Northamptonshire reaches 100,000 Covid-19 cases amid warning delays to plan B risks longer NHS hospital waiting lists

Northamptonshire reaches 100,000 Covid-19 cases amid warning delays to plan B risks longer NHS hospital waiting lists Northamptonshire is poised to pass 100,000 positive coronavirus tests since the pandemic began amid growing numbers of hospital patients and deaths nationally. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Northamptonshire NHS mental health helpline receives 100,000 calls in August alone as demand expected to rise

Northamptonshire NHS mental health helpline receives 100,000 calls in August alone as demand expected to rise A 24/7 mental health Helpline in Northamptonshire has seen a sharp rise in demand following the end of national lockdowns.

The number, which launched in March 2020 by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and the mental health charity Mind, has seen calls increase from an average of 60-a-day in its first three months to as many as 500-a-day by October this year. In August alone there were over 100,000. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Five leaders, five reflections about public health and the Covid-19 pandemic

Five leaders, five reflections about public health and the Covid-19 pandemic Recently we published our report about the experiences of directors of public health (DsPH) in eight different local areas during the Covid-19 pandemic. To take a wider view of England’s emergency response to Covid-19, we also spoke to five other leaders working at either a national or regional level across the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement and Public Health England (just before it was closed and replaced by the UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities). The King's Fund 

Better together: a public health model for mentally healthier integrated care systems

Better together: a public health model for mentally healthier integrated care systems According to this briefing paper, England’s 42 integrated care systems have an opportunity to protect and promote mental health in the communities they serve. The briefing explores how integrated care systems can address the social and environmental factors that affect people’s health in their communities. Centre for Mental Health 

British Social Attitudes 38

British Social Attitudes 38 This year’s British Social Attitudes report examines how two historic events – the arrival of the pandemic and the delivery of Brexit – are shaping public attitudes in Britain. The report finds that in the wake of the pandemic more people think that society is unequal, value flexibility at work, and question the role of law and conformity. National Centre for Social Research 

Increased stability in social care and real collaboration across health and care key to mitigating risk of “tsunami of unmet need”

Increased stability in social care and real collaboration across health and care key to mitigating risk of “tsunami of unmet need” The Care Quality Commission’s annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England looks at the quality of care over the past year – the first of these reports to cover a full year of the pandemic.

This year, the success of the vaccination programme has given hope that the virus can be contained. Alongside this hope, however, is the recognition that COVID-19 will continue to cast a long shadow over all aspects of life, especially the health and care system.

See also:

• Multi-million pound fund to boost adult social care workforce Department of Health and Social Care
• CQC’s report suggests this winter is set to test the health and care system like no other The Health Foundation
• Social care ‘buckling under intense pressure’: The King’s Fund response to CQC State of Care report The King's Fund
• The ongoing workforce crisis in social care needs urgent action ahead of bleak winter Nuffield Trust
• Social care faces tsunami of unmet need - watchdog BBC News
• Tackling inequalities often not a main priority in healthcare, says CQC The Guardian
• Care watchdog warns of ‘tsunami of unmet need’ as Covid cases soar The Independent

Advertising blitz to urge public to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines

Advertising blitz to urge public to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines National advertising campaign steps up today to encourage people to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID and flu this winter. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• NHS invites two million more people for booster jabs NHS England
• NHS opens online COVID-19 vaccination bookings for 12-15 year olds NHS England

Covid: UK cases top 50,000 for first time in three months

Covid: UK cases top 50,000 for first time in three months More than 50,000 Covid cases have been recorded in the UK for the first time since 17 July.

Amid calls for more restrictions, Boris Johnson urged people to come forward for booster jabs when their time comes.

The prime minister said those who become eligible for a third dose of vaccine should organise an appointment straight away. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: Brits increasingly lax on masks and social mixing BBC News
• Should the government do more to protect the NHS? BBC News
• Covid: Vaccines '90% effective' at preventing Delta variant deaths BBC News
• Vaccination teams are bringing in flu but NOT Covid jabs to give elderly residents, bosses warn The Daily Mail
• Only two DOZEN parts of England have yet to record a case of new Delta off-shoot The Daily Mail
• Face mask use in adults in their 30s and 40s has risen consistently for eight weeks, data shows The Daily Mail
• The NHS isn't facing another Covid crisis and Sajid Javid knows it The Daily Telegraph
• Covid booster jabs could be brought forward as UK daily cases hit 52,000 The Guardian
• Cancer patients face ‘perfect storm’ as Covid piles pressure on NHS The Guardian
• Anti-vaxxers serve 'legal documents' citing 'Nuremberg Code' to NHS hospital staff The Independent
• COVID-19: Is the UK being too relaxed about coronavirus? Sky News
• COVID-19: Confusion as minister says book booster jabs but NHS says people must be invited Sky News

The NHS leads the world in green healthcare. But it faces a political roadblock

The NHS leads the world in green healthcare. But it faces a political roadblock | Polly Toynbee Staff initiatives have successfully cut emissions, but without serious infrastructure investment there’s nowhere left to go. The Guardian 

GPs ballot for strike action over seeing patients face-to-face

GPs ballot for strike action over seeing patients face-to-face GPs will be balloted about taking industrial action over a Government plan to boost the number of patients seen face-to-face.

Last week ministers announced a £250m fund for GP practices, to help them improve patient access. 

Under the NHS Plan for GPs and Patients, practices were told they must “respect preferences” for in-person appointments and should use the money to extend opening hours or offer walk-in consultations. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• BMA’s England GP committee rejects Government’s rescue package and moves towards a ballot on industrial action BMA
• GPs head for industrial action ballot as BMA backs 'support package' boycott GPonline
• GPs in England threaten industrial action over in-person appointments The Guardian
• Can GPs take industrial action and how might it affect patients? The Guardian