Friday 24 July 2020

Public Health England lists Northampton as "an area of concern" over rising Covid-19 cases

Public Health England lists Northampton as "an area of concern" over rising Covid-19 cases Northampton has been highlighted as an "area of concern" by Public Health England following recent rises in Covid-19 cases in the town. 

PHE's weekly bulletin issued on Thursday showed eight local authority areas which are "taking targeted actions to reduce prevalence" with "additional testing in care homes and increased community engagement with high risk groups." Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

Resuming health services during the Covid-19 pandemic: What can the NHS learn from other countries?

Resuming health services during the Covid-19 pandemic: What can the NHS learn from other countries? As the country deals with the easing of lockdown restrictions and a slow decline in Covid-19 cases, health services are attempting to return to some form of pre-pandemic normality – yet demand for services remains anything but predictable. Our new briefing looks at what approaches other countries around the world have taken to dealing with the pandemic. What might we learn from the approaches used internationally, and how long will it take us to fully recover? Nuffield Trust

Mental health and primary care networks: understanding the opportunities

Mental health and primary care networks: understanding the opportunities This report published jointly with the Centre for Mental Health, explores the opportunities the emergence of primary care networks has created for improving the support and treatment provided to people with mental health needs. The King's Fund

The psychology of loneliness: why it matters and what we can do

The psychology of loneliness: why it matters and what we can do This report looks at how psychological approaches can help tackle loneliness. It is focussed on older people but has lessons for all adults. It gathers the current research and evidence available to us about what we can learn from psychology, as well as making policy recommendations for how this learning can be applied and help the millions of lonely people across the UK. Campaign to End Loneliness

    The future of pharmacy in a sustainable NHS: key principles for transformation and growth

    The future of pharmacy in a sustainable NHS: key principles for transformation and growth This briefing maps out key recommendations under three main priorities: supporting and valuing the pharmacy workforce; supporting an integrated NHS; and innovation. It aims to capture learnings from the pandemic response and explores the contributions the pharmacy profession can make to the NHS. Royal Pharmaceutical Society

      Government and NHSE/I must act on evidence of failings in NHS services caused by Covid crisis

      Government and NHSE/I must act on evidence of failings in NHS services caused by Covid crisis The Health and Social Care Committee is urging the Government and NHSE/I to take immediate steps to address failings in the delivery of NHS services as a result of the Covid crisis.

      A letter jointly addressed to Secretary of State Matt Hancock and NHS England & Improvement Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens highlights early conclusions and recommendations in three key areas arising from the Committee’s inquiry into Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond ahead of a final report due this autumn.

      Most comprehensive flu programme in UK history will be rolled out this winter

      Most comprehensive flu programme in UK history will be rolled out this winter Providers will work to vaccinate more than 30 million people during this flu season – millions more than received it last year. Department of Health and Social Care

      Face coverings mandatory in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and enclosed transport hubs from Friday

      Face coverings mandatory in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and enclosed transport hubs from Friday Face coverings must be worn in additional enclosed public spaces from 24 July in England, as the government takes further steps to help curb the spread of the virus. Department of Health and Social Care

      Coronavirus: Has Covid-19 exposed UK's underlying ill health?

      Coronavirus: Has Covid-19 exposed UK's underlying ill health? Covid-19 has taken a disproportionate toll on those with underlying health conditions.

      Some experts say the crisis has shone a light on the poor state of our health as a nation. But in many communities it has also highlighted the link between ill health and poverty.

      So what lessons has coronavirus taught us - and will ministers and health leaders act upon them? BBC News

      See also:

      PM to target junk food ads in obesity crackdown

      PM to target junk food ads in obesity crackdown The prime minister is set to announce new measures to curb obesity next week, and they are expected to include a ban on TV junk food adverts before 21:00.

      The measures are yet to be finalised but are also likely to include a ban on online ads for unhealthy foods and limits on in-store promotions. BBC News

      Investigation launched into safety of maternity equipment used in NHS

      Investigation launched into safety of maternity equipment used in NHS A national investigation has been launched into the equipment used by NHS staff to monitor babies heart rates during labour because of concerns they could be contributing to deaths and disabilities.

      The independent Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB), which investigates systemic safety risks in the NHS, has opened an inquiry after reviewing hundreds of maternity incidents. The Independent

      Mental health leave for paramedics in England nearly triples since 2011

      Mental health leave for paramedics in England nearly triples since 2011 Number of days taken off for stress, anxiety and depression has risen, FOI requests reveal

      The number of paramedics taking time off with mental health conditions has almost tripled over the last decade, a Guardian analysis has found.

      Domestic violence helpline calls up by 80% in June amid warnings that surge will continue in autumn

      Domestic violence helpline calls up by 80% in June amid warnings that surge will continue in autumn More than 40,000 calls have been made to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline since the start of the coronavirus lockdown, and demand is rising as restrictions ease, according to the charity that runs it. The Daily Telegraph