Posted on 25th Aug 2026

Well perhaps we’re over the worst of the heatwaves? There are no days forecast at over 24* for the coming ten days apart from 27* on Wednesday 27 August. We hope there will be no more tragedies in the seas, rivers and other water. We also hope there will be no more derailments. We have removed all the information about heat health risks for the moment.

UKHSA has declared a national outbreak of salmonella food poisoning after one person died and hundreds more fell ill with the bug. Although not yet proven, imported eggs or dishes containing them are the leading suspects as to the cause. Evidence also suggests people caught the bug while eating out, with catering and food services such as restaurants, cafes or take-aways likely to play a part. Salmonella are a family of bacteria that typically live harmlessly in the digestive tract of animals including cattle, pigs and chicken – which is why eggs and poultry are among foods commonly associated with the infection. You can catch the bug by:

• eating contaminated food that has not been cooked properly
• drinking contaminated water
• coming into contact with infected animals
• cross contamination after mixing raw and cooked food, for example in the kitchen.

Person-to-person spread is rare. Signs to watch out for include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting or fever. These usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after becoming infected.

In most cases people recover without further help but older people, babies and people with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of severe disease. Hospital care with fluids and sometimes antibiotics can help in these cases. Cooking eggs and other food thoroughly can prevent infection. Other ways to protect yourself include washing your hands before preparing food, after using the bathroom and after contact with animals. In the current outbreak most infections don’t seem to arise from food that has been cooked at home. The majority of recent cases – 199 of the 207 – have been in England, including 47 in London and 38 in Yorkshire and Humber.

Salmonella and Campylobacter cases rise during the summer BBQ season, often linked to undercooked or mishandled meat, poultry and eggs. Always cook meat all the way through, checking juices run clear and that a thermometer reads at least 75°C. Use separate utensils for raw and cooked food; keep food chilled, out of direct sunlight; take extra care with high-risk dishes like cooked chicken, egg dishes and prepared salads.

The Measles outbreak continues but thankfully is slowing. It has spread into East of England. Parents should get children vaccinated and check children’s vaccination status.  In 2026 to 17 August 970 English measles cases have been confirmed, exceeding the total number of 959 in whole of 2025, mostly driven by the London outbreak which has seen 51% of the cases. 2 children have died of measles in 2026. Essex remains in danger.  

New NHS England data shows significant progress being made towards eliminating Hepatitis C as a public health threat, with over 100,000 people in England having accessed potentially life-saving treatment for hepatitis C in the last decade. This is the result of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments, and the commitment of health services and community partners across England. It brings England closer than ever to becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate this disease as a public health threat. While the number of people living with the virus continues to decline, it remains vital that those most at risk are offered testing, can access life-saving treatments, and receive the support needed, such as harm reduction for people who inject drugs, to prevent new infections.

20 August was World Mosquito Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. When travelling to areas where mosquitos may carry disease, the public can take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites by:

• using insect repellent on your skin – make sure it’s 50% DEET-based,
• sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide
• wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs
• If you’re travelling to an area where malaria is found take any antimalarial medicine you’re prescribed.

When abroad follow simple steps to have a fun and healthy trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites using 50% DEET repellent, sleep under treated nets and wear long-sleeved clothing to protect against malaria, dengue, Zika and other infections.
• Choose piping hot food, follow “boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it,” and wash your hands regularly.
• In malaria-risk areas, take medication exactly as prescribed. Avoid buying antimalarials abroad, as they may be fake, substandard or intended for treatment rather than prevention.
• If you feel unwell abroad, seek medical attention immediately. Don’t wait until you’re back in the UK.

The national booking system is open so eligible people, including pregnant women and children, can pre-book their flu vaccinations when vaccinations start on 1 September. The Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so the NHS is starting vaccinations in the autumn, to ensure those at risk are protected and fewer people are hospitalised. Other cohorts will begin receiving the jab from 1 October. These include those aged 65 years and over, all adults in a clinical risk group, and adults in care homes, carers and people in close contact with the immunocompromised and frontline healthcare workers.

UKHSA has published the annual RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) report which shows around 50% fewer infants under 6 months being admitted to intensive care with RSV disease in England, with vaccine coverage slightly above 60%. Analyses of the older adult programme indicates a cut in hospitalisation rates by more than 40% among eligible adults aged 75 to 80, with vaccine coverage around 65%. Other key findings include:

• overall RSV cases start early November and peaked over late December period and then steadily declined and reached low levels in March 2026;
• RSV infection including peak activity appeared to occur later than in previous seasons;
• lower RSV cases were seen as the vaccination programmes took fuller effect.

Since September 2024, the RSV vaccine has been offered to pregnant women (in order to protect infants) and older adults aged 75 to 79 years old. The programme was expanded on 1 April 2026 to also include all adults aged 80 years and over and all residents in care homes for older adults, who had not already received a dose through the initial programme.

On 1 September 2026, the programme will be expanded again to include adults aged 65 to 74 years in clinical at-risk groups as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Those eligible include those with certain long-term chronic lung disease and those with immunosuppression due to disease or treatment.

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Patients across Essex benefited from more than one million GP appointments in June, an increase of more than 141,000 compared to May.  There was also an increase in the number of same day and face to face appointments. However, missed appointments continue to put pressure on the availability of GP appointments. In June alone, more than 32,000 appointments across Essex were missed, equivalent to around 2,157 hours of clinical time that could have been used to see other patients.

NHS Essex plans to improve local urgent care for patients in Thurrock and the surrounding area. These plans would see the existing Minor Injuries Unit presently run at Orsett Hospital transfer to more modern facilities at Thurrock Community Hospital, where it will be located alongside the Community Diagnostic Centre to help more people get faster diagnosis and treatment, supported by £1m of additional external funding. The plans are still being finalised and will be subject to further engagement and further decision-making alongside partners in the coming months.

The Minor Injuries Unit at Orsett is a real alternative to Broomfield or Basildon Hospitals’ A&E units but you need to see if it’s open and can deal with your issue. Full Details are at https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-bsbwtk-minor-injuries-unit/ . It’s at Orsett Hospital, Rowley Road, Orsett, RM16 3EU; it’s open daily 1000-1930 except it’s not open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and closes at 1830 on the last Thursday of each month. It treats Minor Injuries as follow:

• Minor head injuries with no loss of consciousness
• Uncomplicated fractures between shoulder to fingers and knee to toes
• Minor burns and scalds. (All airway/inhalation burns must attend A&E)
• Foreign bodies in eyes, abrasions of cornea.
• Retained foreign body such as fishhook.
• Bites and stings (with no associated anaphylaxis).
• Sprains and strains.
• Animal bites.
• Foreign bodies, ear, nose & throat
• Chest injury without difficulty in breathing
• Facial injuries.
• Firework injuries
• Mouth injuries
• Neck injuries
• Minor road collisions
• Closure of laceration wounds by suturing, stapling, gluing or steristrip

X-rays

Following clinical assessment, if indicated, an x-ray can be carried out on site Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm. Weekends and bank holidays from 10am to 2.00pm.

X-rays can be carried out for injuries between the shoulder and fingers and the knee to the toes only. X-ray at MIU is not available for children under seven years of age due to the complexity of interpreting results. Your GP can request that you have an x-ray without the need to attend MIU first . You can arrange this by calling 01268 524900.

A £343 million plan will open 159 NHS mental health centres in England, giving people earlier crucial local support and specialist crisis care outside A&E. Essex is expected to get community-based mental health centres offering walk-in support without a referral and without a months-long wait at Clacton-on-Sea and Thurrock Community Hospital.

Between now and April 2027 ‘The Big Conversation on Care’ will give us the opportunity to say what they want and expect from a future National Care Service, including on the tough questions on who it should support, what families should reasonably be expected to do, and how the country should pay for care in a fair and sustainable way. What is care? Who should get the most help? Who should pay what for what? We will be looking into how SWF can contribute to this.

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