PLEASE watch the short explanatory video https://youtu.be/nnGLc2EVXX0, and tell us what you want from Neighbourhood Health by completing our survey by 14 June 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! 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 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.
The Measles outbreak continues in north London. Parents should get children vaccinated and check children’s vaccination status. Up to 25 May 2026 630 English measles cases have been confirmed, 88 more since 11 May, mostly driven by the North London outbreak. This continues increasing. Essex is next door so it could easily spread towards us.
How extremely disappointing that the Resident Doctors are going to strike again from 0700 on 15 June to 0659 on 19June. The new Secretary of State is unwilling to negotiate on pay, saying the union’s demands for more money were “unrealistic and unaffordable “. Is it appropriate to ask for much more than inflation when all the patients are needing improved services and many are suffering financial pressures?
New data shows a fall in STIs (sexually transmitted infections), with overall diagnoses down 8.3%. This is said to reflect the hard work of sexual health services and community-based organisations. The data shows:
- an 18.7% decline in syphilis diagnoses in gay and bisexual men which means they have fallen to their lowest level since 2016. There has been a 13.5% decrease in infectious syphilis diagnoses in all groups.
- a 10.9% decrease in gonorrhoea cases in all groups.
- a 7.3% decrease in first episode genital warts in all groups.
While these decreasing trends are cause for optimism, STI cases remain high and these infections continue particularly to affect young people aged 15 to 24 years, gay and bisexual men and people living in deprived areas. The authorities are reminding everyone having sex with new or casual partners to use a condom and get tested regularly, whatever their age, gender or sexual orientation.
Salmonella cases in England are at a decade high, increasing from 10,389 in 2024 to 10,406 in 2025. Campylobacter cases in 2025 remained high and comparable to 2024, although they fell slightly from 70,392 in 2024 to 69,394 in 2025. These infections spread in many ways – through contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person, or contact with infected animals or their environment. The public are reminded to take precautions against these bacteria, which are among the most common causes of food poisoning. Young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems should take extra care, as they are at higher risk of developing serious illness.
727 people in East of England have had an earlier diagnosis of lung cancer thanks to the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme. Around 400 were identified through screening in Essex.
Ofsted and CQC inspected Essex SEND services. The outcome states that ‘arrangements lead to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and the local area partnership must work jointly to make improvements’.
In April our hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon & Southend:
- Saw 74.4% of patients within 4 hours in A&Es. That’s 6.3% up on March. The national standard is 78%; Basildon was 77.4%, Southend 72.1% and Broomfield 73.4%. Further ways to improve the flow of patients through our hospitals are being investigated.
- 31 minutes (38 in March) was the average time for ambulances to handover patients. Nationally it was 34mins; regionally 30mins.
- 62.7% (63%) of patients received cancer diagnosis results within 2 days, against the 80% standard. 54.2% received their diagnosis and started treatment within 62 days. The Trust is England’s 3rd most improved. In February 2025 it was 35% and in February 2026 53.5%. Further improvements are being made, including speeding up test results.
A key target in the 10-Year Plan has been delivered with 8,500 extra mental health workers now in the NHS. Our weekly newsletter includes everything we’ve published in the previous 7-days. Libraries provide online services and help with internet access. For welfare information and subscription to our newsletter, email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com or leave a voicemail on 01245 322079.
https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/
SWF Health & Social Care Group 