Updated and new items first:
PLEASE watch the short explanatory video (1 min 50 secs) at https://youtu.be/nnGLc2EVXX0, and tell us what you want from Neighbourhood Health by completing our survey at https://warwick.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9uYcv6y4zybHzSu . This is your opportunity to shape the direction of local health and social care – and it may be the only one we get. Speak now, or forever hold your peace! More below*.
An amber heat health alert is in effect from 2PM on 22/05/2026 until 5PM on 27/05/2026 across the East of England. This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including:
- a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups
- likely increased demand on all health and social care services
- internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
- the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
- indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
- issues managing medicines
- staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport)
- increased demand for power exceeding capacity
- other sector starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays)
- water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning
*Re ABOVE: We’re running an independent academic research project about Neighbourhood Health to see what patients, service users and the public want in our area.
Neighbourhood Health is coming, and our local Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) are already working more closely together to better support patients, carers and the wider community. But so far, we – the patients, service users, carers and public – haven’t been asked what we think. And that matters.
We’ve long championed the principle of “No decision about us without us,” and our Group is determined to make sure that principle is upheld. That’s why we’ve commissioned an independent academic study, in partnership with the University of Warwick Medical School, to capture the views of people across SWF, the Dengie and Maldon.
This is your opportunity to shape the direction of local health and social care – and it may be the only one we get. If we don’t speak up now, we risk simply being handed decisions that were made without us. Taking part takes around 20 minutes. Before you start, watch the short explanatory video (1 min 50 secs) at https://youtu.be/nnGLc2EVXX0, then complete the survey at https://warwick.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9uYcv6y4zybHzSu , The survey closes on 31 May 2026.
The paper about Creating new Neighbourhood health centres in Essex was published on 13 May. Neighbourhood Health is about making it easier for people to get care and support closer to home, helping people stay well and get support earlier before problems become more serious. Neighbourhood Health aims to change this by bringing together NHS services, councils, voluntary organisations and community groups to provide more joined-up care in local communities. This could include GP services, wider primary care services, mental health support, community nursing, rehabilitation and wellbeing services working more closely together around people’s needs. This will be done differently as communities will need different solutions depending on local needs, geography and existing services. The aim is to create a connected network of local services that improves access, supports prevention and provides more care closer to home. Frequently asked questions in the paper explain the current national guidance, what is known so far, and how local partners and communities will continue to be involved as plans evolve. There will be:
- Core – Smaller local neighbourhood services that provide day-to-day care closer to where people live, such as GP services, community nursing and support from local health and care teams.
- Core+ – A larger neighbourhood hub offering a broader range of services for a wider local population, potentially including diagnostics, mental health support or outpatient clinics alongside core services.
- Core++ – A major neighbourhood health anchor site serving multiple neighbourhoods, bringing together a wider range of NHS, community and partner services in one place. These sites are intended to support more complex or higher-volume services while still keeping care closer to home.
Getting hold of medication in SWF remains difficult. “Access to medicines in England is at its most fragile point in years. People living with heart conditions, stroke risks, eye infections, bipolar and ADHD – to name just a few – are among those unable to get the medications they depend on. Supply problems mean people are too often leaving pharmacies up and down the country without the medication they need.” (BBC 1 May) Please don’t blame SWF pharmacy staff or GP surgery staff; it isn’t their fault. This is caused by global supply chain disruptions, shortages of raw materials and pharmaceutical ingredients, and economic factors. Pharmacies can only dispense exactly what is prescribed. You can ask your doctor if there’s any alternative they can safely prescribe for you.
People with chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME, are to benefit from a world-first genomics study. The UK government is investing £4.75m in the world’s largest study of its kind to offer new hope to around 390,000 people living with the condition in the UK
For the first time, scientists will be able to build a high-resolution genetic map of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), paving the way for better diagnostics and future treatments. The funding builds on the earlier investment in the DecodeME study, which created the world’s largest ME/CFS research cohort. This first-of-its-kind programme cements the UK’s position at the forefront of global genomic research, building on a track record of scientific firsts stretching from the Human Genome Project to the COVID-19 genomic surveillance effort. This breakthrough could unlock the biological causes of the condition for the first time ever, paving the way for better diagnostics and new treatments for those who live with the disease. ME/CFS causes debilitating fatigue, sleep difficulties and cognitive impairment. Around a quarter of those diagnosed are severely affected, leaving them housebound or unable to work. Despite the scale of its impact, there is limited understanding of the causes and biological mechanisms driving the condition.
Measles outbreak continues in north London. Parents should get children vaccinated and check children’s vaccination status. Up to 11 May in 2026 542 English measles cases have been confirmed, 65 more since 27 April, mostly driven by the North London outbreak. We in Essex are direct neighbours of the London area affected and it could easily spread towards us.
You’ll find the UKHSA comprehensive original blog of 11 May “What is hantavirus? How is it transmitted and what are the symptoms?” about this on our website at: https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2026/05/11/what-is-hantavirus-how-is-it-transmitted-and-what-are-the-symptoms-2/ . At present, it is being updated daily at UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak – GOV.UK .
The UK government continues to work with the NHS, local authorities and UK Overseas Territories in response to the hantavirus outbreak. So far, 10 individuals have left Arrowe Park and have returned home, or to other suitable accommodation, to complete their 45 day isolation period. Further departures are expected over the coming days and the risk to the general public remains very low.
The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo poses a low risk to the UK population. Although the outbreak is serious, it is rare for Ebola cases to occur in returning travellers and the NHS has safe procedures in place for any such cases and specialist centres where they can be looked after. When a serious outbreak like this happens overseas, UKHSA works to assess and monitor the situation and provide up to date information and advice to the public, travellers and the NHS. UKHSA, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Department for Transport and Border Force ensure travellers returning from affected areas know what to do if they develop symptoms. The NHS does test for anyone who is unwell after travelling to the affected areas.
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The interim target for speeding up hospital treatment in England has been reached.The goal was for 65% of patients to be treated within 18 weeks by March 2026 – and it hit that with the figure reaching 65.3%. This is the first stepping stone to hitting the 92% target by 2029. Performance was below 59% on July 2024. The overall size of the waiting list also improved, falling from 7.2 million to 7.1 million in the space of a month – the lowest for three and a half years. James Murray MP for Ealing North is the new Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
Over a week ago, there were a few new cases in the Home Counties, sadly including the death of an Oxfordshire student, of a different strain of meningitis to that of the recent outbreak in Kent. Health authorities say whilst cases of meningitis are regular occurrences the riskof them remains low.
Key target hit with 8,500 extra mental health workers in the NHS
- Part of 10 Year Health Plan commitment to deliver more mental health care in the community.
People across England will benefit from faster and better mental health support with 8,500 additional mental health workers recruited since the end of June 2024, meeting a key target 3 years ahead of schedule. Around 1 in 5 adults in England (an estimated 9.4 million) are now affected by a common mental health condition, but high demand and subsequent long waits has historically been a significant barrier to people getting the support they need.
The milestone means thousands more people will be able to access mental health services sooner and closer to home, cutting waiting times, shifting more care to the community and helping people access mental health support before they reach crisis point.
The new workers – including therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and support staff – are now in post across NHS trusts and community health services in England, providing care to children, young people and adults.
1,781calls have been made between September 2024 and February 2026 by NHS staff in England to Martha’s Rule helplines to flag concerns about patient care. The helplines were set up after a campaign by the parents of 13-year-old Martha Mills who died after serious failings in her care. Martha Mills, died from sepsis having been treated at King’s College Hospital in London in 2021. Her family’s concerns were not listened to. In 2022 the coroner said Martha would probably have survived if she had been transferred earlier to intensive care and given appropriate treatment.
Martha’s Rule encourages families, carers and patients to speak up if they notice changes in a patient’s condition and to seek an urgent review from a critical care team if their health is deteriorating and concerns are not being listened to. Under the scheme, clinicians also record daily insights about a patient’s health directly from families. Staff, including those in junior roles, can also ask for a review from a team independent of the one they work with. Over 1000 calls have helped identify serious deterioration of a patient’s condition. The importance of calls coming from staff is great as they make use of the “non-confrontational” way to raise concerns. The data also shows that, of the calls found to relate to acute deterioration, the greatest proportion were regarding patients belonging to the most deprived groups (26.1%), with the lowest number of calls (14.5%) regarding patients belonging to the least deprived groups.
The Lampard Inquiry into Essex deaths of thousands of mental health patients between 2000-2023 is refocusing due to “emerging evidence” and “ongoing issues” with Essex Partnership Trust’s engagement. After July’s hearings there may be interim recommendations for change.
Hay fever sufferers must now put up with symptoms for up to two weeks longer than they would have done in the 1990s. Scientists worldwide say climate change has “prolonged the pollen season”. The fine powder released by certain grasses, trees and plants can cause chaos for those who are allergic, with itchy eyes, sneezing and headaches all common symptoms. “While for some symptoms can be mild, for many hay fever impacts quality of life.” Allergy experts recommend “a cocktail approach” of antihistamine tablets or drops, steroid nasal spray, and eye drops.
Spring COVID-19 vaccine is booking now open. From now until 30 June 2026, vaccination is being offered in England to:
- adults aged 75 and over
- residents in care homes for older people
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
An informative recording of our March Virtual Public Meeting “Will SWF get better health services from 1st April’s NHS changes?” is on our website.
Our local Hospitals’ Trust went into an “intensive recovery programme” in April after the Health Secretary said “failure has been tolerated for too long”. Their performance in March was:
- 68.1% (68.3% in February) of patients were seen within four hours in their emergency departments against the national standard of 78%. Nationally the performance was 77.1% and in East of England it was 76.7%. A revised improvement plan was introduced in March along with increased senior leadership presence in clinical areas.
- 38 minutes was the average time for ambulances to hand over patients. This compares to 35 minutes in East of England and nationally.
- 63% (63.2%) of patients received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days, against the 79% standard. Improvement focuses on clinical priority of diagnostics.
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SWF Health & Social Care Group 