Vaccine uptake at pop-up clinics remains strong in Northamptonshire, pharmacists say

Vaccine uptake at pop-up clinics remains strong in Northamptonshire, pharmacists say Vaccine uptake is staying strong for two pop-up clinics in Northamptonshire, amidst a local rise in Covid-19 cases.

The promising news comes after a series of clinics opened their doors on October 19, with a significant portion of patients being younger people. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Nursing and midwifery competence test centre at University of Northampton wins new contract to remain open

Nursing and midwifery competence test centre at University of Northampton wins new contract to remain open A nursery and midwifery competency testing centre at the University of Northampton will remain open after the organisation was granted a new contract. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Women driven to terminate wanted pregnancies due to hyperemesis gravidarum

Women driven to terminate wanted pregnancies due to hyperemesis gravidarum A survey of more than 5000 women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), details the harrowing illness. The survey found 4.9% of women terminated a wanted pregnancy because of suffering from HG, while 52.1% of women had considered termination. 25.5% women surveyed occasionally thought about suicide, while 6.6% of women regularly considered it. King's College London

See also: 

• Termination of wanted pregnancy and suicidal ideation in hyperemesis gravidarum: A mixed methods study (open access) Obstetric Medicine
• Severe pregnancy illness: 'I won't have another baby' BBC News

Building Frontiers

Building Frontiers A new report by the Frontiers Group at the National Association of Primary Care explores how to support system integration at a place and neighbourhood level to enable real sustainable transformation. 

Adult inpatient survey 2020

Adult inpatient survey 2020 This survey looks at the experiences of people who stayed at least one night in hospital as an inpatient.

The results show that, generally, people’s experiences of inpatient care were positive and overall differences between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients were small, suggesting that care provided was consistent. Most people said they were treated with respect and dignity, had confidence and trust in the doctors and nurses that treated them and observed high levels of cleanliness.

Survey findings were less positive, however, for areas of care including people’s experiences of receiving emotional support, information sharing and hospital discharge. Care Quality Commission

See also:

• CQC survey shows high patient trust in hospital nurses but concerns about shortages Nursing Times

Covid and beyond: confronting the unequal access to type 1 diabetes healthcare

Covid and beyond: confronting the unequal access to type 1 diabetes healthcare JDRF surveyed more than 1000 people living with type 1 diabetes, or caring for a child living with it, to reveal their experiences through the upheavals of the Covid pandemic. The findings of the report reveal the impact of the withdrawal and repurposing of many NHS diabetes services on people with type 1. The report sets out a series of recommendations, anchored in the needs of people living with type 1. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 

Enact ‘Plan B plus’ to avoid ‘stumbling into winter crisis’

Enact ‘Plan B plus’ to avoid ‘stumbling into winter crisis’ Health leaders are calling on the government to introduce measures, such as mandatory face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces, without delay to keep people well and avoid the NHS from becoming overwhelmed this winter.

The NHS is seeing worrying increases in coronavirus cases in its hospitals and the community at a time when it is preparing for a busy winter period, its staff are close to burnout, and it is being expected to recover many of its services that were disrupted by the pandemic.

The NHS Confederation is warning that the extent of this recovery could be at risk without preemptive action over winter from the government and the public.

See also:

• COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• Covid: Bring back rules amid rising cases, urge NHS chiefs BBC News
• Plan B of mask wearing and ban on indoor gatherings must be enforced immediately, warns NHS leader The Daily Telegraph
• Implement ‘plan B’ winter measures now or risk NHS crisis, Johnson warned The Guardian
• What are the ‘Plan B’ measures NHS chiefs want to implement? The Independent
• COVID-19: Minister rules out another lockdown as PM is urged to enforce 'Plan B' to avert winter crisis Sky News

Covid-19: New mutation of Delta variant under close watch in UK

Covid-19: New mutation of Delta variant under close watch in UK Officials are keeping a close watch on a new descendant of the Delta variant of Covid that is causing a growing number of infections.

Delta is the UK's dominant variant, but latest official data suggests 6% of Covid cases that have been genetically sequenced are of a new type.

AY.4.2, which some are calling "Delta Plus", contains mutations that might give the virus survival advantages. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: No 10 'keeping a close eye' on rising Covid cases BBC News
• UK's daily Covid deaths hit SEVEN-MONTH high of 223 while cases jump 13% in a week to 43,738 The Daily Mail
• More infectious strain of Delta makes up 10% of cases in UK - but 7 cases detected in US so far The Daily Mail
• Nearly 5MILLION vulnerable over-50s have yet to have their Covid booster vaccine The Daily Mail
• Prof Lockdown' Neil Ferguson calls for return of face masks The Daily Mail
• Pfizer's Covid vaccine negotiations with developing countries called 'bullying' in new report The Daily Mail
• Without Covid-19 jab, ‘reinfection may occur every 16 months’ The Guardian
• Why is England driving the rise in UK Covid cases? The Guardian
• Vaccine centres in England to take children’s bookings within weeks, says No 10 The Guardian
• Oxford scientists working on new Covid vaccine to target Delta variant The Independent

Care staff shortage harms services for thousands, say managers

Care staff shortage harms services for thousands, say managers Managers of community care services supporting more than 15,000 people in England, say acute staff shortages are forcing them to turn down new clients.

The National Care Forum of mainly not-for-profit organisations, says care providers are having to make tough decisions about who they can help.

Last week health bosses said the care shortage meant more patients judged fit to go home were stuck in hospital. BBC News

See also: 

• The stark reality of the care workforce National Care Forum
• NCF / Outstanding Managers Network survey National Care Forum

NHS ‘in need of 5,000 more medical students’ as numbers from EU drop

NHS ‘in need of 5,000 more medical students’ as numbers from EU drop The NHS is in need of 5,000 more medical students to maintain a sustainable supply of doctors and cope with a drop in numbers coming from Europe, the Medical Schools Council said in a new report. The Independent

See also:

• The expansion of medical school numbers in the UK: Position paper Medical Schools Council
• Medical schools call for increase in doctors to support NHS recovery and sustainability Medical Schools Council
• MSC and AoMRC statement on the expansion of medical student numbers Medical Schools Council and Academy of Medical Royal Colleges

NHS services hit with delays of up to six hours as paramedic warns of lengthy waits for ambulances this winter

NHS services hit with delays of up to six hours as paramedic warns of lengthy waits for ambulances this winter The UK is facing a "bleak" winter as health services have started seeing delays of up to six hours in admitting patients, a paramedic has warned.

Richard Webber, a paramedic and spokesman for the College of Paramedics, said the delays have resulted in increasing numbers of ambulances waiting outside hospitals, along with a backlog of 999 calls. Sky News

See also: 

• 'Trolley waits' in A&E hit record high as NHS crisis deepens The Daily Telegraph

AI projects to tackle racial inequality in UK healthcare, says Javid

AI projects to tackle racial inequality in UK healthcare, says Javid Artificial intelligence is to be used to tackle racial inequalities in the NHS under government plans to “level up” healthcare.

It is hoped that millions of black, Asian and minority ethnic Britons will benefit from revolutionary computer techniques designed to transform care and speed up diagnoses of potentially deadly conditions. Sajid Javid, the health secretary, has given the green light to a series of hi-tech initiatives aimed at tackling health disparities in the UK. It comes amid mounting concern over the issue among senior ministers. The Guardian 

Doctors call on NHS to offer women more help after first miscarriage

Doctors call on NHS to offer women more help after first miscarriage Women who lose a baby during pregnancy should be offered help after having one miscarriage rather than the three currently needed to trigger NHS support, doctors say.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) wants the NHS to overhaul its rules so that any woman who suffers a miscarriage receives some form of care, mainly information and guidance, to help them cope with their loss and plan future pregnancies. The Guardian

See also: 

• New draft guideline outlines best practice for treating recurrent miscarriage Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

GPs 'out-and-out REJECT' No10's £250million plan to get patients more face-to-face appointments

GPs 'out-and-out REJECT' No10's £250million plan to get patients more face-to-face appointments GPs have 'out-and-out rejected' No10's £250million proposals to give patients more face-to-face appointments.

Nine in ten family doctors quizzed by a medical union claimed Sajid Javid's plan to increase in-person visits was an 'unacceptable response to the current crisis'.  

Last week the Health Secretary unveiled a nine-point revolution to ensure all patients could see their doctor in person.  The Daily Mail

See also:

• England’s GPs overwhelmingly reject Health Secretary’s plan to ‘support’ general practice BMA
• GPs overwhelmingly reject access plans as BMA holds emergency meeting GPonline
• Majority of GPs 'would consider leaving NHS' amid inadequate Government support Pulse
• LMC recommends GPs 'do not participate' in NHSE plan Pulse