Covid vaccines: 35,000 jabs done in just ONE WEEK across Northamptonshire

Covid vaccines: 35,000 jabs done in just ONE WEEK across Northamptonshire Four out of every ten people in Northamptonshire have now received at least a first dose of coronavirus vaccine.

NHS teams across the county delivered an astonishing 35,000 jabs in just seven days between February 22 and February 28, according to official figures released on Thursday. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• North Northamptonshire's Covid rates raised with Matt Hancock again Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• UK most likely place in world for Covid-19 mutant strain - health minister warns Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Scientists are tracking another new Covid variant in the UK after 16 cases found Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Latest advice for Northamptonshire mums-to-be over Covid vaccinations Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Some asthma sufferers are being refused a Covid vaccine by GPs despite government guidance Northamptonshire Telegraph

MEET THE GOVERNORS: Kettering governor explains more about Northamptonshire's health scene

MEET THE GOVERNORS: Kettering governor explains more about Northamptonshire's health scene A KGH governor has gone into more details about Northamptonshire's health scene.

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

The end of an era? Brexit’s impact on the UK’s scientific successes

The end of an era? Brexit’s impact on the UK’s scientific successes For almost 50 years, the NHS benefited from easy access to a large market, meaning it’s been first in the queue for the latest innovations. But what impact might Brexit have on medicines, medical devices and life sciences in the UK? Nuffield Trust 

NHS launches ‘Op Courage’ veterans’ mental health service

NHS launches ‘Op Courage’ veterans’ mental health service Armed forces veterans suffering a mental health crisis will receive specialist care as part of a new Op Courage service launched by NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens. NHS England 

£79 million to boost mental health support for children and young people

£79 million to boost mental health support for children and young people Millions more children and young people will have access to significantly expanded mental health services, backed by £79 million. Department of Health and Social Care 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK Sixteen cases of a new variant, VUI-202102/04 (lineage B.1.1.318), have been identified in the UK. The variant has been designated a Variant Under Investigation (VUI) by Public Health England

See also: 

• Transparency data: Coronavirus cases by local authority, epidemiological data, 4 March 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• Transparency data: NHS Test and Trace (England) statistics: 18 February to 24 February 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England

Covid-19: Another new variant added to UK watch list

Covid-19: Another new variant added to UK watch list Scientists have identified 16 cases of another new variant of coronavirus in the UK.

Public Health England has designated it as a 'variant under investigation' (VUI), meaning it is on their watch list, but not one they are immediately concerned about.

It has a mutation in common with the South Africa and Brazil variants. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid variants: What happens when a virus mutates? BBC News
• Covid: Asthma patients refused vaccine by some GPs BBC News
• Covid: Fresh air 'key to safer classrooms' BBC News
• Covid: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines give T-cell immunity against new variants The Daily Mail
• Matt Hancock urges England to stay vigilant after study claims the decline in Covid cases has SLOWED The Daily Mail
• Some English care homes to delay allowing indoor visits over Covid risk The Guardian

Test and Trace barely used check-in data from pubs and restaurants - with thousands not warned of infection risk

Test and Trace barely used check-in data from pubs and restaurants - with thousands not warned of infection risk Data from hundreds of millions of check-ins by people who visited pubs, restaurants and hairdressers before lockdown was barely used by Test and Trace, according to a confidential report obtained by Sky News

See also:

• Covid contracts still unpublished despite Boris Johnson's claim BBC News
• Test And Trace Spending Will Top £37bn, Budget Small Print Reveals Huffington Post

Hospitals failing to heed warnings over patient deaths, reveals new study

Hospitals failing to heed warnings over patient deaths, reveals new study Thousands of similar errors contributing to patient deaths are being repeated by hospitals despite warnings from coroners, according to new research.

An analysis of four years of official reports by coroners, issued after the conclusion of inquests into patient deaths, has revealed the impact of the NHS struggling with a lack of resources and staff. Coroners found similar mistakes across hundreds of inquests. The Independent 

See also: 

• A thematic analysis of the prevention of future deaths reports in healthcare from HM coroners in England and Wales 2016–2019 (open access) Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management

Unions attack 'pitiful' 1% pay rise proposed for NHS staff

Unions attack 'pitiful' 1% pay rise proposed for NHS staff The government is embroiled in a row with NHS staff after deciding they should get only a 1% pay rise next year, despite Boris Johnson’s effusive praise for their efforts during the pandemic.

Nurses and doctors accused ministers of not valuing health service personnel highly enough after the recommendation that more than 1 million staff should receive only a small increase. The Guardian

See also: 

• Policy paper: DHSC evidence for the NHSPRB: pay round 2021 to 2022 Department of Health and Social Care
• Policy paper: DHSC evidence for the DDRB: pay round 2021 to 2022 Department of Health and Social Care
• Government’s evidence on NHS pay is ‘bitterly disappointing’ and ‘out of touch’ but not a done deal Royal College of Nursing
• Nurses' union anger over 'pitiful' 1% NHS pay rise BBC News
• Low-paid public sector workers to get £250 pay rise BBC News
• NHS 1% pay rise is what we can afford - minister BBC News
• Government recommends 1pc pay rise for NHS staff Health Service Journal
• 1% NHS Staff Pay Rise Is ‘Most We Think We Can Afford’ Nadine Dorries Says Huffington Post
• Minister’s planned NHS pay rise labelled ‘pitiful’ by unions The Independent