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.
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.
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.
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