Shigella is a bacterial infection that can cause severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps. It’s more common than many people realise and understanding how it spreads is key to protecting yourself and others. Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions relating to it. Read the new post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/26/what-is-shigella-how-do-you-catch-it-and-how-can-it-be-avoided/
News
An update from SWF Health & Social Care
Very informative Recording of our 23 March Virtual Public Meeting “Will SWF get better health services from 1st April’s NHS changes?” is on our website’s Activities. Chief Officers told us how NHS Essex, our Hospitals and our Mental Health Trust are changing and improving. Our local Hospitals’ Trust goes into an “intensive recovery programme” in April after the Health Secretary said “failure has been tolerated for too long”. Our Monday virtual meeting heard the new Chief Executive … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care
An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group
New and updated items come first: Norovirus remains high. Last week was our last report for 2025-26 about respiratory illnesses: Norovirus activity remains high but has started to decrease; cases are 30.5% higher than the 5-season average and are particularly high in adults aged 65+; children also suffer badly. Hospital outbreaks remain high. To reduce … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group
Belong – women’s life coaching & wellbeing programme Chelmsford APRIL start
If this is something you would like to have in SWF, please contact us on swfhealthsocial@outlook.com and if we get sufficient interest we’ll ask that a course be arranged here. Belong - Women’s Life Coaching Programme: You can get a feel for the programme via our social media where we post weekly updates: Facebook Do you feel … Continue reading Belong – women’s life coaching & wellbeing programme Chelmsford APRIL start
Knowing meningitis symptoms and getting ready for Easter
Welcome to our 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. This edition's news stories: Meningitis and septicaemia: know the symptoms and when to get help … Continue reading Knowing meningitis symptoms and getting ready for Easter
An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group
New and updated items come first: PUBLIC VIRTUAL MEETING1830 - 2030 on Monday 23 March 2026By Zoom Meeting Will SWF get better health services from the 1st April 2026 NHS changes? You’ll hear about the systemic changes, how they’ll be delivered, and by whom. To attend email swfhealthsocial@outook.com for invitation AGENDA Welcome, Apologies & Introductions … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group
Who is eligible for the MenB vaccine and do I need it myself?
Following the recent meningitis outbreak in Kent, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) with NHS England and the government are coordinating a targeted vaccination programme against Meningitis B (MenB). Here is what you need to know about who is eligible, how the vaccine works, and what other protections are … Read the new post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/20/who-is-eligible-for-the-menb-vaccine-and-do-i-need-it-myself/
Meningitis B outbreak: what you need to know
There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. This blog post includes information on MenB and this outbreak, what to do if you are affected and where you can get antibiotics and who is being offered a vaccine. Read the new post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/
An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group
New and updated items come first: Norovirus remains high. Week 9 23 February – 1 March; this will be our last weekly report for 2025-26 about respiratory illnesses: Flu activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels. COVID-19 activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased and is … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group
Staying ahead of emerging threats: insights from Oropouche
Preparing for future health threats starts long before a virus makes the headlines. That’s why UKHSA works with partners around the world to study emerging pathogens and identify key gaps in knowledge and research. Our work on Oropouche, just one … Read the new post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/09/staying-ahead-of-emerging-threats-insights-from-oropouche/
SWF Health & Social Care Group 
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