Northampton Covid cases among highest in England as Plan B restrictions set to end

Northampton Covid cases among highest in England as Plan B restrictions set to end Health chiefs say wearing a mask will still be vital to protecting the vulnerable when more Covid-19 restrictions in Northamptonshire are lifted from Thursday (January 27).

Northampton is one of the top four areas in England with highest coronavirus rates following another rise in cases. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Shopworkers 'desperately worried' by scrapping Plan B while Covid-19 cases remain high in Northamptonshire Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Homecare: Covid self-isolation and low pay creating staff shortages

Homecare: Covid self-isolation and low pay creating staff shortages A recent survey showed two-thirds of homecare providers are turning away new care requests due to staff shortages. The BBC caught up with carers in Northamptonshire to find out why. BBC Northampton 

How new ways of working in primary care are boosting patient experiences in York

How new ways of working in primary care are boosting patient experiences in York In this case study Dr Abbie Brooks, GP with Park View Surgery, York, part of the Priory Medical Group, explains how online patient triage and a range of consultation options are providing a better experience for patients and staff across the group. NHS England 

SBRI Healthcare awards £1 million to pioneering innovations to support the delivery of a net zero NHS

SBRI Healthcare awards £1 million to pioneering innovations to support the delivery of a net zero NHS SBRI Healthcare has awarded a total of £1 million to ten pioneering MedTech and Digital innovations to support the delivery of a Net Zero NHS. The new projects are funded through a nationwide call by SBRI Healthcare, in partnership with the Greener NHS Programme, and which attracted 46 applications from a range of organisations, including small businesses, technology start-ups and NHS Trusts. NHS England 

Updating ethnic contrasts in deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19), England: 8 December 2020 to 1 December 2021

Updating ethnic contrasts in deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19), England: 8 December 2020 to 1 December 2021 Estimates of COVID-19 mortality rates by ethnic group using linked data from the 2011 Census, death registrations, primary care and hospital records, and National Immunisation Management System. Office for National Statistics 

Government eases social care restrictions after booster success

Government eases social care restrictions after booster success Restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of Omicron in adult social care will now be eased as Plan B measures are removed following the success of the booster programme.

From Monday 31 January, there will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed into care homes and self-isolation periods will be cut and now care homes only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 rather than 28 days. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• England returns to Plan A as regulations on face coverings and COVID Passes change today Department of Health and Social Care
• Over 5,000 people enrolled in UK-wide study for antivirals Department of Health and Social Care
• Research: COVID-19: reported SARS-CoV-2 deaths in England UK Health Security Agency
• Positivity rates highest ever recorded in REACT-1 study, but prevalence plateauing UK Health Security Agency

Covid: Care home restrictions to be eased in England

Covid: Care home restrictions to be eased in England Covid restrictions on adult social care will be eased in England from Monday, the government has announced.

There will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed at care homes, self-isolation periods will be cut and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, not 28.

The change is the latest rolling back of Plan B curbs in England. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: Face mask rules and Covid passes end in England BBC News
• Covid vaccines: The unvaccinated NHS workers facing the sack BBC News
• Small period changes after Covid jab seen to be short-lived BBC News
• Long Covid expert says the world is in 'deep trouble' and millions may suffer debilitating issues The Daily Mail
• Two Pfizer or Moderna vaccines HALVE the risk of getting 'long Covid', official UK data shows The Daily Mail
• Sajid Javid hints that controversial 'no jab, no job' rule for NHS staff in England is under review The Daily Mail
• Anti-vaxxers storm Covid vaccine centre in Ealing to demand site is shut down because it's a 'crime scene' as they accuse staff of 'genocide' and harass members of the public getting the jab The Daily Mail
• COVID jab mandate 'under review' as 77000 NHS staff unvaccinated GPonline
• BA.2 variant: Everything we know about the new ‘stealth Omicron’ Covid strain The Independent
• COVID-19: Restrictions eased today as England moves out of Plan B and back to Plan A Sky News

Government 'consultation' on disability strategy unlawful, High Court rules

Government 'consultation' on disability strategy unlawful, High Court rules A survey of disabled people, used to inform the highly anticipated National Disability Strategy, has been ruled "unlawful" by the High Court.

The UK Disability Survey gained 14,000 responses but was found to have failed to consult with people effectively. BBC News 

England's NHS workforce education budgets delayed by merger

England's NHS workforce education budgets delayed by merger The budget used for educating and training NHS staff, including nurses, in England has not yet been set for the year ahead, an influential committee of MPs has heard, sparking questions about the future of the workforce. Nursing Times 

Ministers urged to act as GPs in poor areas ‘have less funding and staff’

Ministers urged to act as GPs in poor areas ‘have less funding and staff’ Ministers have been urged to act after a report found people living in poor areas face worse GP services with less staff and funding compared to more wealthy parts of the country.

GP services in poorer areas are underfunded, under-doctored and have worse-quality outcomes, according to a report shared with The Independent from the Health Foundation. 

About 300,000 in UK have potentially deadly aortic valve condition, study finds

About 300,000 in UK have potentially deadly aortic valve condition, study finds Almost 300,000 people in the UK have aortic valve stenosis, a potentially deadly heart condition, according to the first major study to estimate its prevalence.

The NHS would struggle to cope with the sheer number of people needing treatment for this over the next few years, with the number set to rise further, the researchers warned. The Guardian

See also: 

• Uncovering the treatable burden of severe aortic stenosis in the UK (open access) BMK Open Heart