News

Person taking their blood pressure reading

New Community Health Support: Blood Pressure Monitor Loan Scheme via Essex Library Service

New Community Health Support: Blood Pressure Monitor Loan Scheme via Essex Library Service

We’re pleased to inform you of a new service available to residents across Greater Essex (excluding Thurrock and Southend).

What is it?

Residents can now borrow a home blood pressure monitor from any of our 74 local libraries or 2 mobile libraries, free of charge, for up to 2 weeks. This service is open to all adult library members and does not require a GP referral.

When is it?

The blood pressure monitors will be available to loan from all libraries from Tuesday 9th September 2025.

Why does it matter?

This initiative supports early detection and monitoring of hypertension, empowering patients to take an active role in managing their health. It also helps reduce unnecessary appointments by enabling patients to gather accurate home readings for clinical review.

What’s included in the loan kit?

  • a validated upper arm blood pressure monitor
  • a printed information leaflet explaining how to take readings and what to do with the results
  • a blood pressure diary for recording readings
  • a QR code linking to online resources, including instructional videos and further guidance

What else?

They will provide advice and guidance material to borrowers, which will signpost those with high blood pressure readings to local community pharmacies, except in the case of very high and severe readings.

Library staff will not provide any medical advice to residents.

Additional in-library support:

They are also installing a limited number of free-standing blood pressure monitors in 15 of our libraries. These allow users to take a reading and receive a printout of their results on the spot. Each station will be supported by roll-up banners displaying NHS-aligned guidance on interpreting results and next steps.

These monitors will be located in the following libraries: Basildon, Billericay, Braintree, Brentwood, Canvey, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester (from November 2025), Harlow, Loughton, Maldon, Saffron Walden, South Woodham Ferrers, Wickford, and Witham.
We also provide free sessions in all libraries to support residents to access and use the NHS app. Visit our website for more information about the NHS app sessions.


Published on 25th Aug 2025

Emergency Alert 3rd September 2025

Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby. In an emergency, such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.
On Sunday 7 September at 3pm, UK Government will be testing emergency alert system (EAS) for the second-ever nationwide test. The test causes a mobile phone or tablet to:
• make a loud siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds, even if it's set on silent,
• It may also cause a device to vibrate or read out the alert.
• A message will appear on your screens making it clear the alert is only a test.
Find out more about the Emergency Alerts on https://www.gov.uk/alerts Emergency Alert Test: Frequently Asked Questions - https://www.gov.uk/.../emergency-alert-test-frequently...
Advice for survivors
If you are affected by domestic abuse and have a concealed mobile phone from your abuser, you may not wish the sound of the alert to draw attention to your phone. How you opt out depends on your device. Full instructions telling you how to opt out are available at [https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out]
Support for you
If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.
If you do not feel safe or believe there is an immediate threat, call 999.
Other ways to get support:
• Women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support
• Talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife
• Men can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 (Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm), or visit the webchat at Men's Advice Line (Wednesday 10am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support.
• LGBT+: if you identify as LGBT+ you can call Galop on 0800 999 5428 for emotional and practical support
• Forced marriage and honour crimes: anyone can call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the GOV.UK Forced Marriage Unit
 
 
 
 
 
 

Published on 22nd Aug 2025

Joe Wicks Cartoon

Get ready to Activate this summer!

Get ready to Activate this summer! ☀️

 

Joe Wicks is launching a brand-new workout series, ‘Activate’, full of high-energy, fun 5-minute workout ‘Challenges’ to keep kids active.

 

The Challenges bring together new characters and bright animation from @studioaka, with well-known upbeat tracks from exclusive music partner @umusicuk.

 

Activate is backed by @dhscgovuk, @educationgovuk, @dcmsgovuk as part of a new partnership to reach families and schools across the country.

 

Head to The Body Coach channel on YouTube for the first episode


Published on 21st Jul 2025

Xray of hand

X-ray Bookings Online

X-ray Bookings Online


From 1st July 2025, you can now book your routine X-ray online!


If your clinician refers you for a routine X-ray, you should be contacted within two working days.


Depending on the type of examination, you may receive a text message, inviting you to make an appointment using our booking portal called Swiftqueue.


Please follow the instructions to login / register an account. This will allow you to choose an appointment time that is most convenient for you, without the need of contacting the hospital directly.


If you have not heard from us after two working days, please contact the Hospital’s Radiology Appointments team directly - contact details can be found on the Mid and South Essex Hospitals’ website: www.mse.nhs.uk/radiology-services.


Published on 15th Jul 2025

Page last reviewed: 22 August 2025
Page created: 22 October 2024