Coronavirus: We can cope with peak, hospital bosses say

Coronavirus: We can cope with peak, hospital bosses say Hospitals should be able to cope with an expected peak in coronavirus cases, according to NHS bosses.

NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and other NHS trusts in England, said there were enough beds in hospitals for patients.

The hard work to increase intensive-care capacity and free up space on general wards had paid off.

But coping with significant numbers of coronavirus patients in the long-term remained a concern.

Chief executive Chris Hopson said it looked "increasingly likely" the NHS would successfully navigate the peak. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found' BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Profound' mental health impact prompts calls for urgent research BBC News
• Coronavirus: Should I wear a mask to stop the virus? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hospitals and care homes to allow goodbyes to dying BBC News
• Coronavirus: How big is the problem in care homes? BBC News
• Matt Hancock ridiculed for say carers will get a 'special badge' for their efforts The Daily Mail
• Anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine does NOT speed up coronavirus recovery, Chinese study finds The Daily Mail
• UK is still testing less than 15,000 people for coronavirus each day The Daily Mail
• Government's handling of care homes in lockdown is 'shambolic' The Daily Mail
• Fact check: Trump’s WHO charge sheet and how it stacks up The Daily Telegraph
• Watch: Piers Morgan in heated exchange over 'laughing' Minister during care home crisis interview The Daily Telegraph
• 'It's heartbreaking. People dying at home, help denied them' The Guardian
• Coronavirus ventilator wins UK approval in run-up to NHS rollout The Guardian
• Matt Hancock's record on NHS coronavirus provision The Guardian
• PPE could be reused as last resort, says leaked PHE document The Guardian
• Boris Johnson reacted too slowly to Covid-19, says former scientific adviser The Guardian
• Care homes in England say coronavirus death toll has risen to 1,400 The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Government has failed to protect us against Covid-19, health workers say The Independent
• World will face a mental health crisis after coronavirus pandemic, experts warn The Independent
• Coronavirus: Pregnant NHS nurse dies from Covid-19 but baby saved The Independent
• Coronavirus PPE 'inadequate', says NHS frontline worker ITV News

Letters, personal belonging drop-offs and a helpline: The additional ways NGH is helping patients during pandemic

Letters, personal belonging drop-offs and a helpline: The additional ways NGH is helping patients during pandemic A number of services have been launched at Northampton General Hospital to help patients and their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.

While visiting is generally prohibited, with only a few exceptions, the hospital is working hard to make sure patients can still hear from their loved ones. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Four Stanwick care home residents die with virus BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus deaths in the Anglia region up by more than 100 to 1270 ITV News
• Northamptonshire's community and mental health heroes say a big "THANK YOU" for your support Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton hospital's Covid-19 death toll climbs past 60 with 113 victims across the county Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Fears over more Covid-19 deaths in care homes as 16 new fatalities are recorded in Northamptonshire hospitals Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Number of patients going to A&E at Northampton General Hospital drops by nearly 2500 in March Northampton Chronicle and Echo

£107m of debt at Northampton General Hospital written off by government

£107m of debt at Northampton General Hospital written off by government From the start of this month, almost £3.5 billion of NHS debt from 23 trusts across the Midlands will be scrapped, as announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week.

And yesterday (April 9) it was revealed that Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust’s level of debt to be written off amounts to almost £108 million. This includes revenue debt of £97.78 million and capital debt of £10.18 million. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• KGH has £167m debt written off Northamptonshire Telegraph

Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community

Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community The purpose of this guideline is to provide recommendations for managing Covid‑19 symptoms for patients in the community, including at the end of life. It also includes recommendations about managing medicines for these patients, and protecting staff from infection. NICE

See also:

• Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing suspected or confirmed pneumonia in adults in the community NICE

Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan

Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan Cross-government UK-wide plan to ensure that critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those on the frontline responding to coronavirus (COVID-19). Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: Government sets out plan for national effort on PPE Department of Health and Social Care
• Health Secretary launches biggest diagnostic lab network in British history to test for coronavirus Department of Health and Social Care
• Student docs and nurses praised for joining ‘NHS Army’ to tackle historic coronavirus threat NHS England
• Thousands of former NHS staff are back on the front line in the NHS fight against coronavirus NHS England
• Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 3 April 2020
• Covid-19: management of exposed healthcare workers and patients in hospital settings Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: track coronavirus cases Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England
• Risk of 'serious consequences' if non-COVID conditions unmanaged or untreated, warns College Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: More tests promised for care homes

Coronavirus: More tests promised for care homes All care home residents and staff with Covid-19 symptoms will be tested for coronavirus as laboratory capacity increases, the government has promised.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "determined" to ensure everyone who needed a test had access to one.

Labour welcomed the pledge but said the social care sector needed more support.

Care providers have been calling for more testing for weeks, with charities saying the virus is "running wild" amid outbreaks at more than 2,000 homes. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Virus causes jump in total number of deaths BBC News
• Coronavirus: Nurse's PPE 'like soldier without combat gear' BBC News
• UK Biobank: DNA to unlock coronavirus secrets BBC News
• 'Difficult' cancer care decisions taken due to coronavirus BBC News
• Coronavirus: Baroness Altmann says health system is 'stacked against' care homes BBC News
• Coronavirus: Scientists to review impact of lockdown measures BBC News
• Coronavirus: Body-bag stocks 'in danger of running out' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Gown supply 'critically low' in some hospitals BBC News
• Covid-19 Deaths in England Are 15% Higher Than NHS Reports Bloomberg
• Why is it so hard to make a reliable coronavirus antibody test? The Daily Mail
• Boss of Britain's largest care operator claims TWO THIRDS of homes have had coronavirus The Daily Mail
• UK's coronavirus death toll could be 15% higher than official figures show The Daily Mail
• One THIRD of NHS workers tested for coronavirus are positive The Daily Mail
• Patients with severe COPD should have advanced care plans, says NICE COVID-19 advice GPonline
• NHS hospitals accused of risking staff lives by abandoning PPE fit-tests The Guardian
• How close is the NHS to getting the 18,000 ventilators it needs? The Guardian
• 'I feel fear and guilt': an NHS junior doctor on the effect of getting Covid-19 The Guardian
• England coronavirus testing has not risen fast enough - science chief The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Thousands of virus deaths may be being under-reported, warn experts The Independent
• Coronavirus: Doctors call for suspension of NHS charging regulations as vulnerable groups ‘effectively denied’ healthcare The Independent

NHS reveals seven Covid-19 deaths in one day at Northampton General Hospital

NHS reveals seven Covid-19 deaths in one day at Northampton General Hospital - Northampton NHS officials have revealed seven people died of Covid-19 in one day at Northampton General Hospital.

Four more deaths at the hospital were confirmed yesterday, taking the total to 45 countywide as at 5pm on Monday evening. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Hospital deaths of patients with coronavirus in the Anglia region rise to 687 ITV News
• Two more coronavirus deaths confirmed at KGH Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Building supplier donates 13800 protective masks to Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Here's how to get in touch with Northampton General is you want to make a donation in fight against Covid-19 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Birthday bop for Wellingborough community hospital healthcare workers on NHS frontline Northamptonshire Telegraph

Leading through and beyond Covid-19: what challenges are leaders facing?

Leading through and beyond Covid-19: what challenges are leaders facing? The health and care system in the UK is facing a challenge the like of which has not been seen in living memory. It is a crisis that has rewritten the rules: who cannot be amazed, whether it’s by the sight of our empty cities or the NHS and the army turning the ExCeL centre into a giant critical care unit. The pace has been dramatic and unrelenting. The King's Fund

See also:

• How has general practice responded to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak? The King's Fund

NHS launches mental health hotline for staff tackling COVID-19

NHS launches mental health hotline for staff tackling COVID-19 The NHS has launched a mental health hotline as part of a package of measures to support the NHS’ 1.4 million staff as they help people deal with the coronavirus.

NHS staff will be able to call or text a free number staffed by thousands of specially trained volunteers, to receive support and advice for the pressures they face every day during the global health emergency.

The volunteers will listen to NHS staff and give psychological support to those in need. NHS England

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements 
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: health and social care key issues and sources House of Commons Library
• Coronavirus: access to adult social care in England House of Commons Library
• Age-friendly health systems design to address Covid-19 Institute for Healthcare Improvement
• Coronavirus (Covid-19): health, care and volunteer workers parking pass and concessions Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Deploying nursing students to support COVID-19 response NHS Employers
• Guidance: COVID-19: background information Public Health England

Coronavirus: Will summer make a difference?

Coronavirus: Will summer make a difference?  The idea warmer weather might stop the coronavirus seems to have faded as the virus has spread around the globe. But could new research contain a glimmer of hope?

It's too early to know for sure whether the new coronavirus is seasonal. To really know that, we'd have to watch how cases change in one place across the year.

But we can look at its spread in different climates across the world for clues. BBC News

See also:

• Are minorities being hit hardest by coronavirus? BBC News
• Coronavirus: WHO chief urges end to 'politicisation' of virus BBC News
• Coronavirus pressures 'put organ transplants at risk' BBC News
• Coronavirus: What is the risk to men over 50? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Oxford junior doctors keep video diaries BBC News
• Coronavirus: Covid-19 detecting apps run into privacy issues BBC News
• Dentists warn patients are being left in agony amid coronavirus pandemic The Daily Mail
• CDC pulls confusing dosing guidance for malaria drug that Trump praised for treating coronavirus The Daily Mail
• Exclusive: Three nurses forced to wear bin bags because of PPE shortage test positive for coronavirus The Daily Telegraph
• GP workforce hit hard by COVID-19 self-isolation, BMA poll reveals GPonline
• How coronavirus changed the world in three months – video The Guardian
• UK Covid-19 antibody tests not ready until May at earliest The Guardian
• UK's coronavirus death toll: how does it compare with Spain and Italy? The Guardian
• 'Do not resuscitate' orders have caused panic in the UK. Here is the truth | Rachel Clarke The Guardian
• UK must learn from German response to Covid-19, says Whitty The Guardian
• The truth about do not resuscitate orders The Independent
• Coronavirus: UK death toll in hospitals alone rises by 938 in one day The Independent
• NHS Heroes: Teamwork helping NHS workers through Covid-19 crisis amid heartbreak ITV News

Northamptonshire hospitals battling biggest daily surge yet in Covid-19 cases

Northamptonshire hospitals battling biggest daily surge yet in Covid-19 cases Northamptonshire's two NHS hospitals are dealing with the biggest surge in Covid-19 cases yet as the pandemic continues to spread through the county.

Public Health England revealed 85 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in a 24-hour period up to 9am yesterday (Monday April 6). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus deaths reach 500 in hospitals in the Anglia region ITV News
• Volunteers are sewing scrubs for Northamptonshire's NHS heroes - here's how you can help them Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Graphs show people in Northamptonshire are listening to the coronavirus lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Thanks Northants' after another weekend with no lockdown fines for flouting Covid-19 restrictions Northamptonshire Telegraph

Integrating health and social care in the Covid-19 (coronavirus) response

Integrating health and social care in the Covid-19 (coronavirus) response ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ was how Charles Dickens described, in the opening lines of A tale of two cities, the contrasting state of London and Paris in the years before the French Revolution. Although the full impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has yet to be felt, his words have a contemporary resonance, considering how the daily rhythms and routines of our lives have been turned upside down in a matter of days. The King's Fund

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to pharmacists from Jo Churchill Department of Health and Social Care
• Admission and care of residents during Covid-19: incident in a care home Department of Health and Social Care
• Report on 2249 patients critically ill with COVID-19 Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre
• Saving babies' lives: Covid-19 information NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for residential care, supported living and home care Public Health England

Coronavirus: Warning over daily death figures

Coronavirus: Warning over daily death figures Experts are warning against over-interpreting daily figures of people dying with the Covid-19 virus, since they often reflect reporting delays.

Spikes or dips may in part reflect bottlenecks in the reporting system, rather than real changes in the trend.

On Monday, 439 coronavirus deaths were recorded in the UK - down from 621 on Sunday and 708 on Saturday.

Many hospitals will not report deaths that happened over the weekend until the middle of the following week. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson spends night in intensive care after symptoms worsen BBC News
• Coronavirus: China reports no Covid-19 deaths for first time BBC News
• Coronavirus: Thousands missed off government's 'high risk' list BBC News
• Coronavirus: Why healthcare workers are at risk of moral injury BBC News
• Coronavirus: Too early to consider lockdown exit strategy, says Raab BBC News
• Coronavirus: Scientists question school closures impact BBC News
• Coronavirus doctor's diary: The oxygen supply problem BBC News
• NHS data shows 66% of coronavirus patients hooked up to ventilators will die The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Boris Johnson's doctor acted after Zoom video The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: NHS study suggests race may affect risk level The Daily Mail
• NHS A&E visits plummet by HALF in March as 'people fear they will catch coronavirus in hospitals' The Daily Mail
• Will the UK go into full lockdown and could outdoor exercise be banned? The Daily Telegraph
• These are the NHS workers who have died from coronavirus The Daily Telegraph
• GPs fear missing vital COVID-19 advice as data avalanche swamps NHSmail GPonline
• NHS doctors lacking PPE 'bullied' into treating Covid-19 patients The Guardian
• Fears that Britons self-isolating with Covid-19 may seek help too late The Guardian
• Why the UK lacks an adequate testing system The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Doctors and nurses will need PTSD treatment after Covid-19 virus peaks in hospitals, warn health leaders The Independent
• NHS staff given conflicting advice over resuscitation of coronavirus patients The Independent
• 'It is scary': Inside the 'red zone' intensive care unit where NHS staff and patients are battling coronavirus ITV News
• Why are frontline workers not being tested by GPs and employers? NHS chief answers ITV viewers' Covid-19 questions ITV News

Sunday brings news of five more Covid-19 deaths at Kettering General Hospital

Sunday brings news of five more Covid-19 deaths at Kettering General Hospital The grim death tally of coronavirus patients who have died at KGH has risen by five in a single day.

The total number of reported Covid-19 deaths at the Rothwell Road hospital is now 18.

Three of the patients' deaths announced this afternoon (Sunday, April 5) took place on Thursday (April 2) and two of them took place on Friday (April 3). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: NHS staff samples sent to Germany for testing BBC Northampton
• #NorthantsTogether campaign launched Daventry Express
• Number of Covid-19 cases doubles in just five days in Northamptonshire Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Six more Covid-19 deaths at Northampton General Hospital takes county total to 28 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton General Hospital Covid-19 staff swab tests are being flown to Germany for quicker turnaround Northamptonshire Telegraph

Public satisfaction with the NHS rose sharply in 2019 – why?

Public satisfaction with the NHS rose sharply in 2019 – why? If the past few years have taught us anything about public opinion, it is that second guessing it is a fool’s errand, and so it proved this year with the 2019 British Social Attitudes survey. After falling for the previous two years, public satisfaction with the NHS rose significantly, from 53 per cent in 2018 to 60 per cent in 2019. It is a result that very few people working in health policy would have predicted at the time. The King's Fund

See also:

• Public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2019: Results and trends from the British Social Attitudes survey Nuffield Trust

Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): scaling up testing programmes

Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): scaling up testing programmes How the government intends to scale up testing programmes to provide a test to anyone who needs one. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• New personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance for NHS teams Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS to benefit from £13.4 billion debt write-off Department of Health and Social Care
• Health Secretary sets out plan to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS asks people to share their coronavirus symptoms to help others Department of Health and Social Care
• World's largest trial of potential coronavirus treatments rolled out across the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes Department of Health and Social Care
• Using virtual consultations in the fight against COVID-19 The Health Foundation
• COVID-19: who can employers obtain fast track DBS checks for? NHS Employers
• Staff terms and conditions during COVID-19 - FAQs published NHS Employers
• Updated guidance on Covid-19 prioritisation within community health services NHS England
• NHS to build more Nightingale Hospitals, as London set for opening NHS England
• NICE publishes second set of rapid COVID-19 guidelines NICE
• Brexit and coronavirus: how can the NHS avoid a fight on two fronts? Nuffield Trust
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: management of exposed healthcare workers and patients in hospital settings Public Health England
• Smokers at greater risk of severe respiratory disease from COVID-19 Public Health England
• New guidance provides much-needed clarity for GPs on PPE, says College Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: When will we know the UK lockdown is working?

Coronavirus: When will we know the UK lockdown is working? It's two weeks since Boris Johnson announced the UK's lockdown, and there are signs the rate of infection is starting to slow, though not deaths.

While the number of people dying in hospital with coronavirus is doubling every few days, the figures for confirmed cases and hospitalisations are slowing down.

The daily death total will follow suit, scientists say. But they warn we could still see record highs in the coming days. BBC News

See also:

• Corornavirus: Tributes paid to 'caring' midwife Lynsay Coventry BBC News
• Coronavirus: High street pharmacists 'needlessly put at risk' BBC News
• 'Dial 999 for stroke emergencies despite coronavirus' BBC News
• Coronavirus: How do you care for someone at home? BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK trialling existing and new medicines BBC News
• Nurse deaths 'inevitable' from coronavirus BBC News
• Britain's antibody testing fiasco The Daily Mail
• ALL health workers must wear full protective equipment when near suspected COVID-19 patients The Daily Mail
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson in hospital for coronavirus – everything we know so far The Daily Telegraph
• The Queen's coronavirus speech transcript: 'We will succeed and better days will come' The Daily Telegraph
• More than 6,000 GPs in second wave of doctors given temporary GMC registration GPonline
• After this crisis, remember the NHS is not drained by migrants, but sustained by them | Nesrine Malik The Guardian
• We need to protect all frontline workers The Guardian
• Number of NHS doctors off sick 'may be nearly triple the official estimate' The Guardian
• 'A smiling hero': tributes pour in for nurse dead at 36 from Covid-19 The Guardian
• Matt Hancock warns of tougher UK lockdown if too many break rules The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Britain faces a care crisis that could overwhelm the NHS The Independent
• Coronavirus: Scotland's chief medical officer resigns after apologising for breaking lockdown rules with visit to second home The Independent
• Coronavirus UK: Disabled people will be 'fully protected' in outbreak Metro

Northamptonshire's two hospitals free up quarter of beds ready for coronavirus sufferers

Northamptonshire's two hospitals free up quarter of beds ready for coronavirus sufferers A huge coordinated effort has gone on over the past two weeks to discharge patients from Kettering and Northampton hospitals to free up capacity for virus patients. Daventry Express

See also:

• Coronavirus: 'Coughed over' Northamptonshire officer unable to care for ill mum BBC Northampton
• Number of Covid-19 cases heading towards 200 with 14 deaths in Northamptonshire in less than a month Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Selfless man sets up fundraiser and creates hampers for isolation wards at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• A further four Covid-19 patient deaths at KGH bring hospital total to nine Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Wellingborough school sends science supplies to help at hospital Northamptonshire Telegraph

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Decision: Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification of data controllers to share information Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Technical Specifications for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Department of Health and Social Care
• Business Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 1 April 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014 Department of Health and Social Care
• Children of the pandemic: policies needed to support children during the Covid-19 crisis Institute for Public Policy Research
• Total number of COVID-19 deaths in England by date of death NHS England
• Mental wellbeing while staying at home NHS UK
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people Public Health England

Coronavirus: Testing will 'unlock puzzle', PM says

Coronavirus: Testing will 'unlock puzzle', PM says Health officials say they are "frustrated" by a lack of progress in expanding UK coronavirus testing.

Prof Paul Cosford of Public Health England (PHE) said "everybody involved" is unhappy testing has not "got to the position yet that we need to get to".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson responded to criticism of the UK's strategy by hailing screening as a solution to "unlock the puzzle" of coronavirus. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Doctors face agonising life-death decisions BBC News
• Coronavirus: Expert panel to assess face mask use by public BBC News
• Coronavirus: Volunteers help protect NHS workers BBC News
• Recovering from coronavirus: Three harrowing stories of surviving Covid-19 BBC News
• WHO 'deeply concerned by coronavirus 'rapid escalation' BBC News
• Coronavirus: NHS 111 has 1.7 million queries in 15 days BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK 'too late' to order testing chemicals and swabs The Daily Mail
• UK has 'bought 2million coronavirus antibody tests from China' The Daily Mail
• When will the UK lockdown end? The four exit strategies The Daily Telegraph
• Boris Johnson restates pledge to boost UK coronavirus testing capacity The Guardian
• London hospital almost runs out of oxygen for coronavirus patients The Guardian
• 'Shambles, chaos, ridiculous': what the UK papers say about Covid-19 testing The Guardian
• UK records biggest daily rise in coronavirus deaths The Guardian
• AA offers free breakdown assistance for NHS workers ITV News
• Coronavirus: Top NHS doctor dies after contracting COVID-19 Sky News

NHS warns "we are not out of the woods yet" as spread of Covid-19 cases slows in Northamptonshire

NHS warns "we are not out of the woods yet" as spread of Covid-19 cases slows in Northamptonshire NHS chiefs are warning Northamptonshire is "not out of the woods yet" despite a slow-down in the spread of Covid-19 cases.

Public Health England figures revealed the number of known cases in the county was 170 as at 9am yesterday (Tuesday March 31).

The increase of 17 cases in the previous 24 hours was the lowest daily rise in a week, mirroring what is going on across the UK. Daventry Express

See also: 

• Coronavirus: Northamptonshire sisters start 'good news' letter BBC Northampton 
• Two more Covid-19 deaths takes total to eight in Northamptonshire Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Meet little Millie from Corby one of UK's first lockdown babies born on night new rules enforced Northamptonshire Telegraph

First new ventilators to roll off production line this weekend as industry answers call to step up manufacturing

First new ventilators to roll off production line this weekend as industry answers call to step up manufacturing The first devices from the Government’s ventilator challenge will roll off the production line this weekend, ahead of delivery to the NHS next week, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove has announced today. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Joint statement on advance care planning BMA, Care Quality Commission and the Royal College of General Practitioners
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014 Department of Health and Social Care
• Care Act easements: guidance for local authorities Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS frontline workers visas extended so they can focus on fighting coronavirus Home Office
• Responding to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak The King's Fund
• New advice for safe funerals after discussions with faith leaders Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased Public Health England
• Covid-19: return-to-practice learning plan MIMS Learning
• Automatic NHS visa extensions a welcome step from Government NHS Employers 
• Mental health and psychosocial considerations during Covid-19 outbreak World Health Organization

Coronavirus: Potential drug treatment starts UK trials

Coronavirus: Potential drug treatment starts UK trials A drug that could help treat coronavirus is to be trialled on a small number of patients in England and Scotland.

The studies, which have been fast-tracked by the government, will initially involve 15 NHS centres.

In the absence of a known treatment for the virus, a handful of experimental drugs are being tested globally.

The drug, known as remdesivir, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Gilead. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: GP surgery apology over 'do not resuscitate' form BBC News
• Coronavirus: Transforming London's ExCeL centre into Nightingale hospital BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Greatest test since World War Two', says UN chief BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hospitals urged to use lab space to test NHS staff BBC News
• Coronavirus: Are loss of smell and taste key symptoms? BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK considers virus-tracing app to ease lockdown BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits with 2,352 with 563 new deaths The Daily Mail
• GP surgery sends out letter asking terminally ill patients to sign DNR notices The Daily Mail
• UK coronavirus cases could number 1.8MILLION, scientists say The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Formerly healthy boy, 13, is youngest to die The Daily Mail
• Social distancing is helping to reduce number of coronavirus cases, suggests fever map The Daily Mail
• GPs barred from speaking out about PPE shortages GPonline
• Doctors will have to choose who gets life-saving treatment. Here's how we'll do it | John Chisholm The Guardian
• Hancock orders all spare coronavirus tests to be used for NHS staff The Guardian
• 'Green shoots' visible in UK's fight against Covid-19, says Powis The Guardian
• More orders for NHS ventilators take number to 61,000 The Guardian 
• 'We're at risk, just like doctors': the NHS staff fighting coronavirus behind the scenes The Guardian
• Coronavirus UK: Nurse's devastating account from NHS frontline Metro

iPads with Skype and Houseparty apps helping combat loneliness among isolated Northampton General patients

iPads with Skype and Houseparty apps helping combat loneliness among isolated Northampton General patients Northampton General Hospital has introduced a different way for isolated patients to have contact with their loved ones.

iPads that have apps such as Skype, Zoom and Houseparty downloaded on them have been distributed to patients so they can keep in contact with their loved ones via video call. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Northampton hospital hand sanitiser theft seen on CCTV BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Perfect Day video singalong for Roade school BBC Northampton
• Covid-19 swab testing for staff begins at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Three more Covid-19 deaths at Northampton General Hospital as pandemic continues to spread Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Coronavirus: Police in Northampton seek hospital hand sanitiser thief caught on CCTV Sky News

Covid-19: why compassionate leadership matters in a crisis

Covid-19: why compassionate leadership matters in a crisis These are the hands of health and care staff who dedicate their lives to caring for others. And who are now committed to caring for their communities during a grave global crisis, risking their own health and wellbeing. Last night, millions of people across the United Kingdom took part in a national applause of thanks for health workers and carers helping in the fight against Covid-19 (coronavirus). The collective gratitude and respect for the work of health and care workers was emotional and uplifting at a time of global crisis. The King's Fund

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Technical Specifications for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Department of Health and Social Care
• Decision: Temporary approval of home use for both stages of early medical abortion Department of Health and Social Care
• Further COVID-19 guidance for the NHS workforce NHS Employers
• Contractual guidance for junior doctors during COVID-19 NHS Employers
• England’s most senior nurse calls out unacceptable behaviour towards NHS staff NHS England
• Latest Covid-19 update for general practice from NHS England NHS England
• Text messaging service for people with symptoms of Covid-19 NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases Public Health England
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest data and analysis on coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK and its effect on the economy and society Office for National Statistics
• Community health and care leaders call on the Cabinet Secretary to take urgent action to protect those caring for the most sick and vulnerable during Coronavirus Royal College of General Practitioners

UK coronavirus measures 'making a difference'

UK coronavirus measures 'making a difference' People are heeding the advice to stay at home to keep pressure off the NHS, and there are early signs that it is working, the UK's chief scientific adviser has said.

Sir Patrick Vallance told a news conference that social distancing measures are "making a difference".

Transmission of coronavirus in the community is thought to be decreasing, which could mean fewer infections.

Hospital admissions data suggests cases are not rising as fast as feared. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Home abortions approved during outbreak BBC News
• NHS boss: Nightingale hospital an 'extraordinary team effort' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Self-isolation when you are affected by dementia BBC News
• FactCheck: confusion over NHS England testing numbers Channel 4 News
• UK's chief scientific adviser says he doesn't know when coronavirus lockdown will end The Daily Mail
• Around a QUARTER of some NHS forces are off work to self-isolate The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: 'Viral load' with may dictate severity of symptoms The Daily Mail
• Herd immunity is the only way out of this impasse The Daily Telegraph
• 4,000 GP practices asked to join COVID-19 research project GPonline
• Coronavirus: UK spread shows early signs of slowing – key adviser The Guardian
• Christine Beasley: 'Nursing was in difficulty before coronavirus came along'  The Guardian
• Fall in Covid-19 tests putting lives at risk, critics claim The Guardian
• Covid-19: deaths outside hospitals to be included in UK tally for first time The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS doctors 'gagged' over protective equipment shortages The Independent
• NHS staff isolating at home will get first coronavirus tests Metro

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Northants rises by 20 for fourth day in a row

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Northants rises by 20 for fourth day in a row The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Northamptonshire has increased by at least 20 for the fourth day in a row and there are now 126 cases in the county. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavrius: University of Northampton gives vacant rooms to NHS BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Coping with grief during a lockdown BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Exercise rule-breakers spark surge in police calls BBC Northampton
• Trusts advise widespread use of PPE as staff 'refuse to see patients' Health Service Journal
• University of Northampton lights up building to thank NHS staff for their hard work during pandemic Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Hunt for man linked to hand sanitiser theft from Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak

New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing Public Health England
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Secretary of State to the social care workforce Department of Health and Social Care
• Government launches new drive on coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings Public Health England
• Greater flexibility when completing pre-employment checks during COVID-19 NHS Employers
• NHS volunteer responders: 250,000 target smashed with three quarters of a million committing to volunteer NHS England
• NHS to open two more new hospitals to fight coronavirus NHS England
• Coronavirus and voluntary sector resilience Centre for Social Justice
• Pharmacy resilience guidance Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
• Covid-19 testing for frontline NHS staff will ensure GPs can provide care when they are well, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Mercedes F1 to make breathing aid

Coronavirus: Mercedes F1 to make breathing aid A breathing aid that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care has been created in under a week.

University College London engineers worked with clinicians at UCLH and Mercedes Formula One to build the device, which delivers oxygen to the lungs without needing a ventilator.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices are already used in hospitals but are in short supply. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: 20,000 former NHS staff return to fight virus, PM says BBC News
• Coronavirus: Six months before UK 'returns to normal' - deputy chief medical officer BBC News
• Coronavirus doctor's diary: Why are people stealing hospital supplies? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Testing rolled out for frontline NHS staff BBC News
• Coronavirus NHS workers 'told to close our eyes if patient coughs' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Number of UK deaths rises above 1,000 BBC News
• Coronavirus: What we still don't know about Covid-19 BBC News
• NHS England: 'Now is not the time to be complacent' BBC News
• It's NOT 'just like flu': All this fake news makes my blood boil, writes DR ELLIE CANNON The Daily Mail
• Not one person will be 'left to die' - no matter their age, says NHS intensive care specialist The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock test positive The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus fake news 'could cost lives', Culture Secretary warns The Daily Telegraph
• At least 1.6m people could be infected with coronavirus in UK, new estimates show The Daily Telegraph
• Pressure to provide equipment grows after two UK doctors die The Guardian
• Care homes refusing to take in patients ready to leave NHS hospitals The Guardian
• Midwife shortage doubles as NHS staff diverted to tend Covid-19 patients The Guardian
• Covid-19 patients in UK intensive care have 50% survival rate The Guardian
• UK strategy to address pandemic threat ‘not properly implemented’ The Guardian
• Artist sends hundreds of uplifting posters to NHS staff across the UK ITV News

'No visitors allowed' at Northampton General Hospital barring 'exceptional circumstances'

'No visitors allowed' at Northampton General Hospital barring 'exceptional circumstances' Northampton General has announced today it will not allow any visitors into the hospital.

With only a few exceptions, the hospital will now turn away anyone asking to visit patients on their wards. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Over 100 volunteers step up to help at Northampton General Hospital in just three days Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Could you join an army of volunteers to help the NHS in Northamptonshire? Northamptonshire Telegraph

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• BMA warns that without protective equipment, doctors and Covid-19 patients will die BMA
• Government to provide free car parking for NHS and social care staff Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for hostel or day centres for people rough sleeping Public Health England
• Standard operating procedure – community pharmacy NHS England
• Staying well when social distancing Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Coronavirus: Government orders 10,000 ventilators from Dyson

Coronavirus: Government orders 10,000 ventilators from Dyson The government has ordered 10,000 ventilators from Dyson to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.

The firm, headed by British inventor Sir James Dyson, said it had designed a new type of ventilator in response to a call on behalf of the NHS.

The order is still subject to the devices passing stringent medical tests but that is expected to happen quickly. BBC News

See also:

• Coping with coronavirus anxiety BBC News 
• Coronavirus: 'Frailty score' plan angers special needs parents BBC News 
• Coronavirus: Cancer patient's chemotherapy put on hold BBC News
• Coronavirus: GPs demand 'clarity' over protective gear guidance BBC News
• Coronavirus crisis could cause a loneliness epidemic in older adults The Daily Mail
• How can I join the NHS coronavirus volunteer army, and what would I do? The Daily Telegraph
• Woman, 21, with 'no underlying health issues' dies after contracting coronavirus, family say The Daily Telegraph
• Coronavrius positive: our new daily round-up of good news The Daily Telegraph
• Innovative GPs use 3D printers to produce masks amid PPE shortage GPonline
• Dispatches from the Covid-19 frontline The Guardian
• Mass Covid-19 home testing will help – but the data must be localised | Anthony Costello The Guardian
• NHS staff warned to hide ID after spate of targeted muggings The Guardian
• Coronavirus lockdown will be imposed by force in England The Guardian
• NHS workers to be thanked with nationwide round of applause ITV News
• Coronavirus: NHS will be crippled without frontline testing, says Doctors' Association chair Sky News

Biggest jump in Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire for second day in a row

Biggest jump in Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire for second day in a row The number of known Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire now stands at 37.

Public Health England officials issued its daily figures, correct as at 9am yesterday (Tuesday March 24). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• University of Northampton opens its doors at student halls for patients and healthcare staff Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Staff leaving shifts at Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals greeted with free flowers Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp

Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp The UK Government has today launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: COVID-19 advice for accommodation providers 
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: effect on the economy and public finances House of Commons Library
• ‘Your NHS Needs You’ – NHS Call For Volunteer Army NHS England
• New NHS Nightingale Hospital To Fight Coronavirus NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for non-aerosol generating procedures Public Health England

Coronavirus: NHS predicted to cope with increased demand

Coronavirus: NHS predicted to cope with increased demand The NHS should be able to cope with the coronavirus outbreak now the country is in lockdown, according to infectious diseases expert Prof Neil Ferguson.

Keeping people inside and increasing NHS staff and beds would prevent intensive care units (ICUs) from being overwhelmed nationally, he said.

There could still be some difficulties at a local level, he told MPs. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Millions yet to receive UK government's Covid-19 text BBC News
• Coronavirus: Thousands volunteer to help NHS with vulnerable BBC News
• Coronavirus: What's the risk to young people? BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'We will make sure we have the capacity' BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll sees biggest daily jump of 87 to 422 The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Graph may show lockdown enforced too late The Daily Mail
• Covid-19: call for fast-track registration of refugee doctors in UK The Guardian
• 'Astonishing': 170,000 people sign up as NHS volunteers in 15 hours The Guardian
• Cancer patients must not be the forgotten tragedy of this coronavirus crisis The Guardian
• Matt Hancock: 3.5m coronavirus test kits on way to NHS The Guardian
• The UK's coronavirus policy may sound scientific. It isn't The Guardian
• Coronavirus test: UK to make 15-minute at-home kits available within days The Independent
• Coronavirus demand on intensive care units not set to overwhelm NHS during peak, says health expert The Independent
• Coronavirus: NHS volunteer scheme attracts more than 170,000 signs-ups within hours being launched The Independent
• Coronavirus: U-turn on critical care advice for NHS amid fears disabled people will be denied treatment The Independent
• ‘Total disregard for people’s lives’: Hundreds of thousands of fake masks flooding markets as coronavirus depletes world supplies The Independent
• NHS staff fighting coronavirus pandemic still forced to pay hospital parking charges ITV News