Wednesday 29 July 2020

Northamptonshire health chiefs draft in four Covid-19 testing units amid 'hotspot' concerns

Northamptonshire health chiefs draft in four Covid-19 testing units amid 'hotspot' concerns Four Covid-19 testing units have been drafted into Northamptonshire today as health chiefs remain concerned over becoming a potential hotspot. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

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“Slow, inconsistent and negligent approach” to social care in pandemic

“Slow, inconsistent and negligent approach” to social care in pandemic The Government’s “slow, inconsistent, and at times negligent approach” to social care in the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the “tragic impact” of  “years of inattention, funding cuts and delayed reforms”, leaving the sector as a “poor relation” that has suffered badly in the pandemic. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee in a new report is demanding from Government a “3-point plan” by September, ahead of the second wave, covering health, the economy & procurement of medical supplies and equipment.

This was illustrated early on by the “appalling error” committed when 25,000 patients were discharged from hospitals into care homes without ensuring all were first tested for COVID-19 – even after there was clear evidence of asymptomatic transmission of the virus.

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NICE publishes new COVID-19 rapid guideline on arranging planned care in hospitals and diagnostic services

NICE publishes new COVID-19 rapid guideline on arranging planned care in hospitals and diagnostic services NICE has published a guideline on the arrangements the NHS should put in place for patients needing elective surgery and other planned treatments and procedures (including diagnostics and imaging) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHS Reset workforce: reflections and asks to support employers

NHS Reset workforce: reflections and asks to support employers The health and care workforce strand launches a summary of employers' feedback on what's needed nationally to support employers with workforce challenges. NHS Employers

Covid studies aim to save BAME lives 'within months'

Covid studies aim to save BAME lives 'within months' UK scientists are to receive millions of pounds of government funding for a raft of studies to learn why people from an ethnic minority background are at greater risk from Covid-19.

Six projects will analyse data on social circumstances, health and day-to-day activities, as well as investigating genetic risk factors. BBC News

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Alzheimer's: 'Promising' blood test for early stage of disease

Alzheimer's: 'Promising' blood test for early stage of disease A blood test could spot Alzheimer's disease at the earliest stage and years before symptoms appear, studies in the US and Sweden suggest.

The test looks for tiny amounts of a protein which is elevated in people with the illness.

Investigators found measuring this protein, p-tau217, could predict Alzheimer's dementia with 96% accuracy. BBC News

PMDD: Thousands of women share their experiences

PMDD: Thousands of women share their experiences PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is an extreme form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) where women can fall into severe depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and feelings of being out of control in the run up to their period. BBC News

Call to expand free school meals programme to tackle poverty and obesity

Call to expand free school meals programme to tackle poverty and obesity A further 1.5 million children should be brought into the free school meals programme, while poorer youngsters should also be fed during the school holidays, a Government-ordered review has said.

The National Food Strategy, led by Leon restaurant founder Henry Dimbleby, said urgent Government action is needed in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, and described the country's diet as a "slow-motion disaster". The Daily Telegraph

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