North Northamptonshire records hundreds of excess deaths

North Northamptonshire records hundreds of excess deaths Deaths have increased significantly in north Northamptonshire during 2020 compared to the previous five-year averages and suggesting there have been hundreds of excess deaths, a special investigation has shown.

The Northamptonshire Telegraph has analysed the number of deaths registered in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northants so far in the 42 weeks of this year compared to the five-year average up to the same date.

Using research to prepare for a post-pandemic world

Using research to prepare for a post-pandemic world This year has been dominated by COVID-19 and its impact on all aspects of our daily lives, from where we work, to how we spend time with our loved ones. And the role of research – often only of interest to academics and funders – has been thrust into the limelight, as people begin to understand the magnitude of the pandemic and our need to mobilise research and innovation to respond to the challenges it poses. The Health Foundation

Overcoming short-termism in policymaking after COVID-19

 Overcoming short-termism in policymaking after COVID-19 The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has shown clearly why governments need to prepare for an uncertain future. Could the pandemic be a redefining moment for how the UK government prepares for uncertainty, plans for the long term and thus builds resilience? The Health Foundation

Investigation into COVID-19 transmission in hospitals

Investigation into COVID-19 transmission in hospitals This report charts a four-month patient safety investigation that was launched following concern that patients were contracting COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital. It presents the voices of those working across the health service, from strategic national planners to hospital porters. It also captured experiences of patients and families, providing further insight into the challenges of managing the transmission of COVID-19. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

Local COVID alert level update: areas moving to 'high'

Local COVID alert level update: areas moving to 'high' More areas will move from local COVID alert level 'medium' to local COVID alert level 'high' from 00.01 Saturday 31 October. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• NHS Test and Trace managing record number of cases Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS COVID-19 app updates across England and Wales Department of Health and Social Care
• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England

Covid: Are we heading back into a full lockdown?

Covid: Are we heading back into a full lockdown? There's no stopping the second wave of coronavirus, it seems, despite a bundle of new rules designed to do just that.

Infection rates are rising rapidly, with estimates suggesting up to 100,000 people a day may be catching the virus. Across the Channel, France has admitted its regional approach is not working, by announcing a new national lockdown. Germany, to a lesser extent, is also planning one.

Wales is in the middle of a short "fire-breaker" lockdown, in which bars, restaurants, churches and most shops have shut for a fortnight.

So is a full-on UK-wide lockdown only a matter of time? BBC News

See also:

• NHS Covid-19 app to issue more self-isolate alerts  BBC News
• Coronavirus treatment: Experimental drug in trial phase BBC News
• Boris Johnson has been told NHS may be at maximum capacity a week before Christmas The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Deaths are EXCEEDING SAGE 'worst case scenario' The Daily Mail
• Tier Two lockdowns announced for 16 areas of England The Daily Mail
• Tier 4 lockdown: what would the rules be, and what UK areas could be affected? The Daily Telegraph
• The greatest tragedy of England's second wave is that it wasn't inevitable | Charlotte Summers The Guardian
• National lockdowns should be backup plan on Covid, says WHO envoy The Guardian
• Priti Patel refuses to rule out second Covid lockdown for England The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS leak shows London hospitals starting to feel second wave pressure The Independent
• Coronavirus: 10,000 UK patients now in hospital with Covid-19 The Independent

Delays in discharging patients adds pressure on hospitals amid coronavirus second wave

 Delays in discharging patients adds pressure on hospitals amid coronavirus second wave Delays in discharging patients from hospitals is making pressure on the NHS from the second wave of coronavirus worse, hospital chiefs have warned.

Some hospitals are already reporting almost all of their beds are full with patients as the number of coronavirus cases continues to surge with more patients needing hospital care every day.

Doctors have told The Independent the lack of discharges means fewer beds are free and some hospitals are seeing long waits in A&E for beds to become available.

Call for action over lack of NHS prescriptions of cannabis treatments for children with severe epilepsy

 Call for action over lack of NHS prescriptions of cannabis treatments for children with severe epilepsy There have been only three NHS prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines to treat children with severe epilepsy, two years after the government changed the law to make it easier for doctors to prescribe the drugs, campaigners claim. The Independent

New Zealand votes to legalise euthanasia in referendum

New Zealand votes to legalise euthanasia in referendum New Zealanders have voted overwhelmingly to legalise euthanasia, according preliminary referendum results released on Friday.

The referendum was held on October 17, alongside the general election that returned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to power with a landslide majority, and another vote on allowing recreational cannabis. The Daily Telegraph