Another Covid vaccine milestone passed as jabs boss says there's no need for 'mix and match' doses in Northamptonshire

Another Covid vaccine milestone passed as jabs boss says there's no need for 'mix and match' doses in Northamptonshire Vaccine bosses insist there is no need for Northamptonshire patients to be offered 'mix and match' Covid-19 jabs.

Those in charge of the county's rollout insist there is no shortage of supplies and everybody should be given a second dose from the same vaccine as their first. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• What to expect when holidays restart - as government warns of long border delays Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New day care centre specialising in dementia care for older people to open in Northampton following high demand

New day care centre specialising in dementia care for older people to open in Northampton following high demand A second day care centre, which will offer specialised dementia care for older people in Northampton will open later this year, due to high demand for the service. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northamptonshire care home rated inadequate as CQC finds safety risks

Northamptonshire care home rated inadequate as CQC finds safety risks A care home for people with dementia and disabilities has been rated inadequate by health inspectors who found risks to residents' safety.

Bell Lodge in Daventry in Northamptonshire was put into special measures after a visit from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January.

There were also issues with staffing, management, medicines, and infection control at the 15-resident home. BBC Northampton

LSE–Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS: re-laying the foundations for an equitable and efficient health and care service after COVID-19

LSE–Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS: re-laying the foundations for an equitable and efficient health and care service after COVID-19 This UK-wide London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)–Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS provides the first analysis of the initial phases of the COVID-19 response as part of a uniquely comprehensive assessment of the fundamental strengths of and challenges that are faced by the NHS.

See also:

• UK needs £102bn boost to NHS and social care, says major report The Guardian
• Reforming the NHS: key proposals by LSE-Lancet commission The Guardian
• Raise income tax by 1p to secure future of NHS, experts tell government The Independent

10 practical lessons for implementing digital innovations - learning from the Care City test bed

10 practical lessons for implementing digital innovations - learning from the Care City test bed Digital health innovations are often seen as 'ready made' solutions to challenges facing health and care systems but despite their potential, implementing these technologies can be complex. This summary highlights ten lessons for those working to integrate technology into health and social care services. The findings are based on a large-scale evaluation of digital technologies being implemented in health and social care in East London. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Implementing technology in health and social care: lessons from the Care City test bed Nuffield Trust

Working on organisational culture in Covid-19

Working on organisational culture in Covid-19 A while ago I was asked to work with an NHS trust on improving their culture. I was intrigued to see if there would be enough understanding and support to sponsor a sustained focus on culture change and what internal capability could be mobilised to support it. I felt excited by the prospect of playing a part, but I felt apprehensive too, if I’m honest. Did staff want to change and would the particular mix of politics permit it? The King's Fund

New analysis shows ‘widespread decline’ in adult social care

New analysis shows ‘widespread decline’ in adult social care New figures reveal the dire state of England's social care sector before the pandemic, with more people requesting support but fewer getting the help they needed. The data puts further pressure on the government to commit to reform of social care in next week’s Queen’s Speech.

The new data is part of Social care 360, The King’s Fund’s annual assessment of the state of the social care sector. The overall picture is of deep decline, with many key indicators continuing to move in the wrong direction. The King's Fund 

Why do people abandon assistive technologies? Research suggests users need to be partners in design

Why do people abandon assistive technologies? Research suggests users need to be partners in design Many people with long term - chronic - conditions need a lot of support in their daily lives. A wide range of assistive technologies are designed to help, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and electronic devices. But people often give up using them. This briefing summarises the findings of research that explored the main barriers that people experienced when using assistive technologies. National Institute for Health Research

The state of the world's midwifery 2021

The state of the world's midwifery 2021 This report presents findings on the Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health (SRMNAH) workforce from 194 countries and identifies the barriers and challenges to future advancement. It finds that there is a a global shortage of 1.1 million SRMNAH workers, the largest shortage (900,000) being midwives. United Nations Population Fund 

Coronavirus and vaccination rates in people aged 50 years and over by socio-demographic characteristic, England

Coronavirus and vaccination rates in people aged 50 years and over by socio-demographic characteristic, England First dose COVID-19 vaccination rates among people aged 50 years and older who live in England, both in private households and communal establishments. Includes estimates for the population as a whole by age and sex, and for ethnic minorities, religious groups, those identified as disabled and by area deprivation. Office for National Statistics

See also: 

• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England
• Research: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England

Covid: Concern increases over India variant in UK

Covid: Concern increases over India variant in UK Public health experts have recommended one version of the Indian coronavirus variant be made a "variant of concern" in the UK, the BBC has been told.

Public Health England (PHE) is tracking B.1.617.2 which appears to spread more quickly than two other identified subtypes of the Indian variant.

Scientists also believe it is at least as transmissible than the variant detected in Kent last year. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Complaints after England booking site reveals vaccine status BBC News
• Covid and pregnancy - should you get the vaccine? BBC News
• Just two thirds of Black Caribbean Brits have had a Covid vaccine, official data shows The Daily Mail
• Covid India: CDC classifies 'double mutant' strain as 'variant of interest' The Daily Mail
• Covid has killed 7M people around the world - more than double official tally - study claims The Daily Mail
• Covid: Moderna vaccine 96% effective in teenagers ages 12-17 in early trials The Daily Mail
• Under-40s to be offered alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine over increased blood clot risk The Independent
• Infection rules for NHS staff leave them at risk from airborne Covid, warn experts The Independent

Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales rose to highest EVER level in 2020 amid lockdowns

Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales rose to highest EVER level in 2020 amid lockdowns Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales hit a record high in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, official figures show – and the greatest increase was among middle-class women.

An Office for National Statistics report published today revealed there were 7,423 fatalities linked to drinking last year, which was a fifth more than in 2019 and the highest number since records began in 2001. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Quarterly alcohol-specific deaths in England and Wales: 2001 to 2019 registrations and Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) to Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2020 provisional registrations Office for National Statistics
• Alcohol deaths highest for 20 years in England and Wales BBC News
• Alcohol-related deaths jumped to highest level during Covid pandemic The Independent