Thursday 30 April 2020

Northampton General Hospital urges people not to avoid A&E after sharp drop in attendances

Northampton General Hospital urges people not to avoid A&E after sharp drop in attendances Northampton General Hospital (NGH) has urged people not to avoid A&E during the coronavirus pandemic as figures show a sharp drop in attendances.

Almost a third fewer people went to the emergency department at NGH in March compared to the same month last year, according to NHS England stats. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Major home testing programme for coronavirus will track levels of infection in the community

Major home testing programme for coronavirus will track levels of infection in the community 100,000 people will be sent self-testing kits to determine if they are currently infected. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: PM to update UK on 'steps to defeat' coronavirus

Coronavirus: PM to update UK on 'steps to defeat' coronavirus Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a cabinet meeting later and then lead the daily coronavirus briefing for the first time since his return to work.

No 10 said the PM, whose fiancee gave birth on Wednesday, will update the UK on the "fight against this disease and the steps we are taking to defeat it".

But political editor Laura Kuenssberg said he was unlikely to give "chapter and verse" on lifting the restrictions. BBC News

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Wednesday 29 April 2020

Four more Covid-19 victims takes grim total to 234 in Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals

Four more Covid-19 victims takes grim total to 234 in Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals NHS officials today revealed four more Covid-19 patients have died at Northampton General Hospital.

The latest victims takes the grim total to 234 victims at the Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals in six weeks since the first deaths on March 16. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Are more black, Asian and minority ethnic people dying with Covid-19 than might be expected?

Are more black, Asian and minority ethnic people dying with Covid-19 than might be expected? Amid worrying recent media reports that a disproportionate number of BAME people are dying from Covid-19, Theo Georghiou and John Appleby take a look at how the demographics of the areas worst hit by the coronavirus can affect attempts to assess the extent of the problem. Nuffield Trust

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Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing helps protect the most vulnerable

Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing helps protect the most vulnerable Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms who either has to leave home to go to work or is aged 65 and over will now be able to get tested. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: Testing opens for millions more people in England

Coronavirus: Testing opens for millions more people in England Coronavirus testing is available for millions more people in England from today after the government loosened rules on who can apply.

Testing expanded last week to all key workers in England with symptoms and their households.

That has expanded to all care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave home to work. BBC News

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Tuesday 28 April 2020

Seven more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital as county death toll hits 230

Seven more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital as county death toll hits 230 Seven more victims of Covid-19 have been confirmed by Northampton General Hospital.

The latest deaths, all recorded between Thursday April 23 and Saturday April 25, takes the grim number of fatalities linked to coronavirus to 230 at Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals since the outbreak started. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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New guarantee on death in service benefits for frontline health and care staff during pandemic

Press release: New guarantee on death in service benefits for frontline health and care staff during pandemic The families of health and care workers on the frontline in England will benefit from a new life assurance scheme during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: UK failed to stockpile crucial PPE

Coronavirus: UK failed to stockpile crucial PPE The government failed to buy crucial protective equipment to cope with a pandemic, a BBC investigation has found.

There were no gowns, visors, swabs or body bags in the government's pandemic stockpile when Covid-19 reached the UK.

NHS staff say they are being put at risk because of the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The government said it has taken the right steps and is doing everything it can to increase stocks. BBC News

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Monday 27 April 2020

Northamptonshire 24/7 mental health hotline launched

Northamptonshire 24/7 mental health hotline launched Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and the mental health charity Mind have collaborated to launch 24/7 mental health support number for the people of the county.

The mental health number has been designed to be the only number you need to call for mental health support in the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers

Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers Mobile testing units, operated by the Armed Forces, will travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says this is moment of maximum risk

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says this is moment of maximum risk The UK is at the moment of maximum risk in the coronavirus outbreak, Boris Johnson has said, as he urged people not to lose patience with the lockdown.

Speaking outside No 10 for the first time since recovering from the virus, Mr Johnson said "we are now beginning to turn the tide" on the disease.

But he refused to "to throw away all the effort and sacrifice of the British people" and risk a second peak. BBC News

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Friday 24 April 2020

New coronavirus clinic in Corby's Urgent Care Centre opening next week

New coronavirus clinic in Corby's Urgent Care Centre opening next week A new coronavirus clinic will be opening at Corby’s Urgent Care Centre next week.

The clinic will be the second in the county, joining the provision opened earlier this month at the Waterside Campus in Northampton.The clinic is not a walk-in centre and will only be open to those referred by their GP. After being assessed at the clinic the patient may be sent home to self isolate or referred to hospital for treatment. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms

Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms All essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: Virus tests now available to millions of workers

Coronavirus: Virus tests now available to millions of workers Up to 10 million key workers and their households can now book a coronavirus test online or through their employer.

The move allows all essential workers in England to register for tests on the government's website, if they or a family member have virus symptoms.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the expanded testing programme was "part of getting Britain back on her feet".

The government remains some way short of its target of 100,000 tests a day in England by the end of this month. BBC News

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Thursday 23 April 2020

Coronavirus testing at Northampton General 'unaffected' by news that thousands of UK tests could be inaccurate

Coronavirus testing at Northampton General 'unaffected' by news that thousands of UK tests could be inaccurate Northampton General Hospital says it is 'unaffected' by the revelation that thousands of coronavirus tests on frontline NHS staff in England were inaccurate.

Social care minister Helen Whately told Sky News today (April 22) that the initial Covid-19 tests for thousands of NHS staff may have been inaccurate. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Britain’s biggest network of diagnostic labs are completed in 5 weeks

Britain’s biggest network of diagnostic labs are completed in 5 weeks Sites in Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Alderley Park in Cheshire are now live and are already testing thousands of patient samples for coronavirus (COVID-19) each day. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year'

Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year' The UK will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year, the government's chief medical adviser has said.

Prof Chris Whitty said it was "wholly unrealistic" to expect life would suddenly return to normal soon.

He said "in the long run" the ideal way out would be via a "highly effective vaccine" or drugs to treat the disease.

But he warned that the chance of having those within the next calendar year was "incredibly small". BBC News

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'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis'

'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis' Delays in diagnosing and treating people with cancer could lead to more years of lost life than with Covid-19, according to a leading cancer expert.

A drop-off in screening and referrals means roughly 2,700 fewer people are being diagnosed every week, Cancer Research UK says.

Cancer screening has paused in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with few invitations sent out in England. BBC News

Wednesday 22 April 2020

Northamptonshire approaching 200 victims as Covid-19 toll keeps rising

Northamptonshire approaching 200 victims as Covid-19 toll keeps rising Northamptonshire is closing in on another grim Covid-19 milestone with 180 deaths now recorded at the county's two main hospitals.

NHS chiefs today confirmed four more patients at Northampton General Hospital died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus between April 7 and April 18. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Public Health England

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Coronavirus: Experts question UK self-isolation advice

Coronavirus: Experts question UK self-isolation advice A group of 25 doctors have written to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, because they are concerned about the UK's current advice on self-isolation for coronavirus.

The guidance says people should stay at home and avoid contact with others for seven days if they develop symptoms.

After that, self-isolation can end - if they feel well and do not have a fever.

But World Health Organization advice says people should self-isolate for 14 days after symptoms have cleared. BBC News

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Tuesday 21 April 2020

Kettering chief executive lands new role running Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals

Kettering chief executive lands new role running Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals Kettering General Hospital's chief executive has landed the £220,000-a-year role running the new combined management team for Northamptonshire's two major hospitals.

Simon Weldon, will become group chief executive in charge of both Northampton and Kettering hospital trusts later this year, once the current Covid-19 crisis has eased. Northamptonshire Telegraph

'Joanna touched the lives of so many people': Northampton General Hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus

'Joanna touched the lives of so many people': Northampton General Hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus A member of staff at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) 'will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her' having died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Joanna Klenczon, 34, worked at the hospital for 10 years and was a domestic supervisor at the time of her death on April 9. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements

Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements Sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation. Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: Record number of deaths recorded

Coronavirus: Record number of deaths recorded Deaths in England and Wales have risen sharply above what would be expected, hitting a 20-year high.

The Office for National Statistics said there were 18,500 deaths in the week up to 10 April - around 10,000 more than is normal at this time of year.

More than 6,200 were linked to coronavirus, a sixth of which were outside of hospital.

But deaths from other causes also increased, suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health. BBC News

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Monday 20 April 2020

More than 150 now dead as Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death tolls keeps rising

More than 150 now dead as Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death tolls keeps rising The number of Covid-19 victims in Northamptonshire passed another grim milestone with more than 150 now dead in the county.

Seven more victims between Easter Sunday and Wednesday (April 15) means frontline staff Northampton General Hospital have now seen 93 patients die since the outbreak began last month. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Capitalising on the offer of help – volunteering in the Covid-19 crisis

Capitalising on the offer of help – volunteering in the Covid-19 crisis As we enter the fourth week of ‘lockdown’, it’s hard to comprehend the unprecedented changes happening in health and care. The weekly ‘clap for care’ is now a feature in most of our communities, reflecting the public’s appreciation of the huge sacrifice that staff are making. But equally notable is the number of people in those communities who have volunteered support to those around them and to organisations providing that care. The King's Fund

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings This guidance provides advice on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for patients recovering or recovered from COVID-19 and remaining in hospital, or being discharged to their own home or residential care. Public Health England

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Coronavirus: 'Possible to be infected with Covid-19 more than once'

Coronavirus: 'Possible to be infected with Covid-19 more than once' Scientists working on a coronavirus vaccine in Britain hope to start clinical trials towards the end of next week.

The leader of a team working on a vaccine, Professor Sarah Gilbert, from Oxford University said scientists believed it was possible to become infected with Covid-19 more than once.

She added that a vaccine-induced immunity could last longer than the infected-induced immunity. BBC News

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Friday 17 April 2020

Number of Northampton hospital's Covid-19 victims set to hit 100 over the weekend

Number of Northampton hospital's Covid-19 victims set to hit 100 over the weekend The number of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital is set to top 100 over the weekend.

Latest official numbers released today (Thursday April 16) revealed frontline NHS staff had seen another 13 coronavirus-related deaths at the Cliftonville site between April 8 and 14. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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COVID-19 mental health campaign launches

COVID-19 mental health campaign launches The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge support new Every Mind Matters advice for looking after mental wellbeing. Public Health England

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Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found'

Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found' The UK must keep a "significant level" of social distancing until a vaccine for coronavirus is found, a scientist advising the government has said.

Prof Neil Ferguson told the BBC there was "little leeway" to relax measures without "something... in their place" - such as testing and contact tracing.

A three-week extension to the lockdown is expected to be announced later.

It comes as the UK recorded another 861 coronavirus deaths, taking the total number of hospital deaths to 13,729. BBC News

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Thursday 16 April 2020

Ten more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital takes to county toll to 127

Ten more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital takes to county toll to 127 Ten more people have been added to the grim list of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital.

Today's NHS announcement took the sad total to 127 deaths at Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals.

These latest figures are for fatalities recorded between April 8 and April 13, all having tested positive for coronavirus. Delays in reporting over Easter have means they have only just been added to the official numbers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested

Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Guidance on coronavirus testing for critical workers who are self-isolating. Department of Health and Social Care

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