NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex

NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Run by Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. News about local health and care services. Account is monitored Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.

This account is run by NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board - the organisation responsible for commissioning health services in the local area. We oversee how NHS money is spent and makes sure health services work well and are of high quality. We share news and interesting information about local health and care services.

18/11/2025

Living with diabetes? Flu can be more serious than you think. If you miss your flu vaccine, you’re twice as likely to end up in hospital.

Protect yourself this winter with a free flu vaccine – available from your GP or local pharmacy. It’s quick, safe, and could make all the difference.

Here’s how you can book yours today:

🩺 Speak to your GP practice
💻 Online, search ‘NHS pharmacy vaccine’
📲 NHS app
📞 Call 119 (translator available)

This autumn, there has been a change in who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. This means that you may not be eligi...
18/11/2025

This autumn, there has been a change in who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. This means that you may not be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine this year, even if you were last year.

On the advice of the JCVI, the focus of COVID-19 vaccinations is shifting towards targeted vaccination of those at highest risk of serious disease. So this autumn, COVID-19 vaccinations are being offered to:
• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in care homes for older adults
• people who are immunosuppressed

People who are immunosuppressed include those undergoing some chemotherapy and radiotherapy; transplant recipients, people with HIV; people with genetic conditions or who take medicines that supress their immune system long-term; people who have experienced blood cancers, plus some other specific groups. The definition of immunosuppressed is quite complicated but we've included a link in the comments to the 'green book' which gives more detail.

If you are not in one of the eligible groups this year, a pharmacist or GP won’t be able to give you the COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you to everyone for your understanding and for being kind to staff who are delivering the vaccination programme.

16/11/2025

Over 65? Your flu vaccine matters more than ever. Missing your flu jab means you’re twice as likely to be hospitalised.

Flu can hit harder as we get older – but the good news is, your vaccine is free and available now.

Here’s how you can book:

🩺 Speak to your GP practice
💻 Online, search ‘NHS pharmacy vaccine’
📲 NHS app
📞 Call 119 (translator available)

What do people want from local health care? In a recent survey over 1,000 people told us what's most important to them: ...
15/11/2025

What do people want from local health care? In a recent survey over 1,000 people told us what's most important to them: read the results here: https://bit.ly/4igZXvA Do you agree? What worries you the most, especially as you or family get older?

15/11/2025

If you're expecting a baby, please have all the vaccinations you're entitled to. They will protect both you and your baby from serious illness. You will be offered flu, RSV and pertusis (whooping cough) vaccinations - please come forward when invited and talk to your GP or midwife if you have any questions.

The latest edition of Health Matters, our fortnightly round up of health and care news, is now live with updates on indu...
14/11/2025

The latest edition of Health Matters, our fortnightly round up of health and care news, is now live with updates on industrial action from resident doctors, World Diabetes Day, the importance of getting a flu jab if you're eligible and much more. Catch up now!

14/11/2025

Asthma and flu don’t mix well. People with asthma are twice as likely to be hospitalised if they skip their annual flu vaccine.

Flu can trigger serious complications – but the vaccine helps protect you.

Here’s how you can book your free flu vaccine today:

🩺 Speak to your GP practice
💻 Online, search ‘NHS pharmacy vaccine’
📲 NHS app
📞 Call 119 (translator available)

Resident doctors across the country are striking from 7am today (Friday 14 November) until 7am on Wednesday 19 November....
14/11/2025

Resident doctors across the country are striking from 7am today (Friday 14 November) until 7am on Wednesday 19 November. This action will affect local services and may cause some disruption, so use services wisely. If you haven’t been contacted or informed that your planned appointment has been postponed, please attend as normal. GP services and pharmacies are also available and can be accessed as usual. To help us ensure care can be delivered to those that need it most, we are asking the public to only use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies, and to contact NHS 111 online for non-urgent needs

The three Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) responsible for commissioning NHS services across Essex will hold their first jo...
13/11/2025

The three Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) responsible for commissioning NHS services across Essex will hold their first joint public meeting on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 2pm.

The Essex Joint Committee has been established as part of the transition towards creating a proposed single Essex Integrated Care Board from April 2026. The three ICBs that form the committee are:

- NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board
- NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
- NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board

You can either attend in person or watch live on YouTube.

For more information, including how to attend the meeting, see link in comments below 👇

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re helping to raise awaren...
12/11/2025

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re helping to raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for.

Early diagnosis is crucial and can save lives.

Symptoms include:

· A cough that does not go away after three weeks

· Recurring chest infections

· Coughing up blood

· Aches or pains when breathing or coughing

· Persistent breathlessness

· Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

· Difficulty swallowing

· Persistent chest or shoulder pain

See your GP if you think you have any of the symptoms of lung cancer.

Visit the NHS website and search for lung cancer symptoms for more information.

12/11/2025

Caring for someone else? Don’t forget to care for yourself too.

Carers are 7 times more likely to be hospitalised if they miss their flu vaccine. Getting vaccinated helps protect both you and the person you care for.

Here’s how you can book your free flu vaccine today:

🩺 Speak to your GP practice
💻 Online, search ‘NHS pharmacy vaccine’
📲 NHS app
📞 Call 119 (translator available)

Let’s keep each other safe this winter.

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The Forum
Welwyn Garden City

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+441707685000

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