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We see cases of flu, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus throughout the year, but in winter they circulate at the same time and can reach high levels.   We also track other respiratory viruses – rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and parainfluenza – that can also peak over the autumn and winter months.   Flu, COVID-19 and RSV have … Continue reading What winter bug do I have? Know the signs and symptoms

As the weather turns colder and the dark nights draw in, the NHS App is a winter must-have.   Did you know?You now don’t need to drop off your repeat prescription request in person or contact your GP practice to view test results, you can request this and so much more, through the NHS App.  The NHS … Continue reading Save time this winter – use the NHS App

As parents and carers, there are ways we can support our children to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. Encouraging and guiding a child to think about their own mental health and wellbeing are vital skills you can teach them from a young age. Ways to support a child or young person … Continue reading Looking after a child or young person’s mental health

In a lab in Porton Down, scientists are growing human organs on tiny cassette-like chips to help accelerate the development of new drugs, therapeutic medicines and vaccines. These replica organ systems were first pioneered for human drug toxicity assessments, but are now being developed for use in cancer, radiation, chemical exposure and infectious disease research. … Continue reading How human organs grown in labs are helping to develop the vaccines of the future

Alongside our usual course delivery, we have introduced some new courses and workshops for the new year, this includes Writing for Self Discovery – a series of stand alone workshops both online and face to face starting on the 7 January in Braintree a new carers workshop looking at managing difficult emotions that you can experience as … Continue reading Mid Essex Recovery College Timetable

Thousands more people in the East of England have been booking their winter vaccines after the NHS warned of a “tidal wave” of flu and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals. The number of flu and Covid jab appointments booked through the NHS’s national booking system more than doubled from 9,452 on Wednesday to 21,144 on … Continue reading Flu and Covid “tidal wave” warning

Recently we reported the dangerous shortage of stocks of donated blood. We visited the most recent blood donation session on a Sunday in William de Ferrers School. We saw a stream of people queuing to donate their blood. The staff told us they get a tremendous regular response for donors from SWF and surrounds. We … Continue reading Blood donors

Hospitals hit by 'tidal wave' of flu and winter illness. About 1900 hospital beds were occupied by flu patients last week, up 70% on the previous week. That’s 3+ times higher than this time last year. Hospitals are struggling to stop the spread of the virus within hospitals as well as admitting new patients. Covid, RSV … Continue reading Health update

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The end of November saw two separate cyber attacks on Merseyside hospitals. Such attacks are hugely disruptive. The NHS has to be vigilant against cyber threats and this is regularly considered by NHS Digital, NHS England and all NHS organisations. Keeping hackers and malicious software out of NHS systems is one of several financial costs … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group