Mind the gap: an investigation into maternity training for frontline professionals across the UK 2020/21

Mind the gap: an investigation into maternity training for frontline professionals across the UK 2020/21 This report, compiled from data received from Freedom of Information requests submitted to NHS trusts, examines the on-going training actually delivered to maternity professionals. It once again shows there is not sufficient on-going training and that NHS trusts are delivering less training today – and are spending less on it – than they were in 2017/18. Baby Lifeline is urging the government to commit funding to address the issues that this report highlights, in particular to ensure the correct level of training is delivered and that the staffing is in place to allow for that training. Baby Lifeline

Gendered experiences of obesity: narrowing gender gaps in prevention and treatment

Gendered experiences of obesity: narrowing gender gaps in prevention and treatment This report explores gendered experiences of obesity in the UK , examining how obesity rates differ between men and women, the drivers of these trends and the extent to which policy aimed at reducing obesity rates needs to be gender specific. Social Market Foundation

The future of NHS human resources and organisational development

The future of NHS human resources and organisational development This report outlines the ten-year strategy for the human resources (HR) and organisational development (OD) services in the NHS. It is aimed at HR and OD directors, chief people officers, HR and OD practitioners, managers, leaders and anyone with an interest in HR and OD. NHS England

Independent report: Putting data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS

Independent report: Putting data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS This independent review from Laura Wade-Gery considers how to ensure a coherent approach to digital transformation in the NHS national bodies. Department of Health and Social Care

Progesterone recommended to prevent early miscarriage

Progesterone recommended to prevent early miscarriage Women who experience bleeding in early pregnancy and have had at least one miscarriage should be treated with the hormone progesterone.

The new guidance, from the health watchdog NICE, is based on research suggesting the treatment could lead to 8,450 more births each year in the UK.

The more miscarriages a woman had, the more effective progesterone was, the trial found. BBC News

Nurses' mental health: 'Most people in the NHS, they are sad'

Nurses' mental health: 'Most people in the NHS, they are sad' "NHS staff have run off adrenalin for the past year and that adrenalin is running out. We're all coming to the point where we're all just crashing and burning out."

Emily Moorhouse is one of thousands of NHS staff who have either left the profession or changed roles this year. BBC News

Covid jab wait for 12- to 15-year-olds in England could be up to five months

Covid jab wait for 12- to 15-year-olds in England could be up to five months Delays to the vaccination rollout mean some 12- to 15-year-olds may not get their Covid jab until February next year – 15 weeks after the government’s original target for offering the jab to all eligible teenagers, according to Labour.

Officials originally set October half-term as the target to invite those in the age group to receive the vaccine in schools after criticism that England was slow to approve it for children compared to other countries. The Guardian

See also:

• Covid: Law reform calls for 'vital' care home visits BBC News
• Number of long Covid cases 'probably beyond current capacity' of NHS, says professor Channel 4 News
• Weekly COVID-19 cases among children rose to 141,000 - a nearly 14% increase from the week prior The Daily Mail
• Has third jab farce landed hundreds in intensive care? The Daily Mail
• Eleven vulnerable care home residents are injected with SALT WATER instead of Pfizer Covid vaccine The Daily Mail
• 700,000 Europeans will die from Covid by March, World Health Organization warns The Daily Mail
• Weekly Covid deaths pass 1,000 for first time since early March The Independent
• Ministers have ‘lost the message’ over Covid, scientists warn The Independent

NHS scheme to reduce hospital pressures 'stalled' over lack of beds and staff

NHS scheme to reduce hospital pressures 'stalled' over lack of beds and staff A flagship NHS scheme to reduce pressure on hospitals has “stalled” due to a lack of beds and staff shortages, The Independent can reveal.

Hospital wards designed to treat NHS patients within one day are instead being “inappropriately” used as “overflow” areas for busy A&Es, according to research by the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM).

Analysis: Treasury's dead hand over NHS policy is the biggest patient safety threat

Analysis: Treasury's dead hand over NHS policy is the biggest patient safety threat Patients are dying in the backs of ambulances or on trolleys in A&E while others languish in beds unable to be discharged due to the collapse in social care. Others waiting in pain are desperate to get a bed for much-needed surgery.

While there are many ingredients mixing together to create the current NHS crisis, a widespread shortage of nurses, doctors and other essential staff is one of the major contributory factors. The Independent

See also: 

• The Government has squandered the opportunity to achieve safe staffing in NHS and patient care will suffer BMA
• Inaction on workforce planning will hamper the NHS and social care's ability to recover The Health Foundation
• The King's Fund responds to the social care cap change vote The King's Fund
• Health and care bill: report stage NHS Confederation
• 'Widespread disappointment and disbelief' Royal College of Nursing
• RCP responds to report stage debate on amendment to strengthen workforce planning in the Health and Care Bill Royal College of Physicians 
• Real ‘care crisis’ is lack of council funding and staff, Jeremy Hunt warns ministers The Independent
• Boris Johnson’s controversial care plans face resistance in Lords The Independent
• Tory MPs vote down plea to ban private health firms sitting on NHS boards The Mirror
• Health and Care Bill 2021: new plans explained, how NHS will be affected, and what is the social care cap? National World

First human clinical trials for nasal vaccine to prevent Alzheimer's disease set to begin

First human clinical trials for nasal vaccine to prevent Alzheimer's disease set to begin A vaccine that could prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease is beginning its first human clinical trials.

Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, announced on Tuesday that it is starting a Phase I trial of a nasal spray that could prevent the devastating condition. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Brigham and Women's Hospital Launches Clinical Trial of Nasal Vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease Brigham and Women's Hospital