Two new megalabs to open in 2021 to transform the UK’s diagnostic facilities

Two new megalabs to open in 2021 to transform the UK’s diagnostic facilities The labs in Leamington Spa and Scotland will add 600,000 to the UK's daily testing capacity when operating at full capacity, meaning faster turnaround times for test results. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Pilot for family members to get regular testing for safer care home visits Department of Health and Social Care
• Open consultation: Stopping movement of staff between care settings Department of Health and Social Care
• Latest findings from COVID-19 study published Department of Health and Social Care
• Official Statistics: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: October 2020 final results Department of Health and Social Care
• More than 2 million people reached by NHS Test and Trace Department of Health and Social Care

Covid vaccine: Major new trial starts in UK

Covid vaccine: Major new trial starts in UK A major trial of a vaccine to protect against Covid-19 has launched in the UK - the third such trial in the country.

The jab - designed by the Belgian company Janssen - uses a genetically modified common cold virus to train the immune system.

It comes a week after preliminary results showed another vaccine offered 90% protection. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Next two weeks 'crucial' for ending lockdown BBC News
• 'Covid-19: Normal life back next winter, says vaccine creator BBC News
• Coronavirus: Safety officials had 'political' pressure' to approve PPE BBC News
• Covid: Children more likely to be infected in second wave BBC News
• Coronavirus: Patients face long waits for hospital ops in England BBC News
• Covid: Care home visitors to trial regular testing BBC News
• Covid-19: Labour calls for law to stop anti-vaccination fake news online BBC News
• Why does COVID-19 kill some people and spare others? The Daily Mail
• Schools are to blame for more than a thousand outbreaks of coronavirus since September The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: PPE 'is STILL being denied to some NHS workers' despite huge stockpiles The Daily Mail
• Don’t put key workers at end of the Covid vaccine queue, warn UK unions The Guardian
• Covid vaccines in the UK: who is in charge, and what is the plan? The Guardian
• NHS needs extra £4bn next year because of Covid, Rishi Sunak told The Guardian
• England's test and trace system hit by 'huge' IT problems last month The Guardian
• Better, smarter, local response systems are the only way to avoid further lockdowns The Guardian
• ‘A long and difficult slog’: Chris Whitty predicts hardest winter for NHS in recent memory The Independent
• Specialist ‘long Covid’ clinics to be launched across England The Independent
• Covid UK deaths up by 462 over 24 hours The Independent
• COVID-19: Boris Johnson self-isolating after meeting with MP who tested positive for coronavirus Sky News

Most statin problems caused by mysterious 'nocebo effect', study suggests

Most statin problems caused by mysterious 'nocebo effect', study suggests Most of the debilitating effects of statins are not caused by the drug, but by people believing it will make them sick, a UK study suggests.

The phenomenon is known as the "nocebo effect" and may account for 90% of the ill health associated with the cholesterol-lowering drugs. 

The British Heart Foundation said the results were undeniable. BBC News

See also:

• N-of-1 Trial of a Statin, Placebo, or No Treatment to Assess Side Effects (abstract) New England Journal of Medicine

Medical ‘advances’ of 2020 could transform future healthcare, leading experts say

Medical ‘advances’ of 2020 could transform future healthcare, leading experts say The technology used to develop the Pfizer vaccine could be used to tackle illnesses such as cancer and other infectious diseases similar to Covid-19, leading health experts have said, raising hopes that humanity can take a major scientific “leap forward” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Oncologists, vaccinologists, biomedical engineers and doctors have all told The Independent that the technological advancements seen throughout 2020 could come to have a “profound” impact on the future provision of care for patients suffering from a variety of conditions.

Heart disease deaths soar in England during Covid pandemic

Heart disease deaths soar in England during Covid pandemic Almost 5,000 more people in England have died from heart problems than would be expected since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a charity has said. 

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said there had been 4,622 “excess deaths” from heart and circulatory diseases between the start of the pandemic and mid-October. The Guardian

Thousands of NHS staff face a 'disgusting' 200 per cent hike in hospital parking fees

Thousands of NHS staff face a 'disgusting' 200 per cent hike in hospital parking fees Thousands of NHS staff will be hit with ‘disgusting’ hikes for their hospital car parking, making a mockery of Ministers’ temporary free parking pledge, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. 

An internal document leaked to this newspaper shows the cost of annual parking permits will go up by 200 per cent for NHS workers at one of the UK’s biggest trusts, with new permits costing up to £1,440.

NHS confirms six coronavirus deaths in Northamptonshire hospitals

NHS confirms six coronavirus deaths in Northamptonshire hospitals Six more coronavirus deaths have today been confirmed at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals.

NHS England included the information in Tuesday's daily bulletin that four patients died at Northampton General Hospital on between Sunday and Tuesday this week. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Areas of Northamptonshire where coronavirus cases are among the LOWEST in the country Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 11 of the largest lockdown fines issued by police - and what they were for Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• The NHS has been told to prepare for mass Covid vaccinations from 1 December Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby special educational needs school shuts after Covid case Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby secondary school confirms coronavirus case Northamptonshire Telegraph

Ward evacuated at Northampton General Hospital after roof fire

Ward evacuated at Northampton General Hospital after roof fire Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service scrambled to Northampton General Hospital Wednesday morning. 

It comes as the fire service received reports over the accident and emergency department roof being on fire at 10.15am. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Elective care in England: assessing the impact of Covid-19 and where next

Elective care in England: assessing the impact of Covid-19 and where next This briefing shows there were 4.7 million fewer people referred for routine hospital care – such as hip, knee and cataract surgery – between January and August 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, representing a potential hidden backlog of unmet care needs. The Health Foundation

Nursing and midwifery workforce numbers continue to grow as concern around the long term impact of Covid-19 remains

Nursing and midwifery workforce numbers continue to grow as concern around the long term impact of Covid-19 remains Latest mid-year figures out today (Thursday 12 November) from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reveal the number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates on its permanent register has grown by 7,909 to 724,516 between 1 April and 30 September - an increase of 1.1 percent.

See also:

• The pandemic is creating problems for continued future growth of nursing numbers Nuffield Trust

Saving a lost decade: how a new deal for public health can help build a healthier nation

Saving a lost decade: how a new deal for public health can help build a healthier nation This report reveals the wider consequences of inaction on health improvement and prevention. It argues that the decision to remove health protection functions from Public Health England to a new National Institute for Health Protection presents an opportunity to reimagine and design a better public health system. Policy Exchange

Early evidence of the development of primary care networks in England: a rapid evaluation study

Early evidence of the development of primary care networks in England: a rapid evaluation study Primary care networks are groups of general practices brought together in July 2019 to develop new services in response to NHS England/Improvement policy using a shared budget. This report examined the early implementation of primary care networks, especially what has helped or hindered progress, how they operate in relation to pre-existing collaborations, and issues for rural networks. National Institute for Health Research

Human rights of Black people not equally protected, say Committee

Human rights of Black people not equally protected, say Committee The Joint Committee on Human Rights have published their Report “Black People, Racism and Human Rights”, which concludes that the Government must urgently take action to protect the human rights of Black people, including within healthcare, criminal justice, nationality and immigration and democracy.

The Committee have now concluded that the Government, NHS and police must now take action to end the stark inequalities in the protection of human rights of the Black community.

See also:

• 60% of black people feel they're treated unequally by NHS, says report Metro

Oxford University and PHE confirm high-sensitivity of lateral flow tests

Oxford University and PHE confirm high-sensitivity of lateral flow tests Extensive clinical evaluation shows lateral flow tests are accurate and sensitive enough to be used in the community, including for asymptomatic people. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): looking after people who lack mental capacity  Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: COVID-19: deaths of people with learning disabilities Public Health England

Hospitals install pop-up Covid-19 isolation bays

Hospitals install pop-up Covid-19 isolation bays Six NHS Trusts across England are fitting pop-up isolation rooms in their hospitals.

Royal Derby Hospital, part of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, has just installed 25 of the pop-up bays in their medical assessment unit, to separate patients until they receive the results of a Covid-19 test.

The temporary rooms which are stored in a compact wheeled cart, can be erected in around five minutes to provide an individual room to isolate patients. BBC News

See also:

• Black and Asian people at greater risk from Covid, study finds BBC News
• Students in Leicester take part in rapid coronavirus test  BBC News
• Covid vaccine: 'No decision' on under 50s vaccine plan BBC News
• Russian Covid vaccine shows encouraging results BBC News
• 'These are repurposed bin bags': Fury of NHS workers given flimsy plastic sheets instead of proper PPE to protect against second wave of Covid The Daily Mail
• Two thirds of COVID-19 survivors have symptoms 7 weeks later The Daily Mail
• No10 'nudge' unit suggests paper wristbands for those Covid-negative The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll tops 50,000 with 595 new victims The Daily Mail
• NHS told to prepare for Covid mass vaccinations from December 1 The Daily Telegraph
• How will a coronavirus vaccine be rolled out to the UK population? The Guardian
• NHS to vaccinate up to 5,000 people a day in Covid immunisation drive The Guardian
• Antibody tests bought by UK government 'less accurate than maker claims' The Guardian
• Oxford coronavirus vaccine expected to be easier to roll out than Pfizer jab The Independent
• Covid patients ‘head to toe’ on trolleys in A&E spark warnings over ‘lethal’ situation The Independent
• Pfizer vaccine: Over 80% of doses already sold to world’s richest countries The Independent
• NHS worker quits to become figurehead for Covid conspiracy movement Metro

Instagram: New tools to ban self-harm and suicide posts

Instagram: New tools to ban self-harm and suicide posts Instagram has launched new technology to recognise self-harm and suicide content on its app in the UK and Europe.

The new tools can identify both images and words that break its rules on harmful posts.

It will make posts less visible in the app and, in extreme cases, remove it automatically. BBC News

Large outbreaks of diseases such as flu likely when social distancing ends, study shows

Large outbreaks of diseases such as flu likely when social distancing ends, study shows Large outbreaks of diseases such as flu could emerge once Covid-19 measures like social distancing end, a study from Princeton University has suggested.

Researchers said that non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as mask wearing and social distancing, which were introduced to reduce the spread of Covid-19, had also lowered the incidence of illnesses including seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Independent

See also:

• The impact of COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical interventions on the future dynamics of endemic infections (open access) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Cheshire hospital baby deaths: Nurse to appear in court charged with eight counts of murder

Cheshire hospital baby deaths: Nurse to appear in court charged with eight counts of murder A nurse is due in court charged with eight counts of murder following an investigation into baby deaths at a hospital in Cheshire.

Lucy Letby, 30, was arrested for a third time on Tuesday as part of the investigation into the Countess of Chester Hospital, which began in 2017.

Letby, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, also faces 10 charges of attempted murder relating to the period of June 2015 to June 2016. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Chester hospital baby deaths: Nurse Lucy Letby due in court BBC News
• Lucy Letby: Nurse due in court charged with murdering eight babies at Chester hospital The Independent

Northamptonshire health chief's fresh lockdown plea after record rise in Covid-19 cases

Northamptonshire health chief's fresh lockdown plea after record rise in Covid-19 cases Health chiefs issued a fresh plea to make the lockdown count after Northamptonshire saw another record number of positive Covid-19 tests.

Labs confirmed more than 100 positive swabs in a single day in Northampton for the first time since the pandemic began. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Joe Rooney funeral: £10k fine for 'blatant disregard' of rules BBC Northampton
• Covid-19 in the East of England: Panel answer your questions live BBC News
• NHS confirms three more coronavirus deaths at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Three areas of Northampton where Covid-19 cases are among highest in the country Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Fine for shopper not wearing face covering at Rushden supermarket Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering funeral organisers to be fined £10,000 for breaching lockdown Northamptonshire Telegraph

Climate change and sustainability: the health service and net zero

Climate change and sustainability: the health service and net zero This report states that with the NHS contributing up to five per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, increased sustainability and changes to working practices are vital if the health of future generations is to be protected. The health service has a responsibility to its patients to reduce its own carbon footprint and to strive for net zero emissions, if it is to take a leading role in combatting the harmful effects of climate change. British Medical Association

Covid-19 insights: impact on staff and priorities for recovery

Covid-19 insights: impact on staff and priorities for recovery This report reveals the extensive mental and physical health impact on the NHS, health and care professionals across the UK, as a result of working and living through Covid-19, and identifies organisational priorities for recovery, both as the country enters the next phase of the pandemic and for the longer-term. Skills for Health 

Guidance on workload prioritisation during Covid-19 pandemic level rising

Guidance on workload prioritisation during Covid-19 pandemic level rising This guidance reflects the increasing prevalence of Covid-19 around the country, to support GPs and their teams in making local decisions based on local circumstances. Royal College of General Practitioners 

COVID-19 report reveals massive hit to the North’s health and economy

COVID-19 report reveals massive hit to the North’s health and economy The North of England’s economy has been hit harder than the rest of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic with inequalities between the North and the rest of the country exacerbated, according to a report launched today. 

The Northern Health Science Alliance, NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (North East and North Cumbria, Greater Manchester, North West Coast, Yorkshire and Humber), and the NIHR School of Public Health Research report COVID-19 and the Northern Powerhouse: Tackling Health Inequalities for UK Health and Productivity looks at the impact of COVID-19 on the health and economic inequalities between the Northern Powerhouse and the rest of England.

It has found the pandemic hit the North harder and more deeply and that mitigating measures must be put in place to stop inequalities rising further and faster.

See also:

• Coronavirus: Northern England 'worst hit' by pandemic BBC News

Research and analysis: Antibiotic use and resistance: what the public know

Research and analysis: Antibiotic use and resistance: what the public know This report presents the findings of the most recent (2017) national household survey of current public knowledge about anti-microbial resistance (AMR) and of people’s antibiotic use. Public Health England

Guidance: Health matters: cold weather and COVID-19

Guidance: Health matters: cold weather and COVID-19 This is the first winter with coronavirus (COVID-19) circulating, and it is critical that plans are in place to address the risks that may arise from the concurrence of cold weather and COVID-19. Health Matters focusses on the impact of cold weather on health, how COVID-19 amplifies cold-related risks, and actions that can be taken to prevent harm, particularly to those most vulnerable. Public Health England

See also:

• Parents urged to keep childhood vaccination appointments during national COVID-19 restrictions Public Health England
• Research and analysis: COVID-19: impact on vaccination programmes Public Health England

Matt Hancock on Covid 19 vaccine trials and roll out

Matt Hancock on Covid 19 vaccine trials and roll out The UK does not have a Covid vaccine yet, but is “one step closer” the health secretary has said.

Matt Hancock was speaking after it was announced on Monday that the world's first effective coronavirus vaccine had shown positive results in preliminary tests on 43,500 people.

He said if it was approved, the NHS had been told to be ready from 1 December to “inject hope into millions of arms this winter”. BBC News

See also:

• Second wave: NHS staff 'feeling the strain' BBC News
• 'Really exciting time' as Covid vaccine hopes soar BBC News
• Covid vaccine: How will we keep it cold enough? BBC News
• Immunising the world against Covid-19 BBC News
• Covid-19: Husband of test and trace boss to self-isolate BBC News
• Government considers changing anti-Covid tier system AGAIN after December 2 The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus England: Liverpool mass-testing scheme to be rolled out The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Excess deaths in private homes soar to 30,000 in England and Wales The Daily Mail
• Mass testing is to be rolled out at universities to get students home safely for Christmas The Daily Mail
• UK Covid-19 cases and deaths: how the UK is coping with a second wave The Daily Telegraph
• GPs in England will scale back care to deliver Covid vaccines The Guardian
• NHS test and trace: Dido Harding says scheme failed to predict demand The Guardian
• NHS and military preparing for mass vaccination programme The Independent
• Covid vaccine: How do trials actually work? The Independent
• UK coronavirus death toll rises by 532 in 24 hours The Independent

Mobile robo-surgeons could widen access to keyhole surgery

Mobile robo-surgeons could widen access to keyhole surgery Keyhole surgery can allow complicated procedures to be carried out with just a few access cuts, helping to reduce patient recovery times and potential risk of infection.

But the remote controlled robots that can perform this type of surgery are often very large, expensive and not widely available.

Now a new robo-surgeon with a modular design could be about to change that. BBC News

UK to ban all online junk food advertising to tackle obesity

UK to ban all online junk food advertising to tackle obesity ‘World-leading’ proposal delights health campaigners and dismays advertising industry

Downing Street has unveiled plans to implement a total ban on online junk food advertising – the toughest digital marketing restrictions in the world – in an attempt to tackle the growing obesity crisis.

While health campaigners have welcomed the proposed ban, which is now subject to a six-week consultation, it has stunned the advertising industry, which has called it indiscriminate and draconian. The Guardian

See also:

• New public consultation on total ban of online advertising for unhealthy foods Department of Health and Social Care

Nurse re-arrested in connection with murder of eight babies and attempted murder of six others

Nurse re-arrested in connection with murder of eight babies and attempted murder of six others A healthcare professional has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder as part of an investigation into deaths of babies at a neonatal unit.

The woman, arrested on Tuesday, is understood to be nurse Lucy Letby, who was previously arrested in 2018 and 2019. The Daily Telegraph

The NHS is preparing for 7 day coronavirus vaccine clinics - but can ‘normal life’ really resume by spring?

The NHS is preparing for 7 day coronavirus vaccine clinics - but can ‘normal life’ really resume by spring? Following the news that a new Covid-19 vaccine has been found to provide 90 per cent protection against the virus, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the NHS is ready to begin providing the vaccine “as fast as safely possible.” Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• These are the groups of people who will be prioritised for a Covid vaccine Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton rock pub reports Covid exposure from final night before it closed for good Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Certain key services will remain separate as Northampton and Kettering hospitals move to 'group model' next year

Certain key services will remain separate as Northampton and Kettering hospitals move to 'group model' next year A new management model that will see Northamptonshire’s two hospital trusts working ‘collaboratively’ will not affect certain key services.

Announced in January, the ‘group model’ will see Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital ‘making the most’ of staff and resources at both sites. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Brackley Medical centre and community hospital to welcome its first patients

Brackley Medical centre and community hospital to welcome its first patients Brackley's new medical centre will be welcoming its first patients on Monday November 16, although the opening has to be kept low key, due to lockdown. Buckingham Advertiser

Continuing healthcare: getting it right first time

Continuing healthcare: getting it right first time NHS continuing healthcare is administered by local NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) with oversight from NHS England and NHS Improvement. This report draws on 60 cases resolved in the last three years relating to continuing healthcare. It has found not only significant failings in care and support planning but also failings in reviews of previously unassessed periods of care. The report's recommendations are rooted in the findings from the casework and point to essential changes that should be made to prevent similar failings for future care users. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

What factors make a community more vulnerable to COVID-19?

What factors make a community more vulnerable to COVID-19? In July 2020, the British Academy convened a workshop, chaired by Professor Sir Ian Diamond FBA, on what we know and need to know about the factors affecting the prevalence of COVID-19 in different communities. A holistic, multidisciplinary approach is needed to understand the causes of vulnerability and the workshop brought together distinguished researchers across a range of disciplines with insights into the available evidence.

This summary elaborates these main points and highlights the common themes around how to identify and support vulnerable communities, exploring ways to reduce the impact of the virus itself and prevent COVID-19 from exacerbating inequalities. The British Academy

See also:

• Vaccines will not be a 'silver bullet' to end Covid-19 immediately because millions of people won't get them and social distancing must stay for months while they are given out, report warns The Daily Mail

The state of the state 2020-21: government in the pandemic and beyond

The state of the state 2020-21: government in the pandemic and beyond In its ninth edition, this annual collaboration with Deloitte explores people's perceptions of public services, spending after the pandemic and the government's 'levelling up' agenda. The report is informed by a national survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI, and interviews with 40 public sector leaders. Reform

Government response: UK government response to Pfizer/BioNTech’s publication of efficacy data of their COVID-19 vaccine

Government response: UK government response to Pfizer/BioNTech’s publication of efficacy data of their COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer/BioNTech (Monday 9 November) published positive efficacy results from Phase 3 studies of their potential Covid-19 vaccine, showing it to be more than 90% effective in preventing coronavirus in participants. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• More rapid COVID-19 tests to be rolled out across England Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: investigation and management of travellers returning from Denmark and their household contacts Public Health England

Covid vaccine: First vaccine offers 90% protection

Covid vaccine: First vaccine offers 90% protection The first effective coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19, a preliminary analysis shows.

The developers - Pfizer and BioNTech - described it as a "great day for science and humanity".

Their vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised. BBC News

See also:

• Covid vaccine: what does the Pfizer vaccine news mean? BBC News
• Covid: Who will have the Pfizer vaccine first and when can I get it? BBC News
• Hancock: 'NHS absolutely ready' for Covid vaccine BBC News
• Covid: Seven-day-a-week clinics for vaccine proposed BBC News
• Covid: China Sinovac vaccine trial halted in Brazil BBC News
• Coronavirus doctor's diary: 'We are first-hand witnesses of this devastation' BBC News
• 'Mutant coronavirus' seen before on mink farms, say scientists BBC News
• Tories demand lockdown ends early amid claims PM fears he was 'bounced' The Daily Mail
• One in 11 coronavirus patients discharged from a hospital gets readmitted within three months The Daily Mail
• Pfizer's Covid vaccine 'must be stored at MINUS 70C in special suitcases' The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus in mink: Everything we know about the outbreak in Denmark The Daily Telegraph
• UK vaccine taskforce chief Kate Bingham expected to quit The Guardian
• Wales ends 17-day 'firebreak' and brings in looser Covid measures The Guardian
• Covid vaccine: Fact checkers braced for spread of disinformation The Independent
• There are many questions to be answered, but the Pfizer vaccine offers genuine cause for hope The Independent

'Inhuman' use of restraint on disabled adults

'Inhuman' use of restraint on disabled adults Every 15 minutes, on average, a patient with learning disabilities was restrained in hospital last year, new BBC File on 4 analysis shows.

In 2019, restraint was used just over 38,000 times in England. In 2017, there were 22,000 reports of restraint.

Harriet Harman, chairwoman of the House of Commons joint select committee on human rights, said this suggested "inhuman and degrading" treatment.

The Department of Health said restraint "should only be used as a last resort". BBC News

One in five Covid patients develop mental illness within first three months, study shows

One in five Covid patients develop mental illness within first three months, study shows One in five Covid-19 patients were diagnosed with a mental illness for the first time within three months of their infection, a study has shown.

Mental health experts said the findings, which were based on an analysis of the electronic medical records of 69 million people in the US, suggest that coronavirus survivors could have an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The Independent

See also:

• Bidirectional associations between COVID-19 and psychiatric disorder: retrospective cohort studies of 62 354 COVID-19 cases in the USA (open access) The Lancet Psychiatry
• Covid 'raises new psychiatric disorders risk' BBC News
• One in 16 Covid survivors will be diagnosed with anxiety 'within three months of the disease' The Daily Mail

Visa rules forcing migrant NHS workers to leave UK amid Covid second wave

Visa rules forcing migrant NHS workers to leave UK amid Covid second wave ‘Shameful’ treatment of health and care workers comes amid 122,000 shortage in England

Migrant healthcare workers are having to return to their countries of origin, potentially hampering Britain’s response to the second wave of coronavirus, after the expiry of visas to support the NHS, trade unions and charities have warned. The Guardian

Number of deaths from type 2 diabetes more than DOUBLED at the peak of pandemic, study finds

Number of deaths from type 2 diabetes more than DOUBLED at the peak of pandemic, study finds The number of deaths from type 2 diabetes in England more than doubled at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in April, a study has revealed.

Around 3,050 people died from the preventable condition — a figure that is 110 per cent higher than the 1,450 who were expected to die based on the 10-year average. The Daily Mail

Health chiefs' concern at rise in Covid-19 cases among Northamptonshire's older age groups

Health chiefs' concern at rise in Covid-19 cases among Northamptonshire's older age groups Health chiefs admit they are concerned by Covid-19 spreading among Northamptonshire's older age groups. 

Figures from Public Health Northamptonshire on Friday showed the number of lab-confirmed positive tests has more than quadrupled in a month, from 117 in a week to October 4 to 480 on November 1st.  Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northampton: Duston community knits Covid 'Tree of Hope' BBC Northampton
• Three more coronavirus deaths among patients in Northamptonshire hospitals Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid-19 testing begins at new Northampton facility as Market Square makes way for Christmas tree Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• County Council services: What's open, what's not in Northamptonshire during the lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire Police: 'We issued more fines for breaking coronavirus rules as case numbers rose' Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Trace and track more successful when run locally, Northamptonshire public health boss confirms Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby man cops £200 fine for failing to self-isolate following Poland trip Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Wellingborough school's Year Ten bubble told to stay at home on Monday after Covid case Northamptonshire Telegraph

Homelessness: The Northampton man feeding people on the streets

Homelessness: The Northampton man feeding people on the streets Every morning, whatever the weather, one man delivers hot breakfasts to a town's rough sleepers. What drives his mission, what do the people he feeds think - and why is he a controversial figure? BBC Northampton

NHS-funded library and knowledge services in England value proposition: the gift of time

NHS-funded library and knowledge services in England value proposition: the gift of time According to this report, specialist library services are freeing up the time of clinicians, enabling them to devote more hours to patient care, and could be saving the NHS as much as £77 million a year. It finds that if the ratio of librarians to health professionals was increased to the level recommended by Health Education England, it’s thought that figure could rise to as much as £106 million. It finds that health librarians and knowledge specialists make the gathering of information as easy as possible for healthcare professionals, relieving the burden of sourcing and making sense of evidence, helping NHS organisations meet their statutory duty to use evidence from research within the service. Health Education England

Be honest about safety risks of short staffing this winter, demands RCN

Be honest about safety risks of short staffing this winter, demands RCN The government must make decisions about NHS service provision based on available numbers of nursing staff and what they can safely maintain.

This week NHS services in England moved to their highest level of emergency preparedness as the number of people seriously ill with COVID-19 being treated in hospital rose to more than 11,000 from 2,000 at the end of September. 

The RCN has grave concerns about how services will be safely staffed as we move into winter as it's too late to find the nurses to meet the likely demands. Royal College of Nursing

See also:

• Covid-19: Nursing shortage warning as winter looms BBC News
• NHS England suspends one-to-one nursing for critically ill Covid patients The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Too late to find enough nurses for this winter, union warns The Independent

Social media giants agree package of measures with UK Government to tackle vaccine disinformation

Social media giants agree package of measures with UK Government to tackle vaccine disinformation Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have agreed with social media platforms new measures to limit the spread of vaccine misinformation and disinformation and help people find the information they need about any COVID-19 vaccine. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Speech: Baroness Dido Harding’s speech to the CBI Annual Conference Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Use of the NHS COVID-19 app in education and childcare settings Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19: Global coronavirus cases pass 50 million

Covid-19: Global coronavirus cases pass 50 million The total of confirmed coronavirus cases has surged past 50 million following record numbers of new cases in several countries. 

More than 1.25 million people have now died after contracting the virus, according to Johns Hopkins university.

But the numbers are thought to be higher because of insufficient testing in many countries. BBC News

See also:

• 'I was refused a home Covid test after credit check' BBC News
• Covid: How to survive a winter lockdown, from those who've done it BBC News
• What's the science behind mink and coronavirus? BBC News
• Covid travel ban for visitors to UK from Denmark BBC News
• Greater Manchester's NHS hospitals suspend non-urgent care BBC News
• UK coronavirus infections may be 'stabilising' BBC News
• DR ELLIE CANNON: How did Test and Trace turn into such a fiasco? The Daily Mail
• Six countries report Covid-19 in farmed mink as experts warn current vaccines may not work on new strain The Daily Telegraph
• Nightingales cost £1m per patient, analysis shows, amid warnings most will not fully open due to lack of staff The Daily Telegraph
• Patients pay an unforgivable price for 'saving the NHS' The Daily Telegraph
• 'Will we have energy to keep going?' Occupational therapists brace for Covid second wave The Guardian
• How UK government misrepresented Covid projections – explained The Guardian
• Distancing compliance in decline among young people, Sage paper warns The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Rapid test ‘missed over 50% of positive cases in pilot’ The Independent
• Coronavirus: Children produce weaker immune response, study shows The Independent
• Coronavirus: WHO experts study risk of mink fur farms worldwide spreading virus to humans after Denmark mutation The Independent
• Coronavirus: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham postpones elective procedures after increases in COVID and other illnesses Sky News

Covid: Lack of medical supplies 'hits' disabled people

Covid: Lack of medical supplies 'hits' disabled people Some disabled people in the UK have been struggling to obtain essentials such as medication and breathing equipment during the Covid pandemic, research for the BBC suggests.

Some 60% of those who rely on social care told a YouGov survey they were finding it hard to obtain at least one of their necessities. BBC News

Anorexia inquests: 'Confront it early. Get help.'

Anorexia inquests: 'Confront it early. Get help.' A coroner says much more needs to be done for people suffering from anorexia nervosa - calling it a complex and terrifying disease.

Inquests into the deaths of five women have led to calls for a number of changes to the way people with anorexia are cared for. BBC News

See also:

• Hundreds of young people with eating disorders to benefit from ‘gold standard’ NHS treatment NHS England
• Teenager's anorexia death involved 'neglect' and 'could have been avoided', an inquest has concluded Sky News

NHS prescriptions for outdoor walks create more anxiety than spontaneously enjoying nature, study finds

NHS prescriptions for outdoor walks create more anxiety than spontaneously enjoying nature, study finds NHS prescriptions for walks in the park have fewer mental health benefits than spontaneously enjoying nature as they put people under pressure, a study has found.

So-called "green prescriptions" are typically given alongside conventional therapies, and encourage the patient to be more physically active. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Results from an 18 country cross-sectional study examining experiences of nature for people with common mental health disorders (open access) Nature Scientific Reports

Record number of positive Covid-19 tests two days in a row in Northamptonshire

Record number of positive Covid-19 tests two days in a row in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire saw a record number of new positive Covid-19 tests for a second day in a row.

Government analysts last night (Thursday) revealed 242 positive tests across the county during the latest 24-hour reporting period. 

That followed 236 positive swabs the previous day. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• NHS confirms five more coronavirus deaths in Northamptonshire's hospitals Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• NHS chief fears Northamptonshire hospitals 'not far off' having to cancel ops due to Covid-19 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• The Test and Trace system has had its least successful week so far Northamptonshire Telegraph

Corby care home fire: 'Trapped' residents rescued as building evacuated

Corby care home fire: 'Trapped' residents rescued as building evacuated Three care home residents were rescued and treated for breathing in smoke after becoming "trapped", Northamptonshire Fire Service said.

Crews were sent to a fire at Swan Gardens, in School Place, Corby, on Thursday at about 15:30 GMT. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Three rescued by firefighters after Corby care home bonfire night blaze Northamptonshire Telegraph

Inadmissible evidence: The double standard in evidence based practice and how it harm patients

Inadmissible evidence: The double standard in evidence based practice and how it harm patients The NHS is full of dedicated staff who, at a one-to-one level with patients, offer deeply personal and compassionate care. But too often the system as a whole seems institutionally deaf to the patient voice.

In this report, we explore the reasons for that. We show how the NHS – at an institutional and cultural level – fails to take patient experience evidence seriously enough. And we call for a few simple and entirely feasible steps that would strengthen evidence-based practice and ensure that the patient voice is better heard. Patient Experience Library

Digital transformation in the NHS

Digital transformation in the NHS This report says the Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS have a long way to go to deal with, and move on from, the legacy of their track record of failed IT programmes over almost two decades. It finds that the DHSC has not achieved its target to achieve 'a paperless NHS', which has now been watered-down and moved back by six years and expresses concerns that the DHSC and NHS bodies now risk repeating the mistakes that led to those failures and wasting taxpayers’ money. House of Commons Public Accounts Committee

Covid-19 and disruptions to the health and social care of older people in England

Covid-19 and disruptions to the health and social care of older people in England This briefing looks at the changes to the delivery of routine health care in England due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To prioritise access to hospital beds, staff and ventilators for Covid-19 patients, and to minimise the risk of infection for other patients, much routine health care was postponed or replaced with online or phone consultations. In addition, many would-be patients declined to seek care in the first place. This briefing aims to quantify these disruptions to care among older people in England in the early stages of the pandemic, and to examine who was most affected. Institute for Fiscal Studies

How has Covid-19 and the associated lockdown measures affected mental health and wellbeing in the UK?

How has Covid-19 and the associated lockdown measures affected mental health and wellbeing in the UK? This briefing provides insights into how mental health conditions have changed and what the risk factors are that need to be recognised when supporting people’s mental health. What Works Wellbeing

NHS Test and Trace hits record testing capacity as over 10 million people tested at least once

NHS Test and Trace hits record testing capacity as over 10 million people tested at least once Figures released today show that over 10 million people in the UK have now been tested, and the target of reaching 500,000 testing capacity has been exceeded. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Visiting care homes during coronavirus Department of Health and Social Care
• Correspondence: Thanking general practice and community pharmacy staff for their work during the pandemic Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults Department of Health and Social Care
• Transparency data: Coronavirus cases in England: 4 November 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England
• OSR Statement regarding transparency of data related to COVID-19 Office for Statistics Regulation

Covid-19: We need your help says NHS chief

Covid-19: We need your help says NHS chief During a press conference at Downing Street on Thursday, NHS CEO Sir Simon Stevens said the NHS needed the public's help to control the number of Covid cases in UK hospitals. BBC News 

See also:

• Covid: Can mass testing save us from another lockdown? BBC News
• Covid: Are care homes ready for the second wave? BBC News
• Covid: Regulator criticises data used to justify lockdown BBC News
• UK contact-tracing apps start to talk to each other BBC News
• Covid app backed by Zara and Mike Tindall prompts safety concern BBC News
• NHS boss takes a swipe at Vallance and Whitty's 'complicated graphs' and shows a SINGLE chart The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Test & Trace reaches smallest ever proportion of at-risk contacts The Daily Mail
• Test and trace records highest weekly total of Covid cases in England The Guardian
• Will Operation Moonshot pass its first test fighting Covid in Liverpool? The Guardian
• Operation Moonshot: rapid Covid test missed over 50% of cases in pilot The Guardian
• Coronavirus: New lockdown care home visit guidance in England likened to ‘prison systems' The Independent
• Sir Patrick Vallance publicly warned over use of ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ coronavirus data The Independent
• Nearly one in 10 Covid tests are positive, data shows The Independent
• Jeremy Hunt attacks government over lack of Covid tests for NHS staff The Independent

Poor diet: Children 20cm shorter as a result, analysis says

Poor diet: Children 20cm shorter as a result, analysis says Poor diets for school-age children may contribute to an average height gap of 20cm (7.9in) between the tallest and shortest nations, an analysis suggests.

It reports that in 2019 the tallest 19-year-old boys lived in the Netherlands (183.8cm or 6ft) and the shortest lived in Timor Leste (160.1cm or 5ft 3in). BBC News

See also:

• Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants (open access) The Lancet

EHRC launch inquiry into BAME inequalities in health and social care

EHRC launch inquiry into BAME inequalities in health and social care Great Britain’s human rights watchdog has begun an inquiry into inequalities experienced by people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities who work in health and social care.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it would consider the “structural issues which have left people from a range of ethnic minorities at greater risk” across England, Scotland and Wales. The Guardian

See also:

• Equality body to scrutinise racial inequality of workers in health and social care Equality and Human Rights Commission

One more coronavirus death confirmed at Northampton General Hospital

One more coronavirus death confirmed at Northampton General Hospital Another death linked to coronavirus has been confirmed at Northampton General Hospital on the eve of the second national lockdown. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

See also:

• Market Square Covid-19 testing centre in Northampton to be replaced with more permanent facility at the university Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• E-scooter company offers free rides for Northampton NHS workers during lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Owner of Northampton pub handed prohibition order over Covid breach allegations threatens legal action against council Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• These are the 15 areas in England with the highest Covid infection rates right now Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Which areas of Northamptonshire saw biggest FALLS in Covid-19 cases in the last week Northamptonshire Telegraph
• 'Let's be kinder to each other, use our time and get through this second lockdown' Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northampton care agency making necessary improvements highlighted by CQC after 'difficult' period

Northampton care agency making necessary improvements highlighted by CQC after 'difficult' period A Northampton company which provides carers for people in their homes insists it is making improvements after being criticised by the health watchdog. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

The relationship between social care resources and healthcare utilisation by older people in England: an exploratory investigation

The relationship between social care resources and healthcare utilisation by older people in England: an exploratory investigation This report links data on spending on adult social care, staffing and use of health care for 150 councils and studies the impact of changes in spending on older people, and changes in social care staff numbers. It finds no conclusive proof that reductions in social care budgets have led to the expected rises in hospital admissions, hospital stays or uptake of NHS Continuing Health Care. However, it finds some evidence that councils who employ more front-line social care staff may be more successful in helping their clients to access NHS Continuing Health Care. Centre for Health Economics

Community of practice resource library

Community of practice resource library This resource library brings together a catalogue of reports, studies and infographics on areas of interest to those interested in evidence around ageing better. It covers subjects such as designing age-friendly homes, maintaining physical activity, supporting social connections and more. Centre for Ageing Better

Building and enabling digital teams

Building and enabling digital teams This briefing aims to help trust leaders make the next step in the digital agenda and become truly digital organisations. It sets out the practical steps boards can take to build effective, open and responsive digital teams that will deliver transformational services. NHS Providers

How many cases of Covid-19 are there? A Q&A

How many cases of Covid-19 are there? A Q&A As England begins a new month-long lockdown, Sarah Scobie answers important questions on the numbers of Covid-19 cases. She analyses how the numbers in the second wave so far compare with the first wave from earlier this year, and what the impact on health services might be. Nuffield Trust

Medical leaders call for 'breathing space'

Medical leaders call for 'breathing space' As hospitals struggle under increasing strain because of rising COVID-19 cases, medical Royal Colleges are urging the public to work in partnership with health care professionals to help get through this difficult winter together.

Medical leaders from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, General Practitioners and Physicians have come together to voice their concerns about the increasing demands on critical care beds and the huge pressures being laid on frontline health and social care staff. Royal College of General Practitioners

New guidance to support safe care home visits during lockdown

New guidance to support safe care home visits during lockdown Care homes will be encouraged and supported to provide safe visiting opportunities as new national restrictions come into effect. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable Department of Health and Social Care
• Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons on coronavirus: 4 November 2020 Prime Minister's Office
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing Public Health England

Covid-19: NHS in England moves to highest alert level

Covid-19: NHS in England moves to highest alert level The NHS in England has been placed on its highest alert level, bosses have announced.

The move by NHS England means staff can be moved around the country, while patients may be sent to other regions for treatment if Covid threatens to overwhelm local services.

Health bosses said they were seriously concerned, adding the NHS was facing a "very difficult winter". BBC News

See also:

• Lockdown and Covid-19: Your questions answered BBC News
• Coronavirus: Extremely vulnerable advised not to go to work from Thursday BBC News
• Covid: Nine ways England's lockdown is different from last time BBC News
• Covid: The new lockdown rules for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland BBC News
• Coronavirus: Extremely vulnerable advised not to go to work from Thursday BBC News
• Covid: Care homes advised to allow visitors in England during lockdown BBC News
• Covid-19: Tough fines for lockdown offenders, minister warns BBC News
• Britain records 492 Covid-19 deaths in highest daily toll since May The Daily Mail
• Could schools close again if Covid-19 cases continue to rise? The Daily Telegraph
• Six NHS staff contract Covid after car sharing without wearing masks The Guardian
• NHS leaders warn of surge in serious Covid-19 cases in England The Guardian
• Years of underfunding leave NHS ‘woefully short' for Covid second wave The Guardian
• Tory-linked firm involved in testing failure given new £347m Covid contract The Guardian
• UK vaccine chief ‘50% confident’ all vulnerable people will have received Covid jab by Easter The Independent
• NHS England reinstates central control powers as COVID risk rating is increased OnMedica

Four-week cancer treatment delay raises death risk by 10% – study

Four-week cancer treatment delay raises death risk by 10% – study Concern for NHS cancer patients after record numbers miss treatment due to pandemic

Delaying cancer treatment by just four weeks increases the risk of death by up to 10%, according to new research that shows the devastating impact of missed NHS treatment targets due to Covid. The Guardian

See also:

• Mortality due to cancer treatment delay: systematic review and meta-analysis (open access) The BMJ

Four more deaths among Covid-19 patients announced as Northamptonshire's toll reaches 700

Four more deaths among Covid-19 patients announced as Northamptonshire's toll reaches 700 Four more deaths have been linked to the spread of Covid-19 in Northamptonshire according to details released on Wednesday, taking the total of victims in the county to 700 since the pandemic began. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• GPs are getting ready for a potential December Covid vaccine rollout Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Four staff members remain off Northampton school with coronavirus as new term starts Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Year 9 bubble affected after Covid case at Wellingborough secondary school Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby academy teachers test positive for Covid but no pupils sent home Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering cocktail bar issues warning after customer tests positive for Covid Northamptonshire Telegraph

Temple Court: 'Degrading treatment' at police probe care home

Temple Court: 'Degrading treatment' at police probe care home People in a care home at the heart of a police investigation were subjected to "degrading treatment", a report said.

Temple Court care home in Kettering, Northamptonshire was closed in May amid serious concerns following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Temple Court Care Home Inspection Report Care Quality Commission
• Kettering care home that was forced to close is ruled "inadequate" Northamptonshire Telegraph

Inequalities in health care for people with depression and/or anxiety

Inequalities in health care for people with depression and/or anxiety This long read describes the health care use of people with depression and/or anxiety across primary and secondary care prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We highlight the broader health needs of these patients, and longstanding variation in use of health care by level of socioeconomic deprivation. The Health Foundation

Green shoots? Charting the progress and challenges of training the NHS clinicians of the future

Green shoots? Charting the progress and challenges of training the NHS clinicians of the future Despite the difficulties of 2020, one positive development has been an increase in university applications for clinical roles, with the numbers of nursing degree apprenticeships also rising. Lucina Rolewicz welcomes the news but argues against complacency, not least with Covid-19 likely to have some effect. Nuffield Trust

EU Settlement Scheme - have your staff secured their right to work?

EU Settlement Scheme - have your staff secured their right to work? As we approach the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, as well as the closing date for the EU Settlement Scheme of 30 June 2021, we’re encouraging employers to keep the momentum going. NHS Employers

New HIV diagnoses in gay and bisexual men at their lowest in 20 years

New HIV diagnoses in gay and bisexual men at their lowest in 20 years A new report by Public Health England shows that for the first time the number of new HIV diagnoses in gay and bisexual men outnumber new diagnoses in heterosexual adults by only 100 cases. Public Health England

Guidance: Accessing government-secured flu vaccines: guidance for NHS providers

Guidance: Accessing government-secured flu vaccines: guidance for NHS providers How NHS providers in England can access the extra stock of flu vaccines this winter that the government has secured. Department of Health and Social Care