Northamptonshire's hospitals are under stress faced with winter coupled with coronavirus pande

Northamptonshire's hospitals are under stress faced with winter coupled with coronavirus pandemic Pressure is building at Northamptonshire's two public hospitals as healthcare staff face the stress of winter pressures coupled with the coronavirus pandemic.

Northampton and Kettering General Hospital set out a direct appeal to members of the public over the weekend urging them to only visit in an emergency because they were dealing with "very high demand" over December 5 and 6. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

More than 1,900 University of Northampton students test negative for coronavirus before Christmas exodus

More than 1,900 University of Northampton students test negative for coronavirus before Christmas exodus More than 1,900 students at the University of Northampton have tested negative for coronavirus at its testing centre before going home for Christmas, as of Friday (December 4). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Thousands of people not tested for HIV in Northamptonshire in 2019

Thousands of people not tested for HIV in Northamptonshire in 2019 Opportunities to screen for HIV are being missed in Northamptonshire with almost 5,000 people not offered or declining a test at sexual health clinics. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Support for redesigning care pathways

Support for redesigning care pathways NHSX has published four ‘digital playbooks’ to help achieve the Long Term Plan’s aim of reducing face-to-face outpatient appointments by up to a third over the next five years.

They are designed to help clinical staff use technology to redesign care pathways and cover the four highest-volume specialties: cardiology, respiratory, ophthalmology and musculoskeletal. 

Five-year strategy for transfusion care

Five-year strategy for transfusion care NHS Blood and Transplant has published Transfusion 2024 for NHS providers and other stakeholders. It sets out key priorities for clinical and laboratory transfusion practice for safe patient care for the next five years.

Levelling up health for prosperity

Levelling up health for prosperity  The government’s manifesto contained ambitious pledges on the economy and health. However, to achieve these aims we need a coordinated approach to health and the economy, nationally and locally.

The economic gains from reducing place-based health inequality could be significant, and doing so is crucial for our national economy, local prosperity, and our recovery from Covid-19. 

Local government has a pivotal role in achieving these gains. This report outlines policy to make health improvement a joint enterprise between local and national government, and recommends three ‘paradigm shifts’ for a new approach to health and prosperity. Institute for Public Policy Research

See also:

• Public health grant cuts 'worst in poorest areas' BBC News

All hands on deck: public private partnerships during Covid-19

All hands on deck: public private partnerships during Covid-19 This report examines how government has worked with the private sector to respond to COVID-19. It suggests that there are lessons from the pandemic that, if acted on, would allow government to more effectively leverage the private sector to respond to future crises. Reform

See also:

• Driving the UK’s leadership in vaccine research & innovation Reform

Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: what to expect after vaccination

Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: what to expect after vaccination Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination. Public Health England

See also:

• Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: guide for healthcare workers Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: why you are being asked to wait Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for social care staff Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: guide for older adults Public Health England
• Promotional material: COVID-19 vaccination: care home and healthcare settings posters Public Health England

Moment first person receives Pfizer vaccine

Moment first person receives Pfizer vaccine A 90-year-old woman in Coventry has become the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19, outside trial conditions.

Margaret Keenan, from Enniskillen, received the injection at University Hospital in Coventry on Tuesday morning. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Your vaccine questions answered by an expert BBC News
• Covid-19 vaccination: Needle phobia - it's the jab, not the vaccine, some fear BBC News
• 'Mix-and-match' coronavirus vaccines to be tested BBC News
• Covid vaccine: 'Thrilled' Hancock warns of long way to go BBC News
• Are Covid cases beginning to creep back UP? The Daily Mail
• How a THIRD of local authorities in England saw a spike in Covid cases in over-60s The Daily Mail
• Northern England was hit hardest by both the Covid-19 and 1918 Spanish flu pandemics, study shows The Daily Mail
• January could see a 'severe peak' of coronavirus infections if we 'take our foot off the pedal' The Daily Mail
• The hospitals that will have the Covid-19 vaccine, and how it will be rolled out The Daily Telegraph
• One of first people in UK to receive Covid jab says: 'I feel it's my duty' The Guardian
• Wales considers new Covid lockdown amid rapid rise in infections The Guardian
• Coronavirus: ‘Majority’ of vulnerable to be vaccinated by end of February, says No 10 The Independent
• Sewage tests at schools and offices could reveal whether Covid lockdowns are working The Independent

Great Ormond Street: Hospital may have broken law by failing to reveal errors led to boy’s death

Great Ormond Street: Hospital may have broken law by failing to reveal errors led to boy’s death Great Ormond Street Hospital may have broken the law by failing to share information with parents that showed its errors had contributed to their son’s death, The Independent understands.

The care watchdog is speaking to Great Ormond Street about its handling of an expert report into five-year-old Walif Yafi in 2017.