NHS reveals more than 180 operations delayed at Northamptonshire hospitals at end of 2021

NHS reveals more than 180 operations delayed at Northamptonshire hospitals at end of 2021 The 'dreadful impact' of the coronavirus pandemic can be seen through delays to thousands of planned surgeries across England, according to the Patients Association.

NHS England figures for Northampton General Hospital show that 120 pre-booked operations were postponed on or after the day the patient was admitted between October and December 2021. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Harnessing the potential of automation and AI in health care: 15 recommendations for policymakers and the NHS

Harnessing the potential of automation and AI in health care: 15 recommendations for policymakers and the NHS The NHS faces a huge challenge ahead, as it works to recover from the impact of the pandemic while managing ever-growing demand.

Automation and AI hold significant potential to support the NHS in its recovery through facilitating improvements in care and productivity. But surveys conducted by YouGov for our report Switched on found both public and NHS staff opinion divided on whether automation and AI are a good thing for health care – with the prospect of health care becoming more ‘impersonal’ with less human contact ranked as the biggest risk. The Health Foundation 

Childhood cancer inequalities in the WHO European Region

Childhood cancer inequalities in the WHO European Region This report sets out for the first time the evidence on childhood cancer inequalities in the Region, and examines the patterns that emerge at national and regional levels of childhood cancer incidence, patient and caregiver experiences, and short- and long-term outcomes for patients. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe 

Independent report: JCVI update on advice for COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5 to 11

Independent report: JCVI update on advice for COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 JCVI advises a non-urgent offer of two 10 mcg doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty®) to children aged 5 to 11 years of age who are not in a clinical risk group.

The intention of this offer is to increase the immunity of vaccinated individuals against severe COVID-19 in advance of a potential future wave of COVID-19. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Government response: Health Secretary statement on COVID-19 vaccines for five- to 11-year-olds Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children aged 5 to 11 years UK Health Security Agency
• JCVI updates advice on vaccinations for 5 to 11 age group UK Health Security Agency

Covid: What's life like for unvaccinated people in the UK?

Covid: What's life like for unvaccinated people in the UK? About five million adults in the UK still haven't had a Covid vaccine, according to government figures and ONS population estimates.

Covid vaccines offer very high levels of protection against infection and are safe.

Leicester's director of public health, who took the city through the UK's first local lockdown, is warning unvaccinated people about the impact their behaviour could have on others.

Some of those who've chosen not to be jabbed have been speaking to the BBC's community affairs correspondent, Adina Campbell. BBC News

See also:

• England to offer Covid jab to five to 11-year-olds BBC News
• Covid survivors are up to 40% more likely to go on to suffer depression and anxiety or misuse drugs The Daily Mail
• Scaling back free Covid tests could hinder UK if new variant emerges, say experts The Guardian
• Vaccine offer lets parents weigh finely balanced benefits and risks The Guardian
• Boris Johnson’s Covid plan puts 500,000 ‘forgotten victims’ at risk, charities warn The Independent

Lassa fever: NHS services in the East of England hit as staff isolate

Lassa fever: NHS services in the East of England hit as staff isolate NHS services across the east of England continue to be affected after three cases of Lassa fever were discovered in the region.

A newborn baby died at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, an adult was cared for at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge and another has since recovered.

Staff who had been in contact with the patients are having to isolate. BBC News 

Two glasses of wine enough to hit daily sugar limit

Two glasses of wine enough to hit daily sugar limit Analysis of more than 30 bottles of wine has found two glasses could be enough to reach the recommended daily sugar limit for adults.

Research by Alcohol Health Alliance UK found some bottles had up to 59g of sugar - more than a glazed doughnut. BBC News

See also: 

• Sugar content in wine revealed: Health experts deem alcohol labelling ‘woefully inadequate’ Alcohol Health Alliance UK

Simple DNA test could detect common neurological disorders, study says

Simple DNA test could detect common neurological disorders, study says A simple test could end years of uncertainty for people with relatively common neurological conditions, new research has found.

A new study suggests that whole genome sequencing (WGS) can quickly and accurately detect the most common inherited neurological disorders, and could be implemented in routine clinical practice with immediate effect. The Guardian

See also: 

• Whole genome sequencing for the diagnosis of neurological repeat expansion disorders in the UK: a retrospective diagnostic accuracy and prospective clinical validation study (open access) The Lancet Neurology

Health charities urge PM not to cave in on obesity action

Health charities urge PM not to cave in on obesity action Boris Johnson was last night urged to 'hold fast' on plans to limit buy-one-get-one-free deals and ban junk food adverts before 9pm.

The Obesity Health Alliance has written to the Prime Minister warning him not to cave in to pressure from his backbenchers and industry to water down the policies. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Health leaders issue stark warning to Prime Minister: Don’t U-turn on children’s health Obesity Health Alliance