Seven more coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals

Seven more coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals Seven more coronavirus deaths have today been confirmed at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals. 

Friday's NHS England bulletin revealed that three patients had sadly died at Northampton General Hospital on Wednesday this week. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Some non-urgent treatment clinics cancelled at Northampton General Hospital as Covid-19 admissions increase Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Disappointment as Northampton coronavirus infection rate increases to national average despite lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire school shuts two year groups "until further notice" as Covid causes staff shortages Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Up to 3 households could be allowed to mix for Christmas - everything we know so far Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Northamptonshire waits on PM's announcement on what comes next after Covid-19 lockdown Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering school forced to partially close its doors after more weekend Covid cases Northamptonshire Telegraph

Three new midwifery teams introduced to improve care continuity for expectant mums in Northampton

Three new midwifery teams introduced to improve care continuity for expectant mums in Northampton Three new midwifery teams have been introduced at Northampton General Hospital to help continuity of care throughout pregnancies. 

The continuity teams named Rose, Iris and Jasmine, will work with expectant mums who will then see the same midwives throughout pregnancy, birth and post-natal care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Are the needs of people with multiple long-term conditions being met?

Are the needs of people with multiple long-term conditions being met? Health services face major challenges in meeting the requirements of people with long-term conditions like heart disease and diabetes – and these challenges multiply in those with multiple conditions. So what does the evidence have to say about whether people with long-term conditions themselves feel their needs are being met? Lucina Rolewicz and Sarah Scobie outline the findings from recently published analysis of 2018 GP Patient Survey data and put the results in context. Nuffield Trust 

The state of ageing in 2020

The state of ageing in 2020 This online, interactive report captures a snapshot of how people in the UK are ageing today, while looking at past trends and our prospects if action isn't taken. It warns that the COVID-19 pandemic risks setting people in mid-life on a path to poverty and ill-health in old age. Centre for Ageing Better 

Deafness and hearing loss toolkit

Deafness and hearing loss toolkit This educational toolkit, produced in collaboration with RNID and NHS England and Improvement aims to support GPs to consult effectively with deaf patients by offering tips on how to communicate during face to face and remote appointments. Royal College of General Practitioners

Alcohol and cancer in the WHO European Region: an appeal for better prevention

Alcohol and cancer in the WHO European Region: an appeal for better prevention This factsheet provides information and guidance on the links between alcohol and a range of cancers for those involved in designing and implementing policies that affect public health. It sets out policy options to reduce the alcohol-attributable cancer burden, making clear that there is strong evidence that the implementation of cost-effective alcohol control policies including pricing policies (or policies that increase the price of alcohol) will achieve this. World Health Organization 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) inpatient experience

Coronavirus (COVID-19) inpatient experience The results of CQC’s coronavirus (COVID-19) inpatient survey. They show that most people were positive about the care and treatment they received in hospital during the first wave of the pandemic. Care Quality Commission

Homecare workers to be tested weekly for COVID-19

Homecare workers to be tested weekly for COVID-19 Care workers looking after people in their own homes will be offered weekly coronavirus tests from Monday, the government has announced. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for homecare workers Department of Health and Social Care
• Open consultation: Stopping movement of staff between care settings Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection

Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection The coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford stops 70% of people developing Covid symptoms, a large-scale trial shows.

It will be seen as a triumph, but it comes off the back of Pfizer and Moderna showing 95% protection.

However, the Oxford jab is far cheaper, and is easier to store and get to every corner of the world than the other two. BBC News

See also:

• Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine University of Oxford
• Matt Hancock: Life back to normal 'after Easter' BBC News
• Covid risk: 3 people, 3 very different Covid risks. What's yours? BBC News
• Covid: Jab for people who cannot be vaccinated trialled BBC News
• Covid antibodies 'last at least six months' BBC News
• Covid-19: UK 'setting up vaccine hubs ready for roll-out' BBC News
• Arthritis drug and remdesivir combo get emergency FDA approval The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus vaccinations could be under way for ALL adults by the end of January The Daily Mail
• Pfizer sends full results on breakthrough Covid vaccine to drugs watchdogs in UK, US and Europe The Daily Mail
• NHS could start using Covid vaccine next month, says Hancock The Guardian
• Student nurses on Covid placements in UK call for return of paid NHS contracts The Guardian
• Boris Johnson ‘acted illegally’ over jobs for top anti-Covid staff The Guardian
• Oxford Covid vaccine could be final piece of the jigsaw in bringing pandemic to an end The Independent
• UK Covid death toll up 341 in 24 hours, as cases rise by 19,875 The Independent
• Britain to become first country to trial AstraZeneca coronavirus antibody treatment The Independent
• Coronavirus: Military to provide rapid testing in all areas under tier 3 restrictions after England’s lockdown The Independent
• WHO Covid envoy fears third wave of virus in Europe next year The Independent

Spending Review: £3bn for NHS but Sunak warns of 'economic shock' to come

Spending Review: £3bn for NHS but Sunak warns of 'economic shock' to come Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to announce an extra £3bn for the NHS - but has warned that people will soon see an "economic shock laid bare" as the country deals with the Covid pandemic.

The one-year funding will be pledged in the Spending Review on Wednesday. BBC News

See also:

• Spending Review: Chancellor to announce £500m for mental health BBC News
• Rishi Sunak says Spending Review will not spell austerity BBC News
• £3bn boost to NHS will allow for 1m more scans, checks and operations The Daily Telegraph

Trans teen in legal action over gender clinic wait

Trans teen in legal action over gender clinic wait A 14-year-old transgender boy is starting legal proceedings against NHS England over delays to gender reassignment treatment.

The teenager has waited over a year for referral to the only NHS gender clinic for children and adolescents.

The Good Law Project, which is acting for the teenager, says the NHS has a legal obligation to provide specialist care to all patients within 18 weeks, or provide an alternative. BBC News

Human rights must not be 'trampled' in global rush for PPE, say MPs

Human rights must not be 'trampled' in global rush for PPE, say MPs MPs and experts in the procurement of personal protective equipment have said human rights must not be “trampled” in the rush to secure PPE for frontline workers via global supply chains. 

The calls come after a Guardian investigation found evidence that the British government had sourced PPE from factories in China where hundreds of North Korean women have been secretly working in conditions of modern slavery. The Guardian

See also:

• Government paying £1m a day to store mountain of PPE – but NHS staff still short on supplies The Daily Telegraph
• Sunak refuses to apologise for PPE contracts given to firms with ties to MPs – video The Guardian
• Footage shows staff collapse and have seizures making PEE for NHS Metro

NHS patients at risk as ICUs routinely understaffed, doctors warn

NHS patients at risk as ICUs routinely understaffed, doctors warn Exclusive: Four out of five UK intensive care consultants say their unit is stretched by shortage of doctors and nurses. 

NHS intensive care units, which have played a vital role in the Covid-19 crisis, are so routinely understaffed patients are at risk of poor care, doctors working in them warn. The Guardian

NHS 'workforce disaster' threatens a million operations and could cost lives, royal college warns

NHS 'workforce disaster' threatens a million operations and could cost lives, royal college warns More than a million patient operations could be delayed because of widespread shortages of anaesthetists in the NHS – with nine out of every 10 hospitals reporting at least one vacancy. 

As coronavirus paralysed the NHS earlier this year, more than 140,000 NHS patients have already waited over a year for treatment.  The Independent

Sexual health warning for middle-aged: Infections 'are on the rise among those in their 40s and 50s'

Sexual health warning for middle-aged: Infections 'are on the rise among those in their 40s and 50s' Sexually transmitted infections are rising among the middle-aged because of embarrassment and ignorance, experts have warned.

Consultations for the infections among those aged 45 to 64 in England soared from 287,000 in 2015 to 336,000 last year.

Researchers found that more than half of this age group had never had a health check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea – despite a rise in divorcees having sexual relationships with new partners. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Sexual Health in the Over Forty-Fives (SHIFT) University of Chichester