Domestic abuse service run by Northamptonshire's councils, police and health commissioner in crisis

Domestic abuse service run by Northamptonshire's councils, police and health commissioner in crisis Northamptonshire’s domestic abuse service is in crisis with some parts of the service deemed as ‘unacceptable and unsafe’.

Key partners are now being asked to put in more money to ramp up the staffing levels at the Sunflower Centre. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Case of coronavirus CONFIRMED in Northamptonshire

Case of coronavirus CONFIRMED in Northamptonshire A case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Northamptonshire today (Tuesday).

The Department for Health and Social Care has taken to Twitter this afternoon to announce that a case has been confirmed in the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Coronavirus action plan launched

Coronavirus action plan launched The action plan provides information on the government's plans to contain the spread of coronavirus and what action could be taken if the virus does spread. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Policy paper: Coronavirus action plan Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus action plan: Health Secretary's statement to Parliament Department of Health and Social Care
• Public information campaign focuses on handwashing Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS 111 service to help people with coronavirus NHS England
• Coronavirus: Hospital patients to be seen via video link BBC News
• Coronavirus: Up to fifth of UK workers 'off sick at same time' BBC News
• Coronavirus: How do I protect myself? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Drug shortage fears as India limits exports BBC News
• Coronavirus: Face mask ads banned for 'misleading' claims BBC News
• 'Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds': NHS to hammer home hygiene message The Daily Mail
• Global supply of masks, gloves and gowns is 'rapidly depleting' WHO says The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus threatens paracetamol shortage: Misery for millions of hungover Brits The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus action plan: Travellers urged to make sure destination has good healthcare The Daily Telegraph
• Retired doctors rushed back to tackle coronavirus could be at risk, BMA warns GPonline
• Coronavirus could mean one in five people off work and cancellation of non-urgent NHS care GPonline
• The Guardian view on the UK’s coronavirus plan: sensible, but belated | Editorial The Guardian
• Battling coronavirus misinformation in the age of social media The Guardian
• I’m an ICU doctor. The NHS isn’t ready for the coronavirus crisis | Tim Cook The Guardian
• Majority of retired NHS staff don't want to return to tackle Covid-19 crisis The Guardian
• Thousands of intensive care patients to be tested for Covid-19 The Guardian
• Covid-19: government advises UK public to carry on as normal The Guardian
• UK coronavirus plans would strip police and fire services to essentials The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS declares national major incident over virus outbreak The Independent
• Coronavirus: UK officials told to create extra mortuary space as government warns of surge in deaths
• NHS 111 launches dedicated online tool for coronavirus OnMedica
• Coronavirus: NHS England declares level four incident over outbreak Sky News

Child protection: duties to report concerns (England)

Child protection: duties to report concerns (England) This briefing paper sets out the current requirements on individuals and organisations regarding the reporting of known or suspected child abuse or neglect. It also provides information on the debate around whether a mandatory duty to report abuse or neglect should be introduced in England, and outlines the operation of such mandatory duties in other countries. House of Commons Library

Half of maternity units in England understaffed, RCM survey indicates

Half of maternity units in England understaffed, RCM survey indicates Half of maternity units in England are staffed below recommended levels, a Royal College of Midwives (RCM) survey* indicates.

The survey of directors and heads of midwifery forms part of the College’s submission of evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB). OnMedica

Repeat antibiotic use linked to higher risk of hospitalisation

Repeat antibiotic use linked to higher risk of hospitalisation Scientists have found a link between repeat antibiotic prescribing and a greater risk of hospitalisation.

The study, published today in BMC Medicine finds that patients who have had nine or more antibiotic prescriptions for common infections in the previous three years are 2.26 times more likely to go to hospital with another infection in three or more months. OnMedica

See also:

• The effectiveness of frequent antibiotic use in reducing the risk of infection-related hospital admissions: results from two large population-based cohorts (open access) BMC Medicine

Women in labour being refused epidurals, official inquiry finds

Women in labour being refused epidurals, official inquiry finds Exclusive: minister to remind NHS trusts to follow official guidance on pain relief during childbirth

Women in labour are being refused epidurals in breach of official guidelines, a government inquiry has found.

In findings seen by the Guardian, an investigation by the Department of Health and Social Care also found that women may not be being kept fully informed that if they choose to give birth at home or in a midwife-led unit they may have to be transferred if they want an epidural. Failing to make women aware of that possibility would also be in breach of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines.

Pali Hungin: ‘We can’t replace doctors with technology alone’

Pali Hungin: ‘We can’t replace doctors with technology alone’ In the face of AI and genomics, the head of a project looking at medics’ future says their role must adapt but will remain vital

Imagine a world where the doctors we see today no longer exist. This is what Professor Pali Hungin, who heads up the the Changing Face of Medicine (CFM) project, is grappling with as rapid societal and technological developments outpace traditional medical training. Gone are the days of passive patients with low expectations; 20 years ago, for example, few of us would have imagined that we would be seeking health advice from mobile phone devices. Meanwhile, technology, artificial intelligence, and other new sciences, such as genomics, are altering medicine fast. The Guardian

Calling overweight people fat or lazy must stop 'to fight against the obesity epidemic'

Calling overweight people fat or lazy must stop 'to fight against the obesity epidemic' A statement made by 100 health professionals, led by King's College London, said prejudice against overweight people can cause both physical and mental harm. The Daily Mail

NHS prescriptions price will rise AGAIN by 15p to £9.15 from April

NHS prescriptions price will rise AGAIN by 15p to £9.15 from April Patients in England will have to pay an extra 15p to collect their medicines from a pharmacy from April 1, according to the Department of Health and Social Care, led by Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Statement to Parliament: NHS prescription charges from 1 April 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Prescription charge to increase in April OnMedica