URGENT: Crouch Vale Medical Centre’s Wheelchairs are still missing. If you have a wheelchair that’s no longer needed, please donate or loan it by taking it to the ground floor Reception.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there’s no evidence it causes autism in children. Paracetamol should be taken as directed in the patient information leaflet.

The hospital waiting list in England has risen for the third month in a row with experts warning tackling the backlog is at risk.At the end of August the waiting list for routine treatments was 7.41 million – in May it was 7.36 million. The proportion waiting longer than the target time of 18 weeks has also risen. This is despite it having been a “record-breaking” summer with more tests and checks being done than ever before. There are new surgical hubs, evening and weekend scans, and cutting-edge technology to get millions more patients treated on time. Why does escalating demand outstrip increased service provision? What has changed since the pandemic? What needs to be addressed as the underlying cause of this?

The NHS invitation to vaccinations is misleading; it should spell out that Covid vaccinations are only available this time for over 75s, immune suppressed people of all ages and people in residential care. Please don’t take it out on staff at GPs or pharmacies who only have, and are only responsible for delivering, the authorised vaccinations.

New UKHSA data shows HIV diagnoses in the UK fell 4% to 3,043 cases in 2024, with England continuing to meet world leading UNAIDS targets for the sixth consecutive year. Deaths among people living with HIV also decreased by 14% from 751 to 643. Despite this, challenges remain in reaching certain populations, particularly amongst young people aged 15-24, with HIV testing rates falling by 7% in this group. This group also had the lowest treatment rates at 96% , with only 91% achieving viral suppression, compared to 98% across all other age groups. UKHSA calls on the public to get tested regularly if sexually active. HIV tests and PrEP are free and confidential through the NHS and local sexual health services. If people test positive, treatment is highly effective, and they can expect to live a long, healthy life.

The main messages of the first weekly report of the winter are:

• influenza activity showed increasing activity across indicators, particularly in young adults, and was at baseline levels
• COVID-19 activity showed increasing activity, circulating at medium levels
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) showed mixed activity across indicators and was circulating at baseline levels

The brand-new Thurrock Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has opened, offering faster, local vital tests and scans for thousands of local residents, without the need to go to hospital. Located on the Thurrock Community Hospital site in Long Lane, Grays, the state-of-the-art facility is set to deliver more than 75,000 additional diagnostic appointments every year, significantly reducing waiting times and supporting faster diagnosis for patients across the area. The phased opening has already seen ultrasound, X-ray, echocardiogram, CT and MRI scans performed, with almost 400 appointments in its first week. The other planned CDC sites include Southend (late 2025), Braintree (2026) and Pitsea (2026/27). Together, these centres will create a network of diagnostic hubs designed to catch health issues earlier, improve patient outcomes, and streamline the journey through the NHS.

The August key performances by Mid & South Essex NHS FT’s Hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon and Southend were:

• 75.6% (77.6% in July) of patients were treated, admitted or discharged within 4 hours in their emergency departments; the national standard is 78%.
• 23 minutes (25 mins) was the average time for ambulances to hand over patients, compared to 28mins in East of England and 37 Minutes nationally.
• 64.9% (56.9%) of patients received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days.

GP practice appointments in Mid & South Essex jumped up as the NHS recorded its busiest summer on record. Local GP practices delivered over 71,000 more appointments for residents during June and July compared to last year. Pharmacy services also saw a huge rise in demand this summer, with almost 2,000 Pharmacy First consultations for infected insect bites provided, more than double from last year.

“Is it a cold, flu or Covid – and how to avoid the worst” is an helpful BBC article at:

Cold, flu and Covid symptoms: Expert advice and how to avoid the worst – BBC News . Extract:

Colds

• Symptoms appear gradually
• Mostly affect nose and throat
• Early sign – pressure in your ears
• Chestier, mucus cough

Flu

• Comes on suddenly
• Feel wiped out
• Fever, muscle aches, exhaustion
• Need bed rest
• Dry cough

Covid

• Typical flu symptoms
• Loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhoea or tummy upset

Many of the symptoms of colds, flu and more serious viruses like Covid, overlap.

Our virtual public 2025 AGM was held on 25 September. Highlights of our 2024-25 year were the publications of our “The Impact of Covid on Dying, Death & Bereavement” film, and our “Accessibility to Healthcare Services in SWF, the Dengie & Maldon” report. The film enables people to reflect on their sad and traumatic experiences. The report is informing things including the Essex Transport Strategy and community transport. Our 2024-25 Annual Report is at:https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/2025/09/21/the-swf-health-social-care-group-public-meeting-agm-2025/ . The Executive Summary lists our achievements. Section 4 lists many issues that we’ll be addressing this year.

New Covid strain Stratus infections are surging. Stratus’s most frequent early warning indicator is a hoarse or gravelly voice, which subsequently gives way to the typical Covid signs like a temperature or cough. Hospital admissions are rising, and deaths are around 80pw.  

Winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations have started. GPs will invite those who are eligible. You can also get them from some pharmacists. Flu vaccinations for 2&3-year-olds are available for the first time at some pharmacies. Vaccines help protect what matters most. There’s a Back to school vaccination drive. Pre-school booster vaccination protects against serious diseases including polio, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria. A free chickenpox vaccination will be offered for the first time to children in England from January. It will be in a combined vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox given to eligible children during routine GP appointments starting in January.

Students returning to or arriving at universities and other further education institutions are being reminded to ensure they are up to date with their free NHS vaccinations.  

RAAC is removed from 7 more NHS hospitals. Our own Broomfield Hospital is among those hospitals now eradicated of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.  

Martha’s Rule enables patients, families and carers in hospitals to request an urgent review if a loved one’s condition deteriorates and they’re concerned that this is not being responded to. Staff can also ask for a review of a patient by a different team if they are concerned appropriate action isn’t being taken. This follows a pilot across 143 sites from May 2024.71.9% of calls were from families, with 720 leading to changes in care. 794 calls led to clinical concerns being addressed.

Patients with potentially deadly illnesses will be diagnosed sooner through a new life-saving patient safety initiative. Jess’s Rule is being rolled out across NHS England. The new initiative asks GPs to think again if, after 3 appointments, they have been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis, or the patient’s symptoms have escalated. Jess’s Rule will make this standard practice, aiming to reduce health inequalities and ensuring everyone receives the same high standard of care. Our weekly newsletter includes everything we’ve published in the previous 7-days. Libraries provide online services and help with internet access. For welfare information and subscription to our newsletter, email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com or leave a voicemail on 01245 322079.