Author: swfhealthsocial

Breathing in polluted air affects our health, reduces our life expectancy, and costs our society billions of pounds each year. It is estimated that 2 million healthy life years are lost in Europe due to the impacts of poor air quality, making the need to improve air we breathe in and reduce the pollution we … Continue reading What the evidence says about interventions to reduce pollution and improve lives

The waiting list for routine hospital treatments fell by another 30,000 in April, the lowest level for 2 years. So the downward trend continues, but that waiting list stood at 7.39million cases, 6.23million patients, at the start of May. Over 4million patients are waiting up to 18 weeks. Around 3 million patients have been waiting … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 12PM on 18/06/2025 until 6PM on 22/06/2025 across the East of England. The yellow alert has a matrix score of 10. This means:Significant impacts are possible 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 … Continue reading YELLOW heat health alert issued for the East of England

The Government has launched a national consultation to help develop the first ever Men’s Health Strategy for England – and your voice could help shape it. Men and boys in England face some of the worst health outcomes in the country. On average, men live four years less than women, and are more likely to die from preventable … Continue reading Help shape England’s first men’s health strategy

As summer arrives, you’re likely to spend more time outdoors with your children. Lots of us love this time of year and it’s great to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather. It’s worth being aware, however, of some common seasonal infections and hazards to help you spot illness more easily and take action if … Continue reading A parent’s guide to summer infections and health hazards

Essex Sight will be holding a pop-up sight centre in South Woodham Ferrers on Friday 27th June.  This is an opportunity to find out how Essex Sight can help visually impaired people and to chat to our staff and volunteers about the help that is available, including information about eye conditions, benefits, talking newspapers and books, and … Continue reading Essex Sight at South Woodham Ferrers

A yellow heat warning has been issued for us as part of East of England which runs from 0900 on Thursday 12 June to 0800 on Sunday 15 June

This week (9–15 June) is Carers Week – a time to recognise and celebrate the millions of people who quietly put someone else’s needs before their own. Here in Essex, we estimate there are at least 124,000 unpaid carers – though the true number is likely even higher. You may be an unpaid carer if … Continue reading Support those who care during Carers Week

Did you know that more than 5.8 million people in the UK are living with diabetes? Of this, around 4.6 million are aware of their condition, while nearly 1.3 million could have type 2 diabetes without even knowing it. As part of Diabetes Week, I wanted to remind you that taking steps to protect your health … Continue reading Know the signs and protect yourself and others from diabetes

The report of our independent academic survey about accessibility to healthcare services in the SWF, Dengie & Maldon Integrated Neighbourhood Team area has been finished and submitted to Warwick Medical School. It will be published shortly. It seems to highlight that only a monopoly can get away with it being so difficult for its users … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group