Health chiefs underline "get tested" message after new Covid-19 cases across Northamptonshire

Health chiefs underline "get tested" message after new Covid-19 cases across Northamptonshire New Covid-19 cases were confirmed in all seven boroughs and districts of Northamptonshire on the same day for the first time in a month.

Public Health Northamptonshire ramped up testing last week in an effort to track down cases that may have otherwise gone undetected after parts of the county were highlighted as potential coronavirus hotspots. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• 'Permanent' coronavirus testing centre in Northampton's Market Square is here 'for the foreseeable future' Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Here's the extra guidance to follow in Northampton and Corby to slow to spread of Covid-19 Northamptonshire Telegraph
• KGH eases restrictions on bringing partners to pregnancy scans Northamptonshire Telegraph

What is Covid-19 revealing about innovation in the NHS?

What is Covid-19 revealing about innovation in the NHS? As we speak, Covid-19 is conducting its own natural experiment. Before the pandemic, there was an established narrative on the barriers to innovation in the NHS. Reports repeated similar lists of obstacles: lack of financial incentives, resistance by clinicians and a top–down system, among others. Research on social systems is a social activity. We all talk to each other. We read each other’s papers. There is safety in numbers. So there is a tendency to repeat the same things. The King's Fund

Adult social care and Covid-19: assessing the impact on social care users and staff in England so far

Adult social care and Covid-19: assessing the impact on social care users and staff in England so far This briefing provides an overview of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on social care in England. Part 1 describes how the pandemic unfolded in the social care sector from March until June 2020, and part 2 examines the factors that contributed to the scale and severity of outbreaks in care homes. Part 3 attempts to quantify the disruption to health and social care access from February until the end of April 2020. Health Foundation

A Spending Review for wellbeing

A Spending Review for wellbeing This briefing paper estimates that the economic and social cost of mental ill health in England has grown in the last decade to almost £119 billion a year. It sets out evidence-based priorities for how the 2020 Spending Review can improve the nation’s mental health and tackle mental health inequalities. The focus is on how areas of public spending outside of NHS revenue funding (already agreed) can be used to greatest effect. Centre for Mental Health

The experience of people approaching later life in lockdown

The experience of people approaching later life in lockdown This report, produced together with Ipsos MORI, looks at the impact lockdown has had on those aged 50-70, revealing dramatic changes to people’s lives and their plans for the future. Centre for Ageing Better

Cancer patient experience survey 2020: the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients in the UK

Cancer patient experience survey 2020: the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients in the UK The findings from this year's survey report indicate the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients, and their testing, treatment and care. For many cancer patients the Covid-19 pandemic appears to have had a significant impact on their testing and treatment, and most notably their care. This has resulted in a negative impact on the emotional well-being of many cancer patients whether they were hoping to finish their treatment, find out the results of their test, have their regular screening, or continue with care that could support them, in some cases for the remainder of their life. Cancer Research UK

NHS Rolls Out ‘Covid-friendly’ Cancer Treatments

NHS Rolls Out ‘Covid-friendly’ Cancer Treatments ‘Covid-friendly’ cancer treatments that are safer for patients during the pandemic will be expanded and extended through a £160 million initiative, NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced today. The funding will pay for drugs that treat patients without having such a big impact on their immune system. NHS England

Updates to the shielding programme on national and regional levels

Updates to the shielding programme on national and regional levels From Saturday 1 August, shielding guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable will be paused across England.

This means those who have been shielding over the course of the pandemic will no longer be advised to do so, and can begin to go back to work and school as long as the sites are COVID-secure.

People will also be able to go outside as much as they like, and visit supermarkets, pubs and shops, with social distancing guidelines still strongly advised. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Types and uses of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: New 90-minute tests for Covid-19 and flu 'hugely beneficial'

Coronavirus: New 90-minute tests for Covid-19 and flu 'hugely beneficial' New 90-minute tests that can detect coronavirus and flu will be rolled out in care homes and laboratories from next week. 

The "on-the-spot" swab and DNA tests will help distinguish between Covid-19 and other seasonal illnesses, the government said.

The health secretary said this would be "hugely beneficial" over the winter. BBC News

See also:

• Roll-out of 2 new rapid coronavirus tests ahead of winter Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus analysis: We're now at the limit of easing lockdown BBC News
• Coronavirus: Lockdown easing on hold as shielding ends BBC News
• Coronavirus infections rising in England BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: 120 new fatalities in preliminary death toll The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus England: Cases rise 68% in fortnight The Daily Mail
• Fury over Boris Johnson's plan to pause shielding as experts say it's not safe to return to work The Daily Mail
• Urgent appeal for coronavirus survivors to donate blood plasma The Daily Telegraph
• Northern England witnessing ‘lasting ripples’ but not a second wave, analysis shows  The Daily Telegraph
• Coronavirus England: Boris Johnson looking at second-wave lockdown scenarios The Guardian
• Thanks to outsourcing, England's test and trace system is in chaos | Allyson Pollock The Guardian
• Secrecy has harmed UK government's response to Covid-19 crisis, says top scientist The Guardian
• All staff across three NHS trusts in north-west England being urgently tested The Guardian
• Coronavirus pandemic will be ‘lengthy’, World Health Organisation warns The Independent
• Coronavirus: Public switching off from lockdown rules due to ‘deplorable’ government messaging, say experts The Independent

Rare illness spread by ticks diagnosed in UK

Rare illness spread by ticks diagnosed in UK People are being urged to be on alert for tick bites, following the diagnosis for the first time in England of a rare illness.

Public Health England (PHE) says the risk to the public is "very low", but it's important to be "tick aware" when enjoying green spaces this summer.

Babesiosis is caused by a parasite which infects red blood cells. BBC News

See also:

• Rare tick-borne infections diagnosed in England Public Health England

Severe lack of funding for heart disease research revealed

Severe lack of funding for heart disease research revealed Urgent annual cash injection of £650m needed for cardiovascular conditions to match threat to nation’s health of cancer

A severe deficit has emerged in the funding of major health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and mental health, according to a new study calling for an urgent cash injection. The Guardian

Study shows frontline healthcare workers at greater risk of coronavirus, despite protective gear

Study shows frontline healthcare workers at greater risk of coronavirus, despite protective gear Frontline healthcare workers with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) have a three-fold increased risk of testing positive for coronavirus, compared to the general population, a study has found. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Risk of COVID-19 among front-line health-care workers and the general community: a prospective cohort study (opens access) The Lancet Public Health