Community resilience group launched in Wellingborough to offer post-pandemic support

Community resilience group launched in Wellingborough to offer post-pandemic support A new Wellingborough group has been launched to ensure the community spirit which has helped so many through Covid continues long after the pandemic. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Northamptonshire holidaymaker fined for ignoring quarantine rules despite fears over Brazilian Covid variant Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Matt Hancock says UK residents will be able to certify they have had a Covid vaccination in future Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Maternity services to take over Northampton neighbourhood library formerly used as a community hub

Maternity services to take over Northampton neighbourhood library formerly used as a community hub A Northampton library formerly used as a community hub will now be used for maternity services. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Residual drugs in intravenous cannulae and extension lines

Residual drugs in intravenous cannulae and extension lines Our investigation looked at the risks to patients when intravenous (IV) drugs are retained in cannulae and extension lines.

Some drugs, such as those used in anaesthesia and pain management, can cause patients to stop breathing. After administration, these drugs should be flushed through cannulae and extension lines to make sure no residual quantities of the drugs are left. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also: 

• Dozens of patients left conscious but unable to breathe after NHS drug errors The Independent

New research shows the health care use of individuals with multiple conditions also depends on health of those they live with

New research shows the health care use of individuals with multiple conditions also depends on health of those they live with Health Foundation research shows that the health and health care needs of people living in the same household are interconnected. The findings highlight the potential for services to make better use of household information when planning and providing care. 

Budget 2021

Budget 2021 The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented his Budget to Parliament on Wednesday 3 March 2021. HM Treasury

See also: 

• Chancellor has imposed 'an unfair tax on doctors' and survey shows many now plan to leave the NHS before their expected retirement BMA
• A budget for rescue but not recovery The Health Foundation
• Member briefing: Budget 2021 NHS Confederation
• Budget 2021 NHS Employers
• Striking absence of a plan for long-term recovery of health and social care services in the Budget Nuffield Trust
• Lack of funding for health and social care service recovery will affect both staff and patients Royal College of Nursing
• Budget 2021: Key points at-a-glance BBC News
• From furlough to restart grants, how Rishi Sunak's £352bn Covid support package works The Daily Telegraph
• NHS, social care and most vulnerable 'betrayed' by Sunak's budget The Guardian
• Sunak goes long on support for jobs – but says little about NHS or inequality The Guardian
• Budget 2021: 'Insulted' NHS staff must make do with 'clapping and badges' after being denied pay rise iNews
• Rishi Sunak's pension tax relief policy could hit NHS doctors at the worst possible time iNews

Final findings from February COVID-19 REACT-1 study published

Final findings from February COVID-19 REACT-1 study published Findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show infections fell by two-thirds from the last REACT-1 report in January, with 1 in 204 people infected. Department and Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Official Statistics: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: February 2021 final results Department and Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: Evaluating detection of SARS-CoV-2: AntiBodies at Home study Public Health England

Covid: React study finds virus decline slowing in England

Covid: React study finds virus decline slowing in England A marked decline in infections between January and February may have slowed, according to scientists tracking coronavirus in England.

Infections fell by two-thirds over lockdown, but one in 200 people still have the virus.

Lower virus levels are needed to get the best out of the vaccination programme, Imperial College's React study says. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid-19: New vaccines for variants to be fast-tracked BBC News
• Covid: Oxford vaccine does protect older people, Europe told BBC News
• No10 admits 'Crude' and flawed formula used to divvy up Covid vaccine supplies The Daily Mail
• NHS hospitals in London are told to prepare for a 'possible surge' in Covid patients later this year The Daily Mail
• Unions attack 'sinister' plan to force NHS staff to have Covid vaccine The Guardian
• 'I don't want to be bullied': NHS and care workers on mandatory Covid jabs
• Ninety percent of Covid deaths are in countries with high obesity rates, study finds The Independent

UK government may start offering financial rewards for becoming healthier

UK government may start offering financial rewards for becoming healthier NHS and councils in England also being given £70m towards weight loss and fitness courses

The government is expanding access to weight loss services and may start offering people financial rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle as part of the fight against obesity. The Guardian 

UK sick days fall to record low of just 1.8% despite Covid pandemic

UK sick days fall to record low of just 1.8% despite Covid pandemic The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the sickness absence rate - the number of working hours lost due to illness - was 1.8 per cent in the UK in 2020, the equivalent of about 3.6 days per worker. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2020 Office for National Statistics