Friday 26 June 2020

Coronavirus: Care home probed over 15 deaths rated 'inadequate'

Coronavirus: Care home probed over 15 deaths rated 'inadequate' A care home at the centre of a police investigation after the deaths of 15 residents during the coronavirus pandemic has been rated inadequate.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) identified "serious failings which led to people suffering harm" at Temple Court care home in Kettering.

The home was closed in May amid serious concerns from the CQC after a major coronavirus outbreak. BBC Northampton

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Resilience is much more than hospital beds

Resilience is much more than hospital beds At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was much discussion that England’s public services, after a decade of austerity, lacked the necessary resilience to ride the storm of the pandemic. As the country starts to think of recovery after the first wave of Covid-19, there needs to be a discussion about what a resilient health and care system would look like, so resilience is baked into recovery plans. The King's Fund

The Health Foundation Covid-19 survey

The Health Foundation Covid-19 survey The Health Foundation commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct a representative poll of the general public in Great Britain. Topics covered in the report included: experience of using NHS services during the pandemic and perceptions as to how services are managing; the impact of Coronavirus on people’s health and wellbeing, including mental health; levels of support or opposition to the government’s handling of the Coronavirus pandemic; attitudes towards a potential smartphone app to ‘track and trace’ Coronavirus outbreaks; and trust towards certain professional groups, including those working in health and social care.

Covid-19: understanding inequalities in mental health during the pandemic

Covid-19: understanding inequalities in mental health during the pandemic This briefing paper, supported by 13 other national mental health charities, explores the mental health inequalities that are associated with the pandemic in the UK. It finds that the virus and the lockdown are putting greater pressure on groups and communities whose mental health was already poorer and more precarious. Centre for Mental Health

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Life after lockdown: tackling loneliness among those left behind

Life after lockdown: tackling loneliness among those left behind The Covid-19 crisis has made loneliness worse, with some people more affected than others. This report shows that although social distancing and lockdown measures will continue to be eased, loneliness will remain and for those most left behind, it may continue to grow. British Red Cross

A hat trick of failures: how ‘the blob’ led the British Government down the wrong path

A hat trick of failures: how ‘the blob’ led the British Government down the wrong path  This report criticises the Government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis. It looks at the death rate per capita compared to other countries; the economic cost of the reaction to the pandemic; and the preparedness for easing lockdown restrictions. Civitas

Guide for Audit and Risk Committees on Financial Reporting and Management during COVID-19

Guide for Audit and Risk Committees on Financial Reporting and Management during COVID-19 The National Audit Office (NAO) has today published a guide to help audit and risk committees of government departments and arms-length bodies advise their organisations on financial management and reporting during, and in the period immediately after, the COVID-19 outbreak. National Audit Office

Health Secretary calls on country to get tested as access is expanded even further

Health Secretary calls on country to get tested as access is expanded even further Six new ‘walk through’ local testing sites are now offering appointments to people in England, with the capacity to test hundreds of people each day. Department of Health and Social Care 

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Brexit, Covid and flu: The perfect storm bearing down on the health service this winter

Brexit, Covid and flu: The perfect storm bearing down on the health service this winter A combination of a second wave of coronavirus, a potential flu epidemic, a rise in urgent cancer and other non-virus-related cases and Brexit chaos could leave Britain facing an unprecedented 'perfect storm' this winter, experts have warned as they called on the government to take immediate evasive action. The Independent

Coronavirus: Volunteers wanted for antibody test trials

Coronavirus: Volunteers wanted for antibody test trials Volunteers are being sought from NHS staff and other public service workers for a study into the effectiveness of Covid-19 antibody home testing kits.

A number of the rapid response kits are to be studied, including one from a consortium including Oxford University.

The test to see if someone has already had coronavirus has been described by the prime minister as a game changer to get people back to work. BBC News

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Friday 12 June 2020

Seven victims in three days as NHS announces latest deaths at Northampton General Hospital of patients testing positive for Covid-19

Seven victims in three days as NHS announces latest deaths at Northampton General Hospital of patients testing positive for Covid-19 NHS figures today revealed a rise in the number of Covid-19 victims in Northamptonshire this week. 

The latest information on deaths in hospitals showed seven more deaths being reported at Northampton General Hospital since the weekend — the highest figure of any English NHS Trust. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Tackling racial inequalities in health and care

Tackling racial inequalities in health and care The shocking murder of George Floyd, the protests in the UK and around the world, and the efforts of the Black Lives Matter movement have once again underlined the injustice, discrimination and racism faced by Black people. The King's Fund

Readying the NHS and adult social care in England for COVID-19

Readying the NHS and adult social care in England for COVID-19 Today’s report by the National Audit Office (NAO) provides a factual overview of the response by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and other bodies during March and April 2020 to prepare the NHS and adult social care in England for the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the second report in the NAO’s programme of work on government’s response to the outbreak.

The mental health effects of the first two months of lockdown and social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK

The mental health effects of the first two months of lockdown and social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK This report discusses the impact of Covid-19 on mental health. It finds that mental health in the UK has worsened substantially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly for groups that already had lower levels of mental health before Covid-19, such as young adults and women. Institute for Fiscal Studies

Covid-19 and inequalities

Covid-19 and inequalities This report aims to bring together what has emerged so far about the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on inequalities across several key domains of life. It argues that the years leading up to the Covid-19 crisis, and in particular the hangover from the last economic crisis of the late 2000s, had already left households in a precarious position. Institute for Fiscal Studies

Detailed guide: NHS test and trace: how it works

Detailed guide: NHS test and trace: how it works An overview of the NHS test and trace service, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive. Department of Health and Social Care 

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Coronavirus: Positive tests continue to fall in England, says ONS

Coronavirus: Positive tests continue to fall in England, says ONS The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in England is continuing to fall, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Around one in 1,700 people were infected between 25 May and 7 June, or 33,000 individuals, compared to one in 1,000 before then.

The figures are based on 20,000 tests on people in private households. BBC News

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Thursday 11 June 2020

Coronavirus: Children's home has 16 Covid-19 positive tests

Coronavirus: Children's home has 16 Covid-19 positive tests A children's home has had at least 16 people test positive for Covid-19.

Thirteen staff and three children at Arnold House in Northampton, a small residential home specialising in care for young people with autism, have tested positive since mid-May.

Northamptonshire County Council said it "ensured that there is adequate staffing in place". BBC Northampton

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Premature discharge from hospital

Premature discharge from hospital This is a report of a qualitative survey that explored unsafe, premature discharge from hospital. It shows how serious the consequences can be of discharging someone from hospital who is not ready to go home. Particular themes emerge around pressures on beds, and how premature discharge of people from mental health settings can quickly lead them to harm. Patients Association

Detailed guide: Meeting people from outside your household

Detailed guide: Meeting people from outside your household How you can see people that you do not live with while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19). Department of Health and Social Care

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Coronavirus: Growing calls for government to scrap 2m rule

Coronavirus: Growing calls for government to scrap 2m rule The government is facing calls from Tory backbenchers to drop the 2m (6ft) social distancing rule in England.

MPs, including former cabinet ministers Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Damian Green, say it is essential for the economy. 

The government has said it is constantly reviewing its coronavirus lockdown guidance. BBC News

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Huge disruption to cancer care revealed

Huge disruption to cancer care revealed Cancer care in England has faced major disruption during the pandemic with big drops in numbers being seen following urgent referrals by GPs, figures show.

The number of people being assessed by a cancer doctor within two weeks of a referral fell to 79,500 - a drop of 60% in April.

Meanwhile, patients starting treatment that month dropped to 10,800 - 20% below the numbers seen in April 2019.

The NHS said it had tried to protect services. BBC News

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Donna Kinnair on racism in the NHS: 'If you aren't white, your illness isn't taken as seriously'

Donna Kinnair on racism in the NHS: 'If you aren't white, your illness isn't taken as seriously' The head of the Royal College of Nursing on why the health service is failing people of colour – both patients and its workforce. The Guardian

Wednesday 10 June 2020

Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death toll now stands at 571 lives lost in just 81 days

Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death toll now stands at 571 lives lost in just 81 days Covid-19 is now known to have claimed the lives of at least 571 people in Northamptonshire.

Official figures released yesterday put the total at 447 in the county's two main hospitals, plus another 124 among care home residents. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Personal message from Sir Simon Stevens on Black Lives Matter and health inequalities

Personal message from Sir Simon Stevens on Black Lives Matter and health inequalities The following is a personal message from NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens, shared internally yesterday with all NHS England and NHS Improvement staff. NHS England

Learning from staff experiences of Covid-19: let the light come streaming in

Learning from staff experiences of Covid-19: let the light come streaming in  month before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the United Kingdom, the 2019 NHS Staff Survey results were released. The results made for grim reading including the highest levels of stress ever recorded among NHS staff. There is a workforce crisis in the NHS in the United Kingdom with more than 100,000 vacancies, more than a third of GPs intending to quit, nurses’ and midwives’ stress levels leading to sickness absence levels at a new high, and nurses feeling desperate with chronic excessive workload and staff shortages. We were already in a very dark crisis. And then the tidal wave that is the pandemic broke upon the health and care system. The King's Fund

Getting the NHS back on track: planning for the next phase of Covid-19

Getting the NHS back on track: planning for the next phase of Covid-19 This report outlines the key challenges that local organisations will face over the coming months. It also suggests some changes in policy and practice that will be required as the NHS prepares to restart a wide range of services either paused or stopped when the pandemic struck. The key challenges identified are: funding; capacity; rehabilitation; health inequalities; regulation and inspections; system working; and managing public expectations. NHS Confederation

Face masks and coverings to be worn by all NHS hospital staff and visitors

Face masks and coverings to be worn by all NHS hospital staff and visitors All staff in hospitals in England will be provided with surgical masks which they will be expected to wear from 15 June. All visitors and outpatients must wear face coverings at all times. Department of Health and Social Care
 
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Coronavirus: NHS waiting list 'could hit 10 million this year'

Coronavirus: NHS waiting list 'could hit 10 million this year' Health bosses fear the Covid-19 crisis could see the number of people waiting for NHS treatment double to 10 million by the end of the year.

The NHS Confederation said challenges include a backlog of cases, maintaining social distancing, and staffing.

The body, which represents health and care leaders, said emergency funding and longer-term spending were needed.

The Department of Health has said it will continue to provide the resources, funding and support the NHS needs. BBC News

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NHS blood unit systematically racist, internal report finds

NHS blood unit systematically racist, internal report finds Large London site ‘toxic’ and ‘dysfunctional’ with promotion ‘based on race and class’

A large unit within the NHS’s blood and organ transplant division has been found to be “systematically racist” and “psychologically unsafe”, according to an internal investigation into working conditions that was leaked to the Guardian.

The report will raise renewed concern about discriminatory practices across the NHS, following allegations last week from the Royal College of Nursing that nurses routinely faced “structural racism”. The Guardian

Babylon Health admits GP app suffered a data breach

Babylon Health admits GP app suffered a data breach Babylon Health has acknowledged that its GP video appointment app has suffered a data breach.

The firm was alerted to the problem after one of its users discovered he had been given access to dozens of video recordings of other patients' consultations.

A follow-up check by Babylon revealed a small number of further UK users could also see others' sessions. BBC News

Friday 5 June 2020

Covid-19 testing station will be set up in Northampton this weekend

Covid-19 testing station will be set up in Northampton this weekend A mobile Covid-19 testing station will be set up in Northampton this weekend as the nation's battle against the virus continues.

The unit is in town for three days from Sunday until Tuesday and anyone showing symptoms of the deadly bug is urged to sign up via the Government website. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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The Health Foundation Covid-19 survey

The Health Foundation Covid-19 survey This report contains polling data from Ipsos MORI that reveals the UK public’s awareness of and attitudes towards the planned smartphone app. It warns that the government’s delayed contact tracing app has the potential to exacerbate existing health inequalities, leaving some people at greater risk of Covid-19 than others. The Health Foundation

Spotlight on... the impact of Covid-19 on mental health trusts in the NHS

Spotlight on... the impact of Covid-19 on mental health trusts in the NHS This briefing sets out the immediate challenge of Covid-19 for mental health trusts, how the sector has responded and what is needed to navigate the next phase. It argues that NHS trusts providing mental health and learning disability services have been playing a critical role, both to maintain services and to respond to the current environment alongside their colleagues in the acute, community ambulance and primary care sectors. NHS Providers

Medical use of cannabis

Medical use of cannabis This briefing provides an overview on the recent change in the law and debate on medicinal cannabis products. House of Commons Library

NHS urges trusts to raise awareness around COVID-19

NHS urges trusts to raise awareness around COVID-19 NHS leaders are calling on all hospital trusts and other healthcare providers to ensure additional information and guidance around social distancing, hand hygiene and PPE measures are widely promoted and accessible to staff working at all levels within their organisation. NHS England

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot: 5 June 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot: 5 June 2020 Initial data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with IQVIA, the University of Oxford and UK Biocentre. Office for National Statistics

Virus cases down to 5,600 a day, says ONS survey

Virus cases down to 5,600 a day, says ONS survey The number of people infected with coronavirus in homes in England has fallen to 5,600 a day, from 8,000 last week, statisticians suggest.

The estimate is based on swab tests of 19,000 people in 9,000 households by the Office for National Statistics.

Some scientists have said reaching a low level of cases is key to easing the lockdown further. BBC News
 
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Thursday 4 June 2020

Police probe home's 15 suspected coronavirus deaths

Police probe home's 15 suspected coronavirus deaths Police are investigating a care home that was ordered to close following a major coronavirus outbreak.
 
Fifteen residents of Temple Court in Kettering, Northamptonshire have died with Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates care homes, said it had serious concerns and residents were moved out of the home last month. BBC Northampton

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Access resources to tackle racism and discrimination

Access resources to tackle racism and discrimination Access resources to help tackle racism and discrimination to implement change in your organisation. NHS Employers

Principles of safe video consulting in general practice during COVID-19

Principles of safe video consulting in general practice during COVID-19 New guidance aimed at NHS general practice staff who are consulting via video with patients at home has been published. Royal College of General Practitioners 

Supporting carers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Supporting carers during the COVID-19 pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacies have had to make necessary changes to their usual ways of working in order to ensure local communities can continue to access their medicines. Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee

Research and analysis: National COVID-19 surveillance reports

Research and analysis: National COVID-19 surveillance reports National COVID-19 surveillance reports, including weekly summary of findings monitored through various COVID-19 surveillance systems. Public Health England 

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Asymptomatic care workers unknowingly spread coronavirus

Asymptomatic care workers unknowingly spread coronavirus Large numbers of staff could have been unknowingly spreading coronavirus through care homes, according to the UK's largest charitable care home provider.
 
Data from MHA shows 42% of its staff members who recently tested positive were not displaying symptoms.

Nearly 45% of residents who had a positive test were also asymptomatic. BBC News

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Wednesday 3 June 2020

Cancer patients are 'refusing' to go to Northampton General Hospital during lockdown, report reveals

Cancer patients are 'refusing' to go to Northampton General Hospital during lockdown, report reveals Dozens of cancer patients have "refused" to go to critical appointments at Northampton General Hospital under the coronavirus lockdown. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

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The structure of the NHS in England

The structure of the NHS in England This briefing provides an overview of the funding and accountability relationships within this NHS in England, and an introduction to the roles of key organisations including NHS England, NHS Improvement and the Care Quality Commission. It also highlights some key health policy issues, including patient safety, funding, and the integration of health and social care. House of Commons Library

CQC publishes data on deaths of people with a learning disability

CQC publishes data on deaths of people with a learning disability The information that care homes submit to CQC about the deaths of people in their care is published on a weekly basis as part of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting on deaths. The ONS data is not broken down by whether the person who died had a disability.

Supported by ONS we have completed a targeted piece of analysis to better understand the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on people with a learning disability, some of whom may also be autistic, and how the number of deaths during this period compares to the number of deaths last year. Care Quality Commission

Research and analysis: COVID-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes

Research and analysis: COVID-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes This is a descriptive review of surveillance data on disparities in the risk and outcomes from COVID-19. The review looked at different factors including:
  • age and sex
  • where people live
  • deprivation
  • ethnicity
  • people’s occupation
  • care home residence
The review’s findings are based on the latest surveillance data available to PHE and from links to wider health data sets. Public Health England

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Coronavirus: Why we don't know how many are being tested

Coronavirus: Why we don't know how many are being tested The government has not published the number of people tested for coronavirus since 22 May.

It's also been criticised for not detailing who was swabbed - staff, patients or those isolating at home.

The UK Statistics Authority chairman has written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, saying the published official figures are "far from complete and comprehensible". BBC News

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ECT depression therapy should be suspended, study suggests

ECT depression therapy should be suspended, study suggests The use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat people with depression should be immediately suspended, according to a new study.

ECT involves passing electric currents through a patient's brain to cause seizures or fits.

The study's lead author says there was "no place" for ECT in evidence-based medicine due to risks of brain damage. BBC News

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Tuesday 2 June 2020

Number of Covid-19 victims continues to rise at Northampton General Hospital

Number of Covid-19 victims continues to rise at Northampton General Hospital Northampton is continuing to report increasing numbers of people dying at the town's major hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 victims.

On the day further easing of the Government's lockdown restrictions came into force, NHS data revealed four more fatalities among patients testing positive for the coronavirus at Northampton General HospitalNorthampton Chronicle and Echo

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Preventing and managing the Covid-19 pandemic across long-term care services in the WHO European Region

Preventing and managing the Covid-19 pandemic across long-term care services in the WHO European Region This technical guidance identifies ten policy objectives for decision-makers, policy-makers and national or regional health authorities as they strive to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care settings. The focus is on older people above the age of 65 years who use long-term care services in their homes, day centres or designated facilities (residential homes and nursing homes). World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe

UK reaches 200,000 coronavirus testing capacity target a day early

UK reaches 200,000 coronavirus testing capacity target a day early Following the rapid expansion of coronavirus testing, the UK reached the 200,000 capacity target on Saturday 30 May, including capacity for 40,000 antibody tests a day. Department of Health and Social Care 

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Coronavirus: How dangerous is lifting lockdown?

Coronavirus: How dangerous is lifting lockdown? Lockdown is starting to ease.

Across the UK we can meet more people, while in England some children are back in school and car showrooms and open-air markets have reopened.

But some scientists, even those advising government, have been in mutinous mood - saying ministers are acting too soon.

And the lifting of restrictions has been described as a "dangerous moment" even by England's deputy chief medical officer. BBC News

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