Public warned over 'serious threat' of Omicron as UK records highest ever daily cases

Public warned over 'serious threat' of Omicron as UK records highest ever daily cases The British public have been warned to not believe that Omicron is a milder form of Covid-19, with a warning issued that the strain poses a “serious threat” to the country. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Northamptonshire: Omicron prompts call for remote council meetings BBC Northampton
• MPs Andrew Lewer and Andrea Leadsom both rebel against Government's 'Plan B' Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Schools offered ‘flexible’ start to January term as closure concerns dismissed Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Prioritise Christmas events that matter Brits urged as Covid cases hit record high Northamptonshire Telegraph

Future plans for Cransley Hospice to be relocated within north Northamptonshire a step closer

Future plans for Cransley Hospice to be relocated within north Northamptonshire a step closer Efforts to keep a Kettering hospice in the north of the county to care for provide terminally-ill patients close to their homes have moved a step closer after a meeting with health chiefs. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

The state of medical education and practice in the UK 2021

The state of medical education and practice in the UK 2021 This is an annual report on the realities and challenges faced by medical professionals in the UK’s health care systems. This year’s report looks at how the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the recovery have affected doctors’ work and training. It also highlights learnings that the UK health services can use to support doctors and patients. General Medical Council

See also:

• GMC report underlines devastating impact of pandemic on the medical workforce BMA
• NMC response to 'The state of medical education and practice in the UK' report Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Relentless workload taking its toll on GP health and wellbeing and must be addressed, urges College Royal College of General Practitioners
• RCP responds to GMC 'state of medical education and practice' report Royal College of Physicians

Integrating health and social care: a comparison of policy and progress across the four countries of the UK

Integrating health and social care: a comparison of policy and progress across the four countries of the UK The integration of health and social care has been a long-standing policy priority in each country of the UK. However, there is limited evidence these policies are delivering the results expected of them. This report looks at the impact of integration across the four countries and compares the policies and approaches each one has trialled to deliver their goals. Nuffield Trust

Our ageing population: How ageing affects health and care need in England

Our ageing population: How ageing affects health and care need in England England’s population is ageing. In the next 25 years, the number of people older than 85 will double to 2.6 million. An ageing population might lead to the presumption that there will be an increased need for health and social care services. But the reality is more complicated. The Health Foundation 

A year like no other: the eighth SSNAP annual report

A year like no other: the eighth SSNAP annual report Based on data from April 2020 to March 2021 (during the Covid-19 pandemic), the report aims to identify which aspects of stroke care need to be improved and how these beneficial changes can enhance outcomes for patients and families during this challenging period. Overall, the report found that, even during the Covid-19 pandemic year, many teams were still able to improve the quality of care through the implementation of evidence-based interventions. However, it also states there is an ongoing need to ensure that such improvements are sustained over the longer term, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan. Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme

See also: 

• Post-acute organisational audit report Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme

Research: COVID-19: Omicron daily overview

Research: COVID-19: Omicron daily overview An overview and summary of case data for Omicron focusing on confirmed and SGTF cases in the UK. UK Health Security Agency

See also: 

• NHS booster bookings open to every eligible adult NHS England
• NHS delivers record daily number of boosters as vaccine drive surges forward NHS England

Covid: UK reports highest daily cases since the pandemic began

Covid: UK reports highest daily cases since the pandemic began The UK has recorded the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 78,610 reported on Wednesday.

The previous record was 68,053 on 8 January - when the UK was in lockdown.

Speaking at a news conference, England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty warned that records will be broken a lot in the next few weeks. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: Socialise carefully warns PM, amid record UK cases BBC News
• How many Omicron cases could we see on Christmas Day? BBC News
• Covid: Pregnant women angry at long waits for boosters BBC News
• Omicron: What can we learn from South Africa's experience so far? BBC News
• Long Covid patients still affected one year after discharge, study finds BBC News
• Covid: This winter 'could be worse' for NHS than last year as cases rise, says Prof Mark Walport Channel 4 News
• UKHSA boss admits agency WASN'T consulted on vaccine passports The Daily Mail
• Chris Whitty calls for 'caution' over promising Covid hospitalisation data in South Africa The Daily Mail
• Government to DOUBLE capacity for number of Covid tests to 900,0000 The Daily Mail
•  Scale back your Christmas plans, say Boris Johnson and Chris Whitty The Daily Telegraph
• Housebound elderly people waiting weeks for Covid boosters The Guardian
• Millions of unjabbed a key concern as England scrambles to vaccinate  The Guardian
• NHS cannot be used as vaccination service every few months, jab chief warns The Independent
• Omicron infects 70 times faster but is less severe, early study says The Independent
• Mandatory vaccination for NHS staff in England voted through by MPs Nursing Times
• COVID-19: Hundreds of thousands with coronavirus not using NHS app to 'ping' close contacts Sky News

Peterborough City Hospital doctor accused of hastening patient deaths

Peterborough City Hospital doctor accused of hastening patient deaths A consultant anaesthetist has been accused of "hastening" the deaths of two patients on end-of-life care, a misconduct panel heard.

Dr Andrew Gregg, who worked at Peterborough City Hospital, denies that his actions, related to drug amounts, hastened their deaths.

He was investigated by police but prosecutors decided against action. BBC News 

NHS chief urges tens of thousands of 'missing' cancer patients to come forward and seek help

NHS chief urges tens of thousands of 'missing' cancer patients to come forward and seek help Tens of thousands of cancer patients are “missing” in England according to the head of the NHS who urged anyone with symptoms to come forward and seek help.

Amanda Pritchard said 36,000 fewer people have been diagnosed with cancer than medics would expect to see with prostate, breast and lung cancers making up most of the absent cases. iNews