linked to higher risk of depression” shows people with multiple long-term physical health conditions are at a significantly greater risk of developing depression. Multiple chronic illnesses linked to higher risk of depression – UKRI
Family doctors are divided on the issue of assisted dying.
GPs split over assisted dying plans, BBC research suggests – BBC News The Parliamentary debate about this continues with many differing views being held and expressed.
Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board (MSE ICB)answered our questions on 15 May saying:
“We’ll ensure the findings of [our] research are shared with appropriate stakeholders in the hope it can positively influence the experience of people travelling to health appointments.”
“MSE ICB has taken the approach to retain investment in those areas [maternity, prevention, mental health and children’s services] where existing commitments have been made and, as such, continues to invest in the priority areas raised in your question. The ICB has not decommissioned any services as a result of new flexibilities introduced.”
“The five-year time horizon proposed by the community consultation working group for a new facility in Maldon was intended to be a realistic estimate. Ideally we would like this to be faster than the 5-year time horizon.” Lots more has happened/is happening we can’t fit in. More 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 