Monday 3 August 2020

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

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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

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        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

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        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

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        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

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