Who will get the vaccine first? Priority list for Pfizer/ BioNTech coronavirus jab as it’s approved for use in the UK

Who will get the vaccine first? Priority list for Pfizer/ BioNTech coronavirus jab as it’s approved for use in the UK The UK has become the first country in Europe to approve and license a Covid vaccine, which will start rolling out some time next week.

The vaccine was developed by pharmaceutical company Pfizer in collaboration with tech firm, Biontech. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Priority groups for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination: advice from the JCVI, 2 December 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Nine coronavirus deaths in five days among residents in Northamptonshire's care homes Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• England's Covid tier system at a glance - as new rules come into force Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Small, achievable steps for getting through the day if you're feeling overwhelmed Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Pubs, restaurants and cinemas could deny entry to people who refuse to get Covid vaccine Northamptonshire Telegraph

Good news! Northampton General Hospital shortlisted for environmental award

Good news! Northampton General Hospital shortlisted for environmental award Northampton General Hospital has been shortlisted for the Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2020 HSJ Awards, recognising their outstanding contribution to healthcare. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Patient Experience Radio

Patient Experience Radio The Patient Experience Network (PEN) is developing a series of 10-15 minute podcasts on Spotify, sharing work being done to improve the patient experience. 

This inaugural episode showcases the incredible #Rehablegend, with Kate Tantam, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust . Overall winner of PENNA2019 and a great example of improving the experience in ICU. Whether you are working in this area, or not, there will be some messages to take away.

Vertical integration of GP practices with acute hospitals in England and Wales: rapid evaluation

Vertical integration of GP practices with acute hospitals in England and Wales: rapid evaluation In several locations across England and Wales, NHS organisations responsible for managing acute hospitals have also taken over the running of primary care medical practices. This report, commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research and undertaken together with the Health Services Management Centre at the University of Birmingham and the Health Services Research Group at the University of Cambridge, evaluates what has led to this kind of vertical integration in England and Wales, how it has been implemented, and with what consequences. RAND Europe

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2019/20: the Mental Health Act in the Covid-19 pandemic

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2019/20: the Mental Health Act in the Covid-19 pandemic Monitoring the Mental Health Act is the CQC's annual report on the use of the Mental Health Act (MHA). It looks at how providers are caring for patients, and whether patients' rights are being protected. This year's annual report puts a specific focus on the impact that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had on patients detained under the MHA, and on the services that care for and treat them. Care Quality Commission 

UK authorises Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

UK authorises Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use. This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Care home residents to be reunited with families by Christmas Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Arrangements for visiting out of the care home Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Containing and managing local coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: New Covid tier system comes into force in England

Coronavirus: New Covid tier system comes into force in England England has returned to a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions after its second national lockdown ended.

The tougher new system has come into force hours after being approved by MPs in a Commons vote.

The government said the move would help "safeguard the gains made during the past month", despite 55 Tories voting against PM Boris Johnson's plan. BBC News

See also:

• Covid Pfizer vaccine approved for use next week in UK BBC News
• Covid: Adults with learning disabilities 'miss out' BBC News
• Why is my area in a higher tier? BBC News
• Lockdown rules: Michael Gove's Covid claims fact-checked BBC News
• Covid data transparency row deepens as Michael Gove warns hospitals are 88% full The Daily Mail
• Britain records 13,430 Covid cases and 603 deaths as second wave continues to tail off The Daily Mail
• Leicester 'given thousands of unusable coronavirus tests' The Daily Mail
• Hugging set to resume in England's care homes with rapid Covid tests The Guardian
• NHS ready to provide Covid vaccine within days The Daily Telegraph
• Pfizer vaccine: Who will get it first and where is it being made? The Independent
• Pleas from survivor and NHS not to jeopardise the fight against Covid-19 ITV News

Private hospitals paid millions for unused beds as NHS waiting lists soar

Private hospitals paid millions for unused beds as NHS waiting lists soar Private hospitals have received millions of pounds from the taxpayer under contracts with the NHS despite two-thirds of extra capacity beds going unused for months during the summer, it has emerged. 

According to leaked documents obtained by the Health Service Journal (HSJ), a majority of beds in private hospitals over the four months from June to September were not used by the NHS. The Independent 

Maternity units rated ‘inadequate’ at NHS trust as parents demand inquiry

Maternity units rated ‘inadequate’ at NHS trust as parents demand inquiry Maternity services at one of England’s largest hospital trusts have been downgraded to inadequate over safety fears by the care watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

The regulator has taken enforcement action against Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, including imposing conditions on the trust and issuing it with a formal warning notice. The Independent

Puberty blockers: under-16s 'unlikely to be able to give informed consent'

Puberty blockers: under-16s 'unlikely to be able to give informed consent' NHS says clinic has suspended new referrals after pair, including woman who took blockers, win court case.

Children under the age of 16 considering gender reassignment are unlikely to be mature enough to give informed consent to be prescribed puberty-blocking drugs, the high court has ruled. The Guardian