Health authorities call for volunteers to take part in tests to help control the spread of COVID-19

Health authorities call for volunteers to take part in tests to help control the spread of COVID-19 Following the announcement of new restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19, residents across Northamptonshire have been urged to take part in vital research to help tackle the pandemic.

NHS Trusts and GP practices across Northamptonshire are working with the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) East Midlands, part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), to provide opportunities for residents to be involved in research into COVID-19. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• NHS Covid-19 app is available on your smartphone NOW — here's everything you need to know Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More than 100 Corby households warned over social distancing breaches Northamptonshire Telegraph

County council launches new ‘healthy schools’ service across Northamptonshire

 County council launches new ‘healthy schools’ service across Northamptonshire A new county-wide service has launched to help improve the health and wellbeing of school pupils and staff.

Northamptonshire County Council has recruited four dedicated ‘healthy schools advisors’ to work with primary, secondary and specialist schools. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS nursing workforce

NHS nursing workforce This report finds that the NHS has 40,000 nursing vacancies with tens of thousands leaving every year, and 36 per cent of current workforce considering leaving in the next year. It says that the progress on increasing the number of nurses in the NHS is too slow and expresses concerns about the Department of Health and Social Care’s approach to addressing shortages in adult social care nurses. House of Commons Public Account Committee

NHS COVID-19 app launches across England and Wales

NHS COVID-19 app launches across England and Wales People across England and Wales are being urged to download the NHS COVID-19 app to help control the spread of coronavirus and protect themselves and their loved ones as case numbers rise.

The app launches today, and after positive trials and rigorous testing is an important new tool to work alongside traditional contact tracing to help reduce the spread of the virus.

It will be available to those aged 16 and over in multiple languages. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• NHS COVID-19 app (Android) Google
• NHS COVID-19 app (iOS) Apple
• Guidance: NHS COVID-19 app: privacy information Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: NHS Test and Trace: how it works Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: reducing transmission – what you can do to help Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England

Coronavirus vaccine: What are human challenge trials?

Coronavirus vaccine: What are human challenge trials? Human challenge trials are regarded by some as a faster way to develop vaccines - but they come with big risks.

Challenge trials have been used for hundreds of years but a lot of people question how ethical is to deliberately expose people to an infectious disease.

More than 140 different organisations around the world are currently trying to discover a vaccine for Covid-19.

But could challenge trials be used to speed up the process? BBC News

See also:

• NHS Covid-19 app: England and Wales get smartphone contact tracing for over-16s  BBC News
• NHS Covid-19 app: How England and Wales' contact-tracing service works BBC News
• Covid-19: UK volunteers could be given virus to test vaccine BBC News
• Covid-19: Daily reported UK cases rise by a quarter BBC News
• New 'traffic-light' lockdown system that will send automatic alerts to phones is set to be used
• Boris Johnson urged to take action on 'long Covid' which causes symptoms lasting for months The Daily Mail
• Britain hasn't learnt from March and is about to make another 'mistake', SAGE members warn The Daily Mail
• Almost 10,000 people a day contracting Covid in UK, Hancock says The Guardian
• Arrival of NHS contact-tracing app heralds return of QR codes The Guardian
• Is the UK ready for a Covid second wave? – podcast The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson defends testing boss Dido Harding and hits back at 'unseemly' attacks Sky News

Flu jabs limited due to high demand

Flu jabs limited due to high demand Pharmacists and GP surgeries are having to limit flu jabs to the most at-risk groups due to increased demand.

The Boots chain has suspended its appointment booking system for anyone outside of the vulnerable groups, which include people aged over 65.

It said it faces "unprecedented demand" for vaccinations, but NHS England says enough stocks are available. BBC News

Fear of contacting GPs during Covid outbreak 'fuelling missed diagnoses'

Fear of contacting GPs during Covid outbreak 'fuelling missed diagnoses' Study of GP records in Salford shows diagnoses up to 50% lower than expected in spring.

Concerns around contacting GPs during the coronavirus outbreak could be fuelling a rise in missed or delayed diagnoses, researchers have said.

A growing body of research has suggested that patients have avoided seeking medical attention because of the pandemic. Figures have revealed a large increase in the numbers of people dying at home, while visits to A&E have been markedly reduced. The Guardian

See also:

• Diagnosis of physical and mental health conditions in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study (open access) The Lancet
• 10,000 more deaths than usual occurred in UK homes since June The Guardian

NHS trust fined for lack of candour in first prosecution of its kind

NHS trust fined for lack of candour in first prosecution of its kind University Hospitals Plymouth NHS trust admits not being open with bereaved family of patient

A hospital trust has been fined for failing to be open and transparent with the bereaved family of a 91-year-old woman in the first prosecution of its kind.

Elsie Woodfield died at Derriford hospital in Plymouth after suffering a perforated oesophagus during an endoscopy. The Guardian

Hundreds of hospital ventilators could stop working, NHS warned

Hundreds of hospital ventilators could stop working, NHS warned Hospitals have been warned hundreds of ventilators used to keep sedated patients alive are at risk of suddenly shutting down because of a fault, in some cases without warning. The Independent

See also:

• National Patient Safety Alert: Philips Respironics V60 ventilator - unexpected shutdown Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency