Carry on testing! Health chief's plea as Northamptonshire's Covid cases fall for first time since October

Carry on testing! Health chief's plea as Northamptonshire's Covid cases fall for first time since October Northamptonshire health chief Lucy Wightman is warning people to beware of new rules about cutting short Covid-19 self-isolation.

Ministers announced this week that those who have tested positive can end their quarantine after just five days instead of ten — but only after TWO negative lateral flow tests (LFT). Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Major change to Covid self-isolation rules takes effect from today Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• ‘Encouraging’ signs Covid rules will lift this month as cases plateau Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid booster jabs to be offered to 16 and 17 year-olds from Monday Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby cancer patient left without Covid antiviral drugs - despite being on high risk list Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Healthcare staff face sack without exit payments under Covid jab plans Northamptonshire Telegraph

A&E at Northampton and Kettering 32 percent busier than 12 months ago, according to official figures

A&E at Northampton and Kettering 32 percent busier than 12 months ago, according to official figures Fewer patients visited hospital A&E at Northamptonshire hospitals last month – but numbers were still nearly one-third higher than over the same period last year, figures reveal. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northamptonshire sees worrying drop in dentists doing NHS work

Northamptonshire sees worrying drop in dentists doing NHS work The number of NHS dentists practising in Northamptonshire fell by 8 per cent in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The county saw 27 fewer dentists last year than in 2020, with 332 practising in the county. Northants Live

NHS performance summary: November - December 2021

NHS performance summary: November - December 2021 NHS England published the latest data on key activity and performance measures for November and December of 2021. Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports were also published for the week beginning 3 January 2022, giving a more up-to-date analysis of how the NHS is coping this winter. Here we show the performance against some key targets, including those set out in the 2021/22 operational planning guidance published in September. Nuffield Trust

Plugging the gap: estimating the demand and supply of jobs by sector in 2030

Plugging the gap: estimating the demand and supply of jobs by sector in 2030 This research report projects that as a result of population ageing, Covid-19 and Brexit, the UK economy could see a shortfall of 2.6 million workers by 2030 – almost twice the workforce of the NHS. Amid continued labour market challenges, ILC calls on government to develop a comprehensive workforce strategy to tackle future shortages. International Longevity Centre-UK

New advertising drive calling on young people to Get Boosted Now

New advertising drive calling on young people to Get Boosted Now A new advertising campaign to encourage 18 to 34 year olds to get their vital COVID-19 booster jabs has launched as uptake among young people is lower than other age groups.

While more than 80% of eligible adults in England have had a booster jab, just 57% of eligible 18 to 34 year olds have been boosted. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Hundreds of thousands of teens to get boosted on NHS NHS England
• Guidance: SARS-CoV-2 variants of public health interest UK Health Security Agency
• Guidance: The R value and growth rate UK Health Security Agency

Covid in the UK: Reported cases at lowest level for a month

Covid in the UK: Reported cases at lowest level for a month The UK has reported another 81,713 coronavirus cases, the lowest daily level seen since 15 December.

The apparent ebbing of the Omicron wave comes as some experts claim the end of the pandemic is in sight for the UK.

However, the number of deaths within 28 days of a test remains high, with 1,843 over the past seven days - a 45% rise from the previous week. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Cases falling in UK cautiously good news - epidemiologist BBC News
• Covid: Self-isolation cut to five full days in England BBC News 
• 'High confidence' Omicron is less severe in UK BBC News
• Babies in England hospitals with Omicron as a precaution BBC News
• Covid vaccine: Your concerns answered BBC News
• Covid: Why are 12-15s now being double-jabbed? BBC News
• What happens to the 500,000 people who are still shielding? The Daily Mail
• How many people in YOUR area have Covid? Interactive map reveals UK's Omicron hotspots The Daily Mail
• Covid booster jabs in England to be thrown away as demand falls The Guardian
• The NHS isn’t ‘coping’ with Omicron – just ask doctors and patients | Rachel Clarke The Guardian
• ‘Encouraging signs’ plan B Covid measures may soon be lifted in England The Guardian
• Long Covid: Poorest patients denied specialist NHS treatment The Independent
• Vulnerable people denied vaccines by ‘anti-vaxxer’ carers and families The Independent

NHS Tracker: How is the NHS in your area coping this winter?

NHS Tracker: How is the NHS in your area coping this winter? A combination of winter and the ongoing Covid pandemic is placing a huge strain on hospitals.

Patients are facing long waits for emergency treatment and wards are short of beds.

Enter a postcode to find out what is happening in your area. BBC News 

Nottingham NHS trust 'told staff not to discuss bullying'

Nottingham NHS trust 'told staff not to discuss bullying' A union says confidentiality clauses are being unfairly used at an NHS trust where bullying and discrimination were highlighted in a recent inspection.

Unison said Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust uses the clauses - which it says are effectively gagging orders - in settlement agreements.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said such clauses are unacceptable. BBC News 

Revealed: Dozens of deaths and stillbirths at maternity units cost hospital trust £103m in damages over decade

Revealed: Dozens of deaths and stillbirths at maternity units cost hospital trust £103m in damages over decade More than £100 million has been paid out in damages by one hospital trust over 10 years after its maternity units were accused of being responsible for dozens of deaths and stillbirths, Channel 4 News can reveal. 

Vulnerable women starved to death in NHS hospital following 'unacceptable' failures

Vulnerable women starved to death in NHS hospital following 'unacceptable' failures “Unacceptable” failures by a mental health hospital to manage the physical healthcare of a woman detained under the mental health act contributed to her starving to death, The Independent has learned.

Heart attack patient raises alarm after NHS advised him to make own way to hospital

Heart attack patient raises alarm after NHS advised him to make own way to hospital An ambulance service has apologised after a man having a heart attack was advised to get himself to hospital or face a long wait.

Graham Reagan said his son had to drive him to hospital after being told the nearest ambulance was 30 to 40 miles away. The Guardian