Quarter-of-a-million now fully vaccinated in Northamptonshire as 30-year-olds get call for jabs

Quarter-of-a-million now fully vaccinated in Northamptonshire as 30-year-olds get call for jabs More than a quarter-of-a-million people in Northamptonshire have now had two full doses of Covid-19 vaccine as 30-year-olds got the call for their first jabs. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Indian variant surge puts June date for Covid restrictions easing at risk Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Hancock warns it’s till ‘too early to say’ if 21 June lifting of lockdown will go ahead Northamptonshire Telegraph

What impact has Covid-19 had on cancer services?

What impact has Covid-19 had on cancer services? By 2028, the NHS aims for 55,000 more people each year to survive cancer for at least five years after diagnosis. Achieving this requires access to timely diagnosis and treatment. However, cancer services were under pressure even before the Covid-19 pandemic, with waiting times for appointments and surgery worsening. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Chart of the week: The pathway to cancer diagnosis Nuffield Trust
• Cancer Quality Watch Indicator Update Nuffield Trust

Pandemic pressures: how Greater Manchester equalities organisations have responded to the needs of older people during the Covid-19 crisis

Pandemic pressures: how Greater Manchester equalities organisations have responded to the needs of older people during the Covid-19 crisis This report highlights a number of recommendations for service commissioners, funders and contractors to contribute to future emergency planning and responses. It recognises the expertise of equalities organisations in understanding and meeting the needs of the communities they represent, and to involve them in coproducing emergency planning and responses. Ambition for Ageing

A New Deal for Surgery

A New Deal for Surgery The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on NHS surgical services in England. All elective (planned) surgery was cancelled in the first wave and many surgical teams were redeployed to help treat COVID-19 patients. Latest figures show the largest ever recorded NHS waiting list in England of 4.95 million people, including more than 430,000 waiting over a year. In addition, there is a ‘hidden waiting list’ of people who have not yet come forward or who have not yet been referred for hospital treatment. Estimates vary, but could mean the waiting list growing to a figure of 9.7 million by 2023/24.

Our report, New Deal for Surgery, highlights the challenges that exist and provides recommendations for recovery. Royal College of Surgeons

See also: 

• Covid: Surgery waiting times could be cut with specialist hubs, say surgeons BBC News

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK Public Health England releases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of variants of concern and variants under investigation identified in the UK.

See also:

• Everybody aged 30 and over now able to get their COVID jab NHS England
• Independent report: COVID-19: assessment of hospital-associated SARS-CoV-2 infection and care home outbreaks Public Health England 
• Research: COVID-19 vaccine surveillance reports Public Health England 
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England 

Does the UK have highest Covid death toll in Europe?

Does the UK have highest Covid death toll in Europe? Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "We have the highest death toll in Europe."

That is correct but does not take into account population size. Some smaller countries have reported higher rates of deaths per 100,000 people.

The UK did have the worst figures across most measures in the first wave of coronavirus, but has since been overtaken by countries that had worse winters. BBC News

See also:

• WHO virologist urges US to share Covid origins info BBC News
• Coronavirus patients spent a WEEK less in ICU if they had breathing tubes inserted quickly The Daily Mail
• Nearly three-quarters of patients with moderate or severe COVID had at least ONE long-term symptom The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Matt Hancock claims Bolton is doing 'tens of thousands' of jabs per day The Daily Mail
• Introducing Covid certificates is a ‘finely balanced’ decision, says Gove The Guardian
• Three-quarters of new UK Covid cases could be India variant, says Hancock The Guardian
• Covid hospital admissions rising with most patients younger people, says NHS leader The Independent
• How many NHS hospital staff have had the Covid vaccine? ITV News

Covid: Matt Hancock answers Dominic Cummings allegations

Covid: Matt Hancock answers Dominic Cummings allegations Matt Hancock has told MPs he got up each day and asked "what must do I to protect life?" as that was the job of the health secretary.

He was asked by Labour shadow Jonathan Ashworth if the claims made by the PM's former adviser Dominic Cummings on Wednesday were correct.

Mr Hancock said the "unsubstantiated allegations around honesty" were not true, as he gave figures on the number of questions, statements and press statements he had answered over Covid. BBC News

See also:

• Bereaved on Cummings' testimony: 'Angry, upset, relieved' BBC News
• The government's Covid strategy was discredited but we're still paying the price The Guardian
• I was straight with people, says Hancock after Cummings claims The Guardian
• How Kate Bingham got caught in the ‘crossfire’, according to Cummings The Guardian
• Hancock faces calls to explain Covid test failings at care homes The Guardian

NHS waiting times: Why dropping four-hour A&E target could be good for patients

NHS waiting times: Why dropping four-hour A&E target could be good for patients Officials say there is “clear evidence” that when it was first introduced, the four-hour target improved care, but that it has only ever focused on one part of a now much more complex range of urgent services for patients.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine had said that the four-hour waiting time target had served the NHS well but was no longer enough to force through clinical improvements. iNews 

NHS Digital set to share medical records with outside third parties

NHS Digital set to share medical records with outside third parties If you live in England, you have until June 23 to opt out of your data being included in a ‘digital scrape’ by the NHS, which it will share with third parties.

Privacy campaigners have harshly criticised the plans of NHS Digital, which will see the medical histories of more than 55 million patients ported into a database, including mental and sexual health data, criminal records and more sensitive information. Metro 

180 Covid patients died after catching virus in Northampton General Hospital

180 Covid patients died after catching virus in Northampton General Hospital More than a quarter of all Covid-19 patients who died at Northampton General Hospital caught the virus after being admitted.

NGH bosses say the startling statistic underlines the "challenges" healthcare staff have faced fighting the coronavirus, particularly during the early days of the pandemic. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Government U-turn over advice to 'avoid' travel to and from Northamptonshire neighbours Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Scientists ‘find cause’ of rare blood clots linked to Covid vaccines - and how to solve it Northamptonshire Telegraph

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted primary care?

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted primary care? Since the start of the pandemic the impact of COVID-19 on primary care, and those working within it, has been significant. Staff have been under considerable pressure to maintain services despite social distancing measures, adjusting to virtual consultations and helping to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. 

In April and May of 2020 – the first months of the UKs first lockdown – the number of appointments booked in general practice plummeted. This led to concerns about unmet need, particularly for people with long-term health conditions, and the potential for delayed diagnoses. However, consultation numbers recovered fast – and by September 2020 total consultations in general practice had recovered to pre-pandemic levels.  The Health Foundation

See also:

• GP practices in England facing 'tsunami of patients' BBC News
• How patient 'tsunami’ threatens to overwhelm GPs BBC News

Leadership and innovation during Covid-19: lessons from the Cardiff and Vale Health System

Leadership and innovation during Covid-19: lessons from the Cardiff and Vale Health System Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, clinicians at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board realised that they would have to make rapid changes to prevent the widespread cancellation of elective surgery. A core team of staff started meeting in a lecture theatre every morning and evening to work on the redesign. They fell into a particular ‘battle routine’: identifying problems in the morning, coming up with solutions by lunchtime and presenting the proposals back to colleagues in the evening. The King's Fund

Wide support for more comprehensive urgent care indicators

Wide support for more comprehensive urgent care indicators Patients, clinicians and the public have welcomed proposals for a comprehensive set of indicators for urgent care.

The updated standards aim to capture what matters clinically to patients, end hidden waits and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The proposed bundle of 10 measures takes account of changes in the way that urgent and emergency care is delivered such as the roll-out of Same day Emergency Care and strengthening of NHS 111. NHS England

See also: 

• NHS England gives green light to scrap four-hour A&E target Health Service Journal

Supporting recovery after long COVID

Supporting recovery after long COVID We have produced guidance on how organisations can work with line managers to support staff in recovery from long COVID. 

The information, which was produced in partnership with NHS health and wellbeing leads. NHS Employers

Transparency data: Coronavirus cases by local authority: epidemiological data, 26 May 2021

Transparency data: Coronavirus cases by local authority: epidemiological data, 26 May 2021 Weekly watchlist giving epidemiological coronavirus (COVID-19) data for each lower-tier local authority (LTLA) in England. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• NHS Chief Sir Simon Stevens joins 20 million double jabbed NHS England
• Guidance: PHE monitoring of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination Public Health England

Dominic Cummings: Five things he told MPs about Covid response

Dominic Cummings: Five things he told MPs about Covid response Dominic Cummings has been speaking to MPs about the UK government's handling of Covid-19.

The former chief aide said Boris Johnson had initially dismissed Covid as a "scare story" and the UK had been too slow to lock down.

Mr Johnson hit back at some of his allegations, insisting that the government's priority had always been to "save lives".

Mr Cummings also suggested that Health Secretary Matt Hancock should have been sacked for numerous failings, accusing him of "lying" to people. BBC News

See also:

• Dominic Cummings: Five claims fact-checked BBC News
• Dominic Cummings: The seven most explosive claims BBC News
• Cummings: Care home protective shield was 'nonsense' BBC News
• Dominic Cummings: What was on his whiteboard? BBC News
• Dominic Cummings' accusations can not easily be dismissed BBC News
• Covid: Matt Hancock must go over Cummings claims - Labour BBC News
• Coronavirus: Dominic Cummings shares lockdown brainstorm with question 'who do we not save?' The Daily Mail
• Government never threw a shield around care homes, Cummings says The Daily Mail
• Matt Hancock to come out fighting after Cummings's 'lying' claims The Daily Telegraph
• Checking facts vs Cummings’s claims reveals major flaws in his evidence The Daily Telegraph
• Contradictions kept piling up in Dominic Cummings’ claws-out rewriting of history The Daily Telegraph
• Matt Hancock to face questions over Dominic Cummings allegations The Guardian
• Matt Hancock should have been sacked for lying, says Dominic Cummings The Guardian
• Dominic Cummings says Covid chaos at No 10 was like ‘out-of-control movie’ The Guardian
• Dominic Cummings said he heard Boris Johnson's 'bodies pile high' outburst The Independent

Covid hospital admissions rising with most patients younger people, says NHS leader

Covid hospital admissions rising with most patients younger people, says NHS leader The number of people being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 is rising in some regions but "few, if any" are from care homes, according to an NHS leader.

Younger people are making up most of coronavirus hospital admissions, with 70 per cent of admissions in one hospital consisting of under-45s, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said. The Independent

See also:

• Covid-19: England's lifting of lockdown on June 21 is 'not inevitable', government adviser warns The Daily Mail
• Covid-19: UK breaches 3,000 cases for first time in a MONTH as infections spike 18% in a week The Daily Mail
• German scientists claim they have figured out why some Covid vaccines cause blood clots The Daily Mail
• Next seven days ‘crucial’ in determining impact of Indian variant on hospitals, says NHS chief The Independent
• Super mutant coronavirus variants may emerge, expert warns The Independent
• Biden orders new US intelligence report into Wuhan Covid lab leak theory The Independent

EU citizens who miss UK settled status cutoff to lose some free healthcare

EU citizens who miss UK settled status cutoff to lose some free healthcare EU citizens who fail to secure settled status by the 30 June deadline will immediately lose access to free non-urgent NHS healthcare, despite a government pledge to be “extremely understanding” about late applications.

Some details of how swiftly different departments will apply hostile environment policies to EU citizens who have not secured the new post-Brexit immigration status by the cutoff date have emerged in responses to a series of parliamentary questions. The Guardian 

Health chiefs still wait for results on Indian variant Covid swabs following Towcester school outbreak

Health chiefs still wait for results on Indian variant Covid swabs following Towcester school outbreak  Health chiefs are still waiting for an official all-clear following an outbreak of Indian strain Covid-19 cases at a Towcester primary school.

Last week's testing blitz among the Nicholas Hawksmoor School community produced "very few" positive tests. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Northampton restaurant slapped with £1,000 fine for breaking Covid rules Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid-19 vaccination programme extended to anyone aged 30 in England Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New online resource to support culturally appropriate care

New online resource to support culturally appropriate care Holistic, person-centred care has always been important, but during the Coronavirus pandemic it has become even more critical that we are all aware of culturally appropriate care.

Culturally appropriate care is about being sensitive to people's cultural identity or heritage. It means being alert and responsive to people’s beliefs or conventions that might be determined by a person’s culture. The Care Quality Commission has launched a new online resource which updates providers on culturally appropriate care. 

'Levelling up' general practice in England What should government prioritise?

'Levelling up' general practice in England What should government prioritise? Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda must include general practice. People living in socioeconomically deprived areas have the greatest health needs, but general practice is underfunded and ‘under-doctored’ in areas of high deprivation. The Health Foundation 

Open consultation: Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018 statutory guidance

Open consultation: Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018 statutory guidance The DHSC is seeking views on draft statutory guidance to prevent the inappropriate use of force and ensure transparency and accountability about the use of force in mental health units. The guidance is intended for use by NHS hospitals and independent hospitals (providing NHS-funded care) in England providing care and treatment to patients with a mental disorder. 

This consultation closes at midday on 17 August 2021. Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Advice to areas worst-hit by Indian variant will be updated - No 10

Covid: Advice to areas worst-hit by Indian variant will be updated - No 10 Ministers have backtracked over travel advice for eight areas worst-hit by the Indian Covid variant, after a change in guidance led to widespread confusion.

The amended advice asks people to minimise travel into and out of Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.

Earlier advice had asked people to avoid non-essential travel altogether. BBC News

See also: 

• Moderna vaccine 'highly effective' in teens BBC News
• Covid vaccine: 30 and 31-year-olds in England now invited BBC News
• Coronavirus: Families blame NHS for hospital-acquired virus deaths BBC News
• US urges 'transparent' WHO inquiry into Covid origins BBC News
• France puzzled by mystery anti-Pfizer campaign offer BBC News
• Covid UK: Hospitalisations TRIPLE in Indian variant hotspot Bolton The Daily Mail
• More evidence Covid vaccines are working: Just 0.01% of those who have received shot were reinfected The Daily Mail
• Wealthy nations slammed for 'scandalous inequity' in Covid vaccines by WHO head The Daily Mail
• More than 77,000 NHS staff in England have caught Covid, shows research The Guardian
• ‘Unnecessary secrecy’: 42 NHS trusts criticised over Covid deaths data The Guardian
• Scientists react with dismay to ‘astonishing’ lack of communication over new Covid advice The Independent

Good Law Project’s Jolyon Maugham: ‘They see us pushing back hard’

Good Law Project’s Jolyon Maugham: ‘They see us pushing back hard’ As the Good Law Project’s latest legal challenge to the government draws to a close this week, its founder, Jolyon Maugham, has revealed the extent to which the case has got under ministers’ skin.

The judicial review over contracts for personal protective equipment awarded without competition concludes on Tuesday The Guardian

KGH expands midwife continuity of care service

KGH expands midwife continuity of care service A project to provide mothers-to-be with complete continuity of care and midwives they know has expanded to Kettering and Wellingborough. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Charity joins in Big Tea toasting local Northamptonshire's NHS heroes

Charity joins in Big Tea toasting local Northamptonshire's NHS heroes Northamptonshire Health Charity is urging people to join the nation’s biggest tea break to help raise cash to help health service champions on the NHS' 76th birthday. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

The role of healthcare services in addressing domestic abuse

The role of healthcare services in addressing domestic abuse This briefing considers the role of the NHS and healthcare professionals in addressing domestic abuse. It looks at the use of healthcare services by victims and perpetrators, alongside initiatives such as health-based independent domestic violence advisers. House of Commons Library

Blood and body fluid exposures in 2020: results from a survey of RCN members

Blood and body fluid exposures in 2020: results from a survey of RCN members This report suggests that Pressures of the pandemic and a lack of training has led to a 50 per rise in needlestick injuries, a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) report suggests today. The authors surveyed 7,571 RCN members for the report. Of those 15 per cent said they had suffered a ‘sharps injury’ in 2020. This compares to ten per cent in 2008. Reasons for the rise cited in the report included fatigue induced by the pandemic, low staffing levels, lack of training and safer sharps and sharps bins not being available. Royal College of Nursing

Up to 8,700 patients died after catching Covid in English hospitals

Up to 8,700 patients died after catching Covid in English hospitals Exclusive: official NHS data reveals 32,307 people contracted the virus while in hospital since March 2020.

Up to 8,700 patients died after catching Covid-19 while in hospital being treated for another medical problem, according to official NHS data obtained by the Guardian.

The figures, which were provided by the hospitals themselves, were described as “horrifying” by relatives of those who died. The Guardian

See also: 

• Covid: Deaf campaigner calls for clear mask research BBC News
• Britain records 2,439 Covid cases as positive tests spike by nearly a quarter in a week The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: 15 suffer rare blood clots after SECOND AstraZeneca vaccine The Daily Mail
• Weaknesses that led to patients getting Covid in hospital remain The Guardian
• ‘What chance did Mum have?’: two women who died with hospital-acquired Covid The Guardian
• Government failed to act over PPE shortage warnings, MPs told The Guardian

'Dangerous' home teeth-whitening kits sold online

'Dangerous' home teeth-whitening kits sold online Some home teeth-whitening kits sold online contain dangerous levels of bleaching chemical that can burn gums and cause tooth loss, an investigation has revealed.

The worst had more than 300 times the recommended amount of hydrogen peroxide, says consumer group Which?. BBC News 

'Algae proteins' partially restore man's sight

'Algae proteins' partially restore man's sight The vision of a completely blind man has been partially restored using light-sensing proteins first found in algae.

The man was treated with a type of therapy called optogenetics, which uses the proteins to control cells at the back of his eye.

He first knew it was working when he realised he could see the painted stripes of a pedestrian crossing. BBC News

See also:

• Partial recovery of visual function in a blind patient after optogenetic therapy (open access) Nature Medicine

Pupils at school in Wellingborough told to wear masks again after high number of Covid cases found

Pupils at school in Wellingborough told to wear masks again after high number of Covid cases found Health protection officers have visited a Wellingborough school after their high number of Covid-19 cases triggered a review of measures to prevent further spread of the virus. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Inside the teen mind: what’s happening to mental health?

Inside the teen mind: what’s happening to mental health? In our latest podcast, we ask what trends and changes in day-to-day life are affecting the mental health of today’s young people, and how has the pandemic had an impact. The Health Foundation 

Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry

Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry Access to NHS dental care continues to be a problem for people across England, with Healthwatch recording a 22% rise in calls and complaints about dentistry between January and March 2021.  

Our review of 1,375 people’s experiences shared with Healthwatch found a lack of consistency across the country when it comes to accessing a dental appointment. Whilst some people were asked to wait an unreasonable time of up to three years for an NHS appointment, those able to afford private care could get an appointment within a week. 

Genome UK: 2021 to 2022 implementation plan

Genome UK: 2021 to 2022 implementation plan Published in 2020, Genome UK: the future of health care set out a vision to create the most advanced genomic health care system in the world to deliver better health care at lower cost. Following collaboration with key partners across the genomics community, priority actions for 2021 to 2022 have been set out in the implementation plan to progress key commitments made in Genome UK. Department of Health and Social Care

NHS England opens up life-saving COVID-19 jab offer to 32 and 33 year olds as England tops 50 million doses given

NHS England opens up life-saving COVID-19 jab offer to 32 and 33 year olds as England tops 50 million doses given One million more people in their thirties can now get the life-saving covid jab, as the NHS opens bookings for people aged 32 and 33 from today (Saturday). As the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history continues rolling out, 1.1 million more people will be able to book their jab. NHS England

See also:

• Vaccine status drives over one million new users to the NHS app Department of Health and Social Care
• 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Vaccine status drives over one million new users to the NHS app Department of Health and Social Care
• Government launches new pilots to further support people to self-isolate Department of Health and Social Care
• Vaccines highly effective against B.1.617.2 variant after 2 doses Public Health England

Covid: Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs effective against Indian variant - study

Covid: Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs effective against Indian variant - study The Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are highly effective against the variant identified in India after two doses, a study has found.

Two jabs of either vaccine give a similar level of protection against symptomatic disease from the Indian variant as they do for the Kent one.

However, both vaccines were only 33% effective against the Indian variant three weeks after the first dose. BBC News

See also:

• Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the B.1.617.2 variant (open access preprint) Public Health England
• Covid: Parts of England to trial self-isolation support BBC News
• Covid: Sniffer dogs could bolster screening at airports BBC News
• Covid vaccine: 32 and 33-year-olds in England now invited to book BBC News
• India records 300,000 Covid deaths as pandemic rages BBC News
• Fewer than a THIRD of Brits say they 'completely' understand the current UK Covid lockdown rules The Daily Mail
• Covid cases in England may be on the rise, ONS data shows The Daily Mail
• Super-sniffer dogs detect Covid with 94 per cent accuracy, UK study suggests The Daily Telegraph
• Testing and tracing of sewage ramped up to tackle Covid variants The Daily Telegraph
• Scientists detect new coronavirus in pneumonia patients in Malaysia that has ‘likely made jump from animals’ The Independent
• NHS warns hospitals of fourth peak in Covid-19 cases at the end of the summer iNews
• Private hospitals provided average of seven Covid beds a day despite £2bn Government contracts iNews

Detectives consider corporate manslaughter charge in NHS maternity scandal involving 200 families

Detectives consider corporate manslaughter charge in NHS maternity scandal involving 200 families Detectives are examining a series of baby deaths at East Kent Hospitals NHS trust as the number of cases being investigated by an independent inquiry nears 200 – making it one of the worst maternity scandals in NHS history. The Independent 

‘I’ve given all I can’: NHS staff on why they might quit

‘I’ve given all I can’: NHS staff on why they might quit After the nursing regulator’s warning of an exodus, five healthcare staff describe their experiences.

While the pandemic has led to record numbers of nurses and midwives working in the UK, the nursing regulator has warned that pressure on staff could lead to a significant exodus of frontline NHS staff.

With the government’s 1% pay offer being held up as the latest example of its lack of respect for the profession, five healthcare workers speak about why they are considering their positions. The Guardian 

Infected blood scandal: Hancock pledges payouts if advised by inquiry

Infected blood scandal: Hancock pledges payouts if advised by inquiry Matt Hancock has said compensation will be paid to people people infected by contaminated blood products and their relatives if is recommended by the public inquiry into the scandal. The Guardian 

Obesity crisis: Northamptonshire's hospital admissions among top 10 highest in the country

Obesity crisis: Northamptonshire's hospital admissions among top 10 highest in the country Obesity-related hospital admissions in Northamptonshire are among the highest in the UK, new figures show.

NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis said the latest "shocking" data, which show obesity-related admissions have risen by nearly a fifth nationally, are a growing sign that an obesity crisis is sweeping the nation. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Corby woman sent to prison after admitting KGH nurse and paramedic assaults

Corby woman sent to prison after admitting KGH nurse and paramedic assaults A woman from Corby has been given a jail term after admitting two separate incidents against NHS workers at Kettering General Hospital.

Ashleigh Campbell, 29, was given a 16-week prison sentence after appearing before Northampton magistrates on Tuesday May 18th.  Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Frank Bruno sets up Northampton boxing programme

Frank Bruno sets up Northampton boxing programme Frank Bruno has launched a community centre offering mental health support, following his own struggles over the years.

The former world boxing champion's foundation runs wellbeing and non-contact boxing programmes in Northampton for those over the age of 10.

The 59-year-old wanted to help those not being supported by existing services. BBC Northampton

Smoking and health 2021: a coming of age for tobacco control?

Smoking and health 2021: a coming of age for tobacco control? This report reviews the UK’s progress in reducing smoking prevalence, and sets out comprehensive recommendations for England’s forthcoming National Tobacco Control Plan. It says that while the reduction in smoking prevalence by 75 per cent since 1962 has been considered a national success, if the policies advocated by the RCP in 1962 had been adopted and followed through, smoking would have been eradicated from the UK years ago. Royal College of Physicians

Generation Covid : the economic impact of Covid-19 on young people in the United Kingdom

Generation Covid : the economic impact of Covid-19 on young people in the United Kingdom This report found finds that young people have had their financial, emotional and vocational wellbeing inordinately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and that a holistic approach is needed in order to aid their recovery. In addition to job losses, educational disruption and financial pressures, young people have also experienced increased family strain, heightened anxiety and exacerbated mental health issues as a result of the pandemic. The APPG on Youth Affairs inquiry found these areas to be inexorably interlinked, and further compounded by the overall uncertainty of employment prospects for young people in the future. All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Youth Affairs

Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shelf-life extended from 5 to 31 days, says MHRA

Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shelf-life extended from 5 to 31 days, says MHRA New storage conditions for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, that extend the length of time the thawed vaccine can be stored at normal fridge temperatures from 5 days to 31 days, have today been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 

Government sets out new action to tackle B1.617.2 variant

Government sets out new action to tackle B1.617.2 variant The government has outlined new decisive actions to halt the spread of the B1.617.2 variant of concern first identified in India.

Following extensive COVID-19 surveillance, which has rapidly detected cases of the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India, additional surge testing, tracing and isolation support measures are being deployed at pace across Bedford, Burnley, Hounslow, Kirklees, Leicester and North Tyneside. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Everyone in the United Kingdom with symptoms now eligible for coronavirus tests Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS invites people aged 34 and 35 for life-saving COVID-19 jab NHS England
• Research: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England
• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England

Covid: Test and Trace failure helped Indian variant spread, report says

Covid: Test and Trace failure helped Indian variant spread, report says Failures in England's Test and Trace system are partly responsible for a surge in the Indian variant in one of the worst affected parts of the country, a report seen by the BBC says.

For three weeks in April and May, eight local authorities in England did not have access to the full data on positive tests in their area. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: Stillbirth and prematurity risks may be higher BBC News
• Long Covid: 'I'm feeling quite good after vaccine' BBC News
• Unvaccinated nursing home residents benefit from vaccinated around them, less likely to get COVID-19 The Daily Mail
• AstraZeneca vaccine 90pc effective against Covid infection, new real-world data suggests The Daily Telegraph
• Pfizer vaccine can be stored at normal fridge temperature for 31 days, MHRA confirms GPonline
• New Covid wave could worsen NHS surgery backlog, experts warn The Guardian
• Dogs can better detect Covid in humans than lateral flow tests, finds study The Independent
• Fears of Covid third wave as India variant cases more than double in a week The Independent

Contaminated blood inquiry: Matt Hancock to give evidence

Contaminated blood inquiry: Matt Hancock to give evidence The health secretary will face questions about compensation for victims of the contaminated blood scandal on Friday afternoon.

Matt Hancock will give evidence at a public inquiry into what's been called the worst NHS treatment disaster.

Around 3,000 people died after being given blood products containing HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 1980s. BBC News

Almost 7,000 junior doctors at risk of falling behind on training after helping to fight Covid

Almost 7,000 junior doctors at risk of falling behind on training after helping to fight Covid Almost 7,000 junior doctors who treated patients during the Covid pandemic are at risk of falling behind with their training, potentially causing staffing shortages and costing taxpayers a potential £260m. The Independent

Campaigners react to PIP implant compensation win

Campaigners react to PIP implant compensation win Two of the more than 2,500 women who were victims of the PIP breast implant scandal have welcomed the decision of a French court that they should receive compensation.

The court also upheld an earlier judgement which found German company TUV Rheinland negligent. BBC News 

Almost 40% of young people are waiting too long for mental health treatment

Almost 40% of young people are waiting too long for mental health treatment Thousands of children with mental health problems are waiting longer than NHS guidelines allow to be seen and treated, according to figures obtained by Sky News. 

Nurses know exactly why Boris Johnson’s nurse quit – we are running on empty

Nurses know exactly why Boris Johnson’s nurse quit – we are running on empty | Anonymous Jenny McGee’s resignation makes it clear how shoddily we have been treated by this government

I’ve never treated anybody famous. But then, as a nurse, you treat everybody the same – without fear or favour.

Jenny McGee might have looked after Boris Johnson when he was gravely ill with Covid-19, but that’s the only difference I can see between her and nearly every nurse I know. Do your job, give your all, come back again tomorrow. Until you can’t. The Guardian

Vaccines chief salutes "massive team effort" as jabs pass 625,000 in Northamptonshire

Vaccines chief salutes "massive team effort" as jabs pass 625,000 in Northamptonshire The man in charge of Northamptonshire's Covid-19 vaccine rollout hailed a "massive team effort" after the number of first doses delivered in the county passed 400,000. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Surge testing and Covid vaccines increased in 6 areas in England to tackle Indian variant spread Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More than 100 flights from India have landed in UK since introduction of red list Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Covid marshals' to carry out 10,000 home checks to ensure amber list travellers self-isolate Northamptonshire Telegraph

MEET KGH'S GOVERNORS: Young people's voices are important for shaping health services in Northamptonshire, says governor

MEET KGH'S GOVERNORS: Young people's voices are important for shaping health services in Northamptonshire, says governor One of KGH's governors says young people's voices are important for helping to shape the county's health services.

The governors at KGH have teamed up with the Northants Telegraph to give our readers an insight into their role and the work they do. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Warning to parents after 'happy' baby girl dies in bed between parents in Northampton

Warning to parents after 'happy' baby girl dies in bed between parents in Northampton A coroner has warned parents everywhere against the 'very real' dangers of co-sleeping after a baby girl aged less than a year old died in Northampton she slept between her parents in their king-sized bed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Chart of the week: Wellbeing across the four UK countries during the pandemic

Chart of the week: Wellbeing across the four UK countries during the pandemic Covid-19 restrictions may be easing, but the ramifications of the crisis on people’s lives and livelihoods have been extensive. Rachel Hutchings takes a closer look at how the pandemic has affected wellbeing across the four countries of the UK. Nuffield Trust

Urgent assessment/treatment following ingestion of ‘super strong’ magnets

Urgent assessment/treatment following ingestion of ‘super strong’ magnets A joint National Patient Safety Alert has been issued by the NHS England and NHS Improvement National Patient Safety Team and Royal College of Emergency Medicine on the need for urgent assessment/treatment following ingestion of ‘super strong’ magnets.

World first COVID-19 vaccine booster study launches in UK

World first COVID-19 vaccine booster study launches in UK Thousands of volunteers will receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine in a new clinical trial launching today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced.

The Cov-Boost study, led by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and backed by £19.3 million of government funding through the Vaccines Taskforce, will trial seven vaccines and will be the first in the world to provide vital data on the impact of a third dose on patients’ immune responses. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• 7 in 10 UK adults receive first dose of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine Department of Health and Social Care
• Speech: Health and Social Care Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 19 May 2021 Department of Health and Social Care

Indian variant: Why is UK taking a risk with the variant?

Indian variant: Why is UK taking a risk with the variant? A Covid variant first identified in India and spreading in parts of the UK, has threatened to derail Britain's plans for a return to normality. In allowing the latest lockdown easing, the government stands accused of recklessness. So why has it taken the risk? BBC News

See also

• Third dose of Covid jab to be trialled in UK BBC News
• PMQs: Johnson asked about his Covid care nurse leaving NHS BBC News
• Covid: WHO urges Wales to delay giving children jabs BBC News
• Covid-19 vaccines: Why some African states can't use their vaccines BBC News
• Boris says there's 'increasing confidence' Covid vaccines work against Indian variant The Daily Mail
• England lockdown end date ‘very much in the balance’, expert warns The Guardian
• UK cases of Covid Indian variant up 28% in two days, says Hancock The Guardian
• Ministers accused of sowing confusion over England’s travel advice The Guardian
• PMQs: Do not visit amber list countries for holidays, says Johnson – video The Guardian
• Covid cases rapidly rising in areas where India variant prevalent The Independent
• COVID-19: Calls for NHS staff to have access to similar mental health support as war veterans Sky News

296 people donate organs in first year of new consent law

296 people donate organs in first year of new consent law In the last year, the organs of 296 people have been donated under a new law which makes all adults in England potential donors unless they opt out.

This accounts for 29% of all donors (1,021) since 20 May 2020 and resulted in a total of 714 organs being transplanted.

Max and Keira's Law has been in force in England for 12 months. BBC News

Almost a fifth of nurses say a negative workplace culture forced them to leave profession

 Almost a fifth of nurses say a negative workplace culture forced them to leave profession Almost a fifth of nurses who left the profession cited a negative workplace culture as a reason for leaving along with almost a quarter saying they were under too much pressure.

The nursing regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) warned there could be an exodus of registered nurses after the coronavirus pandemic in its latest annual report. The Independent

See also:

• Annual registration data report Nursing and Midwifery Council
• The King's Fund comments on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s annual data registration report The King's Fund

Britons drink 120 bottles of wine or 403 pints per year, report claims

Britons drink 120 bottles of wine or 403 pints per year, report claims Britons drink 120 bottles of wine or 400 pints every year on average but consume less alcohol than the French, Germans and Spaniards, data revealed today.

An Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report has called on governments around the world to do more to tackle binge drinking. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Preventing Harmful Alcohol Use: Key findings for the United Kingdom Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Health chief hopeful Towcester school's Covid outbreak is contained

Health chief hopeful Towcester school's Covid outbreak is contained Northamptonshire's health chief is hopeful that a Covid-19 outbreak at a county school has been contained.

Six cases of a more transmissible Indian strain of the virus were identified last week, sparking a round of targeted testing at Nicholas Hawksmoor School in Towcester. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid cases rising in areas around Northamptonshire is a worry for Public Health chiefs Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• ‘Courageous and selfless’ nurse named 'Northamptonshire’s Covid-19 Champion' Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Government did not have ‘detailed contingency plans’ in place for pandemic Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northamptonshire's Covid heroes appeal for public support on NHS pay

Northamptonshire's Covid heroes appeal for public support on NHS pay Health workers across Northamptonshire are appealing to the public to back their campaign so NHS staff can receive a proper pay rise before the summer. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northamptonshire nurse who spilled content of child's stomach in botched school visit struck off

Northamptonshire nurse who spilled content of child's stomach in botched school visit struck off A Northamptonshire nurse who fumbled with the care of at least eight severely ill children across the county will not return to the job. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Fitness to Practise Committee Substantive Order Review Meeting Nursing and Midwifery Council 

Initial learning from the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Initial learning from the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic Over the last year, the National Audit Office has reported on the breadth of government’s response to COVID-19. Today’s report draws out the initial learning from this work to help government evaluate its performance, capitalise on new ways of working and better manage potential future emergencies.

See also:

• Covid: Government criticised over pre-pandemic planning BBC News
• Legacy data and IT issues ‘laid bare’ during Covid-19, says NAO Computer Weekly
• Covid crisis 'exacerbated inequality' and highlighted decades of underfunding watchdog says The Daily Mail
• Covid laid bare existing weaknesses in UK government, says NAO The Guardian
• COVID-19: Government not as prepared as it could have been for a pandemic, National Audit Office report finds Sky News

Dominic Cummings threatens to reveal ‘crucial’ Covid document to Commons committee

Dominic Cummings threatens to reveal ‘crucial’ Covid document to Commons committee Boris Johnson’s former senior adviser Dominic Cummings has threatened to reveal a “crucial” Covid document ahead of an appearance next week at a Commons committee investigating the government’s handling of the pandemic.

And he also took another public swipe at the government, accusing ministers of pursuing a “joke” borders policy as questions mount over the action taken to prevent the spread of a new strain first identified in India. The Independent

See also:

• Covid: Dominic Cummings accuses government of secrecy BBC News
• Cummings to release ‘crucial document from Covid decision-making’  The Guardian

Covid India variant: Where is it, how does it spread and is it more infectious?

Covid India variant: Where is it, how does it spread and is it more infectious? A variant of the Covid-19 virus first discovered in India is responsible for the majority of new cases in pockets of England.

One of three subtypes of the virus identified on the subcontinent, variant B.1.617.2 is thought to spread more easily - but what does that mean for you? BBC News

See also:

• Covid: Nurse who cared for PM resigns from NHS BBC News
• Covid-19: Too soon to decide on roadmap changes, PM says BBC News
• Coronavirus: Ministers to step up vaccine take-up calls amid variant fears BBC News
• Vaccinating children before poor morally wrong, Oxford scientist says BBC News
• There will be enough Pfizer jabs available to vaccinate children, Matt Hancock says The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Indian variant is already dominant in at least 23 parts of England The Daily Mail
• Tory MPs warn Boris Johnson not to delay unlocking country on June 21 over Covid vaccine refuseniks The Daily Mail
• Covid vaccine: 96% of Britons develop antibodies after one jab, study finds The Guardian
• ‘Morale is very low’: NHS staff fear ongoing Covid disruption The Guardian
• Ministers ‘lobbied’ officials over PPE contracts, court hears The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS was 'overwhelmed' in January surge, study finds The Independent

Unpublished hospital patient safety reports exposed

Unpublished hospital patient safety reports exposed Serious patient safety issues are being buried in confidential hospital reports, BBC Panorama has found.

Freedom of Information requests revealed 111 reports, written by medical royal colleges, which NHS trusts have a duty to share.

Eighty reports were given to the BBC but only 26 had been shared in full with regulators, and 16 published. BBC News

Over a million hospital admissions for obesity

Over a million hospital admissions for obesity There were more than a million hospital admissions for obesity-related treatment in England in the year leading into the global pandemic, figures reveal.

The record number provides the clearest indication yet of the scale of the obesity problem as coronavirus started to spread across the UK. BBC News 

Air pollution linked to ‘huge’ rise in child asthma GP visits

Air pollution linked to ‘huge’ rise in child asthma GP visits A “huge” increase in the number of visits to doctors by children with asthma problems occurs after a week of raised air pollution, according to a study. The number of inhaler prescriptions also increases significantly.

Dirty air is already known to increase hospital treatment for severe asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. But the new research is the first using clinical data to show increased illness among the much bigger number of people who seek treatment from their GP. The Guardian

See also:

• Spatio-temporal associations of air pollutant concentrations, GP respiratory consultations and respiratory inhaler prescriptions: a 5-year study of primary care in the borough of Lambeth, South London (open access) Environmental Health

Nearly 90m fewer face-to-face GP appointments carried out in 2020 compared to 2019

Nearly 90m fewer face-to-face GP appointments carried out in 2020 compared to 2019 NHS Digital statistics show 147.85million in-person consultations happened between April 2020 and this March - down from the 238.26million during the same 12-month spell the year before. The Daily Mail 

Covid Indian cases in Northamptonshire 'not directly linked to international travel,' says health chief

Covid Indian cases in Northamptonshire 'not directly linked to international travel,' says health chief Six cases of an Indian Covid-19 variant found in Northamptonshire are the first in the county not brought into the county from abroad, according to health chiefs. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The relationship between the adult social care sector and ICSs: time for action?

The relationship between the adult social care sector and ICSs: time for action? This paper brings together GGI's thinking around some of the key pieces of policy pertaining to the adult social care sector, as well as the learning from a series of interviews and a roundtable that GGI convened with ICS (integrated care systems) independent chairs, policy-makers and adult social care providers. Where relevant, we also present example of good practice from across the country. Good Governance Institute

Patient Safety Syllabus launched

Patient Safety Syllabus launched The NHS Patient Safety Syllabus has been launched today to help save lives and protect patients. The multi-professional syllabus has been developed for all staff in the NHS and is a first of its kind which will help identify risks proactively in order to prevent errors before they occur. Health Education England

More flexible storage conditions for BioNTech/Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

More flexible storage conditions for BioNTech/Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended a change to the approved storage conditions of Comirnaty, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, that will facilitate the handling of the vaccine in vaccination centres across the European Union (EU). European Medicines Agency

NHS invites people aged 36 and 37 for life-saving COVID-19 jab

NHS invites people aged 36 and 37 for life-saving COVID-19 jab The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, continues its rollout to people in their thirties, opening to people aged 36 and 37 from Tuesday. More than a million more people will be eligible for a life-saving COVID-19 jab with nhs.uk due to update at 7am. NHS England

See also:

• Open consultation: Making vaccination a condition of deployment in older adult care homes Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Indian variant cases in 86 council areas - Hancock

Covid: Indian variant cases in 86 council areas - Hancock There are now 86 local authorities with five or more confirmed cases of the Indian Covid variant, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

"This isn't just about Bolton and Blackburn," he said, referring to the areas seeing a spike in cases.

It comes as millions of people can now enjoy new freedoms as lockdown is eased in England, Wales and most of Scotland. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Variant fears could delay England's 21 June easing review BBC News
• Covid: More than 6,000 vaccinated in Bolton over variant BBC News
• Covid UK: 'One shot' Johnson and Johnson vaccine could be targeted at people who refused jabs The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: How will the UK bring forward second vaccine doses to eight weeks? The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: SAGE models warn hospital admissions could soar if India variant is more infectious The Daily Mail
• Indian variant may trigger local lockdowns The Daily Telegraph
• How three days of inaction let the Indian variant take hold in Britain The Daily Telegraph
• Don’t travel to amber list countries, says No 10 despite no ban The Guardian
• If we loosen restrictions too early, there is a real risk of a third wave in the UK The Guardian
• India variant will be dominant UK Covid strain ‘in next few days’ The Guardian
• NHS app acts as vaccination record for travellers from today, says Grant Shapps The Independent

Ambulance crews in England to use iPads to assess accident and stroke victims

Ambulance crews in England to use iPads to assess accident and stroke victims Ambulance crews will start using iPads to send photographs of accident and stroke victims to specialist hospital doctors so that they can make rapid diagnoses and save some patients a trip to A&E.

NHS England is giving 30,000 iPads to regional ambulance services to help paramedics decide what care to give and whether to take someone to hospital or treat them at the scene. The Guardian 

NHS accused of racism after reply to application calls woman 'another Nigerian'

NHS accused of racism after reply to application calls woman 'another Nigerian' A Nigerian nurse who caught Covid while working for the NHS was sent a derogatory comment when she applied for another job in the health service. Metro 

Towcester: Six Indian variant Covid cases found at school

Towcester: Six Indian variant Covid cases found at school Six cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 have been found at a school.

Testing is now taking place at Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the new variant could affect the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in the future. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Health chiefs prepared for surge testing if more Covid Indian cases found in Northamptonshire Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Indian Covid variant can ‘spread like wildfire’ among those who haven’t had jab Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Health chief hails Northamptonshire school's quick response to Indian variant Covid outbreak Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Fears Indian variant is 50% more transmissible and could derail lockdown plans Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Over-35s to be offered Covid vaccine in ‘coming week’ as fears grow over Indian variant Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering hospital visitors told don't hug your nan Northamptonshire Telegraph

Demand for A&E at Northampton General Hospital increasing

Demand for A&E at Northampton General Hospital increasing More patients visited A&E at Northampton General Hospital last month, with demand rising well above the levels seen during the first national lockdown last year. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northampton General Hospital now employs more clinical staff compared to this time last year Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Integrated care systems are an opportunity to reset the relationship between health services and the public

Integrated care systems are an opportunity to reset the relationship between health services and the public  If there was ever a time for thinking differently about health and care, it is surely now. The Covid-19 pandemic has served as a graphic reminder that people’s health and wellbeing is shaped by the broader circumstances in which they live and the opportunities that are open to them, or not. The King's Fund

Long working hours increasing deaths from heart disease and stroke

Long working hours increasing deaths from heart disease and stroke Long working hours led to 745 000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29 per cent increase since 2000, according to the latest estimates by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization.

See also:

• Global, regional, and national burdens of ischemic heart disease and stroke attributable to exposure to long working hours for 194 countries, 2000–2016: A systematic analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury (open access) Environmental International
• Long working hours killing 745,000 people a year, study finds BBC News

More than 20 million UK adults receive both doses of COVID-19 vaccine

More than 20 million UK adults receive both doses of COVID-19 vaccine Health services across the UK have now administered a total of 56,677,012 million vaccines between 8 December and 15 May, including 36,573,354 million people with their first dose (69.4%) and 20,103,658 million with their second (38.2%). Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Most vulnerable offered second dose of COVID-19 vaccine earlier to help protect against variants Department of Health and Social Care
• Summit to build global confidence in vaccines to be convened by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care
• More than 600,000 NHS Covid Jabs Booked in 48 Hours NHS England
• JCVI advice to mitigate impact of B1.617.2 variant Public Health England

Covid: Hancock confident jab works against Indian variant

Covid: Hancock confident jab works against Indian variant The UK has "increasing confidence" that Covid-19 vaccines work against the Indian variant of the virus, the health secretary has said.

Scientists believe that the variant is more transmissible and cases of it nearly tripled to 1,313 in the past week in England.

But Matt Hancock said early lab data showed vaccines remained effective. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: How should I protect myself now? BBC News
• Covid-19: Boris Johnson urges caution as lockdown eases for millions BBC News
• Covid-19: No 10 defends India travel ban timing amid variant fears BBC News
• Covid: Second vaccine doses to be sped up over variant concerns BBC News
• Why do so many vaccinated Britons still feel too frightened to leave home? The Daily Mail
• I wouldn't meet indoors, says Sage scientist The Daily Telegraph
• India variant could lead to serious third wave of Covid in UK The Guardian
• Matt Hancock: unlocking will go ahead next week despite India variant – video The Guardian
• Indian Covid variant: Where in the UK has the new coronavirus strain been found? The Independent
• Test and trace axes thousands of clinical staff as cases of new Indian variant surge The Independent

'My exhausting smear test battle'

'My exhausting smear test battle' Many dread being invited for their cervical smear test - but Laurie Hodierne found it exhausting to have to keep asking for appointments, and trying to chase up the result.

He is one of a number of transgender men who still have a cervix but are no longer registered as female at their GP surgery. Laurie was re-registered as male without requesting it, he says. BBC News 

Samaritans to extend help for frontline health and care workers

Samaritans to extend help for frontline health and care workers More than 20,000 health and care workers have contacted the charity’s helplines since Covid started spreading last spring, and the Department of Health and Social Care has agreed to extend funding for a dedicated line until at least September.

The Samaritans’ dedicated helpline for NHS and social care workers in England is 0800 069 6222; the number in Wales is 0800 585 0555. The Guardian

See also:

• NHS workers' mental health needs protecting Metro

Covid-19 vaccine: Figures reveal whopping 99.6 percent take-up in one area of Northamptonshire

Covid-19 vaccine: Figures reveal whopping 99.6 percent take-up in one area of Northamptonshire An astonishing 996 people out of every 1,000 aged 50 or over in one area of Northamptonshire have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid-19: New Northampton councillor 'was hospital's first virus patient' BBC Northampton
• Where India variant is dominant in UK - amid concerns lockdown end could be delayed Northamptonshire Telegraph

Hospital admissions for abused woman in Northampton 'just the tip of the iceberg' warn campaigners

Hospital admissions for abused woman in Northampton 'just the tip of the iceberg' warn campaigners Campaigners have warned that hospital admissions for abuse – which have risen steadily across England – are just "the tip of the iceberg".

NHS Digital data shows at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, there were between five and 35 admissions of female victims following abuse by a spouse or partner in the five years to March 2020. Northampton Chronicle and Echo