Nearly half of under-30s in Northampton still not vaccinated against Covid-19

Nearly half of under-30s in Northampton still not vaccinated against Covid-19 Nearly half of under-30s in Northampton have yet to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, figures suggest – weeks after they were invited to get their first jab. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Covid booster jabs will rollout to priority groups next month - who is eligible? Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Corby Novavax trial 'guinea pig' stuck in UK as vaccine passport not yet valid Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northampton doctors' surgery taken out of special measures for 'significant improvements to quality of care'

Northampton doctors' surgery taken out of special measures for 'significant improvements to quality of care' Maple Access Surgery in Northampton has been taken out of special measures after making significant improvements to its quality of care, according to the care watchdog. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

The mental health workforce: challenges facing the NHS

The mental health workforce: challenges facing the NHS Demand for mental health services is increasing in England, particularly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But the NHS mental health workforce is struggling to meet the demand for care. Lucina Rolewicz looks at workforce numbers and considers how the NHS can make mental health careers more accessible and attractive. Nuffield Trust 

BMA urges public to be kind as survey reveals worrying levels of abuse against doctors and colleagues

BMA urges public to be kind as survey reveals worrying levels of abuse against doctors and colleagues More than a third of doctors have faced recent abuse from patients, or those close to them, according to a survey from the British Medical Association.

For GPs, the number was higher, with half reporting verbal abuse in the past month.

The survey of more than 2,400 doctors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, reveals a worrying level of abuse directed at doctors and their colleagues as they deal with the greatest health crisis in a generation.

See also:

• Doctors have faced “worrying levels of abuse” in past month, BMA reports The BMJ
• Half of GPs verbally abused in past month alone as BMA highlights burnout fears GPonline
• Over a third of NHS staff experiencing verbal abuse and threats, says survey The Guardian

Ambitions for change: improving healthcare in care homes

Ambitions for change: improving healthcare in care homes This report describes the care home sector across the UK as it currently stands and recent initiatives taken to improve healthcare for care home residents, including specific initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic. It describes how health and wellbeing has traditionally been supported in care homes and sets out what good healthcare provision in a care home environment should look like. British Geriatrics Society 

The Department of Health and Social Care’s white paper Integration and Innovation: an evidence submission by the National Audit Office to the Health and Social Care Committee Inquiry – March 2021

The Department of Health and Social Care’s white paper Integration and Innovation: an evidence submission by the National Audit Office to the Health and Social Care Committee Inquiry – March 2021 The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee carried out an inquiry into the proposals set out in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) white paper, Integration and innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all. This evidence submission briefing highlights the main risks and opportunities the NAO sees in the white paper. Five areas are identified it believes the DHSC and the NHS must pay particular attention: achieving integration at the local level; financial sustainability; wider system reform; securing change in adult social care; and national-level governance. National Audit Office

3 in 4 UK adults receive both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine

3 in 4 UK adults receive both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine Three quarters of adults in the UK have now received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, as the public continues to do what it can to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community.

A total of 86,780,455 doses have been administered in the UK, with 47,091,889 people receiving a first dose (89%) and 39,688,566 people receiving both doses (75%). Department of Health and Social Care

 

See also:

• Independent report: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: June 2021 final results Department of Health and Social Care
• Research: COVID-19: reported SARS-CoV-2 deaths in England Public Health England

Teenage jab rollout moving cautiously - expert

Teenage jab rollout moving cautiously - expert The UK is moving "cautiously" down the age groups as it decides how many under-18s should get a Covid vaccine - because of a "delicate balance" between benefits and risks, a scientist says.

Prof Adam Finn said the advice to invite 16 and 17-year-olds for their jab came after a small number of serious cases in this age group. BBC News

 

See also:

• Oxford-jab chief criticises UK's Covid booster plan BBC News
• Anger at overflowing Covid test drop boxes BBC News
• Britain's daily Covid cases rise by 8% in a week to 23,510 The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 UK: More than THREE QUARTERS of adults in Britain have received both vaccine doses The Daily Mail
• Covid vaccine hesitancy rates have almost HALVED in 18-21 year olds with 95% willing to get jabbed The Daily Mail
• Anti-vaxxers target BBC – but protest at building the broadcaster left eight years ago The Daily Telegraph
• Covid contracts: inquiry to look into use of WhatsApp, says ICO The Guardian
• Think it’s all over? Why the Covid experts are not so sure about that The Guardian
• Covid patients in critical care are decade younger than in previous waves, data shows The Independent

Artificial Intelligence may diagnose dementia in a day

Artificial Intelligence may diagnose dementia in a day Scientists are testing an artificial-intelligence system thought to be capable of diagnosing dementia after a single brain scan.

It may also be able to predict whether the condition will remain stable for many years, slowly deteriorate or need immediate treatment.

Currently, it can take several scans and tests to diagnose dementia. BBC News

See also: 

• New AI programme may detect dementia in one day before symptoms even develop The Independent

Dido Harding to step down as chair of NHS Improvement

Dido Harding to step down as chair of NHS Improvement Dido Harding has announced that she is stepping down as chair of NHS Improvement in October, bringing to an end a tenure during which she often hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The Tory peer’s resignation comes shortly after she was unsuccessful in a bid to be the next chief executive of NHS England, amid controversy over her potential appointment. The Guardian

See also: 

• Test and Trace boss Dido Harding to step down from NHS role BBC News
• Dido Harding to step down as chair of NHS Improvement The Independent

MS charities decry UK postcode lottery for ‘life-changing’ drug

MS charities decry UK postcode lottery for ‘life-changing’ drug People with multiple sclerosis are paying up to £600 a month for a “life-changing” drug that is available on the NHS in Wales and Scotland but not in England.

Charities estimate that tens of thousands of people with MS are missing out on fampridine, which can improve a person’s ability to walk and reduce the risk of falling over. The Guardian

See also: 

• ‘It’s difficult to live a normal life’: MS patient denied drug in NHS postcode lottery The Guardian