Covid-19: Kettering General Hospital doctor tells of 'accelerating' cases

Covid-19: Kettering General Hospital doctor tells of 'accelerating' cases A hospital consultant who spoke of his fears over the rise in coronavirus cases said it appeared someone had "pressed the accelerator".

Dr Ajay Verma said he was "blown away" with "how heavy the burden is with Covid" at Kettering General Hospital.

He said patients being admitted, including those in their 30s and 40s, were "incredibly poorly". BBC Northampton 

See also:

• Fears that Northamptonshire could be in a tougher Covid tier by Boxing Day as cases soar in the county Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Another 21 coronavirus deaths in Northamptonshire hospitals and care homes  Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'The new strain was not the news any of us expected...and with it will likely come further change'  Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• England could enter into a country-wide lockdown in the New Year Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Police have issued over 150 fines to people travelling into Tier 2 areas ‘for a pint’ Northamptonshire Telegraph

KGH's £1m extension to help it get through the winter

KGH's £1m extension to help it get through the winter Two wards at KGH will be extended in a £1m projectto help cope with the winter pressures.

The Rothwell Road hospital is spending the cash to add 12 beds in two new side rooms with a temporary building. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

New senior leaders appointed for KGH and NGH

New senior leaders appointed for KGH and NGH Northampton General Hospital (NGH) and Kettering General Hospital (KGH) have announced three senior appointments as they continue to implement leadership arrangements for the two trusts to be run as a new hospital group. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

“Perilously uncertain” future for UK health sector despite Brexit deal, expert analysis reveals

“Perilously uncertain” future for UK health sector despite Brexit deal, expert analysis reveals The perilously uncertain future facing the UK at the end of the Brexit transition period could put the UK’s health and care system at risk.

New barriers to migration, an unknown level of disruption to medicines and devices, a prolonged economic slowdown and barriers to investment in science will impact the health sector almost immediately and into the future. Nuffield Trust 

See also:

• Understanding the impact of Brexit on health in the UK Nuffield Trust

Rapid Response Guidance Note: Vaccination and Mental Capacity (First Update)

Rapid Response Guidance Note: Vaccination and Mental Capacity (First Update) Thirty Nine Essex Street LLP have done a vaccination guide for those in England (but also potentially more generally relevant), to help people think through capacity and best interests properly to ensure individualised decisions are taken. 

Coronavirus pandemic prompts a surge in the number of people using NHS tech in 2020

Coronavirus pandemic prompts a surge in the number of people using NHS tech Digital services provided by the NHS have seen a huge increase in usage throughout 2020 as a result of social distancing and the need to access healthcare remotely.

Since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, tech services provided by NHS Digital have seen unprecedented levels of usage by both patients and frontline staff. 

Record numbers of doctors and nurses working in the NHS

Record numbers of doctors and nurses working in the NHS The number of nurses in the NHS in England increased by 13,313 on last year to a record 299,184, and the number of doctors rose by 6,030 to a record 122,446, figures to the end of September show. Department of Health and Social Care  

Policy paper: Community testing

Policy paper: Community testing Community asymptomatic testing helps identify and isolate individuals who have coronavirus (COVID-19) but do not have symptoms. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Arrangements for visiting out of the care home Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing home care Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: NHS Test and Trace: how we test your samples Department of Health and Social Care 

Covid: New variant detected 'due to strength of UK surveillance'

Covid: New variant detected 'due to strength of UK surveillance' A new variant of the virus causing Covid-19, first spotted in Kent, could already be circulating - or have originated from - outside the UK.

But it was spotted here because of the strength of the UK's surveillance system, scientists have said.

The Covid-19 Genomics Consortium (Cog-UK) has tracked the genetic history of more than 150,000 samples of Sars-Cov-2 virus. BBC News

See also:

• Covid jab 'very likely' to protect against new variant BBC News
• Covid-19: UK sees over 80,000 excess deaths during pandemic BBC News
• Britain's Covid outbreak continues to worsen with another 33,364 cases The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Children are more likely to catch mutated new strain The Daily Mail
• Did No10 lie about Professor Lockdown quitting SAGE? The Daily Mail
• Will schools stay closed in January? The latest Covid-19 advice for parents The Daily Telegraph
• New Covid strain: how dangerous is it, and could it hamper a vaccine? The Daily Telegraph
• 414 GP-led COVID vaccination sites up and running with more to start this week GPonline
• NHS leaders raise concerns over pace of Covid vaccine rollout The Guardian
• World's media ask how it went so wrong for 'Plague Island' Britain The Guardian
• Cases of new Covid variant are 'all around the UK', say scientists The Guardian
• Covid vaccine: NHS England urged to act over ‘unequal’ roll out leaving vulnerable staff The Independent
• Coronavirus patients in English hospitals near April peak as NHS leaders fear threat from new variant The Independent
• More areas face Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions as government says ‘further action’ being considered The Independent

Cygnet Woodside in special measures over 'patient safety risks'

Cygnet Woodside in special measures over 'patient safety risks' A hospital for men with learning disabilities has been placed in special measures after there were "serious risks to patient safety".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected Cygnet Woodside, in Bradford, in September following allegations of abuse by staff towards a patient.

Police said they were investigating a report of an assault at the hospital on 31 August and had arrested two men. BBC News 

Puberty blockers: Parents' warning as ruling appealed

Puberty blockers: Parents' warning as ruling appealed The NHS gender identity service is appealing against a High Court ruling that restricts children under 16 from accessing "puberty-blocking" drugs.

The NHS service says the move harms young people with gender dysphoria.

Doctors and parents have told the BBC News the ruling could cause distressed trans teens to self-harm or even take their own lives. 

Record number of children face domestic abuse this Christmas, warns charity

Record number of children face domestic abuse this Christmas, warns charity A record number of children are likely to be exposed to domestic violence this Christmas, experts warn, as the new coronavirus restrictions push family tensions to tipping point.

The Early Intervention Foundation, a charity that supports children experiencing poor outcomes, estimates that more than 15,000 youngsters are at risk of witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse over the two-week Christmas period. The Independent