On Monday 4 September the WoW Bus (Wellness on Wheels) is out and about and making a stop in Lowestoft for a dedicated parent and carer event.

This free event is a ‘drop-in’ opportunity for all parents and carers who want to know more about the early years of parenting which will support children to flourish.

After the success of the first event, the WoW bus will be making another stop and will focus on the following topics:

• Pelvic health
• Feeding your baby
• Stop smoking
• Meeting Maternity Voices Partnership
• Meet the Midwife
• Contraception
• Finding your local health services
• Keeping your baby happy and healthy

This is a free drop-in event, so if you are around, do come and hop on board!

The bus began its journey back in October 2021, supporting the COVID-19 vaccination of our homeless community across Norfolk and Waveney. It was hugely successful and well received across local communities. The roving bus has now evolved into WOW bus, with a particular focus on wellness.

The WOW Bus has been developed in partnership with Norfolk Integrated Care System and Voluntary Norfolk, with a specific focus on reaching out into those communities who do not access health and care in more traditional ways.

The WOW bus is supported by partner organisations across the ICS, including NHS Norfolk and Waveney, Norfolk County Council, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector and others.

The Norfolk Learning Disability Partnership has been working with Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board to see how far we have progressed on the outcomes of the Norfolk Learning Disability Strategy 2018- 2022, My Life, My Ambition, My Future.

We have visited each of the five localities to present a section of the summary and held discussion groups to obtain people’s views on what priorities should be contained in the new strategy.

We would like to invite you also to take part in the survey to share your ideas for the new Norfolk Learning Disability Strategy being developed.

The survey can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/sDZPkCNDv5.

It is live from the 7 August to the 7 September 2023.

To help with this, Norfolk County Council have created a ‘Looking back on the 2018-2022 Learning Disability Strategy’ summary which is available in easy read and non-easy read. You can find this and more information about the strategy here.

After a rigorous procurement process, MEDITECH, a world leader in integrated digital systems, has been selected as the supplier for the new acute hospital Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system.

Following the successful approval of the financial plan by the three Trust Boards and NHS England earlier this year, this partnership marks a significant milestone in the collaborative’s ambition to revolutionise healthcare information storage and provide better joined-up care.

MEDITECH, renowned internationally for its fully integrated digital solutions for healthcare, was selected as the supplier for their exceptional expertise and track record.

You can read more here.

Diabetes UK Midlands and East in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System are inviting people living with type 2 diabetes to attend a whole-day event in Norwich on the 26th of September.

This is an opportunity to listen to talks and workshops by local healthcare professionals and experts on managing the condition, diet, exercise, mental health, and the checks they are entitled to, such as eye screening and foot care. Participants will also be able to ask questions, provide feedback on healthcare services and meet others living with diabetes or caring for someone with diabetes.

There are approximately 70,376 people (8% of the population) living with diabetes across Norfolk and Waveney who could be at risk from diabetes complications. This is the highest prevalence in the East of England and above the figure for England at 7.3%.

Despite the serious complications of diabetes, often called ‘the silent killer’, not all people with diabetes attend their annual health checks, the key diabetes care processes, and know where to access services.

For more information about diabetes and the support available visit: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/

To sign up for this free event go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-with-diabetes-day-norwich-tickets-608439327407?aff=erelexpmlt

Millions of eligible people will now be offered a covid vaccine from 11 September, in line with the latest expert guidance on the new covid variant.

This change follows an announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the risks presented by the new BA.2.86 variant and pre-emptive measures the NHS has been asked to take.

The adult covid and flu vaccination programmes had been due to start in October to maximise protection over the winter months, but now those most at risk including adult care home residents will be vaccinated from 11 September.

The NHS has been asked to bring the programme forward and will be working quickly to ensure as many eligible people as possible are vaccinated by the end of October.

Residents of older adult care homes and those most at risk including those who are immunosuppressed will receive their covid vaccine first.

Carers, pregnant women and health and social care staff will all be among the groups to be offered a covid jab this winter, as well as adults aged 65 and over.

Eligible people should wait to receive an invite from their local provider.

From 18 September, the NHS will start to invite people in priority order of risk and those eligible will be able to book an appointment on the National Booking Service.

The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.

Following the JCVI’s recommendation that adults over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions would be eligible for a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this year, the offer was due to start from early October to maximise protection for patients right across the winter months. Now with the increased risks presented by the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86, vaccine sites can vaccinate those eligible for both flu and covid from 11 September.

Where people had already booked an appointment for their flu vaccination earlier in September with their local provider, these appointments can go ahead. If vaccine supply has been ordered for covid and flu, sites can start vaccinating against both.

It is important that those eligible this year come forward for their vaccinations as protection fades over time, and the virus that causes flu can change from year to year.

As in previous years, the NHS will let people know when bookings open. Adult flu and COVID-19 appointments will be available through the NHS App and website, or by calling 119 for those who can’t get online. Flu and Covid vaccines will also be available through local participating GP practices and pharmacies.

You can read more here.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney has published its first Annual Report and Accounts.

The first report covers a nine-month period from 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2023 and includes a summary of progress and achievements which NHS Norfolk and Waveney, along with a wide range of partner organisations, including our Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector and our residents, staff and communities have achieved.

The report also, quite rightly, includes some of the challenges we have and continue to face, with an overview of what we will continue to do to help people in Norfolk and Waveney lead longer, healthier and happier lives. A short summary version is also available. A short social media campaign has commenced which includes short snippets of the Annual Report and Accounts, showcasing some of the achievements that have been made across our Integrated Care System during this period.

A final Annual Report and Accounts for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group is also available, covering the period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022.