Health services across Hertfordshire and west Essex are currently experiencing major pressures. Currently at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage a flooding has occurred within a ward impacting services and bed availability. A&E departments at our hospitals only have the capacity to treat people who have serious, life-threatening or dangerous conditions and we like to remind members of the public to be respectful to staff who are working under significant pressure to provide care. If you come to A&E with a minor condition or illness, your care will not be prioritised.

Although monkeypox is rare and not easily spreadable, anyone with unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body should contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health service. Your call will be treated sensitively and confidentially. With recent cases mainly reported in gay and bisexual men, those in this community should be particularly alert.

The Health and Care Bill   was introduced to Parliament in September 2021.

The Bill follows on closely from the publication of the Integrated Care System design framework, which reinforced the importance of working together to improve health and care for all.
Integrated Care Systems are designed to:

NHS England and NHS Improvement have launched a public consultation on the new drafy guidance on working with people and communities. This will support the new Integrated Care Boards, NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts to build effective, positive, purposeful and enduring partnerships with communities to improve services and outcomes for people.

Health bosses are keen to remind everyone of the how vital it remains for patients and visitors to wear masks in health and care settings as services continue to cope with extreme demand and staff sickness due to the coronavirus.