New and updated items first; a quiet week after bank holiday
The worst of the heatwaves are over? No days are forecast for over 25* for the next fortnight. We hope there’ll be no more tragedies in the seas, rivers and other water. We also hope there’ll be no more derailments. May and June saw 2,877 excess deaths from heatwaves. Data for July and August awaited.
The El Niño event that is developing over the Pacific Ocean is likely to be the strongest in living memory, the Met Office has warned. Experts suggest effects for the UK expected to be:
- September to December: a higher chance of a wet autumn and early winter, bringing extra rain and storms.
- January to March: The later part of winter and early spring carry an increased chance of colder weather or winter extremes.
- The World Meteorological Organisation warns this event is exceptionally strong and will last until at least February 2027.
- Because of potential global food and supply chain disruptions caused by extreme weather worldwide, some UK officials have advised the public to practice basic emergency resilience and keep a small stockpile of essential supplies.
Plans for future heat health risks and all extreme weather events are essential.
The Measles outbreak continues but is slowing. Parents should get children vaccinated and check children’s vaccination status. In 2026 to 31 August 983 English measles cases have been confirmed, exceeding the 2025 total of 959. London has seen 51% of the cases. Two children and one adult have died of measles in 2026. Essex remains in danger.
The latest childhood vaccines data for the year to March 2026 shows signs that the uptake of key vaccines offered as part of the NHS childhood vaccination schedule by age 5 are stabilising. This comes after a decade of slow decline across all vaccines in England. Despite this, the current uptake rates are still well below the World Health Organisation 95% target and uptake for children at age one and age two has decreased again for all vaccines. Parents are reminded that getting their children vaccinated at the right time is essential to protect them when they are most vulnerable and ensure they are ready to thrive when starting nursery and school.
UKHSA has published an excellent guide for parents and carers about keeping children healthy this school year. It advises following four main steps to keep children well and in school. They are:
Teach Good Hygiene
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water.
- Use tissues to catch coughs and sneezes, then bin them right away.
- Clean hands after using the tissue or before eating.
Know When to Stay Home
- Keep your child home if they have a high temperature or fever.
- Send them to school with a mild cold or runny nose only if they feel well otherwise.
- Keep children home for 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhoea stops to stop stomach bugs from spreading.
Spot Common Signs
- Look out for scarlet fever with a sore throat, fever, and a sandpaper-like rash.
- Watch for measles signs like a runny nose, cough, and a blotchy face rash.
- Check for itchy, spotty rashes from chickenpox.
Get Vaccinated
- Make sure your child gets all routine childhood vaccines.
- Take up seasonal offers like the flu vaccine to stay protected.
UKHSA has declared a national outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning after two people died and 474 patients fell ill with the bug. It’s believed the outbreak is linked to imported eggs used where people eat out at small cafes, restaurants and takeaway businesses, not eggs cooked at home. Some cases date back up to a year. About a third needed hospital care. Don’t eat undercooked food.
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports have restarted. In week 35 to 27 August:
- Flu activity increased and is circulating at baseline levels;
- COVID-19 activity increased across some indicators and is circulating at baseline levels;
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remained low and is circulating at baseline levels.
Pregnant women, children aged 2 and 3 years old (on 31 August 2026), and children in a clinical risk group aged from 6 months to 17 years can book now for flu vaccinations that began on 1 September. All other eligible cohorts – including people aged 65 and over, people who are immunocompromised or their close contacts, adults with certain long-term health conditions, care home residents and carers – can book now and select an appointment date and time from 1 October. SWF GP invitations will be sent out.
As last year, 2026 COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to those:
- aged 75 or over (including those who are 75 by 31 January 2027);
- aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment;
- live in a care home for older adults.
You will get a GP invitation. Appointments will be from 1 October. If eligible you can book online or using the NHS App. Vaccinations will also be available at walk-in sites, community pharmacies and in care homes.
CQC, the NHS regulator, reports a “disconnect between senior leaders and front-line service” in Essex mental health trust, EPUT. Inspectors looked at EPUT’s long stay or rehabilitation mental health wards for working-age adults; child and adolescent mental health wards; and, community health inpatient services. A warning notice was issued for long stay or rehabilitation mental health wards. The Lampard Inquiry continues examining the deaths of more than 2,000 people treated at NHS-run mental health units in Essex between 2000 and 2023.
‘The Big Conversation on Care’ provides the opportunity to say what we want and expect from a future National Care Service. We’ll arrange a SWF consultation. 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 