Pop-up COVID vaccine clinic at Northampton Town Festival this weekend

Pop-up COVID vaccine clinic at Northampton Town Festival this weekend People visiting the Northampton Town Festival this weekend will be able to drop in for their COVID jab at a pop-up vaccination clinic. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Mural artist brings joy to communal gardens at Northampton General Hospital staff flats with tropical-themed design

Mural artist brings joy to communal gardens at Northampton General Hospital staff flats with tropical-themed design A tropical-themed mural has been painted in the communal gardens of a new housing development for Northampton General Hospital staff. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Where does the learning behind the integrated care system (ICS) model come from internationally, and what is the evidence of the impact of similar models?

Where does the learning behind the integrated care system (ICS) model come from internationally, and what is the evidence of the impact of similar models? This briefing outlines the learning behind integrated care systems and the impact of similar models internationally. NHS Providers

Up in smoke: the impact of smoking on health and economic activity

Up in smoke: the impact of smoking on health and economic activity This report argues that anti-smoking measures could save billions across the UK economy. It highlights the costs of smoking not just to individuals’ health, but to the sustainability of the broader healthcare system and to the public purse as the government aims to “build back better” from the pandemic. International Longevity Centre UK 

Improving non-emergency patient transport services: report of the non-emergency patient transport review

Improving non-emergency patient transport services: report of the non-emergency patient transport review This report sets out measures for improving an important element of travel to healthcare: non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS). These NHS funded transport services support those people whose medical condition or mobility constraint would otherwise be a major barrier to getting to treatment. The report draws on the findings of a national review, which has worked closely with the sector. The aim is to ensure that NEPTS is more responsive, fair and sustainable. NHS England 

REACT study shows fully vaccinated are three times less likely to be infected

REACT study shows fully vaccinated are three times less likely to be infected The latest REACT-1 study findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show COVID-19 infection rates are three times lower for double vaccinated people. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Statement on offering COVID-19 vaccination to young people Department of Health and Social Care
• Independent report: JCVI statement, August 2021: COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 17 years Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Red, amber and green list rules for entering England Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Fifth of England hospital admissions aged 18-34

Covid: Fifth of England hospital admissions aged 18-34 One in five people being admitted to hospital in England with Covid is aged between 18 and 34, the new chief executive of NHS England has said.

In her first major interview, Amanda Pritchard told the BBC that about 1,000 young adults were currently "really unwell" in hospital.

She said it was "so important" people came forward to get vaccinated. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: Jabs for 16 and 17-year-olds to start within weeks BBC News
• Covid: 'No time to waste' in vaccinating 16-17 year olds BBC News
• Covid: 16 and 17-year-olds react to jab rollout plan BBC News
• Covid: Pressured oxygen reduces ventilator need BBC News
• Covid UK: Weekly cases RISE 6% as deaths jump a third, though hospitalisations are down The Daily Mail
• Covid cases in unvaccinated Brits are THREE times higher compared to those who are fully immunised The Daily Mail
• The risks and rewards of vaccinating UK children against Covid The Guardian
• Covid contracts: minister replaced phone before it could be searched The Guardian

Munchausen by Internet: Are chronic illness influencers really faking it?

Munchausen by Internet: Are chronic illness influencers really faking it? With 15m people in England alone living with a long-term condition, and numbers rising, it’s no surprise the chronically ill community has exploded online in the last few years. Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez and Lena Dunham are opening up about their conditions, and chronic illness influencers are attracting huge social media followings.

But as visibility has grown, so have accusations of fakery. A new BBC documentary, Sickness & Lies, explores whether the accusers are right. Are some influencers faking illnesses for fame, money and attention? BBC News

Study reveals the most common serious safety errors on hospital wards

Study reveals the most common serious safety errors on hospital wards A study examining more than 370 severe harm incidents and deaths in NHS hospitals over 10 years has highlighted the risks to patients from fragmented care on busy wards and shortages of staff. The Independent

See also: 

• Learning from patient safety incidents involving acutely sick adults in hospital assessment units in England and Wales: a mixed methods analysis for quality improvement (open access) Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

NHS drops from first to fourth among rich countries’ healthcare systems

NHS drops from first to fourth among rich countries’ healthcare systems The NHS has lost its prestigious ranking as the best health system in a study of 11 rich countries by an influential US thinktank.

The UK has fallen from first to fourth in the Commonwealth Fund’s latest analysis of the performance of the healthcare systems in the nations it studied. The Guardian

See also:

• Mirror mirror 2021 : reflecting poorly The Commonwealth Fund
• NHS loses crown as world’s best healthcare system The Independent

BAME staff told to change names to 'western' ones

BAME staff told to change names to 'western' ones Workers at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust (UHBW), which runs the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Children’s Hospital and Weston General, were told by managers to “adopt” a Western-sounding name while at work.

The behaviour was revealed during an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and reported to the trust’s chief executive, Robert Woolley, in a post-inspection feedback letter. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Minority NHS staff told to use ‘western’ sounding names by line managers The Independent