KGH staff helping four major Covid-19 research trials

KGH staff helping four major Covid-19 research trials Doctors and nurses at Kettering General Hospital are helping four major research studies into Covid-19 to help make the world a safer place.

The hospital - which is also the top-recruiting trust in the country in a Covid-19 sniffer dog trial - is playing a vital role in studies around the world. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Fewer new Covid-19 cases in Northampton — but now it's Corby and Kettering in the spotlight Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Coronavirus warning leaflet sent to Kettering wards with rising cases Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Double Covid blow for Corby Wetherspoons pubs Northamptonshire Telegraph

Decision making in a crisis: First responses to the coronavirus pandemic

Decision making in a crisis: First responses to the coronavirus pandemic The government’s initial response to the Covid-19 crisis was hampered by the absence of a long-term strategy, lack of clarity about who was responsible for what and its poor use of evidence.

This report examines decisions made in three areas: economic support, Covid-19 testing and the lockdown. Institute for Government

Government working with midwives, medical experts, and academics to investigate BAME maternal mortality

Government working with midwives, medical experts, and academics to investigate BAME maternal mortality Minister for Equalities leads discussion to tackle Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) maternal mortality. Government Equalities Office

People urged to practise safer sex as gonorrhoea cases in England rise by 26%

People urged to practise safer sex as gonorrhoea cases in England rise by 26% A significant increase in annual gonorrhoea diagnoses has prompted health officials to warn of the need to practise safe sex. Public Health England

See also:

• Official Statistics: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): annual data tables Public Health England
• Rise in gonorrhoea cases in England prompts safe sex warning BBC News

£500 million funding for quick result COVID-19 test trials

£500 million funding for quick result COVID-19 test trials A new £500 million funding package will be invested in next generation testing technology and increased testing capacity. Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus testing rationed amid outbreaks

Coronavirus testing rationed amid outbreaks Prioritising coronavirus testing in high-risk areas has led to shortages in other places, leading to some people with symptoms being asked to drive more than 100 miles for a swab.

The government says areas with fewer Covid-19 cases have had their testing capacity reduced to cope with outbreaks elsewhere.

But public health experts warn this could miss the start of new spikes. BBC News

See also:

• As summer ends, UK must square up to Covid again BBC News
• Coronavirus: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube 'fail to tackle anti-vaccination posts' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Charity seeks judicial review on care home visit guidance BBC News
• Coronavirus: Cheap steroids save lives from severe Covid BBC News
• Novavax's experimental coronavirus vaccine triggered antibodies in 100% of trial participants The Daily Mail
• Care home worker, 31, becomes first Brit to catch Covid-19 twice The Daily Mail
• School reopening and flu season mean surge in Covid-19 patients, says WHO Europe director The Daily Mail
• Mass weekly Covid-19 testing of population to be trialled in England The Guardian
• Coronavirus tracked: 57 countries see surge in new cases as global count passes 25m The Independent
• Patients at risk as cash-strapped councils outsource services in middle of pandemic, warn NHS bosses The Independent

Deaths at home higher than normal - ONS figures

Deaths at home higher than normal - ONS figures Deaths of people in their own homes were far above normal levels in July in contrast to below-average levels of non-Covid-19 deaths in hospitals and care homes, figures show.

The Office for National Statistics says patients in England and Wales may not be being admitted to hospital or they are discharged earlier than usual. BBC News

Twenty-one ‘wholly preventable’ patient safety incidents reported in private hospitals last year

Twenty-one ‘wholly preventable’ patient safety incidents reported in private hospitals last year 287 out of 595 private hospitals and NHS private patient units, accounting for 86 per cent of privately-funded care, provided information on ‘Never Events’ last year. The Independent

See also:

• New data reveals serious patient safety incidents in private acute care Private Healthcare Information Network