First coronavirus death in more than a week is confirmed at Northampton General Hospital

First coronavirus death in more than a week is confirmed at Northampton General Hospital Covid-19 claimed its first victim in more than a week at Northampton General Hospital, taking the known number of lives lost to 664 across the country. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Challenging the culture on menopause for working doctors report

Challenging the culture on menopause for working doctors report We surveyed our members to understand specific challenges for doctors working through the menopause. This report looks at the experiences of doctors and areas of action which could support doctors during this time. The BMA

See also:

• Change of life? Tackling the menopause culture to retain senior doctors The BMA
• Female doctors in menopause retiring early due to sexism, says study The Guardian
• Female doctors are going through menopause with no support from bosses ‘due to sexist attitudes putting them off getting help’ The Independent

Principles for preceptorship

Principles for preceptorship Preceptorship is the structured start for newly registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates. The principles outlined in this guidance document are for professionals who design and oversee preceptorship programmes, those engaged on preceptorship programmes (preceptees) and those who support preceptees (preceptors). Nursing and Midwifery Council

Guidance: Healthcare education and training tariff: 2020 to 2021

Guidance: Healthcare education and training tariff: 2020 to 2021 Information about what the tariffs cover, how to use the tariffs and in what circumstances the national tariffs may be varied. Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Safety concerns halt use of 50 million NHS masks

Coronavirus: Safety concerns halt use of 50 million NHS masks Fifty million face masks bought by the government in April will not be used in the NHS because of safety concerns.

The government says the masks, which use ear-loop fastenings rather than head loops, may not fit tightly enough.

They were bought for healthcare workers from supplier Ayanda Capital as part of a £252m contract. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: How does a Covid-19 pandemic come to an end? BBC News
• Coronavirus: How does test-and-trace work? BBC News
• Two-thirds shielding happy to return to work, ONS figures suggest BBC News
• Britain records 892 more coronavirus cases and 65 deaths The Daily Mail
• Banning all travel is better at controlling a pandemic than reopening with quarantine The Daily Mail
• NHS 'virtual wards' to treat long-term illness caused by Covid The Daily Mail
• England’s contact tracers 'making handful of calls' a month The Guardian
• Coronavirus vaccine: Which candidates are the most promising? The Independent
• Boris Johnson accused of ‘actively ignoring’ bereaved coronavirus families The Independent

Public Health England issues rare alert over illicit prescription drugs

Public Health England issues rare alert over illicit prescription drugs Surge in tablets sold as benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety or insomnia, linked to hospitalisations and deaths

A surge in illicit prescription drugs that have been linked to hospitalisations and deaths in England has prompted health officials to issue a rare national alert. The Guardian

See also:

• Evidence of harm from illicit or fake benzodiazepines Public Health England

Number of empty beds in English care homes almost doubles in a year, survey finds

Number of empty beds in English care homes almost doubles in a year, survey finds The number of empty beds in care homes in England has almost doubled in a year, according to a survey of 256 providers.

Out of a maximum 9,735 beds, 2,404 were standing empty as of June 2020, a survey by 5 News of National Care Association (NCA) members has found. The Independent