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'Fifty years ago, both consultants and resident doctors withdrew non-emergency services during the 1975 doctors’ strikes. It would be forty years until the next national walkout of resident doctors in 2016. But since 2022, strikes by different NHS staff groups have become an increasingly familiar feature of our lives.' Read more Content originally from The … Continue reading What impact do NHS strikes have?

Some Announcements: Thousands of new jobs will be unlocked across the healthcare sector to make sure there are enough jobs for every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England. Hundreds of thousands of newly pregnant women can now self-refer online to get their “all-important” first midwife appointments quicker, ensuring the best and most personalised care … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group

Resident but recently absent Doctors were on strike from 25 to 30 July. We will learn the impact they had soon. The NHS maintained as many services as possible. We welcome the agreement between the Government and BMA to resume talks about this dispute. The joint priority must be working to deliver the necessary changes … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 6PM on 13/08/2025 until 6PM on 18/08/2025 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 extended for the East of England

Digital tools provide a massive step forward for healthcare, and the NHS App is a great example of this. I encourage all patients to make use of the App because it gives everyone quicker access to healthcare information and services. I cannot overstate how important the NHS App is for both patients, and the NHS … Continue reading NHS App: manage your health at your fingertips

First identified during an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952, chikungunya remained relatively contained to parts of Africa and Asia for many years. However, the virus has now spread to new territories and is affecting millions of people worldwide. Major outbreaks have occurred in the Indian Ocean islands, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and parts … Continue reading What are the symptoms of the chikungunya virus and is there a vaccine?

The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have issued a Yellow heat health alert in effect from 12pm on Monday 11 August 2025 until 6pm on Wednesday 13 August 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 … Continue reading Yellow heat health alert

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. More patients report positive experiences of care at GP practices thanks to local initiatives More … Continue reading Pharmacy for quicker care, millions to take inactivity and other news

Resident but recently absent Doctors were on strike from 25 to 30 July. We will learn the impact they had soon. The NHS maintained as many services as possible. The failure of the Government and BMA to reach agreement over pay must be resolved. Talks restarting must solve this dispute Polls suggest the strikers don’t … Continue reading An update from SWF Health & Social Care Group

Almost 1,500 extra procedures a year will now be offered at Braintree Community Hospital, following the opening of a new £1.3 million procedure room The new room will free up main theatres for more complex surgeries, such as knee and hip replacements and will help reduce waiting times and improve access to care for patients. … Continue reading An update from our hospitals – £1.3m upgrade cuts waiting times