The serious shortage of some prescription medicines in SWF and elsewhere continues and worsens. Common medications like ramipril, co-codamol, and dispersible aspirin are affected. Link to current information is at Current Drug Shortages List – Drugs.com . Please don’t blame pharmacy or GP staff; it isn’t their fault. We are aware that Kingsway Surgery ran out of Covid vaccine this week and has had to reschedule patients. Supplies are expected to be delivered this coming week.
‘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. This is now more important than ever with the Prime Minister setting out plans for a new National Care Service to be established in the next Parliament, providing free personal care for older people, based on need rather than ability to pay. For a long time we have recognised and said that the pressures on the NHS will only be reduced when the social care system is improved.
National flu, COVID-19, RSV, Norovirus & Rotavirus surveillance reports have restarted. In week 40 to 4 October:
- Flu activity increased and is circulating at baseline levels; A&E attendances above seasonal norm; Flu positivity increased to 6.5% from 5% the previous week;
- COVID-19 activity increased and is circulating at low levels; positivity increased to 9.1% from 7.9% the previous week; hospital admissions increased to 2.04% per 100,000 from 1.75% the previous week;
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remained low and is circulating at baseline levels. Positivity increased to 0.5% from 0.3% in the previous week. Hospitalisations are low at 0.11%.
- Norovirus activity remains low and within expected levels for this time of year.
- Rotavirus activity was 13.9% higher than the 5-season average and remains within expected levels.
Should we be worried about the current COVID-19 variants? XFG, sometimes referred to as the Stratus variant and ‘American Covid’ remains the most common current COVID-19 variant. It isn’t new and has been circulating in the UK and other countries for around a year. What have we seen so far this season? UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that COVID-19 positive test rates rose to around 7% in September, with hospital admission rates increasing by approximately 50% over the same period. These increases have been consistent across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as across Europe and the United States, indicating this is not a localised trend. Current data does not indicate that these variants lead to more severe illness than other variants in circulation. As increases in hospitalisations are rising in line with overall increases in COVID-19 circulation – rather than rising sharply on their own – this suggests a general increase in COVID-19 activity rather than a variant causing more severe disease. As we move into winter, colder and wetter weather means people spend more time indoors, which enables the spread of respiratory viruses. It has also been roughly a year since the last significant COVID-19 wave, so immunity from vaccination and previous infection may be waning in parts of the population, making people more susceptible. If you’re eligible please get vaccinated.
Early signs suggest that flu season may be starting earlier this year. Flu activity throughout September has been higher than in the same period over the past 4 winters. While levels remain at baseline, meaning still relatively low overall, the upward trend – if it continues in the coming weeks – suggests an early flu season. The rise so far has been driven largely by cases in the 18- to 24-year-old age group. So far this season, there’s a mix of 2 flu A subtypes, H1N1 and H3N2, circulating in England. The flu vaccine is designed to protect against all 3 main types of flu: influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and influenza B. Whichever ends up dominating this winter – or if they all circulate at similar levels throughout – the vaccine should offer broad protection. The vaccine offers layered protection against all 3 flu types so we’re prepared, whatever ends up circulating. If you’re eligible please get vaccinated.
The Measles outbreak continues but is slowing. Parents should get children vaccinated and check children’s vaccination status. In 2026 to 14 September 1003 English measles cases have been confirmed, exceeding the 2025 total of 959. Two children and one adult have died of measles in 2026. Essex remains in danger. Updated reports about this outbreak are now being published on a monthly basis; the next is due on 15 October.
2026 Flu vaccinations started in September for pregnant women and children aged 2yrs+. From 1 October eligible others being: people aged 65+, immunocompromised people and their close contacts, adults with certain long-term conditions, care home residents and carers, can book. You’ll get a GP invitation.
2026 COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to those:
- aged 75+ (including those 75 by 31 January 2027);
- aged 6 months to 74 years with weakened immune systems;
- living in a care home for older adults.
You’ll get a GP invitation. Appointments will be from 1 October. Those eligible can book online or using the NHS App. Vaccinations will also be available at walk-in sites, community pharmacies and in care homes.
The August key performances of Broomfield, Basildon and Southend Hospitals were:
Emergency performance
70.2% (71.6% in July) of patients were seen, treated and either admitted or discharged within four hours in emergency departments. This is below the Trust’s 72.8% target for August. The performance nationally was 75% and for the East of England 74.3%.
- Ambulance handover times
The average time for ambulances to handover patients was 45 minutes (44 in July). This compares with 35 minutes across the East of England and 41 minutes nationally. The Trust aims to complete handovers in 23 minutes.
- Cancer diagnosis and the elective waiting list
67.5 per cent (68.2% in July) of patients received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days, against a standard of 80%, and 50.2% (54% in July) received their treatment within 62 days against a national target of 85%. This is a slight dip in both areas it’s recognised there is a lot of work to be done to get to where need to be. The Trust is committed to achieving this.
What is being done to improve?
Work continues across all three sites to help improve ambulance handover times, working closely with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
The Trust’s emergency care improvement programme has introduced ED streaming, expanding Same Day Emergency Care services to seven days a week, improving ward rounds and supporting patients to be discharged as early as possible to help manage the pressures on the Emergency Departments.
The Trust is increasing capacity and improving cancer pathways so more patients can be diagnosed and treated sooner. It is also using data and closer monitoring to identify delays earlier and help reduce waiting times.
Carers supporting loved ones during a hospital stay at Broomfield, Basildon & Southend will now be easier to identify, thanks to the new carers’ badges being rolled out. They have been developed to help Trust staff easily recognise people that are caring for their loved ones.
Our local Hospitals’ Trust has launched a new phase in its improvement journey as it continues to improve services for patients, support the staff and strengthen our hospitals for the future. You can watch an informative video on what this means on their YouTube channel.
The improvement plan focuses on a small number of priorities that they know will make the biggest difference, including improving patient flow, making the best use of buildings and resources, supporting staff and ensuring improvements can be sustained over the long term.
Communication like this is welcome; it’s good to know improvements are being made.
NHS staff suspected of improperly and unlawfully accessing patients’ medical records will face immediate suspension and have their access to NHS computer systems cut off, under a zero-tolerance crackdown.
Between now and March 2028 Martha’s Rule is being rolled out to all hospital A&E departments and waiting rooms to further boost patient safety for some of the most vulnerable patients. This will see patients, loved ones and staff in busy emergency departments able to call a dedicated Martha’s Rule phone number to trigger an urgent review if a patient’s condition is deteriorating and they are concerned this is not being listened to. While Martha’s Rule has to date been used to flag concerns for those already admitted to hospital, the landmark expansion sees the NHS put in place additional safeguards in A&E waiting rooms should any patient begin experiencing acute deterioration while they are in the department. This follows a pilot in seven trusts to test whether the escalation process could work safely and effectively in busy and fast-paced A&E environments; it did. Martha’s Rule is already in operation in other parts of our three local acute hospitals.
UKHSA and University of Oxford scientists have uncovered genetic changes in the bacteria which caused the severe Kent meningococcal disease outbreak earlier this year.
Their findings reveal that the outbreak bacteria had picked up genetic material from other, less harmful bacteria found naturally in the throats of many healthy people. This process is called ‘horizontal gene transfer’ and allows bacteria to pick up and incorporate small pieces of DNA from other bacteria in their environment, effectively borrowing genetic traits without direct reproduction taking place. These genetic changes appear to have altered how the bacteria interact with human cells, making this particular strain unusually effective at causing severe disease and potentially less well recognised by human immune responses. However, the same changes that made it so dangerous may also explain why it has not continued to spread widely since the outbreak was brought under control.
UKHSA is expanding wastewater surveillance to strengthen early detection of dangerous pathogens with significant threat to health. The new programme, called PRISM (Pathogen Risk Intelligence through Surveillance and Modelling), builds on the development programme for wastewater monitoring launched in April 2025. It’s expanding into an England-wide system, strengthening existing surveillance and the country’s ability to detect outbreaks. It’s designed to be pathogen-agnostic, meaning it has the potential to detect known threats, novel variations of known threats as well as previously undetected pathogens, all from a single sample. Although viruses such as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Ebola, Marburg and Lassa fever have not emerged in the UK, this new detection technology has the potential to identify these and other dangerous pathogens at an early stage, strengthening the UK’s biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.
UKHSA has declared a national outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning. As of 15 September two people have died and there have been 586 confirmed cases, mostly in the last year, up 37 in last week. Cases are associated with eating eggs at various food outlets, including small cafes, restaurants and takeaway businesses, not eggs cooked at home. It’s believed the outbreak is linked to imported eggs. About a third needed hospital care. Don’t eat undercooked food.
NHS Blood and Transplant promotes awareness about the importance of organ donation. More donors are needed to help those waiting for a transplant and increase the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register. The waiting list has never been higher; 8500+ people need a transplant to save or improve their lives.
Register or update your decision – NHS Organ Donation . Blood donors are always needed: https://my.blood.co.uk/sign-up .
Pharmacy First expands so Pharmacists can offer prescription medicine for:
- impetigo (aged 1yr+)
- infected insect bites (aged 1yr+)
- earache (aged 1-17 years)
- sore throat (aged 5yrs+)
- sinusitis (aged 12yrs+)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16-64 )
- shingles (aged 18yrs+)
Pharmacists can recommend treatments and give guidance for everyday health issues, including:
- Coughs, colds, and flu
- Mild skin rashes, eczema, acne, and athlete’s foot
- Earwax and conjunctivitis
- Hay fever, allergies, headaches, and minor sprains or strains
- Tummy troubles like diarrhoea and constipation.
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