Fresh plea from health chiefs after number of coronavirus-related deaths reaches 1200 in Northamptonshire

Fresh plea from health chiefs after number of coronavirus-related deaths reaches 1200 in Northamptonshire Twenty-six Covid-19 patients died in Northamptonshire hospitals over a 48-hour period, the latest figures have revealed, taking the county's total number of known victims to 1,200. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Is lockdown in Northamptonshire working? Here are the neighbourhoods where Covid infections are falling the fastest Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More than 850 health and social care workers have died of Covid in England and Wales since the pandemic began Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Several deaths at Corby care home after mass Covid outbreak Northamptonshire Telegraph
• PICTURES: Hundreds vaccinated every day at Northampton vaccination centre Northamptonshire Telegraph

NHS reform: Five key questions about the future of primary care networks in England

NHS reform: Five key questions about the future of primary care networks in England NHS England and Improvement have published plans for changes to NHS structures and legislation. The changes aim to support NHS organisations to collaborate to improve care and manage resources, and may mean the abolition of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and new area-based agencies being established. The Health Foundation 

Who was advised to shield from COVID-19? Exploring demographic variation in people advised to shield

Who was advised to shield from COVID-19? Exploring demographic variation in people advised to shield The shielded patient list has been developed to identify those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to severe illness from COVID-19, to help ensure that they have safe access to essential services during the pandemic. Here we present novel data from five partners – Grampian, Wales, north west London, Liverpool and Wirral, and Leeds – in the Networked Data Lab, highlighting the heterogeneity of this group across different areas of the UK. The Health Foundation 

Young people’s mental and emotional health: trajectories and drivers in childhood and adolescence

Young people’s mental and emotional health: trajectories and drivers in childhood and adolescence Based on data from the Millennium Cohort Study, this report reveals insights into the determinants of young people’s wellbeing, including how it is affected by their relationships, background, and use of social media. The study examines the personal experiences of young people in England, at age eleven, fourteen and seventeen. The research shows that while the wellbeing of all young people declines by the end of their teenage years, there is a strong gender divide within this: girls see far lower levels of wellbeing and self-esteem than boys – driven by a sharp fall of both during mid-adolescence. Education Policy Institute

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions which require urgent or emergency referral

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions which require urgent or emergency referral This updated document follows the specialist guidance document produced during the first phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

It supports primary and community care practitioners in recognising serious pathology which requires emergency or urgent referral to secondary care in a patient who present with new or worsening MSK symptoms. Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance 

Latest findings from COVID-19 study published: January 2021

Latest findings from COVID-19 study published: January 2021 The findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show infections remained very high throughout this period with 1 in 64 people infected. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Official Statistics: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: January 2021 final results  Department of Health and Social Care
• Tougher border controls to protect public health  Department of Health and Social Care
• Large-scale coronavirus vaccine manufacturing begins in Scotland  Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: enhanced surveillance of cases in vaccinated individuals Public Health England

Covid: 'Virus going in right direction but not fast enough'

Covid: 'Virus going in right direction but not fast enough' Scientists behind a study tracking coronavirus in England say there are signs of a "shallow decline" in infection levels but they remain high.

And with not all regions seeing the same downward trend, pressure on health services is likely to continue.

Some 1.57% of people had had the virus between 6 and 22 January - slightly down from 1.58% in early January, the researchers said. BBC News

See also:

• Debunking the Covid deniers who enter hospitals BBC News
• Covid: Black over-80s 'half as likely' to have been vaccinated BBC News
• Covid-19: 'Poor decisions' to blame for UK death toll, scientists say BBC News
• Coronavirus: AstraZeneca defends EU vaccine rollout plan BBC News
• Coronavirus: EU and AstraZeneca seek to resolve vaccine supply crisis BBC News
• Tory MP denies claims he endorsed Covid conspiracies The Daily Telegraph
• Pfizer vaccine only slightly less effective against South African coronavirus mutation The Daily Telegraph
• Oxford vaccine factory evacuated after 'suspicious package' was sent to site The Daily Telegraph
• Hospital incursions by Covid deniers putting lives at risk, say health leaders The Guardian
• Boris Johnson hopes schools in England will reopen from 8 March The Guardian
• Doctors call for better targeting of Covid vaccinations in UK The Guardian
• Covid-19 cases in England 'must fall to ease NHS pressure' The Guardian
• ‘Substantial divergence’ in Covid vaccination rates between different ethnic groups, figures show The Independent
• UK ‘just a few months away’ from vaccine rollout ‘changing all our lives for the better’, deputy chief medical officer says The Independent
• COVID-19: Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne urged anti-vaxxers to 'persist' against COVID restrictions Sky News

REGEN-COV prevents symptomatic COVID-19 infections, finds analysis

REGEN-COV prevents symptomatic COVID-19 infections, finds analysis Interim data from the Phase III trial evaluating REGEN-COV™ as a passive vaccine to prevent COVID-19 finds it reduces overall infection rate, viral load and length of infection. European Pharmaceutical Review

See also:

• Increased Resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.351 and B.1.1.7 to Antibody Neutralization (open access preprint) bioRxiv
• Regen-cov™ antibody cocktail is active against sars-cov-2 variants first identified in the UK and South Africa REGENRON
• New Covid antibody drug found to prevent 100% of symptomatic infections in NHS trials Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• COVID-19: Breakthrough treatment claims to stop 100% of symptomatic infections Sky News

Post-Brexit immigration system risks ‘alarming’ shortfall in care staff, NHS leaders warn

Post-Brexit immigration system risks ‘alarming’ shortfall in care staff, NHS leaders warn Priti Patel’s post-Brexit points-based immigration system risks creating an “alarming” shortfall in social care workers in the coming years, NHS leaders have warned. The Independent 

NHS mental health deaths: dozens of families join forces in call for statutory public inquiry

NHS mental health deaths: dozens of families join forces in call for statutory public inquiry Dozens of families have joined forces calling for a statutory public inquiry into NHS mental health services across Essex after two decades of failings that have led to multiple deaths. iNews

Children's mental health services in England 'unable to meet demand'

Children's mental health services in England 'unable to meet demand' Mental health services in England do not have the capacity to cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children, Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, has warned.

Despite an expansion in the four years before the pandemic, the supply of treatment for child mental health problems was already falling well short of demand, with referrals rising 35%, but treatments only increasing by 4%, the watchdog said as she called for a “rocket boost” in funding. The Guardian

See also:

• Damage to children’s mental health caused by Covid crisis could last for years without a large-scale increase for children’s mental health services Children's Commissioner

Covid: Northampton hospital staff and patients in plea to follow rules

Covid: Northampton hospital staff and patients in plea to follow rules An intensive care sister has urged people to understand how serious Covid-19 is and to stick to lockdown rules.

Northampton General Hospital has had to turn some operating theatres into an overflow critical care area to cope with a rise in demand. BBC News

 

See also:

• Ten Northamptonshire neighbourhoods where Covid cases are still going UP Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• AstraZeneca is ‘2 months behind’ on vaccine production - what it means for the UK Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Travis Perkins warehouse in Northampton hit by suspected Covid outbreak - leaving a reported 47 people in isolation Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Four people from different households slapped with Covid fines after car-sharing in Daventry Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Boris Johnson offers ‘deepest condolences’ as Covid death rate passes 100,000 people - his apology in full Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire's hospitals warn of no early end to lockdown after 500-plus Covid admissions in a fortnight Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Claims the Oxford vaccine doesn’t work for over-65s are false - here’s where the rumour started  Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering supermarket confirms Covid cases  Northamptonshire Telegraph

'You are not alone' with free Wellingborough-based suicide prevention service

'You are not alone' with free Wellingborough-based suicide prevention service A Wellingborough-based charity, set up in memory of a much-loved daughter who took her own life, has launched a live text chat service for people in mental health crisis. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

ONS data provides further evidence of the unequal impact that COVID-19 is continuing to wreak

ONS data provides further evidence of the unequal impact that COVID-19 is continuing to wreak 'Data published today provides further evidence of the unequal impact that COVID-19 is continuing to wreak, particularly on people in lower paid occupations, and very noticeably in men. The pandemic is having a severe impact on people working in social care, in leisure services, and other manual workers. The Health Foundation 

See also:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by occupation, England and Wales: deaths registered between 9 March and 28 December 2020 Office for National Statistics
• Health state life expectancies, UK: 2017 to 2019 Office for National Statistics
• Nuffield Trust response to weekly ONS registered deaths statistics Nuffield Trust

Ethnic inequalities in Covid-19 mortality: a consequence of persistent racism

Ethnic inequalities in Covid-19 mortality: a consequence of persistent racism This briefing (published in collaboration with the Centre of Dynamics of Ethnicity) discusses the reasons for ethnic minority people experiencing a much higher risk of Covid-19-related death. Ethnic inequalities in relation to Covid-19 mirror longstanding ethnic inequalities in health. A large body of evidence has shown that these inequalities are driven by social and economic inequalities, many of which are the result of racial discrimination. Runnymede Trust 

AI and healthcare

AI and healthcare This briefing gives an overview of AI (artificial intelligence) in the healthcare system and its potential impacts on the cost and quality of healthcare, and on the workforce. It summarises the challenges to wider adoption of AI in healthcare, including those relating to safety, privacy, data-sharing, trust, accountability and health inequalities. It also outlines some of the regulations relevant to AI and how these may change. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Nursing Student Support guidance

Nursing Student Support guidance New guidance providing information for nursing students on how they can help the NHS during the pandemic and how their health and wellbeing and education will be supported has been published by Health Education England.

Nutrition and older adults living

Nutrition and older adults living This position statement by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) provides an overview of the currently available evidence on nutrition in older adults and its impact on healthy ageing. Public Health England 

Independent report: Prioritising the first COVID-19 vaccine dose: JCVI statement

Independent report: Prioritising the first COVID-19 vaccine dose: JCVI statement Updated statement from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) about increasing the short-term impact of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• UK to support rest of the world to find COVID-19 virus variants Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England

UK Covid deaths: Why the 100,000 toll is so bad

UK Covid deaths: Why the 100,000 toll is so bad More than 100,000 people in the UK have died from a virus, that, this time last year, felt like a far-off foreign threat. How did we come to be one of the countries with the worst death tolls? BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: UK deaths likely to come down slowly, Whitty warns BBC News
• Covid deaths: Four stories in 100,000 BBC News
• Covid deaths: 'Hard to compute sorrow' of 100,000 milestone - PM BBC News
• 'We're coping - but it's precarious' BBC News
• Covid-19: Five days that shaped the outbreak BBC News
• Beware fake Covid vaccination invites, NHS warns BBC News
• Pfizer CEO says it's making booster shots for coronavirus variants The Daily Mail
• More than 100 MILLION people worldwide have had COVID-19 The Daily Mail
• NHS to publish data on ethnicity to help combat vaccine hesitancy The Daily Telegraph
• Covid in the UK: how first cases exposed flaws in response The Guardian
• Why has Britain suffered more than 100,000 Covid deaths? The Guardian
• 'This was absolutely avoidable': How the UK lost 100000 lives to Covid-19 The Independent
• Covid: Sage scientist warns of 50,000 more UK deaths before pandemic is over The Independent
• Coronavirus: Official data on England’s vaccine rollout is ‘not good enough’, experts warn The Independent
• OVID-19 could become 'much more treatable' in next six to 18 months, NHS boss tells MPs Sky News

Covid: Being alone in pregnancy due to hospital rules

Covid: Being alone in pregnancy due to hospital rules Pregnancy can be hard enough without a pandemic to complicate things. But when Covid rules meant some expectant mothers faced appointments, scans or delivery alone, the experience could be traumatic. What follows are the accounts of two women, including one who was on her own when she was given the worst news. BBC News

Government to offer reprieve after Brexit halts medical drug supply for epileptic children

Government to offer reprieve after Brexit halts medical drug supply for epileptic children The government is to offer a six-month reprieve from Brexit rules that will stop the importation of life-saving medical cannabis supplies for more than 40 British children with severe epilepsy. The Independent

See also:

• Alfie Dingley: Six-month reprieve for EU cannabis medicine import BBC News

Covid-19: Northampton's new mass vaccination centre opens

Covid-19: Northampton's new mass vaccination centre opens A new mass vaccination centre aimed at expanding the roll-out of the Covid-19 jab has opened in Northamptonshire.

The NHS said the hub, based at Moulton Park in Northampton, could enable thousands of people to vaccinated each week.

The centre will operate seven days a week from 08:00 to 20:00 GMT. BBC Northampton 

See also:

• Thousands to be treated a week at vaccination centre set to open in Northampton Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Workers urged by police to contact authorities if employers breach Covid restrictions Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More than 200 teachers absent from Northamptonshire schools due to coronavirus on just one day, report reveals Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH's unsung heroes who are volunteering to help in the pandemic
• ‘No vaccine has ever been 100% effective’ - public warned to remain cautious even after receiving Covid jabs Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Moderna says Covid vaccine is effective against new variants - but a 'booster shot' is being developed Northamptonshire Telegraph
• More than 130 attacks in Northamptonshire where police officers were 'coughed on, spat at or bitten' during pandemic Northamptonshire Telegraph

How has Covid-19 changed the evaluation landscape?

How has Covid-19 changed the evaluation landscape? The coronavirus has brought significant and speedy changes to how health care services are delivered. That has further highlighted the need for rapid evaluations, with evaluators under pressure to produce timely findings to support decisions. Ahead of this week’s rapid evaluation in health care conference, Nadia Crellin and John Appleby run through some of the key issues. Nuffield Trust

Good communication with patients

Good communication with patients The challenge COVID-19 poses means that clear, concise and timely communication with patients is more critical than ever. This guidance, and these supporting documents, present providers with core principles that will help deliver personalised, patient-centred communications to patients who are waiting for care. NHS England 

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman scrutiny 2019–20

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman scrutiny 2019–20 This report calls for a new legal framework for Ombudsman services in England as a way of improving people’s experiences of enquiries and complaints about the NHS and other government bodies. The report states the ability of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) to obtain value for money from its work was limited by the outdated legislation that governs it. As part of this reform, the Committee report called for the combining of the PHSO with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee 

Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services: government response

Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services: government response This is the government's response to the Women and Equalities Committee's interim report on temporary provisions in the Coronavirus Act and the use of these for disabled people. The report states that it has taken several actions to achieve an appropriate balance between responding to the pandemic and ensuring that disabled people have access to the services they need. These relate to Care Act Easements, removing Mental Health Act provisions from the Coronavirus Act and deciding not to renew the modification notice regarding education, health and care assessments. Women and Equalities Committee

More than 30 new vaccination centres join biggest NHS jab drive

More than 30 new vaccination centres join biggest NHS jab drive NHS staff will start delivering life-saving Covid vaccinations at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, a former DIY store and the museum where BBC hit Peaky Blinders was filmed today.

The new NHS Vaccination Centres are among more than 30 opening across the country as the vaccination drive continues to accelerate.

There is now a network of 50 large scale centres, capable of jabbing thousands of people a week, across the country. NHS England

See also:

• Speech: Health and Social Care Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 25 January 2021 Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19: Vaccine minister 'confident' of supplies

Covid-19: Vaccine minister 'confident' of supplies Supplies of vaccines are "tight" but the UK is confident it will receive enough doses to meet its targets, the vaccine minister has said.

Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Breakfast that manufacturers were "confident" they would deliver for the UK amid warnings of production delays.

It comes as the EU said it might tighten vaccine export controls. BBC News 

See also: 

• Covid: Virus deaths top grim milestone of 100,000 BBC News
• Hancock: 'Difficult to put timeline on exiting lockdown' BBC News
• Moderna vaccine appears to work against variants BBC News
• Covid vaccines: Why some countries will have to wait until 2022 BBC News
• Scientists will begin testing vaccine that can be given as a NASAL SPRAY The Daily Mail
• Heavy smokers face nearly DOUBLE risk of dying of COVID-19 compared to people who have never smoked The Daily Mail
• I told the woman in the next bed she'd be ok - she died hours later The Daily Telegraph
• Vaccine hesitancy: what is behind the fears circulating in BAME communities? The Guardian
• What are Boris Johnson's options to stop Covid variants from abroad? The Guardian
• Why are people still flying into the UK despite Covid rules? The Guardian
• Covid vaccine failing to reach older people cared for at home, UK firm says The Guardian
• Matt Hancock fires coded warning at MPs calling for lockdown easing The Guardian
• NHS has half the ‘empty’ beds available to non-covid patients than previously reported HSJ
• ‘Stretched to limit’: NHS intensive care dealing with record number of Covid patients, warns Hancock The Independent
• Men working in care, leisure and service jobs three times more likely to die from Covid, ONS says The Independent
• ‘Completely incorrect’: AstraZeneca denies its Covid vaccine is less effective among elderly The Independent

Air pollution exposure could increase risk of irreversible sight loss, study suggests

Air pollution exposure could increase risk of irreversible sight loss, study suggests Exposure to air pollution could increase the risk of developing a form of irreversible sight loss in older age, researchers have claimed following a large-scale observational study. The Independent

See also:

• Association of ambient air pollution with age-related macular degeneration and retinal thickness in UK Biobank (open access) British Journal of Ophthalmology 

Duty Calls: Frontline Northampton nurse shares how her patients, her team and sheer grit get her through each day

Duty Calls: Frontline Northampton nurse shares how her patients, her team and sheer grit get her through each day In a new series of interviews, the Chronicle & Echo will be talking to the front line staff of Northampton General Hospital who are fighting the pandemic amid the worst rate of infections and recorded deaths yet so far. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northamptonshire residents who refuse coronavirus vaccine are endangering those around them Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Scientists warn those who refuse Covid jab won’t be protected by herd immunity - this is why Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Thousands to be treated a week at vaccination centre set to open in Northampton Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Kettering Covid test centres closed due to health and safety in icy conditions Northamptonshire Telegraph
• 'Never say never': KGH boss still can't rule out Skylark move to Northampton if cases rise Northamptonshire Telegraph
• What is a ‘reasonable excuse’ to go out? A reminder of Covid lockdown dos and don'ts in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Three hospitals criticised for not vaccinating vulnerable inpatients Sky News

Student nursing numbers: good news at last?

Student nursing numbers: good news at last? There have been a number of changes to how student nursing courses are funded over the past 10 years, which have impacted on the NHS in different ways. The two main changes were a reduction in the number of places funded by the government in 2011 (this was intended to prevent an oversupply of nurses, but ironically contributed to the shortages we now see), followed by the removal of the nursing bursary in 2017 (a move intended to remove the cap on the total number of nursing placements). The King's Fund

General practice and the Covid-19 vaccine

General practice and the Covid-19 vaccine Rolling out such a vast vaccination programme is a quite remarkable achievement. While there are three routes of Covid-19 vaccine delivery at the moment – in hospitals; local vaccination delivery through GP-led sites and most recently mass vaccination hubs. The King's Fund

RCN calls for higher level precautionary PPE and tells government to ‘stop dragging its feet’

RCN calls for higher level precautionary PPE and tells government to ‘stop dragging its feet’ Amid concerns from members that standard personal protective equipment (PPE) may not provide adequate protection against highly infectious strains of COVID-19, the RCN is demanding NHS staff be given the higher grade of PPE (FFP2/3) as a precaution. Royal College of Nursing

See also:

• Doctors need enhanced PPE now BMA
• Government can no longer ignore calls for PPE review BMA
• Covid-19: Nurses call for better masks to protect all staff BBC News

Community Champions to give COVID-19 vaccine advice and boost take up

Community Champions to give COVID-19 vaccine advice and boost take up Over £23 million funding allocated to 60 councils and voluntary groups across England to expand work to support those most at risk from COVID-19 and boost vaccine take up. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance on the new variant of COVID-19 in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: NERVTAG paper on COVID-19 variant of concern B.1.1.7 Department of Health and Social Care
• Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam opinion piece in The Sunday Telegraph Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: The R number and growth rate in the UK Department of Health and Social Care

South Africa coronavirus variant: 77 cases found in UK

South Africa coronavirus variant: 77 cases found in UK The UK has identified 77 cases of the coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa, the health secretary has said.

Cases are linked to travellers arriving in the UK, rather than community transmission, Matt Hancock added.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr cases were under "very close" observation and enhanced contact tracing was under way. BBC News

See also:

• Top doctors want 12-week Pfizer vaccine gap halved BBC News
• Infection level 'very, very high' and 'extremely precarious' - Prof Whitty BBC News
• Covid: Number of patients on ventilators passes 4,000 for first time BBC News
• Covid: New virus variant on the rise in UK nations BBC News
• New UK variant 'may be more deadly' BBC News
• Covid: Vaccinated people may spread virus, says Van-Tam BBC News
• 'Record number' of Covid intensive care patients transferred BBC News
• TikTok: GP posts videos to tackle vaccine fake news BBC News
• Frontline workers at Covid testing centres are NOT being offered vaccine yet The Daily Mail
• Doctors accuse ministers of botching Covid-19 vaccine strategy over second doses The Daily Mail
• Exclusive: Half a million fewer vaccines being supplied to NHS next week The Daily Telegraph
• What is the R rate, and how does it compare across UK regions? The Daily Telegraph
• UK vaccine adviser says delay of Covid second dose will save lives The Guardian
• Doctors call for shorter gap between Pfizer Covid vaccine doses in UK The Guardian
• UK lockdown lifting a long, long, long way off, says Matt Hancock – video The Guardian
• Rachel Clarke: ‘NHS staff are burning with frustration and grief at this second wave’ The Guardian
• Listen to NHS trust leaders. We know it is too soon to loosen Covid restrictions | Chris Hopson The Guardian
• Foreign NHS workers could be denied Covid vaccine in England The Guardian
• Councils to get £23m to encourage high-risk groups to have jab The Guardian
• More than one million people in England had coronavirus last week, according to ONS study The Independent
• UK records 1,348 more coronavirus deaths The Independent

The fight for recovery from a lifelong eating disorder

The fight for recovery from a lifelong eating disorder The Guardian’s Jenny Stevens struggled with an eating disorder throughout her 20s. When she was able to finally access the treatment she needed, she began a slow recovery – which she is still coming to terms with.

Carers kept a mother's disabled son locked up for a year to avoid Covid

Carers kept a mother's disabled son locked up for a year to avoid Covid For almost a year now, Anne Shepherd has been barred from seeing her son Sam, who lives in a care home. It has been agony for both of them – a scenario familiar to thousands of families who've suffered in similar ways throughout the pandemic.

Sam, 42, who has severe learning disabilities, is confined to a handful of rooms, where he has taken to biting his hand, shouting and banging doors and furniture, unable to otherwise express his despair. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Learning disability vaccine plea: 'Don't leave us to rot' BBC News

NHS delivers 55,000 Covid jabs in six weeks across Northamptonshire

NHS delivers 55,000 Covid jabs in six weeks across Northamptonshire Northamptonshire's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out is being extended to over-75s.

NHS officials today revealed staff have already delivered jabs to 55,000 Northamptonshire folk in six weeks — an increase of 10,000 on the figure announced last Friday. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Three-quarters of Northamptonshire's over-80s have had their first Covid vaccine Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Duty Calls: Northampton nurse who came out of retirement to fight pandemic shares reality of Covid Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton care home defends 'strong encouragement' for workers to get coronavirus vaccine after criticism Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Interactive map reveals 938 Northamptonshire folk who succumbed to Covid and the area where they lived Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Temporary mortuary re-opened as winter deaths rise in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Pubs and restaurants should stay shut until May - what scientists are saying Northamptonshire Telegraph
• A technical issue may have allowed ineligible people to skip the Covid vaccine queue Northamptonshire Telegraph

'Deaths of despair': A tale of two countries

'Deaths of despair': A tale of two countries In episode 4 of the Health Foundation podcast, Dr Jennifer Dixon speaks to Professor Sir Angus Deaton and the FT’s Sarah O’Connor about the stalling life expectancy in the US and UK.

Chart of the week: The rising tide of Covid-19 infections in our overcrowded prisons

 Chart of the week: The rising tide of Covid-19 infections in our overcrowded prisons Each week we present analysis of data in chart form to illustrate some key issues and invite discussion. This week, with new data showing that coronavirus infections rose more rapidly across the prisoner population in December than they did across the general population, Dr Miranda Davies and Eilís Keeble look at this worrying trend in context and consider the burden the pandemic is placing upon this already vulnerable population. Nuffield Trust

NEWS2 evaluated for prediction of severe COVID-19 outcome in large international study

NEWS2 evaluated for prediction of severe COVID-19 outcome in large international study In the first systematic large-scale evaluation of the UK National Early Warning Risk Score (NEWS) 2 as a scoring system for predicting severe COVID-19 outcomes in patients, researchers at King’s College London have found poor-to-moderate accuracy for identifying patients at risk of being transferred to intensive care units (ICUs) or dying after 14 days of hospitalisation. Accuracy of predictions in short-term (three days) showed moderate success. 

See also:

• Evaluation and improvement of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) for COVID-19: a multi-hospital study (open access) BMC Medicine
• NHS algorithm used to spot which Covid patients are most at risk of dying isn't accurate The Daily Mail

Digital public services: what's next?

Digital public services: what's next? This Report provides recommendations for the government going forward to help the public sector on its digital transformation journey. It calls for a cross-government digital skills strategy with a clear focus on retaining digital leaders and recommends that the government should review the limits on resource spending on technology which hampers public sectors ability to buy newer pay-per-use technology such as the cloud. Reform 

Health charities and the NHS: a vital partnership in peril?

Health charities and the NHS: a vital partnership in peril? This report highlights the crucial services and leadership that health care charities provide for the NHS, both of which have been shown to be critical throughout the current pandemic. It sets out the pressing need for better recognition of and healthy engagement with health care charities by policy makers, and the benefits that this would bring. National Garden Scheme

UK vaccination policy

UK vaccination policy This briefing provides an overview of UK vaccination policy. It includes an introduction to the science of vaccination and covers UK vaccination programmes, as well as considering the response of the government to the UK's loss of the World Health Organization's measles elimination status. House of Commons Library 

Research and analysis: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers

Research and analysis: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Genomically confirmed case numbers for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation. Public Health England

See also:

• Transparency data: Coronavirus cases by local authority: epidemiological data, 21 January 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS Test and Trace meets new year surge in demand with faster turnaround times Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS delivers COVID jabs from cinema and mosque NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: enhanced surveillance of cases in vaccinated individuals Public Health England
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England
• Any suggestion ‘precious’ vaccines should be thrown away should be dismissed, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

Covid: Nearly 2m people got first Covid vaccine in last week

Covid: Nearly 2m people got first Covid vaccine in last week Nearly two million people in the UK have received their first dose of a Covid vaccine in the past week, government figures show. 

By the end of Tuesday 4.61 million people had received their initial jab, up from 2.64 million the week before.

Matt Hancock told MPs: "We're giving 200 vaccinations every minute". BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Scientists challenge 'flawed' lateral flow tests report BBC News
• Vaccine volunteers: 'It's felt good to fight back against Covid' BBC News
• Covid: How a £20 gadget could save lives BBC News
• Wuhan lockdown: A year of China's fight against the Covid pandemic BBC News
• Number of critical care beds occupied is 70% higher than last winter, NHS data reveals The Daily Mail
• NHS chief says jumping Covid vaccine queue is 'morally reprehensible'  The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Herd immunity may not be achievable even if ALL vaccinated The Daily Mail
• The priority list for the Covid vaccines - and how you will be contacted The Daily Telegraph
• 'We're being asked to do too much': NHS staff on fighting the second wave The Guardian
• English care homes 'sitting ducks' as GPs refuse Covid vaccine at infected sites The Guardian
• North-east and Yorkshire vaccine supply cut to catch up lagging regions The Guardian
• Care homes face devastating results of losing England's Covid jab 'lottery' The Guardian
• UK records 1,290 new Covid deaths The Independent
• Lockdown could last until summer, No 10 warns as experts say early relaxing of rules could lead to new Covid wave The Independent
• This lockdown is far from over if we really want to protect the NHS The Independent

Surviving cardiac arrest: what it's like to come back to life – podcast

Surviving cardiac arrest: what it's like to come back to life – podcast Last year the Guardian’s Jonathan Watts underwent a lifesaving operation following a cardiac arrest. He tells Anushka Asthana what it taught him about life and death.

NHS England confirms 17 more coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire hospitals

NHS England confirms 17 more coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire hospitals NHS England today confirmed 17 more coronavirus deaths since Friday at Northamptonshire's hospitals with the sobering total heading towards 1,200. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Covid-19 in the East of England: Your questions answered BBC News
• KGH children's ward moves to temporary home as Skylark becomes Covid ward Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Pfizer Covid vaccine could increase antibodies up to 20 times - and may stop transmission Northamptonshire Telegraph

Political leaders consider lobbying for new hospital for Northampton

Political leaders consider lobbying for new hospital for Northampton The leaders of both main political parties in Northampton have said they want to lobby for a new ‘additional’ hospital for the town. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Never Events: analysis of HSIB’s national investigations

Never Events: analysis of HSIB’s national investigations This national learning report examines the findings of the investigations previously carried out by HSIB concerning incidents classified as 'never events'. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also:

• Safety watchdog says NHS ‘never event’ mistakes are not yet truly preventable The Independent

Health on the high street

Health on the high street This report argues that town centres where shops and offices fall vacant should be used to establish new “health hubs” combining GP surgeries, health and social care services and gyms. The report profiles examples where local authorities and healthcare bodies are already developing such hubs, which it suggested could be a model for other areas in future. Social Market Foundation 

NHS Discharge Medicines Service – essential service: toolkit for pharmacy staff in community, primary and secondary care

NHS Discharge Medicines Service – essential service: toolkit for pharmacy staff in community, primary and secondary care This toolkit supports cross-sector implementation of the NHS Discharge Medicines Service as an essential service in all NHS community pharmacies in England. NHS England 

Guidance on return to work for people with long COVID

Guidance on return to work for people with long COVID The Faculty of Occupational Medicine has published guidance for healthcare professionals to assist them in facilitating the return to work of people who are unable to work due to long COVID. 

Asymptomatic testing to be rolled out across the country starting this week

Asymptomatic testing to be rolled out across the country starting this week Community testing offer to be expanded across all local authorities in England to test people without symptoms. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Official Statistics: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: January 2021 interim results Department of Health and Social Care
• January 2021 findings from COVID-19 study published Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: 'No evidence' virus levels decreasing in England

Covid: 'No evidence' virus levels decreasing in England Scientists tracking the spread of coronavirus in England say infection levels in the community may have risen at the start of the latest lockdown.

Infections in 6-15 January were up by 50% on early December, with one in 63 people infected, Imperial College London's initial findings suggest.

Swab tests from 143,000 people indicate 1.58% had the virus during in early January - up from 0.91% in December. BBC News

See also:

• 21 January - REACT-1 round 8 interim report: SARS-CoV-2 prevalence during the initial stages of the third national lockdown in England Imperial College London
• Covid: Israel vaccine fears 'out of context and inaccurate' BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Vallance says masks may be needed outdoors on crowded streets and in markets The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Daily death rate hits 1,820 peak though infections fall The Daily Mail
• Super-infectious Kent Covid strain has spread to at least 60 countries The Daily Mail
• Two NHS trusts in the Midlands 'will start rolling out 24/7 Covid vaccines from TOMORROW' The Daily Mail
• Lateral flow tests 'could be used to detect most infectious Covid cases' The Daily Telegraph
• Priti Patel says she wanted UK borders shut last March The Guardian
• Just over half of British Indians would get Covid vaccine, survey shows The Independent
• Coronavirus: Vaccinators could lose their licences for giving second doses prematurely The Independent

Neil Greenberg: hospitals must give staff better 'psychological PPE'

Neil Greenberg: hospitals must give staff better 'psychological PPE' The consultant psychologist and trauma specialist on how NHS staff have been damaged by the battle against Covid and need more support.

Listening to Prof Neil Greenberg, consultant occupational psychologist and forensic psychiatrist at King’s College London, you might think he is describing the psychological conditions of a war zone, not the NHS in 2021. The Guardian 

Mental healthcare needs an overhaul, and legislative tinkering is not enough | Dan Poulter

Mental healthcare needs an overhaul, and legislative tinkering is not enough | Dan Poulter Reform of the Mental Health Act will make little tangible difference. As a psychiatrist, I know what the real challenges are. The Guardian 

Rheumatoid arthritis: thousands set to benefit from drug after NHS approval - iNews

Rheumatoid arthritis: thousands set to benefit from drug after NHS approval Thousands of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are set to benefit from a drug that has been approved for NHS use which could halt the disease before it is too late and irreversible damage is done. iNews

Exhausted hospital staff caring for more Covid patients in Northamptonshire amid 'fake news' claims by virus deniers

Exhausted hospital staff caring for more Covid patients in Northamptonshire amid 'fake news' claims by virus deniers Exhausted front line NHS staff are battling on dealing with the impact of Covid-19 in Northamptonshire...amid a wave of claims of "disinformation" and "grossly misleading figures" on social media. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Seven-month police probe into Covid-hit Kettering care home ends with 'no further action' Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Up to 1 in 5 UK care home workers could be refusing a Covid vaccine
• Recognise your local Covid heroes on the university of Northampton’s Power Tower
• Police warn youngsters as vulnerable woman raises concerns about Covid 'violations' at Northampton skatepark
• Popular skatepark in Northampton set to be fenced off in bid to prevent Covid spread
• Northamptonshire's care homes see 300 per cent rise in Covid cases and a dozen deaths in a week Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering care home leads the way in Covid vaccination drive Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Talking can spread coronavirus as much as coughing - according to a new study Northamptonshire Telegraph

New scheme launched to support domestic abuse victims

New scheme launched to support domestic abuse victims The Home Office is implementing a new scheme to help victims of domestic abuse access support safely, and is encouraging community pharmacy teams to get involved.

The ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme has been developed by the Home Office to provide a simple and discreet way for victims to signal to pharmacy staff that they need help accessing support from the police or other domestic abuse support services. Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee

Working for babies: lockdown lessons from local systems

Working for babies: lockdown lessons from local systemsThis report summarises the impacts on babies of Covid-19 and the Spring 2020 national lockdown. The report also explores how local systems responded to the challenges presented by Covid-19. It seeks to understand the factors which have shaped the response by services which support babies and their families. Most importantly, the report seeks to ensure that lessons are learned for the future of service provision for this age group. First 1001 Days Movement 

Brexit and beyond

Brexit and beyond Brexit is done. The formal negotiations are over — even though the Trade and Cooperation Agreement paves the way to many further negotiations between the UK and the European Union. Understanding what Brexit means in practice is just beginning. The contributions in this report underline the scale and scope of the agenda that confronts the United Kingdom and is meant as a guide to the issues that will loom large of the months and years to come. It includes sections on: 'Health' on pages 28-29, and 'Social care' on pages 40-41. UK in a Changing Europe 

Publicly funded hospital care: expenditure growth and its determinants

Publicly funded hospital care: expenditure growth and its determinants Understanding the drivers of growth in health care expenditure is crucial for forecasting future health care requirements and for the efficient use of resources. This report considers total hospital admitted care expenditure in England between 2009/10 and 2016/17. Centre for Health Economics

More than 4 million people receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in UK

More than 4 million people receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in UK More than 4 million people in the UK have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the largest vaccination programme in British history. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Supply chain workers crucial to vaccination programme to receive jabs Department of Health and Social Care
• Social care sector to receive £269 million to boost staffing levels and testing Department of Health and Social Care
• #CovidEmergency NHS Employers
• Guidance: Daily contact testing in schools: statement from PHE and NHS TT about next steps Public Health England

Covid: UK records new daily high of 1,610 deaths

Covid: UK records new daily high of 1,610 deaths A further 1,610 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test - the biggest figure reported in a single day since the pandemic began.

It means the total number of deaths by that measure is now above 90,000.

A total of 4,266,577 people have now received the first dose of a vaccine, according to the latest government figures. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: Positive antibody tests doubled since autumn BBC News
• Rollout of daily testing of close contacts paused in schools BBC News
• Birmingham and Nottinghamshire trusts offer 24-hour Covid vaccines BBC News
• Covid: Hospital children's unit moved to free up adult beds BBC News
• Schools may reopen region by region, says medical adviser BBC News
• Covid: 'Sharp drop' in heart-attack hospital admissions BBC News
• Covid smear-test delays prompt calls for home HPV tests BBC News
• Likelihood of severe and long Covid may be established soon after infection The Daily Mail
• 54 cases of South African variant have now been spotted in Britain The Daily Mail
• Don't hug your grandchildren yet, scientists warn amid fears vaccinated will abandon rules The Daily Telegraph
• GPs raise alarm over low uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in BAME patients GPonline
• For Britain's vaccination success, we must thank our universal healthcare system The Guardian
• Rapid coronavirus testing scheme ‘may increase rather than decrease’ cases in schools, experts warn The Independent
• New 'iron lung' to help NHS patients breathe could be ready this year The Independent
• Covid-related deaths up by 46% in England’s care homes, figures show The Independent
• Pfizer vaccine likely to provide protection against UK coronavirus variant, new research shows The Independent
• COVID-19: Health Secretary Matt Hancock self-isolating after being 'pinged' by NHS app Sky News

Motor neurone disease: Edinburgh scientists reveal breakthrough

Motor neurone disease: Edinburgh scientists reveal breakthrough Scientists are a step closer to being able to reverse the damage caused by motor neurone disease (MND).

University of Edinburgh experts have found a problem with MND patients' nerve cells which could be repaired by repurposing drugs approved for other diseases. BBC News

Tory MPs rip out NHS protections from trade bill

Tory MPs rip out NHS protections from trade bill Conservative MPs have ripped out an amendment to the government's trade bill to prevent the NHS being sold off or undermined by the government's trade deals with other countries.

The House of Lords had last month inserted a clause banning any agreement that “undermines or restricts” the UK's ability to provide “a comprehensive publicly funded health service free at the point of delivery”.

The amendment also restricted “the sale of patient data” and the government's ability to control drug prices. The Independent

Bullying on NHS maternity units and poor training a risk to safety, MPs told

Bullying on NHS maternity units and poor training a risk to safety, MPs told Doctors and midwives working in maternity services face higher levels of bullying than any other part of the NHS, MPs have been told.

According to the General Medical Council, trainee doctors in maternity services report more than twice the level of bullying seen in the rest of the NHS while the Nursing and Midwifery Council said midwives were also more likely to be bullied. The Independent

Gender identity development service for children rated inadequate

Gender identity development service for children rated inadequate The UK’s main gender identity development service for children is leaving thousands of vulnerable young people at risk of self-harm as they wait years for their first appointment, according to a highly critical report.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) took immediate enforcement action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust when it completed the inspection in November, which rated the service overall “inadequate” and highlighted overwhelming caseloads, deficient record-keeping and poor leadership. The Guardian

• Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust Gender Identity Service inspection report Care Quality Commission
• NHS child gender clinic rated 'inadequate' by inspectors BBC News

Second Sainsbury's warehouse in Northampton hit by Covid-19 outbreak

Second Sainsbury's warehouse in Northampton hit by Covid-19 outbreak Sainsbury's declined to give the specific number of confirmed cases, but it is believed three per cent of the 450-plus employees have tested positive at the site. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

See also:

• Nearly a third of Covid patients return to hospital within 5 months - new study explained Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Epidemiology of post-COVID syndrome following hospitalisation with coronavirus: a retrospective cohort study (open access preprint) medRxiv
• Police end rule-breaking Wellingborough house party with birthday boy handed fine Northamptonshire Telegraph

Cost of constipation still rising in most English regions

Cost of constipation still rising in most English regions The Cost of Constipation report published by the multidisciplinary organisation, the independent Bowel Interest Group, reveals that the cost of avoidable emergency admissions to hospital because of constipation is rising year-on-year in most English regions.

Useful resources on implementing best practice bowel management can be found here. 

Saving lives, improving mothers’ care: lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2016-18

Saving lives, improving mothers’ care: lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2016-18 This report examines the care received by women who die during or up to a year after pregnancy and covers all pregnancy-associated deaths involving UK women between 2016 and 2018. The results indicate that whilst maternal death is still rare in the UK, there are some important actions identified to prevent women from dying in the future. MBRRACE-UK

See also:

• Perinatal Confidential Enquiry: stillbirths and neonatal deaths in twin pregnancies MBRRACE-UK

Why £2k would make us stay: UNISON survey of NHS staff

Why £2k would make us stay: UNISON survey of NHS staff The survey was launched on 11 December 2020 and ran for a month, gaining around 10,500 responses from staff directly employed in the NHS across the UK. The survey was conducted as part of ongoing work to inform UNISON’s campaign for a minimum £2,000 pay rise for all NHS staff. 

See also:

• The net Exchequer impact of increasing pay for Agenda for Change staff London Economic
• Pay rise immediately would reassure undervalued staff to stay in NHS UNISON
• Government would recover 81% of cost of pay rise for NHS England staff – report The Guardian
• Government must ‘gift exhausted NHS staff pay rise,’ unions say The Independent
• Health union puts pressure on PM to speed up pay rise for Northamptonshire's NHS heroes Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Coronavirus: long Covid

Coronavirus: long Covid This briefing provide an overview of long Covid, the impacts of this condition and the development of clinical guidance and services for those affected. It also provides links to further reading and Parliamentary material. House of Commons Library 

NHS COVID jabs available at rugby ground, racecourse, food court and cathedral

NHS COVID jabs available at rugby ground, racecourse, food court and cathedral NHS staff will start delivering COVID vaccinations at a rugby ground, racecourse, food court and cathedral as the biggest immunisation programme in health service history grows. Ten new large-scale Vaccination Centres, capable of jabbing thousands of people a week, are opening their doors in every health region across the country. NHS England 

Covid-19: Lockdown restrictions could relax once 'top 4 cohorts' vaccinated

Covid-19: Lockdown restrictions could relax once 'top 4 cohorts' vaccinated The government said that the UK could begin to reopen from the beginning of March, once the top 4 risk groups are protected from Covid-19. 

But Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi told the BBC that there were still a "number of caveats" to reopening, and that we don't yet know the impact vaccination has on the transmission of the virus. BBC News 

See also:

• Covid vaccine: WHO warns of 'catastrophic moral failure' BBC News
• Did we see a Christmas coronavirus spike? BBC News
• Military medics to help in Shropshire hospitals due to staff shortages BBC News
• Covid-19: New variants may mean vaccines need regular updates The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Boris Johnson criticised amid 'vaccine postcode lottery' The Daily Mail
• UK coronavirus: Mutations mean lockdowns needed as vaccine rolls out The Daily Mail
• Analysis: Why the second Covid wave is nothing like the first The Daily Telegraph
• Rare inquests into UK Covid deaths raise concerns over care failings The Guardian
• As many as six in 10 UK care home residents still awaiting Covid jab The Guardian
• Coroner's Covid findings stoke calls for inquiry into pandemic policy The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS critical care beds could reach their limit this week as hospital admissions continue to rise iNews
• How to find your NHS number: Where to get the 10-digit code, and why you don't need it to book Covid vaccine iNews
• UK leading world in getting vaccines to poorer countries, insists Hancock after WHO warning The Independent