NHS confirms Covid death at Northamptonshire hospital as daily cases hit seven-month high

NHS confirms Covid death at Northamptonshire hospital as daily cases hit seven-month high NHS England has confirmed another Covid-related death among patients in Northamptonshire's hospitals. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Ten areas of Northamptonshire seeing rise in Covid-19 rates of up to 840 percent Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• The key workers who can avoid self-isolation when pinged by NHS Track and Trace Northamptonshire Telegraph

Is the data strategy a missed opportunity to build trust in how data is used?

Is the data strategy a missed opportunity to build trust in how data is used? After months of anticipation, in late June 2021, the government published the draft of its national data strategy. The document outlines how the government intends to use the vast range of data in the NHS and social care to improve health and care for patients and staffs. This could mean changes so that patients no longer need to repeat their histories to different staff and staff having all relevant information to hand, saving time and improving safety. The King's Fund

Fit for purpose? Addressing inequities in mental health research exacerbated by Covid-19

Fit for purpose? Addressing inequities in mental health research exacerbated by Covid-19 This report was produced on behalf of the Mental Health Research Group, an independent group of leaders in mental health in England. It highlights the inequities in mental health research funding and production, what gets investigated and who gets to contribute, as well as who and what is left out of the conversation. It shares examples of work taking place to address mental health inequalities and to challenge inequities of power and influence within mental health research. The report calls for systemic change in the ways mental health research is planned, funded and delivered in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Centre for Mental Health 

Medical staffing in England: a defining moment for doctors and patients

Medical staffing in England: a defining moment for doctors and patients This report shows how severe medical shortages in England have become, current workforce data trends analysis and how the government can combat the widening gap between medical staff supply and increasing patient need. This study of the number of doctors per 1,000 people revealed that England averaged 2.8 doctors across primary and secondary care, while the average ratio in comparable EU countries is 3.7. The BMA predicts almost 50,000 more doctors are required to make up for the shortfall and that it could take until 2046 for health services in England to catch up to the average of comparable European nations. British Medical Association

NHS workforce more diverse than any point in its history, as health service commits to more action on representation

NHS workforce more diverse than any point in its history, as health service commits to more action on representation A first of its kind report looking into race equality among England’s doctors has found that the number from black and ethnic minority backgrounds working for the NHS is the highest on record.

New data published as part of the inaugural Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard (MWRES) commissioned by NHS Chief Executive, Simon Stevens shows that last year more than 53,000 doctors working in the NHS were from a black and minority ethnic (BME) background, up by more than 9,000, a rise of around one-fifth, since 2017. NHS England 

Policy paper: National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026

Policy paper: National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026 The government’s national strategy for improving the lives of autistic people and their families and carers in England, and implementation plan for 2021 to 2022. Department of Health and Social Care 

Covid: What happens when people no longer have to wear masks?

Covid: What happens when people no longer have to wear masks? Masks and face coverings are no longer compulsory in most public places in England but the government is still recommending them in crowded places.

So what does the evidence show about the effect of masks and what happens when they're no longer compulsory? BBC News

 

See also: 

• Covid-19: Crucial for pinged people to self-isolate - No 10 BBC News
• Covid UK: Daily death toll hits 96 in highest daily figure since MARCH as hospitalisations rise The Daily Mail
• More than 1.5 MILLION children around the world lost a caregiver due to COVID-19, study finds The Daily Mail
• Nadine Dorries: Pregnant women not prioritised for vaccines because of male-dominated JCVI The Daily Telegraph
• No 10 rebuked for failure to list ‘critical workers’ exempt from quarantine The Guardian
• More than 1m pupils in England absent last week due to Covid The Guardian
• Just over a fifth of people have the NHS Covid app and are using it properly, poll finds The Independent

Non-surgical beauty treatment industry like Wild West - MPs

Non-surgical beauty treatment industry like Wild West - MPs The "complete absence" of regulation of non-surgical beauty treatments, such as botox-style injections and fillers, is dangerous and must urgently change, say MPs.

After a year-long review, they claim the government has left the industry to regulate itself, despite concerns regularly raised by many within the sector. BBC News

See also: 

• Inquiry into aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic treatments All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing

New NHS drug fund will fast track access to breakthrough treatments

New NHS drug fund will fast track access to breakthrough treatments A new drugs fund worth £340 million will be used by the NHS to fast track patients with rare diseases so they can get new medicine and treatments yet to be approved. The Independent

English coastal towns have some of country’s worst health, report says

English coastal towns have some of country’s worst health, report says Striking beaches and fresh sea air may make coastal towns some of England’s most desirable places – but their attractiveness hides some of the country’s poorest health outcomes, which leave many residents “old before their time,” according to a report by the country’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty. The Guardian