Author: swfhealthsocial

overnment Announcement about HealthwatchYou may have seen in the news this weekend the announcement that the Government is planning to streamline patient safety bodies and bring patient voice functions 'in-house'. This affects Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch. This was an unexpected announcement which has raised many questions.Please be assured that at Healthwatch Essex, we are … Continue reading An update from Healthwatch Essex

A taskforce will urgently review maternity and neonatal services in ten hospital trusts, including our hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon and Southend, alongside immediate actions to improve care. By December 2025 it will recommend further improvements and inform a new national maternity and neonatal action plan. The NHS plans in the next ten years to DNA … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group

When autumn comes, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously known as the 'Autumn Booster'. Current vaccines provide good protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. … Continue reading Who’s eligible for the 2025 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Autumn Booster’?

A tan may look good, but it’s a sign of skin damage. Sunburn and even a tan is a sign of over-exposure to UV - that’s physical damage to your skin caused by UV. Premature skin ageing is another sign of damage.

The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have issued an Amber heat health alert in effect from 12PM on 27/06/2025 until 6PM on 01/07/2025 across the East of England. Many of us enjoy the sunshine, especially here in beautiful Essex. But when high temperatures last for several days, it’s important to take simple steps to stay safe and look after yourself. Some people, like … Continue reading Amber heat health alert

STOP PRESS! According to the BBC on Saturday 21 June, the NHS plans to DNA test all babies to assess disease risk. Every newborn baby in England will have their DNA mapped to assess their risk of hundreds of diseases, under NHS plans for the next 10 years. The scheme is part of a government … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group

Welcome to our fortnightly NHS Mid and South Essex news round up. This regular email series brings you the latest local news on innovations in healthcare, changes and improvements to services and how the NHS is helping local people in need. Over 125,000 Pharmacy First consultations provide fast access to care More people are taking … Continue reading 125,000 health appointments with pharmacists and other local NHS news

We have learnt this morning that Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a national investigation into the standards of maternity and neonatal care across the country.  This follows families in Nottingham and East Kent raising concerns about the care they received.  We have been named as one of ten Trusts that the independent panel will … Continue reading National investigation into the standards of maternity and neonatal care

Whether you've recently discovered you have high blood pressure or you're looking to prevent it, lifestyle changes can make a significant difference. Today, I'd like to share some effective strategies that can help lower your blood pressure naturally.  "I've worked closely with the pharmacist at my GP practice to control my blood pressure through medication … Continue reading Simple steps to lower your blood pressure naturally

A number of free course are below. There is one being held in SWF on 17 July - ‘Anxiety, taking back control’ at the SWF Hub. Summer morning meditations – join us every Wednesday morning in July to start your day in a calming way Mental Health as we Age – this is one of the courses … Continue reading Mid Essex Recovery College FREE courses