11:48 AM
Health secretary Matt Hancock today (11 Feb) set out plans to reform the NHS and deliver a more joined up health and care system.
A government white paper outlines proposals to make integrated care systems (ICSs) the default across England, reduce legal bureaucracy, and better support social care, public health and the NHS.
The proposals include the development of a data strategy for health and social care, which aims to “bust bureaucracy” by improving the way data is collected and shared.
Under the reforms, the health and care sector will be enabled to “use technology in a modern way” by improving the quality and availability of data, the paper states.
Freezing wind and snow from Storm Darcy has hit Suffolk
- Credit: Jayakrishnan Sitaram
Vaccination sites across Suffolk and north Essex are closing early due to snow and freezing weather conditions from Storm Darcy, it has been announced.
People had been warned to put their own safety first and not put themselves at risk if they were fearful of travelling to their appointments, however it has now been announced that a number of centres are closing for the day.
The Gainsborough Sports Centre site in Ipswich is closing from 1pm today due to conditions, as is the vaccination site at Clacton Hospital however the Clacton PCN site is still open.
Freezing wind and snow from Storm Darcy has hit Suffolk
- Credit: Jayakrishnan Sitaram
Vaccination sites across Suffolk and north Essex are closing early due to snow and freezing weather conditions from Storm Darcy, it has been announced.
People had been warned to put their own safety first and not put themselves at risk if they were fearful of travelling to their appointments, however it has now been announced that a number of centres are closing for the day.
The Gainsborough Sports Centre site in Ipswich is closing from 1pm today due to conditions, as is the vaccination site at Clacton Hospital however the Clacton PCN site is still open.
A Pfizer coronavirus vaccination being administered at the Hadleigh Group Practice.
- Credit: SARAH LUCY BROWN
Vaccination centres will remain open, despite forecasted poor weather – but people who feel unsafe travelling have been asked to stay at home and reassured their appointment can be rebooked.
Suffolk and north Essex is set to see up to 30cm of snow between Sunday and Tuesday morning, with forecasters likening the cold snap to 2018’s Beast from the East.
Freezing temperatures and deep snow could create treacherous conditions for older people heading to vaccination centres.
A NHS spokesman confirmed all centres will continue to serve patients despite the poor weather, including the mass vaccination centres in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Colchester and Clacton.
The jabs will be issued on behalf of the NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group. Health and care professionals who work in the NHS do not need to register as their details are already on file - but independent providers who offer their services privately do need to make contact. Examples of those professionals providing face-to-face services encouraged to apply include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers and other allied health professionals, as well as mental health workers such as psychologists. Health care workers also include those working in independent, voluntary and non-standard healthcare settings such as hospices, and community-based mental health or addiction services.