Health Matters – November 2022

Five Issues in this month’s Health Matters

• Covid Update
• Re-opening of St Albans Minor Injuries Unit;
• New Research on Dementia
• The Joined Up NHS
• Warm Spaces

1. Covid Update  –  Let’s start with the Covid numbers locally. Do you remember we had  that new high peak on July 15^th – 2,829 per 100,000? Well on NOV 7^th we beat it with 3,135, and it’s currently down to 3,012 in St Albans; that compares to 745 last month so it’s certainly boucing up and down!. And the figures for our neighbours

• 2,919 in Welwyn-Hatfield
• 2,978 in Potters Bar
• 4,256 in Hemel Hempstead
• 4,281 in Watford.

And the numbers in hospital are down on last month’s figure

• In the Lister they’re down from 58 to 42, and
• In Watford from 65 to 54

We talked last month about the possibility of a “Twindemic” of both flu and Covid. Last month it was indeed a theoretical possibility; but the way things are going it’s now a realistic probability!

2. The Minor Injuries Unit – Upgraded! Do you remember the old Minor Injuries Unit at the City Hospital? That waiting room that was pretty cramped and generally overflowing? Well the good news is:-

• It reopened a couple of weeks ago
• The services it offers have been significantly enhanced
• It’s been modernised; and
• There are no queues!

Let me explain.

Re-opened – yes, but it’s really on a very gradual build up so the number of people seen each day won’t be great for the first few weeks

Enhanced Services – it’s no longer called “Minor Injuries” but “Integrated Urgent Care Hub”; although it doesn’t run off the tongue, it does mean that it covers illnesses as well as Injuries – a really significant improvement.

There won’t be long queues as appointments have to be made by either 111 or your local surgery.  

This is a completely new way for us to be able to  get same day care for health concerns that are urgent but not life threatening. The model is being looked at by other areas (Hertsmere for example; although I’m sure Radlett residents would be welcome in St Albans!).

This is far more than a resurrection of the old minor injuries unit and it will take a while to get fully established. But if you need urgent same day care and can’t get it through your GP, just ring 111!

3. Dementia & Alzheimers – we haven’t mentioned Dementia, and its most common form Alzheimers, for some time so let’s correct that now; the latest research is fascinating. But first I need to mention a study that is not well known. In 1946, 5,362 babies all born in the same week became a cohort of the most studied people on the planet. In 2016 a sub group of 502 people from the cohort, known as Insight 46, was started specifically to address brain ageing and dementia; and UCLH has been observing their brains ever since.

So now let’s clarify Dementia and Alzheimers; Dementia refers to progressive cognitive impairment, severe enough to interfere with everyday activities such as planning meals, managing bills and medicines, and housekeeping. Alzheimer’s disease is the commonest form of dementia. A key process is the depositing of beta-amyloid protein in the brain.

As these proteins accumulate it leads to brain cell death which can be picked up by MRI scans. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s requires evidence of decline over time in at least two cognitive areas, such as memory, language, attention or problem solving.

And this is what has been picked up through this research – amyloid protein deposits can be picked up long before Alzheimers is detectable through loss of brain function. Picking up Alzheimers early is critical as the treatment can be the removal of the amyloid protein deposits rather than slowing their impact!

 But scanning lots of people simply can’t be done – it takes too much time; so the focus now is on developing a blood test that can detect amyloid; and then a new drug that will clear amyloid from the brain.

4, Joined Up NHS – I thought I’d share with you a personal story of the way in which the NHS is joined up; the players are nameless but involve my GP Surgery, an acute hospital and a pharmacy. Some 4 weeks ago I was experiencing a sudden shortness of breath and I was referred to a hospital after lots of diagnostics I was prescribed medication, and discharged back to my GP. I took the paper prescription to my pharmacy and all went well.

3 weeks later I’m running low on tablets; the Surgery has no record of having received my prescription; and as it went over the month end, the pharmacy had sent the paper prescription to the NHS. So, without evidence, the Surgery refuse to issue a repeat prescription. I call the hospital and they agree to send another discharge letter to the surgery electronically and a paper copy to me. It’s Friday; I’m down to one tablet; the Surgery say they didn’t receive anything from the hospital so I scan my paper copy and send it to them. By the end of the day, the repeat prescription hasn’t been issued but the Pharmacy sees me through the weekend with an emergency supply; so there is a hero in this story. But, in the 21^st century, snail mail beats two electronic transmissions ……… Unbelievable!

5. Warm Spaces – the County Council is encouraging organisations to offer “warm spaces” where people can go to warm up in Winter. The  City Library and the Library in Marshalswick  are offering this facility but there are 9 others within 5 miles of the City Centre. So if you’re starting to feel cold and that smart meter’s going round faster than the budget then simply click here to find your nearest free warm up!
https://directory.hertfordshire.gov.uk/Search?SM=ServiceSearch&SME=&CategoryId=165&Postcode=&ServiceType=32&AZ=&keywords=&udg=false&distance=&Lat=&Lon=&origLoc=AL1&location=
and put your post code into the search bar to find what’s closest to you!

Alan Bellinger
16^th November  2022