Everything you need to know about the Northamptonshire Covid situation

Everything you need to know about the Northamptonshire Covid situation Christmas is on the way and Northamptonshire locals will be hoping for a much more "normal" festive season than the one last year.

Despite Health Secretary Sajid Javid encouraging people to maintain their plans for December, the arrival of the Omicron variant has brought uncertainty. Northants Live

See also: 

• Face masks now compulsory in shops and on public transport in England amid spread of Covid Omicron variant Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Not wearing face masks in shops and on public transport punishable by £200 fine Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• All the places you now have to wear a face mask in England - and where you don’t Northamptonshire Telegraph
• New Kettering Covid vaccine site to open as town's booster issue raised in Parliament Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Schools could close early for Christmas as new Covid guidance issued for pupils Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Your view: Government face masks rules dividing opinion in across Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph

Nurse who took morphine from Northampton hospital is struck off

Nurse who took morphine from Northampton hospital is struck off A nurse has been struck off after taking morphine from a ward at Northampton General Hospital.

Matija Konjevic has been sacked after he was found to have taken 50ml of morphine sulphate - commonly known as morphine - from the Rowan Ward at the Northamptonshire hospital. Northants Live 

Patient experience of NHS and social care service

Patient experience of NHS and social care service Using data from national patient surveys this analysis look at trends in patients’ experiences of NHS and social care services. QualityWatch is a Nuffield Trust and Health Foundation programme providing independent scrutiny into how the quality of health and social care is changing over time. 

Establishing a collaborative international recruitment alliance

Establishing a collaborative international recruitment alliance The Devon Alliance for International Recruitment (the Alliance) is a partnership of six NHS trusts supported by NHS England and NHS Improvement funding. It was established as a collaborative model for international recruitment focused on reducing costs and eliminating waste in the system. So far, 146 overseas nurses have come to Devon, and plans are underway to expand this model to wider health and social care roles across the integrated care system (ICS). NHS Employers 

ADASS home care and workforce rapid survey: November 2021

ADASS home care and workforce rapid survey: November 2021 This snap survey of the state of social care services has revealed a rapidly deteriorating picture of hundreds of thousands of older and disabled people left waiting for help despite record increases in care being provided to people in their own homes. Directors of social services across England are expressing unprecedented alarm at the findings as winter approaches. They say the government must act to stabilise the care system. This survey has found: almost 400,000 people are now waiting for an assessment of their needs or service; more than 1.5 million hours of commissioned home care could not be provided between August and October because of a lack of staff, despite record growth in provision; and one in two councils has had to respond to a care home closure or bankruptcy over the past six months. Association of Directors of Adult Social Services 

Independent report: UK vaccine response to the Omicron variant: JCVI advice

Independent report: UK vaccine response to the Omicron variant: JCVI advice Advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Guidance: Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement to Parliament: Oral statement to update on the Omicron variant Department of Health and Social Care
• G7 joint statement on the Omicron variant Department of Health and Social Care
• Total NHS COVID vaccines top 96 million, amid concern over new variant NHS England
• JCVI advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15 UK Health Security Agency

Covid: Face masks rules return in England amid Omicron spread

Covid: Face masks rules return in England amid Omicron spread Face coverings have become mandatory again on public transport and shops in England in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

People arriving in the UK from abroad will now also have to take a PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

It comes after 14 cases of the new variant were detected in the UK. BBC News

See also: 

• Omicron: WHO warns of 'high infection risk' around globe BBC News
• Covid: Sajid Javid on rising cases of Omicron in UK BBC News
• Covid: Omicron variant 'not all doom and gloom' BBC News
• Covid: All UK adults should get Covid booster, say advisers BBC News
• Omicron: How do you detect it? BBC News
• Could Omicron be GOOD news? Variant 'might speed up end of pandemic if it causes mild illness' The Daily Mail
• BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson announce they will be working on Omicron specific COVID-19 vaccine The Daily Mail
• Omicron Covid variant Q&A: How the symptoms differ and what protection vaccines offer The Daily Telegraph
• Is the NHS in a position to handle the Covid Omicron variant? The Guardian
• Covid: UK aims for 500,000 jabs a day in bid to outpace Omicron variant The Guardian
• UK’s minimum gap for Covid booster jabs to be halved to three months The Guardian
• Omicron: NHS chief urges volunteers to help 'vital' booster campaign to combat new Covid threat iNews

Dr Michael Watt: General Medical Council welcomes voluntary erasure appeal

Dr Michael Watt: General Medical Council welcomes voluntary erasure appeal The General Medical Council (GMC) has welcomed an appeal against a Medical Practitioners' Tribunal ruling to allow Dr Michael Watt's voluntary erasure from the medical register.

Dr Michael Watt's work, and its oversight, is the subject of ongoing inquiries.

He made an application to be removed from the register in October. BBC News 

Dying patients go without care as community nurses ‘on their knees’

Dying patients go without care as community nurses ‘on their knees’ Dying patients are going without care in their own homes because of a collapse in community nursing services, new data shared with The Independent reveals.

Across England a third of district nurses say they are now being forced to delay visits to end of life care patients because of surging demand and a lack of staff. This is up from just 2 per cent in 2015. 

Excellence Awards for 12 amazing individuals and teams who helped Northampton General Hospital deliver great care during Covid

Excellence Awards for 12 amazing individuals and teams who helped Northampton General Hospital deliver great care during Covid Some Northampton NHS heroes finally took a few hours off to have their work during the Covid-19 pandemic recognised at a special ceremony. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northampton Macmillan nurse urges people not to ignore the early signs of lung cancer as A&E admissions rise

Northampton Macmillan nurse urges people not to ignore the early signs of lung cancer as A&E admissions rise A cancer nurse from Northampton is urging people not to ignore the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer amid reports of a rise in emergency hospital admissions. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

West Northamptonshire: Cold weather prompts rough sleeper shelter scheme

West Northamptonshire: Cold weather prompts rough sleeper shelter scheme An emergency protocol aimed at keeping rough sleepers safe and warm in extreme weather has been launched in west Northamptonshire.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (Swep) will operate from Friday until at least 09:00 GMT on Monday.

Anyone sleeping rough will be given access to emergency accommodation. BBC Northampton

Untapped potential: district nursing services and the avoidance of unplanned admission to hospital

Untapped potential: district nursing services and the avoidance of unplanned admission to hospital This report describes how District Nurse Team Leaders have advanced skills in assessment, diagnosis and patient management which could be used to provide safe and effective care for people at home, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions. It argues that the NHS is failing to capitalise on the skills, knowledge and experience of District Nurses and instead is investing in new specialist teams of staff in the community, which may impact negatively on the continuity of care. At the same time, the number of District Nurses has fallen dramatically. The Queen's Nursing Institute

Government takes decisive action against new COVID-19 variant

Government takes decisive action against new COVID-19 variant From Tuesday 30 November, face coverings will be mandatory in shops and on public transport and all travellers returning to the UK will require PCR testing. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• First UK cases of Omicron variant identified Department of Health and Social Care
• COVID-19 variants identified in the UK UK Health Security Agency
• Guidance: The R value and growth rate UK Health Security Agency
• Third COVID jabs available to book online for people who are severely immunosuppressed NHS England

Omicron symptoms mild so far, says South African doctor who spotted it

Omicron symptoms mild so far, says South African doctor who spotted it Dr Angelique Coetzee, the South African doctor who first spotted the new Covid variant Omicron, says the patients seen so far have had "extremely mild symptoms" - but more time is needed before we know the seriousness of the disease for vulnerable people. BBC News

See also:

• New Covid variant: Is the government going far enough on Omicron? BBC News
• Covid: JCVI scientists to announce decision on booster rollout BBC News
• Covid variant: Mask wearing will be a legal requirement, says Javid BBC News
• Covid: Face masks re-introduced as UK Omicron cases found BBC News
• New Covid variant: PCR testing to be introduced for arrivals in UK BBC News
• New Covid variant: Chris Whitty on why scientists are concerned about new Covid variant BBC News
• Covid: New Omicron variant not a disaster, says Sage scientist BBC News
• Merck's antiviral COVID-19 pill can reduce risk of death from the virus by 30%, study finds The Daily Mail
• One in 65 people had Covid in England last week as cases started to rise again, official data shows The Daily Mail
• Pfizer, Moderna say they can quickly update COVID-19 vaccines 'if they need to' The Daily Mail
• Daily UK Covid cases breach 50,000 for first time in a month The Daily Mail
• Why the omicron Covid variant is the most concerning so far The Daily Telegraph
• Failure to share Covid vaccines ‘coming back to haunt us’, says Gordon Brown The Guardian
• Omicron variant unlikely to reboot Covid in UK, expert says The Guardian
• Scotland finds six cases of omicron Covid variant The Independent

'World-leading' Down's syndrome bill clears first hurdle in Parliament

'World-leading' Down's syndrome bill clears first hurdle in Parliament Plans to ensure people with Down's syndrome get lifelong care have passed the first hurdle on the way to being law in England.

MP Liam Fox said his bill was needed now because people with Down's syndrome are starting to outlive their parents. BBC News

Another U-turn likely from UK government on care costs bill

Another U-turn likely from UK government on care costs bill The government is preparing to drop controversial plans that would force poorer pensioners to pay more for their social care, in order to avert a possible Commons defeat that would further damage Boris Johnson’s authority, the Observer has been told.

See also:

• Closures and soaring waiting lists: crunch time for social care services The Guardian

People with autism are being locked away in institutions. A radical change is needed

People with autism are being locked away in institutions. A radical change is needed | Sheila Hollins My panel oversees reviews into detention cases of people with autism. I see how the system fails those it should help.

Not many people have to worry that their children will be forcibly removed or locked away from society. Yet this is something I do worry about. My autistic son, who also has a learning disability, experiences the world differently. I am often in awe of his perspective, and he has inspired my more than 40 years of professional and voluntary effort advocating for better understanding, care and support. The Guardian

Unvaccinated pregnant women are pushing NHS maternity services to 'crisis point', doctors warn

Unvaccinated pregnant women are pushing NHS maternity services to 'crisis point', doctors warn The growing number of unvaccinated pregnant women with Covid on labour wards is pushing some maternity services to the brink, NHS doctors have warned.

Senior midwives and obstetricians have revealed that units in certain areas are in a 'crisis situation', where already time-stretched staff are being forced to abandon healthy women mid-labour in order to tend to the complex needs of Covid-positive expectant mothers. The Daily Mail

Spine injury patients 'abandoned' by NHS mental health as a third of sufferers consider suicide

Spine injury patients 'abandoned' by NHS mental health as a third of sufferers consider suicide People left disabled by spinal-cord injuries are being ‘abandoned’ by NHS mental health services, despite being far more likely to suffer severe depression.

Doctors and campaigners are now calling for urgent action as new data shows a third of sufferers frequently think about taking their own life - yet only a third have been able to access adequate mental health support. The Daily Mail

Initiative launched to encourage Bangladeshi and other communities in Northampton to get Covid booster jabs

Initiative launched to encourage Bangladeshi and other communities in Northampton to get Covid booster jabs A community group is campaigning to encourage as many people as possible, specifically in the Bangladeshi community, to get their jabs this winter.

Centre for Policy, Promotion and Prevention (CPPP) - a community interest company (CIC) - is launching a new initiative to encourage Bangladeshi and other Diaspora communities to take the Covid booster jab and flu jab. Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Highly mutated 'Nu' Covid strain found in South Africa - here's what you need to know Northamptonshire Telegraph

Age UK brands system 'grossly unfair' as figures show one-third of Northamptonshire adults denied free NHS care

Age UK brands system 'grossly unfair' as figures show one-third of Northamptonshire adults denied free NHS care One-third of Northamptonshire adults with ongoing health needs were denied free NHS care over the summer, according to official figures.

Adults requiring care and support outside hospital settings can apply for a free package of care known as NHS Continuing Healthcare. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Health organisations warn of mounting patient safety crisis in Urgent and Emergency Care

Health organisations warn of mounting patient safety crisis in Urgent and Emergency Care Nearly two thirds of A&Es across the UK had ambulances waiting to transfer patients every day in the past week, according to a new survey from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

See also: 

• Urgent and emergency pathway under significant pressure NHS Providers
• Ambulances forced to queue daily outside A&Es, study suggests BBC News

Patient experience of NHS and social care services

Patient experience of NHS and social care services In our latest update we look at trends in patients’ experiences of NHS and social care services. 

Patient experience is a key element of quality, along with safety and clinical effectiveness. The NHS Constitution pledges to encourage patients to give feedback on their experience and use this to improve services. One of the ways that people can feed back is through national patient surveys. Information from these surveys enables us to understand what service users think about their care and treatment, and to track the quality of care over time. Nuffield Trust 

£5 million launched to support suicide prevention services

£5 million launched to support suicide prevention services People experiencing suicidal thoughts or approaching a crisis will be supported by a £5 million boost to suicide prevention charities, following increased demand during the pandemic. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Guidance: Suicide Prevention Fund 2021 to 2022 Department of Health and Social Care

Six African countries added to red list to protect public health as UK designates new Variant under Investigation

Six African countries added to red list to protect public health as UK designates new Variant under Investigation The government is taking decisive precautionary action against a new COVID-19 variant by introducing travel restrictions on arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia from midday Friday 26 November.

It comes as Variant B.1.1.529 is declared a variant under investigation (VuI) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Coronavirus variant: UK put safety first over Africa travel - Shapps BBC News
• 'More infectious and vaccine resistant' Botswana Covid variant is driving South African surge The Daily Mail
• Public must prepare for change in restrictions in wake of new South African Covid variant, JCVI scientist warns The Daily Telegraph
• South Africa to be put on England’s travel red list over new Covid variant The Guardian
• Parachute in extra vaccine supplies to target new variant, say experts The Independent
• Everything we know about the new Covid variant The Independent
• Covid ‘super variant’ with 32 mutations found with cases in South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong iNews
• Covid: What do we know about the new southern African variant and should we be worried? ITV News
• Heavily mutated coronavirus variant puts scientists on alert Nature
• What we know so far about AY.4.2 and other new coronavirus variants New Scientist

Covid vaccines safe in pregnancy, data shows

Covid vaccines safe in pregnancy, data shows The UK's Health Security Agency says its analysis of English data shows Covid vaccines are safe in pregnancy, reinforcing international evidence.

The agency found similar rates of stillbirths and preterm births for vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers.

Researchers say women should feel confident the jabs will help protect them and urge more to take them. BBC News

See also:

• Less than QUARTER of pregnant women in the UK have had a Covid vaccine, official data shows The Daily Mail
• Number of Brits falling ill with Covid every day jumped 18% last week to 76,728 The Daily Mail
• The forgotten Covid jab that might have NO side effects on kids The Daily Mail
• EU set to propose 'nine-month expiry date' on Covid vaccine passports for travel The Daily Telegraph
• Warning over gap in Covid vaccination levels for black pregnant women The Independent
• Warning of 50,000 cancer cases ‘missing’ due to pandemic The Independent

Shropshire baby deaths: Ockenden report delayed until March

Shropshire baby deaths: Ockenden report delayed until March A major review investigating hundreds of cases in which mothers and babies may have been harmed has been delayed until March 2022.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden has been looking at services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTh) and her findings had been due in December.

The delay follows the recent emergence of "very substantial information", she told families. BBC News 

Surgeon's CQC whistleblower claims branded fanciful

Surgeon's CQC whistleblower claims branded fanciful A doctor's claim he was targeted by the healthcare regulator in England because he was a whistleblower has been described as "fanciful".

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Shyam Kumar alleges his role as a special adviser to the Care Quality Commission was ended unfairly.

The decision was tied to concerns he raised about the regulator's hospital-inspection regime, he says. BBC News 

Plan to scrap tens of millions of NHS appointments ‘could put patients at risk’

Plan to scrap tens of millions of NHS appointments ‘could put patients at risk’ Plans to scrap tens of millions of “unnecessary” hospital follow-up appointments could put patients at risk and add to the overload at GP surgeries, NHS leaders and doctors are warning.

Health service leaders in England are finalising a radical plan under which hospital consultants will undertake far fewer outpatient appointments and instead perform more surgery to help cut the NHS backlog and long waits for care that many patients experience. The Guardian

‘Broken and exhausted’: GPs in England vote in favour of industrial action

‘Broken and exhausted’: GPs in England vote in favour of industrial action BMA ballot follows government drive to force surgeries to increase face-to-face appointments

GPs in England have voted in favour of taking limited forms of industrial action to protest against the government’s drive to force them to see patients face to face.

The results led the profession’s new leader to warn ministers that “demoralised, broken and exhausted” family doctors may refuse to undertake some normal duties to show their anger. The Guardian

See also: 

• BMA extremely disappointed that pay uplift for doctors in England doesn’t adequately reward doctors and demands fair uplifts BMA
• Continued rise in appointments shows GPs are doing more and more to deliver care for patients BMA
• A GP’s perspective on the future of general practice The Health Foundation
• Are we seeing the decline of general practice, or its rebirth? (podcast) The Health Foundation
• General practice 'busier and busier' as winter approaches, figures show Royal College of General Practitioners
• Number of GP appointments with an actual doctor drops below 50% for first time this year The Daily Mail
• GPs back strike action over face-to-face appointments The Daily Telegraph
• 'Line in the sand': GPC chair offers olive branch to government but warns GPs ready to fight GPonline
• GPs saw nearly two thirds of patients face to face last month Pulse

NHS race body commits to avoiding blanket terms such as 'BAME'

NHS race body commits to avoiding blanket terms such as 'BAME' An independent body set up by the NHS to tackle health inequalities has formally committed to never use blanket acronyms such as “BAME” after feedback that they are not representative.

The NHS Race and Health Observatory launched a four-week consultation with the public in July on how best to collectively refer to people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. The Independent

See also: 

• Survey finds ‘BAME’, ‘BME’ and ‘Ethnic Minority’ not representative NHS Race and Health Observatory

Covid-19 vaccine 'Big Weekend' as drive to boost 1.1million jabs total continues in Northamptonshire

Covid-19 vaccine 'Big Weekend' as drive to boost 1.1million jabs total continues in Northamptonshire Thousands of extra appointments and a string of drop-in clinics are being made available on a 'Big Weekend' for Covid-19 vaccinations in Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Thug's £1,800 court bill for shoving nurse against a wall during routine Northampton GP appointment

Thug's £1,800 court bill for shoving nurse against a wall during routine Northampton GP appointment A Northampton man has been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £800 compensation for shoving a GP nurse against a wall.

Magistrates heard how Ionut-Bogdan Anghel, aged 41, suddenly became aggressive while having a routine injection — not a Covid vaccination — at a surgery in East Hunsbury in June this year. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Fit for the future: what can the NHS learn about digital health care from other European countries?

Fit for the future: what can the NHS learn about digital health care from other European countries? The rapid increase in the use of technology during the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that digital health technology will be a fundamental part of health system recovery and for preparing for the future. This report examines the approach that five European countries have taken to implementing digital technology and draw out learnings for the NHS. Nuffield Trust

Invisible women: understanding women’s experiences of long-term imprisonment

Invisible women: understanding women’s experiences of long-term imprisonment This briefing highlights the far-reaching consequences of a lack of specialist, gender-specific, trauma informed provision for the the small minority of women serving very long determinate or indeterminate prison sentences. Most women serving long prison sentences will have extensive histories of trauma and are often victims as well as perpetrators. In a study of women serving life sentences, 60 per cent reported histories of sexual abuse, 80 per cent had experienced physical abuse and 54 per cent reported both sexual and physical abuse. Women lacking specialist support can feel isolated in their trauma; those serving long sentences are more exposed to repeat traumatisation. Prison Reform Trust

Doctor says healthcare regulator misled the public

Doctor says healthcare regulator misled the public A doctor has accused England's health and care regulator of "moral corruption".

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Shyam Kumar says the Care Quality Commission misled the public over patient safety.

Mr Kumar alleges he was unfairly dismissed from his role as a special adviser to the CQC because he acted as a whistleblower. BBC News

Government considering single leader for local NHS and care services

Government considering single leader for local NHS and care services A single person would be accountable for planning health and care services in each local area under plans being reviewed by government, Health Service Journal has reported.

Senior sources involved in the work confirmed to HSJ that the proposal could be included in the government’s planned integration white paper, which may be published before Christmas. Local Government Chronicle

MPs say NHS staff 'crisis' could undermine Covid recovery as they open probe into why people are quitting

MPs say NHS staff 'crisis' could undermine Covid recovery as they open probe into why people are quitting MPs have warned the “crisis” of NHS staff shortages will hold back recovery from Covid as they launched a probe into why so many people are leaving healthcare professions.

The Health and Social Care Committee of MPs has opened an inquiry into “how to end staff drain” among doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. iNews

Three in 10 Brits no longer self-isolate if they get Covid-like symptoms, official figures show

Three in 10 Brits no longer self-isolate if they get Covid-like symptoms, official figures show Three in 10 Britons who develop Covid symptoms do not self-isolate while they wait on their test result, official figures show.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) — which surveyed 1,000 people in England earlier this month who had the virus — found 29 per cent did not stay at home when they started feelin ill. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England: 1 November to 6 November 2021 Office for National Statistics
• Daily Covid cases rise by 14% in a week to 43,676 but hospital admissions drop for EIGHTH day The Daily Mail
• New Botswana variant with 32 'horrific' mutations is the most evolved Covid strain EVER The Daily Mail
• Man 'obsessed' with Covid jailed over bomb scare which halted AstraZeneca vaccine factory The Daily Telegraph
• Here’s what the UK can learn from other countries’ responses to Covid-19 The Guardian
• Will there be a new UK lockdown before Christmas? The Independent

NHS patients could be moved around the country under plan to reduce waiting lists

NHS patients could be moved around the country under plan to reduce waiting lists Follow-up appointments are to be scrapped and patients moved around the country under radical plans to tackle the enormous NHS waiting list backlog, it was reported last night.

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid is understood to have ordered NHS health chiefs to come up with proposals to ease the backlog. The Daily Mail 

Mind the gap: an investigation into maternity training for frontline professionals across the UK 2020/21

Mind the gap: an investigation into maternity training for frontline professionals across the UK 2020/21 This report, compiled from data received from Freedom of Information requests submitted to NHS trusts, examines the on-going training actually delivered to maternity professionals. It once again shows there is not sufficient on-going training and that NHS trusts are delivering less training today – and are spending less on it – than they were in 2017/18. Baby Lifeline is urging the government to commit funding to address the issues that this report highlights, in particular to ensure the correct level of training is delivered and that the staffing is in place to allow for that training. Baby Lifeline

Gendered experiences of obesity: narrowing gender gaps in prevention and treatment

Gendered experiences of obesity: narrowing gender gaps in prevention and treatment This report explores gendered experiences of obesity in the UK , examining how obesity rates differ between men and women, the drivers of these trends and the extent to which policy aimed at reducing obesity rates needs to be gender specific. Social Market Foundation

The future of NHS human resources and organisational development

The future of NHS human resources and organisational development This report outlines the ten-year strategy for the human resources (HR) and organisational development (OD) services in the NHS. It is aimed at HR and OD directors, chief people officers, HR and OD practitioners, managers, leaders and anyone with an interest in HR and OD. NHS England

Independent report: Putting data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS

Independent report: Putting data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS This independent review from Laura Wade-Gery considers how to ensure a coherent approach to digital transformation in the NHS national bodies. Department of Health and Social Care

Progesterone recommended to prevent early miscarriage

Progesterone recommended to prevent early miscarriage Women who experience bleeding in early pregnancy and have had at least one miscarriage should be treated with the hormone progesterone.

The new guidance, from the health watchdog NICE, is based on research suggesting the treatment could lead to 8,450 more births each year in the UK.

The more miscarriages a woman had, the more effective progesterone was, the trial found. BBC News

Nurses' mental health: 'Most people in the NHS, they are sad'

Nurses' mental health: 'Most people in the NHS, they are sad' "NHS staff have run off adrenalin for the past year and that adrenalin is running out. We're all coming to the point where we're all just crashing and burning out."

Emily Moorhouse is one of thousands of NHS staff who have either left the profession or changed roles this year. BBC News

Covid jab wait for 12- to 15-year-olds in England could be up to five months

Covid jab wait for 12- to 15-year-olds in England could be up to five months Delays to the vaccination rollout mean some 12- to 15-year-olds may not get their Covid jab until February next year – 15 weeks after the government’s original target for offering the jab to all eligible teenagers, according to Labour.

Officials originally set October half-term as the target to invite those in the age group to receive the vaccine in schools after criticism that England was slow to approve it for children compared to other countries. The Guardian

See also:

• Covid: Law reform calls for 'vital' care home visits BBC News
• Number of long Covid cases 'probably beyond current capacity' of NHS, says professor Channel 4 News
• Weekly COVID-19 cases among children rose to 141,000 - a nearly 14% increase from the week prior The Daily Mail
• Has third jab farce landed hundreds in intensive care? The Daily Mail
• Eleven vulnerable care home residents are injected with SALT WATER instead of Pfizer Covid vaccine The Daily Mail
• 700,000 Europeans will die from Covid by March, World Health Organization warns The Daily Mail
• Weekly Covid deaths pass 1,000 for first time since early March The Independent
• Ministers have ‘lost the message’ over Covid, scientists warn The Independent

NHS scheme to reduce hospital pressures 'stalled' over lack of beds and staff

NHS scheme to reduce hospital pressures 'stalled' over lack of beds and staff A flagship NHS scheme to reduce pressure on hospitals has “stalled” due to a lack of beds and staff shortages, The Independent can reveal.

Hospital wards designed to treat NHS patients within one day are instead being “inappropriately” used as “overflow” areas for busy A&Es, according to research by the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM).

Analysis: Treasury's dead hand over NHS policy is the biggest patient safety threat

Analysis: Treasury's dead hand over NHS policy is the biggest patient safety threat Patients are dying in the backs of ambulances or on trolleys in A&E while others languish in beds unable to be discharged due to the collapse in social care. Others waiting in pain are desperate to get a bed for much-needed surgery.

While there are many ingredients mixing together to create the current NHS crisis, a widespread shortage of nurses, doctors and other essential staff is one of the major contributory factors. The Independent

See also: 

• The Government has squandered the opportunity to achieve safe staffing in NHS and patient care will suffer BMA
• Inaction on workforce planning will hamper the NHS and social care's ability to recover The Health Foundation
• The King's Fund responds to the social care cap change vote The King's Fund
• Health and care bill: report stage NHS Confederation
• 'Widespread disappointment and disbelief' Royal College of Nursing
• RCP responds to report stage debate on amendment to strengthen workforce planning in the Health and Care Bill Royal College of Physicians 
• Real ‘care crisis’ is lack of council funding and staff, Jeremy Hunt warns ministers The Independent
• Boris Johnson’s controversial care plans face resistance in Lords The Independent
• Tory MPs vote down plea to ban private health firms sitting on NHS boards The Mirror
• Health and Care Bill 2021: new plans explained, how NHS will be affected, and what is the social care cap? National World

First human clinical trials for nasal vaccine to prevent Alzheimer's disease set to begin

First human clinical trials for nasal vaccine to prevent Alzheimer's disease set to begin A vaccine that could prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease is beginning its first human clinical trials.

Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, announced on Tuesday that it is starting a Phase I trial of a nasal spray that could prevent the devastating condition. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Brigham and Women's Hospital Launches Clinical Trial of Nasal Vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease Brigham and Women's Hospital

Midwives turn out in force in Northampton town centre to push message about health crisis

Midwives turn out in force in Northampton town centre to push message about health crisis Placard-waving Northamptonshire midwives braved the cold and turned out in force to highlight a growing crisis in maternity services.

Organisers of the March with Midwives in Northampton town centre on Sunday (November 21) say many are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing and fears they can’t deliver safe care to women in the current system. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Parents raise £184k for Kettering General Hospital bereavement suite

Parents raise £184k for Kettering General Hospital bereavement suite Parents and families in Northamptonshire who have lost babies have helped raise £184,000 for a new bereavement suite.

The Northamptonshire Health Charity has been fundraising for the facility at Kettering General Hospital but still needs more donations.

The Twinkling Stars Appeal is hoping to raise £1m. BBC Northampton 

Major reforms to NHS workforce planning and tech agenda

Major reforms to NHS workforce planning and tech agenda Recruitment, training and retention of NHS staff and digital transformation will be put at the heart of the NHS in England, under new reforms announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care today. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• HEE response to DHSC announcement of HEE and NHSE/I merger Health Education England
• Department of Health & Social Care announcement on NHS Tech Agenda NHS Digital

Nowhere else to turn: exploring high intensity use of accident and emergency services

Nowhere else to turn: exploring high intensity use of accident and emergency services People who frequently attend accident and emergency (A&E) a make up less than one per cent of the population, but account for a significant proportion of all A&E attendances, ambulance journeys and hospital admissions. It is estimated they cost the NHS at least £2.5bn per year. This report explores the profile and experiences of people who frequently attend A&E and considers what needs to be done to ensure that more people can be supported in the community, before they reach a crisis that leads to the door of the emergency department. It shows the clear link between high intensity use and wider inequalities. British Red Cross 

Understanding vaccine hesitancy through communities of place

Understanding vaccine hesitancy through communities of place This UK-US collaborative study highlights the importance of tapping into local knowledge and leadership in efforts to improve Covid-19 vaccine take-up. Produced together with the Institute for Community Research and Boston University in the United States, the report explores levels of vaccine engagement in four locations: Oldham and Tower Hamlets in the UK, and the cities of Boston and Hartford in the US. In all four localities, the survey finds the authorities’ ‘top-down’ approach to vaccine distribution and education has been ineffective, and that applying a ‘community engagement approach’ instead –involving community groups and trusted leaders in vaccine distribution and education – can improve take-up rates. Institute for Community Studies

Covid: Can UK avoid a Europe-style return to lockdown?

Covid: Can UK avoid a Europe-style return to lockdown? Covid infection rates have started rising sharply in parts of Western Europe, prompting the introduction of fresh restrictions and lockdowns.

It has triggered fears the UK could follow suit. But there are plenty of reasons to believe Britain will escape the worst of what is being seen on the continent. In fact, the UK may well be in the strongest position of all to weather Covid this winter. BBC News

See also:

• COVID-19: AstraZeneca CEO on long-term protection from jab BBC News
• Covid death doctor Irfan Halim touched lives, brother says BBC News
• Inhalable asthma treatment does not reduce number of days it takes to clear COVID-19 symptoms The Daily Mail
• Delta subvariant AY.4.2 is LESS likely to cause symptoms but slightly more infectious than ancestor The Daily Mail
• UK's daily Covid cases rise 13% in a week to 44,917 but deaths drop slightly with 45 victims The Daily Mail
• AstraZeneca jab could be why Britain is faring better than Europe, says vaccine boss The Daily Telegraph
• Getting jabs to the unvaccinated has never been more critical The Guardian
• Another Covid Christmas: Britons urged to delay festive plans The Guardian
• Zahawi rejects exclusion zones to keep Covid anti-vaxxers away from schools The Guardian

Change to sepsis advice after mums' herpes deaths

Change to sepsis advice after mums' herpes deaths Advice on how new mothers with sepsis should be treated is to change after two women died of a herpes infection.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says viral sources of infections should be considered and appropriate treatment offered.

This comes after the BBC revealed one surgeon might have infected the mothers while performing Caesareans on them. BBC News

See also: 

• New mothers who died of herpes could have been infected by one surgeon BBC News
• Two mothers died ‘after catching herpes from same caesarean surgeon’ The Daily Telegraph

NHS to give therapy for depression before medication under new guidelines

NHS to give therapy for depression before medication under new guidelines Millions of people with mild depression in England should be offered therapy, exercise, mindfulness or meditation before antidepressants, according to the first new NHS guidelines in more than a decade.

Under draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommends the “menu of treatment options” be offered to patients by health professionals before medication is considered. The Guardian

See also: 

• NICE creates new menu of treatment options for those suffering from depression NICE
• NHS could give therapy before anti-depressants, under new guidelines BBC News
• What are the new Nice guidelines on depression in the UK? The Guardian

System for assessing who needs to pay for NHS care ‘incentivises racial profiling’

System for assessing who needs to pay for NHS care ‘incentivises racial profiling’ The system for assessing who should be asked to pay for NHS services “incentivises racial profiling”, an investigation has found.

A study by the Institute for Public Policy Research found that overstretched NHS staff sometimes racially profile patients in order to determine who is not “ordinarily resident” in the UK, and therefore must pay for their care. The Guardian

See also: 

• Towards true universal care: Reforming the NHS charging system Institute for Public Policy Research

Health and Care Bill explained - and why anti-NHS-privatisation groups are angry

Health and Care Bill explained - and why anti-NHS-privatisation groups are angry The Tories’ Health and Care Bill will make sweeping changes to the structure of the NHS in England - undoing 2012 reforms. The Mirror

See also: 

• Last minute changes to social care reforms are a step in the wrong direction The Health Foundation
• A ‘radically realistic’ vision for adult social care The King's Fund
• Significant tweak to social care proposals will leave fewer protected from catastrophic costs Nuffield Trust
• Social care: MPs back change to funding cost cap in England BBC News
• Social care: Boris Johnson defends his plan amid criticism over the cost cap BBC News
• England’s social care cap will see poorest areas lose greater share of property wealth The Guardian
• The NHS is facing the hardest winter in its history, and still the Tories vandalise it The Guardian
• UK Social Care: What The Shake-Up Means For You Huffington Post
• The Tories’ health and care bill needs a new name: the corporate takeover bill The Independent
• Controversial changes to social care plan pass Commons - but only just ITV News

Northamptonshire: Covid funds granted for most vulnerable

Northamptonshire: Covid funds granted for most vulnerable A fund of £2.5m has been made available to help a district recover from the social impact of the Covid pandemic.

North Northamptonshire Council has been given the money from the government's Household Support Fund. BBC Northampton

Northamptonshire is delivering on NHS targets for those needing wheelchairs, figures reveal

Northamptonshire is delivering on NHS targets for those needing wheelchairs, figures reveal Nearly all those in Northamptonshire needing NHS wheelchairs are getting them on time, figures show — despite lengthy delays elsewhere across England. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Briefing on the Health and Care Bill: House of Commons report stage and third reading

Briefing on the Health and Care Bill: House of Commons report stage and third reading The Health and Care Bill (House of Commons Bill 2021–22) introduces new measures to promote and enable collaboration in health and care, building on earlier recommendations made by NHS England and NHS Improvement in 2019. The Bill also contains new powers for the Secretary of State to intervene in the health and care system, and targeted changes to public health, social care, and the oversight of quality and safety. The King's Fund

What will 'better' elective care look like in the future?

What will 'better' elective care look like in the future? The headline issue in elective care is that 5.8 million people and counting are currently waiting for elective treatment in England – and more than 12,000 have been waiting more than two years – with ministers suggesting that waits will ‘get worse before they get better’. The King's Fund

Timely access to care: principles for recovery

Timely access to care: principles for recovery This report uncovers timely access to care is now the most pressing concern of people who live with ill health, disability or impairment. It finds that primary care, community services, mental health, elective and specialist care and urgent and emergency services are all impacted by delays, waits, service disruptions and cancellations. It concludes that rebuilding timely access to health and care needs to be top priority for all system leaders. National Voices 

Adults in England aged 40 upwards will be invited to book booster

Adults in England aged 40 upwards will be invited to book booster People in England aged over 40 can book their Covid booster jabs from Monday.

Almost 500,000 people in their 40s are currently eligible for the booster, having received their second jab at least six months ago, NHS England said.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds will also be able to book their second dose from Monday, after scientists concluded it was safe and effective for this group. BBC News

See also:

• Austria to go into full lockdown as Covid surges  BBC News
• Booster vaccines to be added to NHS Covid Pass for travel  BBC News
• UK's daily Covid cases rise by another 10% in a week to 44,242 The Daily Mail
• Wearing a mask is 'the most effective way' of curbing spread of Covid, study claims The Daily Mail
• Covid vaccines could be offered to children as young as five next spring The Daily Telegraph
• UK must be ready to impose Covid restrictions this winter, expert warns The Guardian
• ICU is full of the unvaccinated – my patience with them is wearing thin The Guardian
• England’s Covid test and trace spending over £1m a day on consultants The Guardian
• UK investigates supplier of NHS PPE over alleged use of forced labour The Guardian
• ‘A best friend to so many’: tributes to surgeon who died of Covid The Guardian
• UK ‘has accepted it doesn’t matter’ if children get Covid, top GP says The Independent
• Revealed: 600 premature babies born to mothers in hospital with Covid The Independent

Deaths of people treated under the Mental Health Act rose during pandemic

Deaths of people treated under the Mental Health Act rose during pandemic The number of deaths of people being treated under the Mental Health Act in England rose during the coronavirus pandemic, estimates suggest.

The Care Quality Commission's (CQC) findings come amid concerns over staff shortages in psychiatric units.

Some 490 people died while detained under the act in the year to March 2021 - 324 of them for non-Covid reasons, the regulator says. BBC News 

Javid orders probe into medical device racial bias

Javid orders probe into medical device racial bias A review into whether medical devices are equally effective regardless of the patient's ethnicity has been ordered by Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

Research suggests oximeters, which are clipped to a person's finger, can overstate the level of oxygen in the blood of people from ethnic minorities.

Ministers want to know whether bias could have prevented patients receiving appropriate Covid treatment. BBC News

See also: 

• Review launched into the health impact of potential bias in medical devices Department of Health and Social Care
• Sajid Javid: 'Medical device racial bias not acceptable' BBC News
• From oximeters to AI, where bias in medical devices may lurk The Guardian
• Bias in medical devices may have led to avoidable UK Covid deaths, says Javid The Guardian
• Review to be launched into racial and gender bias in medical devices The Independent

NHS hospital at centre of cover up claims after woman died following repeated paracetamol overdose

NHS hospital at centre of cover up claims after woman died following repeated paracetamol overdose The family of a woman who died after being repeatedly overdosed with paracetamol in an NHS hospital have demanded action over her death amid allegations of an NHS cover up.

Laura Higginson, a trainee solicitor and mum of two, died after seeking medical help for sickness and pneumonia. She died two weeks later from multi-organ failure and sepsis. The Independent 

Giving birth in the UK becoming 'critically unsafe' say organisers of midwife vigil

Giving birth in the UK becoming 'critically unsafe' say organisers of midwife vigil Giving birth in the UK is becoming "critically unsafe" according to organisers of vigils being held by midwives across the UK today.

Staff shortages and a lack of funding are being blamed for putting women and their babies at risk.

A recent survey found 60% of midwives were thinking of leaving the profession due to the pressures they are under. Sky News

See also:

• Midwives' vigil in Northampton town centre Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Midwives take to the streets to warn NHS services are a 'national emergency' The Daily Mail

Mental health: Anxiety, depression and self-harm on rise among teens

Mental health: Anxiety, depression and self-harm on rise among teens The number of teenagers seeking help for mental health problems is increasing rapidly, according to children's charities. The BBC went to Northamptonshire to talk to young people affected and those trying to help. BBC Northampton

Covid credited as stop smoking service reports rise in referrals

Covid credited as stop smoking service reports rise in referrals The number of people referring themselves to a service aimed at helping them stop smoking has increased rapidly since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2020, a total of 1,242 people applied to the Northamptonshire Stop Smoking Service - an increase of 200% on the previous year. BBC Northampton 

Money talks: investing in proactive health measures to support healthy ageing

Money talks: investing in proactive health measures to support healthy ageing It is known that proactive (preventative health interventions and health promotion) health measures work, are cost-effective, and can save lives. However cross the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), on average countries spend just 2.8 per cent of their health budgets on these interventions. In this report, with ILC-Canada, Canada is used as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of spending on prevention and health promotion. Canada spends more of its health budget on proactive health measures than any other country in the OECD – at six per cent, it’s more than double the OECD average, which has contributed to positive outcomes. International Longevity Centre UK

Chart of the week: How many care home staff in England have received two Covid-19 vaccine doses?

Chart of the week: How many care home staff in England have received two Covid-19 vaccine doses? After the deadline passed last week, care home staff in England now need to have received two Covid-19 jabs to carry on working. In this week’s chart, Nina Hemmings looks at how many had been vaccinated twice only a few weeks before the deadline. Nuffield Trust 

The government’s preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons for government on risk management

The government’s preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons for government on risk management Like many other governments across the world, the UK government was underprepared for a pandemic like COVID-19. It will need to learn lessons from its preparations for and handling of whole-system risks, which will include making judgements on what level of preparations is appropriate. National Audit Office

See also: 

• Covid: UK government wasn't ready for pandemic, report finds BBC News

13 million top-up COVID-19 vaccines given across the UK

13 million top-up COVID-19 vaccines given across the UK More than 13 million life-saving booster jabs have been given across the UK, marking another significant milestone in the phenomenal COVID-19 vaccination programme. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports: 2021 to 2022 season UK Health Security Agency
• Research: COVID-19 vaccine weekly surveillance reports (weeks 39 to 46) UK Health Security Agency

Covid cases highest in younger children in England

Covid cases highest in younger children in England Covid case rates in England are now highest among children aged five to nine, latest weekly surveillance figures reveal.

The data, up to 14 November, shows this younger age group has overtaken older, secondary school aged children for the first time.

In recent months, the 10 to 19 age group maintained the highest rate of infections per 100,000 tested. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: 50 firms got VIP fast-track equipment contracts BBC News
• Britain's daily Covid cases jump by 10% to highest level in a month The Daily Mail
• First-ever known case of Covid was a female seafood vendor at a Wuhan market The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 UK: Booster vaccine doses reduce the risk of infection by two thirds compared to two doses The Daily Mail
• Rollout of third Covid jabs in England condemned as ‘shambolic’ The Guardian
• Covid is surging in Europe. What does it mean for the UK? The Guardian
• AstraZeneca Covid antibody treatment more than 80% successful The Independent
• More infectious Delta variant accounts for one in 10 Covid cases The Independent

Oral drug for spinal muscular atrophy to be available on NHS in England

Oral drug for spinal muscular atrophy to be available on NHS in England The NHS is to introduce a revolutionary new treatment to tackle the leading genetic cause of death among babies and young children.

About 1,500 patients in England with certain types of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are expected to benefit from risdiplam, after a recommendation from the health watchdog. The drug, also called Evrysdi and made by Roche, is a syrup that can be taken at home and is the first non-injectable treatment for the condition. The Guardian

See also: 

• Risdiplam for treating spinal muscular atrophy in children and adults (draft guideline) NICE
• NICE draft guidance recommends new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy as part of a managed access agreement NICE
• Take at home treatment for spinal muscular atrophy BBC News
• NHS to give life-changing drug to spinal muscular atrophy patients The Independent

NHS trust 'failed to act' on inspectors' warnings before patient deaths, court told

NHS trust 'failed to act' on inspectors' warnings before patient deaths, court told Two patients suffering from sepsis died following treatment at the same NHS hospital after inspectors’ warnings about failings in care were not acted upon, a court has heard.

Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court was told the Care Quality Commission (CQC) informed the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust its staff were not clear on how to follow a 'sepsis treatment pathway' in the months leading up to both deaths. ITV News 

Grab a booster jab to keep Covid-19 off your Christmas list, plea from Northamptonshire health chiefs

Grab a booster jab to keep Covid-19 off your Christmas list, plea from Northamptonshire health chiefs Health chiefs in Northamptonshire are echoing a call by Boris Johnson to grab a booster jab and save Christmas.

The Prime Minister confirmed that follow-up jabs would be made available to 40-to-49-year-olds amid fears waning protection from initial doses could spark a rise in hospital cases. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Kettering mum's anguish at sons' mental health discharge as they are told: 'go to your GP instead of specialist unit'

Kettering mum's anguish at sons' mental health discharge as they are told: 'go to your GP instead of specialist unit' A Kettering mum says she is 'absolutely distraught' at the decision to discharge her adult sons from the mental health team that they have relied on since they were children.

Her sons, now in their twenties, received letters on the same day informing them that 'in line with the NHS long-term plan' review they were no longer under the immediate care of St Mary's Hospital's community mental health team. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Nurses’ pay over the long term: what next?

Nurses’ pay over the long term: what next? Our report looks at long-term trends in pay for UK nurses since the establishment of the NHS Pay Review Body in 1983 to the present day.

It explores changes over time, how nurses’ pay has changed relative to other public sector workers, and how pay for UK nurses compares to other countries. The Health Foundation

Funding saga proves bad for HEE’s health

Funding saga proves bad for HEE’s health The long-running dispute between Health Education England and the Treasury over HEE’s budget has come to a head with news that the body will be incorporated into NHS England.

HSJ understands from senior sources that the funding settlement sought by HEE was deemed unaffordable, triggering its demise. It is expected the independent education body will become part of the NHSE by April 2023. Health Service Journal

See also: 

• The King's Fund responds to the Health Education England merger with NHS England The King's Fund

A joint thematic inspection of the criminal justice journey for individuals with mental health needs and disorders

A joint thematic inspection of the criminal justice journey for individuals with mental health needs and disorders Inspectors looked at more than 300 cases from six regions, interviewed 550 professionals, and heard from 67 people with mental health issues who had been through the criminal justice system, from first contact with the police to release from prison. The inspection report found poor support for people with mental health issues and concludes that too little progress had been made since the last review in 2009. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation

See also: 

• Every part of justice system fails mentally ill people, inspectors find The Guardian

Crowding and its Consequences: RCEM insight report

Crowding and its Consequences: RCEM insight report Emergency Department (ED) crowding is a major threat to public health and represents a serious policy challenge that must be urgently tackled. Although it is present in health systems across the globe, it has worsened significantly in recent years in the UK due to the severe mismatch between demand and capacity in the NHS. Increasing patient demand coupled with high hospital bed occupancy has resulted in exit block - the key reason for crowded EDs. Royal College of Emergency Medicine

See also: 

• At least 4,500 patients in England have died because of 'shocking' overcrowding at A&E and 12-hour ambulance handover delays in the last year, damning report finds The Daily Mail
• More than 4,500 people died after waiting 12 hours on hospital trolleys last year The Daily Telegraph
• A&E overcrowding in UK ‘killing thousands a year’, say doctors The Guardian
• A&E waits ‘kill’ as long delays drive thousands of patient deaths The Independent