CQC survey finds many people are having poor experiences of community mental health services

CQC survey finds many people are having poor experiences of community mental health services People are consistently reporting poor experiences of NHS community mental health services with few positive results, according to an annual survey from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

CQC’s 2020 Community Mental Health Survey finds poor experiences were reported for support and wellbeing, crisis care and accessing care. People reported they did not always receive support for physical health needs, finding financial advice or finding and keeping employment, which are all key drivers for good mental health.

See also:

• Patients report waiting too long for mental health therapy on the NHS The Independent

A global science superpower: the future of medicines valuation

A global science superpower: the future of medicines valuation The government has set out it's ambition to become a world leader in the life sciences. This will mean supporting the ecosystem through investment and regulation, and ensuring new treatments deliver value for money. This briefing gives an overview of a discussion on this topic, hosted by Reform in October 2020. Reform 

Health and Social Care Secretary announces bureaucracy-busting drive

Health and Social Care Secretary announces bureaucracy-busting drive The new drive seeks to empower frontline health and care staff by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and locking in positive change seen during the pandemic. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Consultation outcome: Reducing bureaucracy in the health and social care system: call for evidence Department of Health and Social Care
• Speech: Busting bureaucracy for people working on the frontline Department of Health and Social Care

The supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic

The supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic Today’s report by the National Audit Office (NAO) finds that government was initially reliant on stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE) that proved inadequate for the COVID-19 pandemic. In a rapidly deteriorating situation government made a huge effort to boost supply, but it has paid very high prices due to unusual market conditions and many front-line workers reported shortages of PPE. National Audit Office

See also:

• Covid: PPE price rises cost taxpayers £10bn, report says BBC News
• UK spent £10bn extra for Covid personal protective equipment due to an 'inadequate' stockpile The Daily Telegraph
• UK's 'chaotic' PPE procurement cost billions extra The Guardian

Coronavirus: support for rough sleepers

Coronavirus: support for rough sleepers This briefing paper outlines the measures taken in England to support rough sleepers, and those at risk of rough sleeping, during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. It discusses the impact of these measures and stakeholder comment. House of Commons Library

Covid-19: Three households can mix over Christmas in UK

Covid-19: Three households can mix over Christmas in UK Up to three households will be able to meet up during a five-day Christmas period of 23 to 27 December, leaders of the four UK nations have agreed.

People can mix in homes, places of worship and outdoor spaces, and travel restrictions will also be eased.

But a formed "Christmas bubble" must be "exclusive" and would not be able to visit pubs or restaurants together. BBC News

See also:

• Guidance: Making a Christmas bubble with friends and family Department of Health and Social Care
• Covid Christmas rules: UK leaders urge caution over household mixing BBC News
• Covid-19: What can and should you do this Christmas? BBC News
• Covid: How to keep the virus at bay this Christmas BBC News
• Covid vaccines: How safe are they really? BBC News
• Covid: Addenbrooke's Hospital nurse speaks of 'tired' staff BBC News
• Britain records 11,299 Covid-19 cases in lowest daily figure for almost eight weeks The Daily Mail
• Moderna's covid vaccine may NOT block covid-positive from spreading it The Daily Mail
• Matt Hancock claims Tier Three restrictions before lockdown weren't tough enough The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus England: Deaths rise 28% in one week to 2,466 The Daily Mail
• Healthcare workers should set example by getting Covid vaccine, says NHS boss The Daily Telegraph
• Heartbreak for lonely elderly kept out of Christmas bubble during pandemic The Daily Telegraph
• Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Q&A: what do the results show so far, and what happens next? The Daily Telegraph
• Families bereaved by Covid say UK plan to allow Christmas mixing is ‘sheer madness’ The Guardian
• Tier 1 lockdown rules in England: latest Covid restrictions explained The Guardian
• Tier 2 lockdown rules in England: latest Covid restrictions explained The Guardian
• Tier 3 lockdown rules in England: latest Covid restrictions explained The Guardian

Brain imaging technology designed for babies

Brain imaging technology designed for babies Scientists in the UK have demonstrated technology that could allow us to better understand a baby's brain during moments of natural activity. 

The brain imaging technology has been developed by teams from UCL, Cambridge University, the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge and Gowerlabs.

It uses high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) and has been tested on six-month old infants. BBC News

Matt Hancock wants to use NHS testing system to fight flu after Covid

Matt Hancock wants to use NHS testing system to fight flu after Covid The NHS should routinely test people for illnesses such as seasonal flu once the coronavirus pandemic has passed, Matt Hancock has said, adding that he wants to end the UK’s culture of “soldiering on” and going to work while ill, infecting others.

Giving evidence to a Commons committee hearing, the health secretary said the mass testing capacity built up to deal with Covid could be repurposed to detect illnesses such as influenza, and thus limit the community spread of these as a routine intervention. The Guardian

See also:

• Don't go to work when sick, 'peculiar' Brits told BBC News

I'd be daft to guess which Covid tier we will be in, admits Northamptonshire health chief

I'd be daft to guess which Covid tier we will be in, admits Northamptonshire health chief  Northamptonshire's health chief says it would "daft" to guess which tier of Covid-19 restrictions the county will be in on Thursday.

Boris Johnson will reveal more details of a tougher three-tier system to replace the national lockdown on Thursday. But he warned: "many more regions will fall — at least temporarily — into higher tiers than before." Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Three areas of Northamptonshire that are 'bending the trend' over Covid-19 cases Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• England’s new tier system at a glance - and which areas could be in Tier 1, 2 or 3 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• A third Covid wave could hit Europe if governments aren’t careful - read the latest WHO warning Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Boris Johnson announces new three-tier lockdown system for England - all the changes explained in full
• Wellingborough campus of community day special school closed due to Covid Northamptonshire Telegraph

Spending Review 2020: Priorities for the NHS, social care and the nation’s health

Spending Review 2020: Priorities for the NHS, social care and the nation’s health On 21 October 2020, the government announced it was abandoning plans to conduct a multi-year Spending Review in favour of a 1-year review to set budgets for government departments for 2021/22 only. The rationale for this shift was the continuing uncertainty created by the pandemic. The Chancellor stated that the Spending Review will ‘focus entirely on fighting COVID-19 and supporting jobs’, with multi-year resource settlements ‘fully funded’ only for the NHS, schools, and ‘priority infrastructure projects’. The Health Foundation

Long term care centres: making space for ageing

Long term care centres: making space for ageing By 2030, there will be a 60 per cent increase in the number of individuals with caring responsibilities in the UK. This shift in the kind of work that we will be doing will require not just new funding arrangements but also robust infrastructure and working conditions. This report proposes a network of long term care centres that can form a key part of the new ‘caring economy’ that delivers for those that need care and those providing it. Autonomy

Voices from the frontline of critical care

Voices from the frontline of critical care In October, the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine surveyed their members about their experiences and feelings during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that a majority of intensive care staff have increased their working hours, had leave cancelled and have covered sickness absences for colleagues during the pandemic. The report argues that supporting and maintaining the wellbeing of critical care staff is vitally important not only for recruitment by attracting multi-disciplinary team members, but also for their retention in the specialty. Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine

Exiting the lockdown – a strategy for sustainably controlling the transmission of COVID-19 in England

 Exiting the lockdown – a strategy for sustainably controlling the transmission of COVID-19 in England A report by the BMA warns that lifting lockdown without new measures in place would risk deepening the crisis in our health service and will leave hospitals and GP practices overwhelmed – unable to provide even the most critical of patient care.

The report outlines major reforms for England, once lockdown is lifted, to keep infection rates low and pull back the NHS from collapse this winter. British Medical Association

Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health

Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health This report reviews the evidence for practical interventions to reduce harm from outdoor air pollution, stratified by their health and economic impact. The focus of the review was on those actions available to local authorities and, where appropriate, the national actions needed to support them. The paper is accompanied by a guide to help local authorities to use the evidence to choose or plan interventions to tackle air pollution. Public Health England

Policy paper: Staying mentally well: winter plan 2020 to 2021

Policy paper: Staying mentally well: winter plan 2020 to 2021 The government's plans to support people's wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic this winter. Department of Health and Social Care 

Detailed guide: Local restriction tiers: what you need to know

Detailed guide: Local restriction tiers: what you need to know Sets out the local restriction tier system that will be in place from Wednesday 2 December, including what you can and cannot do in each tier. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Guidance: COVID-19 Winter Plan Department of Health and Social Care
• PM statement on COVID-19 Winter Plan: 23 November 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Test to Release: England introduces testing strategy for international arrivals Department of Health and Social Care
• Mitigation of risks of COVID-19 in occupational settings with a focus on ethnic minority groups Public Health England

Covid: How will I get a coronavirus vaccine?

Covid: How will I get a coronavirus vaccine? The UK government is confident that some of the most at-risk groups will be vaccinated before Christmas, and most over-50s before the spring.

More people may be offered a vaccine during 2021, if one is approved by UK regulator, the MHRA.

It will only authorise a vaccine if one meets strict safety, quality and effectiveness standards. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: What is the Oxford vaccine and how does it work? BBC News
• Prof Sarah Gilbert: The woman who designed the Oxford vaccine BBC News
• After lockdown: What is the new three tier system? BBC News
• Covid-19: Arrivals in England to be able to cut quarantine if they pay for test BBC News
• Grandparents in care homes could be allowed home for Christmas The Daily Mail
• Health volunteers who signed up in coronavirus crisis could be kept in 'NHS Reserve' The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 tests: What you need to know about the Government's mass testing plan The Daily Telegraph
• British Medical Association warns Boris Johnson's lockdown exit plan is 'full of risks' The Daily Telegraph
• The Covid vaccine results are great news, but it's not all over yet The Guardian
• Boris Johnson sets out new three-tier system of Covid restrictions for England The Guardian
• Work from home until April if possible, PM tells England's workers The Guardian
• Covid-19 vaccines: Everything you need to know The Independent
• Covid lockdown: What does the three-tier Christmas strategy mean? The Independent
• Government winter plan admits Christmas mixing will spread coronavirus The Independent
• COVID-19: PPE stockpile at Felixstowe 'costing taxpayers £1m a day' Sky News

Excess deaths in UK 'a fifth higher than normal'

Excess deaths in UK 'a fifth higher than normal' The total number of deaths occurring in the UK is nearly a fifth above normal levels, latest figures show.

Data from national statisticians show there were almost 14,000 deaths in the week ending 13 November.

Some 2,838 of the deaths involved Covid - 600 more than the preceding week, according to the analysis of death certificates. BBC News

'My OCD got worse in lockdown'

'My OCD got worse in lockdown' The number of people seeking help for obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, since the coronavirus pandemic started has risen sharply in the UK. 

OCD is a mental health condition where a person has uncontrolled distressing and intrusive thoughts which can drive them to carry out repetitive behaviours.

Exclusive figures given to BBC News by the charity OCD Action, show they’ve seen an unprecedented increase in people needing support – with more than 1500 reaching out to the charity over just three months. BBC News

Child protection referrals surge after first lockdown as councils report rise in mental health issues

Child protection referrals surge after first lockdown as councils report rise in mental health issues Child protection referrals have surged in the months following the UK’s first lockdown as local councils report an increase in demand for mental health and family services, The Independent can reveal.

Seven more coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals

Seven more coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals Seven more coronavirus deaths have today been confirmed at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals. 

Friday's NHS England bulletin revealed that three patients had sadly died at Northampton General Hospital on Wednesday this week. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Some non-urgent treatment clinics cancelled at Northampton General Hospital as Covid-19 admissions increase Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Disappointment as Northampton coronavirus infection rate increases to national average despite lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire school shuts two year groups "until further notice" as Covid causes staff shortages Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Up to 3 households could be allowed to mix for Christmas - everything we know so far Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Northamptonshire waits on PM's announcement on what comes next after Covid-19 lockdown Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering school forced to partially close its doors after more weekend Covid cases Northamptonshire Telegraph

Three new midwifery teams introduced to improve care continuity for expectant mums in Northampton

Three new midwifery teams introduced to improve care continuity for expectant mums in Northampton Three new midwifery teams have been introduced at Northampton General Hospital to help continuity of care throughout pregnancies. 

The continuity teams named Rose, Iris and Jasmine, will work with expectant mums who will then see the same midwives throughout pregnancy, birth and post-natal care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Are the needs of people with multiple long-term conditions being met?

Are the needs of people with multiple long-term conditions being met? Health services face major challenges in meeting the requirements of people with long-term conditions like heart disease and diabetes – and these challenges multiply in those with multiple conditions. So what does the evidence have to say about whether people with long-term conditions themselves feel their needs are being met? Lucina Rolewicz and Sarah Scobie outline the findings from recently published analysis of 2018 GP Patient Survey data and put the results in context. Nuffield Trust 

The state of ageing in 2020

The state of ageing in 2020 This online, interactive report captures a snapshot of how people in the UK are ageing today, while looking at past trends and our prospects if action isn't taken. It warns that the COVID-19 pandemic risks setting people in mid-life on a path to poverty and ill-health in old age. Centre for Ageing Better 

Deafness and hearing loss toolkit

Deafness and hearing loss toolkit This educational toolkit, produced in collaboration with RNID and NHS England and Improvement aims to support GPs to consult effectively with deaf patients by offering tips on how to communicate during face to face and remote appointments. Royal College of General Practitioners

Alcohol and cancer in the WHO European Region: an appeal for better prevention

Alcohol and cancer in the WHO European Region: an appeal for better prevention This factsheet provides information and guidance on the links between alcohol and a range of cancers for those involved in designing and implementing policies that affect public health. It sets out policy options to reduce the alcohol-attributable cancer burden, making clear that there is strong evidence that the implementation of cost-effective alcohol control policies including pricing policies (or policies that increase the price of alcohol) will achieve this. World Health Organization 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) inpatient experience

Coronavirus (COVID-19) inpatient experience The results of CQC’s coronavirus (COVID-19) inpatient survey. They show that most people were positive about the care and treatment they received in hospital during the first wave of the pandemic. Care Quality Commission

Homecare workers to be tested weekly for COVID-19

Homecare workers to be tested weekly for COVID-19 Care workers looking after people in their own homes will be offered weekly coronavirus tests from Monday, the government has announced. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for homecare workers Department of Health and Social Care
• Open consultation: Stopping movement of staff between care settings Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection

Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection The coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford stops 70% of people developing Covid symptoms, a large-scale trial shows.

It will be seen as a triumph, but it comes off the back of Pfizer and Moderna showing 95% protection.

However, the Oxford jab is far cheaper, and is easier to store and get to every corner of the world than the other two. BBC News

See also:

• Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine University of Oxford
• Matt Hancock: Life back to normal 'after Easter' BBC News
• Covid risk: 3 people, 3 very different Covid risks. What's yours? BBC News
• Covid: Jab for people who cannot be vaccinated trialled BBC News
• Covid antibodies 'last at least six months' BBC News
• Covid-19: UK 'setting up vaccine hubs ready for roll-out' BBC News
• Arthritis drug and remdesivir combo get emergency FDA approval The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus vaccinations could be under way for ALL adults by the end of January The Daily Mail
• Pfizer sends full results on breakthrough Covid vaccine to drugs watchdogs in UK, US and Europe The Daily Mail
• NHS could start using Covid vaccine next month, says Hancock The Guardian
• Student nurses on Covid placements in UK call for return of paid NHS contracts The Guardian
• Boris Johnson ‘acted illegally’ over jobs for top anti-Covid staff The Guardian
• Oxford Covid vaccine could be final piece of the jigsaw in bringing pandemic to an end The Independent
• UK Covid death toll up 341 in 24 hours, as cases rise by 19,875 The Independent
• Britain to become first country to trial AstraZeneca coronavirus antibody treatment The Independent
• Coronavirus: Military to provide rapid testing in all areas under tier 3 restrictions after England’s lockdown The Independent
• WHO Covid envoy fears third wave of virus in Europe next year The Independent

Spending Review: £3bn for NHS but Sunak warns of 'economic shock' to come

Spending Review: £3bn for NHS but Sunak warns of 'economic shock' to come Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to announce an extra £3bn for the NHS - but has warned that people will soon see an "economic shock laid bare" as the country deals with the Covid pandemic.

The one-year funding will be pledged in the Spending Review on Wednesday. BBC News

See also:

• Spending Review: Chancellor to announce £500m for mental health BBC News
• Rishi Sunak says Spending Review will not spell austerity BBC News
• £3bn boost to NHS will allow for 1m more scans, checks and operations The Daily Telegraph

Trans teen in legal action over gender clinic wait

Trans teen in legal action over gender clinic wait A 14-year-old transgender boy is starting legal proceedings against NHS England over delays to gender reassignment treatment.

The teenager has waited over a year for referral to the only NHS gender clinic for children and adolescents.

The Good Law Project, which is acting for the teenager, says the NHS has a legal obligation to provide specialist care to all patients within 18 weeks, or provide an alternative. BBC News

Human rights must not be 'trampled' in global rush for PPE, say MPs

Human rights must not be 'trampled' in global rush for PPE, say MPs MPs and experts in the procurement of personal protective equipment have said human rights must not be “trampled” in the rush to secure PPE for frontline workers via global supply chains. 

The calls come after a Guardian investigation found evidence that the British government had sourced PPE from factories in China where hundreds of North Korean women have been secretly working in conditions of modern slavery. The Guardian

See also:

• Government paying £1m a day to store mountain of PPE – but NHS staff still short on supplies The Daily Telegraph
• Sunak refuses to apologise for PPE contracts given to firms with ties to MPs – video The Guardian
• Footage shows staff collapse and have seizures making PEE for NHS Metro

NHS patients at risk as ICUs routinely understaffed, doctors warn

NHS patients at risk as ICUs routinely understaffed, doctors warn Exclusive: Four out of five UK intensive care consultants say their unit is stretched by shortage of doctors and nurses. 

NHS intensive care units, which have played a vital role in the Covid-19 crisis, are so routinely understaffed patients are at risk of poor care, doctors working in them warn. The Guardian

NHS 'workforce disaster' threatens a million operations and could cost lives, royal college warns

NHS 'workforce disaster' threatens a million operations and could cost lives, royal college warns More than a million patient operations could be delayed because of widespread shortages of anaesthetists in the NHS – with nine out of every 10 hospitals reporting at least one vacancy. 

As coronavirus paralysed the NHS earlier this year, more than 140,000 NHS patients have already waited over a year for treatment.  The Independent

Sexual health warning for middle-aged: Infections 'are on the rise among those in their 40s and 50s'

Sexual health warning for middle-aged: Infections 'are on the rise among those in their 40s and 50s' Sexually transmitted infections are rising among the middle-aged because of embarrassment and ignorance, experts have warned.

Consultations for the infections among those aged 45 to 64 in England soared from 287,000 in 2015 to 336,000 last year.

Researchers found that more than half of this age group had never had a health check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea – despite a rise in divorcees having sexual relationships with new partners. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Sexual Health in the Over Forty-Fives (SHIFT) University of Chichester 

Health chief reveals 'significant increase' in Covid-19 outbreaks in Northamptonshire hospitals

Health chief reveals 'significant increase' in Covid-19 outbreaks in Northamptonshire hospitals NHS staff at Northamptonshire's hospitals are battling a "significant increase" in Covid-19 outbreaks.

Public Health Director Lucy Wightman will tell Friday's weekly NCC press briefing "The position has unfortunately deteriorated in the last few days." Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

See also:

• NHS confirms four more coronavirus deaths at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• One area of Northamptonshire has DOUBLE the national average of new Covid cases Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Why we make the decisions we do to fight pandemic in Northamptonshire': Health director's new column Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Google Maps now tells you how crowded public transport is - and Covid case numbers in your area Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northampton General Hospital cancer referrals rise above pre-pandemic levels

Northampton General Hospital cancer referrals rise above pre-pandemic levels The number of people sent for urgent cancer investigations at Northampton General Hospital has risen above pre-pandemic levels, new figures show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

The future of integrated care in England

The future of integrated care in England With the Government expected to introduce new primary legislation affecting the NHS over the coming year, NHS leaders have set out the factors they believe should be central to a new framework for integrated care systems (ICSs) in this report summarising feedback from a six-month engagement process. The report argues that joint working across health and care should be embedded in law and encouraged through a new statutory duty for all providers, commissioners and other partners in local systems. NHS Confederation

The Covid-19 long-term care situation in England

The Covid-19 long-term care situation in England This report, co-authored by researchers from organisations including The King's Fund, Nuffield Trust, Health Foundation, provides an overview of the impact of COVID-19 so far on people who use and provide long-term care in England and of the policy and practice measures adopted to mitigate its impact. It finds that the initial policy responses did not adequately consider the social care sector and that the pandemic has laid bare long-standing problems in the long-term care system in England. International Long Term Care Policy Network.

Europe needs to prepare better for coming out of new strict containment measures

Europe needs to prepare better for coming out of new strict containment measures With the coronavirus (COVID-19) once again spreading rapidly, and the re-introduction of containment measures to flatten the curve of the epidemic, it is crucial for policymakers to plan effective strategies to re-open their economies to avoid further re-confinements. This should include much more effective testing, tracing and isolation policies that people can easily follow, as well as improved social distancing measures, according to a new OECD report. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

See also:

• Health at a Glance: Europe 2020 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• Coronavirus: UK was 20 days behind Europe as NHS was under-resourced The Daily Mail

Thousands more health workers to benefit from visa extensions

Thousands more health workers to benefit from visa extensions More than 6,000 frontline health workers will have their visas extended for a year for free, including doctors, nurses and paramedics. Department of Health and Social Care 

NHS Test and Trace processes more tests and contacts more positive cases

NHS Test and Trace processes more tests and contacts more positive cases Figures published today show that NHS Test and Trace is reaching more positive cases and their contacts than ever, as numbers using the service continue to increase week on week. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Transparency data: NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 5 November to 11 November Department of Health and Social Care
• Wider roll out of COVID-19 testing on asymptomatic staff NHS Employers
• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England
• Research and analysis: Excess mortality in English regions Public Health England

Coronavirus: Inside test-and-trace - how the 'world beater' went wrong

Coronavirus: Inside test-and-trace - how the 'world beater' went wrong Just half of close contacts given to England's NHS Test and Trace are being reached in some areas, a BBC investigation has found. 

Six months after Boris Johnson promised a "world beating" system, it can be shown the network is failing in areas with some of the worst infection rates. 

The research also found no-one from NHS labs was at a key government meeting with private firms about testing. BBC News 

See also: 

• Tocilizumab: Arthritis drug may treat severe Covid BBC News
• Covid-19 carriers 'most infectious earlier on' BBC News
• Was the scientific advice for lockdown flawed? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Christmas socialising poses 'substantial risks' - scientist BBC News
• Arthritis drug tocilizumab can help critically-ill Covid patients recover, trial finds The Daily Mail
• Mutated strain of Covid found in mink 'has been eradicated', Denmark claims The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 was third biggest killer in England in October, ONS The Daily Mail
• No evidence Remdesivir improves survival for patients hospitalised with Covid, WHO panel finds The Daily Telegraph
• NHS prepares dozens of Covid mass vaccination centres around England The Guardian
• Covid lockdown shows signs of working in England, expert says The Guardian

Covid-19: Free flu jabs offered to all over 50s in 'winter like no other'

Covid-19: Free flu jabs offered to all over 50s in 'winter like no other' People aged over 50 in England are being urged to get a flu jab, as ministers hope for a mass roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccine next year.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was "more important than ever" for people to get a flu jab to fight the "twin threats" of coronavirus and flu.

He said the NHS was preparing to roll out a Covid vaccine if one is approved.

It comes as the over-50s have been added to a list of people who are eligible for a flu jab in England. BBC News

See also:

• Free flu vaccinations rolled out to over 50s from December Department of Health and Social Care
• Should I get a flu jab this winter? BBC News

Covid-19 deaths must prompt better healthcare for people with learning disabilities

Covid-19 deaths must prompt better healthcare for people with learning disabilities The government, NHS and health and social care providers must act to tackle health inequalities
People with learning disabilities are much more likely to die from coronavirus. And black and Asian people with learning disabilities are even more likely to die from coronavirus.

This isn’t because the virus targets people with learning disabilities. It is because society fails to do enough to support the health and wellbeing of those at the sharp end of structural and health inequalities. The Guardian

Millions of public sector workers face pay freeze in wake of coronavirus pandemic

Millions of public sector workers face pay freeze in wake of coronavirus pandemic Millions of public sector workers face a pay freeze next year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce the move during a government spending review next week as part of efforts to plug the hole left in the nation’s finances by the Covid-19 crisis. The Independent

See also:

• Millions of public sector workers face pay freeze BBC News
• New UK spending row as Rishi Sunak puts squeeze on public sector salaries The Guardian

'You'll end up in court' warning to those ignoring Covid fines in Northamptonshire

 'You'll end up in court' warning to those ignoring Covid fines in Northamptonshire Police say anyone ignoring Covid-19 fines in Northamptonshire will end up in court if they don't pay.

Officers issued 371 fixed penalty notices between March and September to people going out during lockdown, not wearing face coverings and gathering in large numbers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northamptonshire teachers told to turn off Test and Trace apps, claims union Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton gym trust's social impact programmes 'at risk' due to second lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid infection rates compared across England as cases continue to rise - where is worst affected? Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire Police press on with £10k Traveller funeral fine after legal wrangle stalls plan to punish organisers Northamptonshire Telegraph

'Feather in our cap' as KGH gets top award

'Feather in our cap' as KGH gets top award Kettering General Hospital has been given a top award for the way it collects information about joint replacement surgery.

The Rothwell Road hospital has been awarded the National Joint Registry (NJR) Quality Data Provider certificate for the scrupulous way it it gathers and submits information to support a national safety system for joint replacements. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Management of the long-term effects of COVID-19

Management of the long-term effects of COVID-19 A survey of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) members in September 2020 showed 67% of those who responded were looking after at least one patient with ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 lasting more than 12 weeks. The RCGP have published their response and top tips for caring for patients.

New antibiotic-resistant infections rise to 178 per day in England

New antibiotic-resistant infections rise to 178 per day in England Antimicrobial resistance remains a serious threat to the health of people in England, with 178 AMR infections diagnosed each day, according to a Public Health England report.

Expanded study tests immune response of care home staff and residents

Expanded study tests immune response of care home staff and residents An expansion of the current Vivaldi study will test thousands more care home staff and residents for their immune response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Research and analysis: Evaluating detection of SARS-CoV-2: AntiBodies at Home study Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable Public Health England

Covid: Oxford vaccine shows 'encouraging' immune response in older adults

Covid: Oxford vaccine shows 'encouraging' immune response in older adults The Oxford coronavirus vaccine shows a strong immune response in adults in their 60s and 70s, raising hopes that it can protect age groups most at risk from the virus.

Researchers say the Lancet phase two findings, based on 560 healthy adult volunteers, are "encouraging".

They are also testing whether the vaccine stops people developing Covid-19 in larger, phase three trials. BBC News

See also:

• Care home welcomes visitors after pilot covid test scheme BBC News
• Christmas CAN be saved from Covid but New Year lockdown advisable The Daily Mail
• Britons vaccinated against Covid 'may get QR codes on their mobile phones' The Daily Mail
• Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Q&A: what do the results show so far, and what happens next? The Daily Telegraph
• UK health experts discuss relaxing Covid rules for Christmas – video The Guardian
• NHS assembles army of staff for mass coronavirus vaccinations The Guardian
• Poor areas of England face 'permanent' lockdown, says public health chief The Guardian
• 30,000 volunteers sought to deliver Covid vaccine across England The Independent
• COVID-19: NHS must get the Pfizer vaccine where it is needed - and fast Sky News

Quarter of UK home care operators face going bust

Quarter of UK home care operators face going bust More than a quarter of UK home care providers risk going out of business, research for the BBC suggests.

A study by business analysts for Radio 4's You and Yours programme found 715 of the 2,731 home care operators in the UK are in danger of closure.

The sector has combined debts in excess of £100m. BBC News

See also:

• UK care home bosses seek extra £500m for Christmas Covid measures The Guardian

Private baby scans show 'incredibly poor practice'

Private baby scans show 'incredibly poor practice' A BBC News investigation has uncovered failures in the diagnosis of serious medical issues during private baby scans.

More than 200 studios across the UK now sell ultrasound scans, with hundreds of thousands being carried out each year.

But the BBC has found evidence of women not being told about serious conditions and abnormalities.

NHS whistleblower speaks out on PPE contracts as PM faces criticism

NHS whistleblower speaks out on PPE contracts as PM faces criticism Our health and social care editor Victoria Macdonald has been speaking to a whistleblower who describes what went on behind the scenes in the rush to acquire enough personal protective equipment (PPE) – when the rest of the world was scrambling to do exactly the same thing. Channel 4 News

Hospital trust accused of risking lives after raising patient-to-nurse ratio to dangerously high levels

Hospital trust accused of risking lives after raising patient-to-nurse ratio to dangerously high levels A hospital trust in Bristol has been accused of risking lives after raising its patient-to-nurse ward ratio to dangerously high levels, having allegedly dismissed staff concerns and national guidance on safe staffing. The Independent

Four BILLION people worldwide will be overweight by 2050, report predicts

Four BILLION people worldwide will be overweight by 2050, report predicts In a matter of three decades, nearly half of the world's population (45%) will be obese, and 16% will be overweight, while food waste surges in wealthy nations, new Potsdam Institute research predicts. The Daily Mail

See also:

• The ongoing nutrition transition thwarts long-term targets for food security, public health and environmental protection (open access) Scientific Reports
• Starved, stuffed and squandered: New study reveals consequences of decades of global nutrition transition Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Health chief's fears for over-60s after four more coronavirus deaths in Northamptonshire

Health chief's fears for over-60s after four more coronavirus deaths in Northamptonshire We are seeing patients in hospital who were fit and well before they caught Covid, says county director.

Four more coronavirus deaths have today been confirmed at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals and in county care homes. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Northampton dorm rooms a 'Covid-secure' solution for town's homeless BBC Northampton
• A stricter post-lockdown tier system could be decided for England next week Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton car wash fined after continuing to operate during lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Kettering school sends whole year group home to self-isolate after third Covid case Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Coronavirus pandemic 'may have reversed progress on lung cancer survival' in Northamptonshire, experts fear Northamptonshire Telegraph

NHS urges people with mental health worries to seek help

NHS urges people with mental health worries to seek help People with mental health worries are being urged to seek help in a new phase of the NHS’s Help Us Help You campaign.

Although mental health services have been running throughout the pandemic there was a marked dip in referrals despite evidence that coronavirus is making problems more common. NHS England

Investigation into government procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic

Investigation into government procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic The National Audit Office (NAO) reports a lack of transparency and adequate documentation of some key decisions, such as why particular suppliers were chosen or how government identified and managed potential conflicts of interest, in the awarding of some contracts while government was procuring large volumes of goods and services at high speed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some contracts were also awarded after work had already begun, and many were not published in the timeframe they should have been. 

See also:

• Covid spending: Watchdog finds MPs' contacts were given priority BBC News
• Lord Feldman: Department of Health adviser's firm took work from Covid company BBC News
• PPE suppliers with political ties given 'high-priority' status, report reveals The Guardian
• 'No documentation, no justification': NAO criticism of Covid contracts The Guardian
• Businessman was paid £21m of taxpayer cash for securing NHS PPE The Guardian

New film shows importance of ventilation to reduce spread of COVID-19

New film shows importance of ventilation to reduce spread of COVID-19 New short film released by the government shows how coronavirus lingers in enclosed spaces, and how to keep your home ventilated. Department of Health and Social Care 

 

See also:

• NHS launches 40 ‘long COVID’ clinics to tackle persistent symptoms NHS England
• Research and analysis: COVID-19: comparison of geographic allocation of cases in England by lower tier local authority Public Health England

More than 70,000 excess deaths during the pandemic

More than 70,000 excess deaths during the pandemic Rising numbers of Covid-19 deaths have pushed the total number of UK deaths further above the expected level for this time of year.

2,225 deaths involving Covid-19 were registered in the week of 6 November, up by 628 in a week.

Deaths registered for any reason were 15% above the level expected at this time of year. BBC News

See also:

• Covid vaccine: Pfizer says it's '94% effective in over 65s' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Doctors spell out how to exit England's lockdown BBC News
• Too early for Christmas Covid rules, says minister BBC News
• Coronavirus: Head of NHS Test and Trace Dido Harding self-isolating BBC News
• Covid: Thousands of cases relocated in England in data change BBC News
• Coronavirus: What are the EU coronavirus schemes? BBC News
• Doctors and nurses were not prepared to see 'so much illness and death' during Covid pandemic The Daily Mail
• UK 'may have paid TWICE as much as the US' for Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine The Daily Mail
• Has a five-day delay ruined England's second lockdown? The Daily Mail
• Chinese Covid vaccine appears safe and provokes immune response, says study The Daily Telegraph
• Call to protect UK doctors from prosecution over life-or-death Covid rationing The Guardian
• Vaccinating patients against Covid will be a mammoth task for GPs like me | Zara Aziz The Guardian
• Number of global daily Covid deaths hits new record The Independent
• Immunity against coronavirus lasts at least eight months, new study finds The Independent

Lockdown plus autumn sends loneliness soaring

Lockdown plus autumn sends loneliness soaring The week after the clocks went back saw Britain's highest levels of loneliness since the pandemic began, according to Office for National Statistics figures.

The start of November, with darker evenings, had 4.2 million adults always or often lonely, compared with 2.6 million before the pandemic.

This was the peak in levels of acute loneliness since the lockdown in March. BBC News

See also:

• Lockdown loneliness advice from a 91-year-old BBC News

Suicide bereavement: 'Just reach out to us'

Suicide bereavement: 'Just reach out to us' Dr Sharon McDonnell and colleagues at Manchester University have carried out the largest ever survey of suicide bereaved families in the UK. 

More than 7,000 people responded, and the results show a third have suffered from mental health problems, and have considered taking their own lives.

Dr McDonnell began researching the subject after losing her brother in 1990, going on to earn a PhD despite leaving school with no qualifications. BBC News

Lesbian couple demand equal fertility treatment from NHS

Lesbian couple demand equal fertility treatment from NHS They just want to become mothers, but say they’re being discriminated against because of their sexuality.

YouTube stars Megan and Whitney have launched a campaign demanding equal fertility treatment – after they were told they’d have to pay up to £30,000 to a private clinic before they could get any help from the NHS. Channel 4 News

Northampton councillor shares his severe battle with Covid-19 in hospital

Northampton councillor shares his severe battle with Covid-19 in hospital A Northampton councillor has implored residents to follow Government guidelines after sharing his own battle against Covid-19 in hospital. 

Talavera ward councillor Dennis Meredith has revealed he is now recovering after fighting the virus for several weeks in and out of Northampton General. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northampton additional needs school closes for two weeks after whole senior leadership team tests positive for Covid Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• The UK has bought 5m doses of the new Moderna Covid vaccine - here’s everything you need to know about it Northamptonshire Telegraph

Council to run four Northamptonshire care homes nine years earlier than costly and controversial PFI contract planned

Council to run four Northamptonshire care homes nine years earlier than costly and controversial PFI contract planned The management of four care homes in Northamptonshire is being taken over by the council nine years earlier than a controversial PFI contract planned. Northamptonshire Telegraph

What does the future hold for digital health and care? Eight key technologies explained

What does the future hold for digital health and care? Eight key technologies explained The Covid-19 pandemic has seen many health and care services turn to digital technology to continue meeting patients’ needs. But beyond remote consultations, what are the key technologies to look out for in the future? We explain eight key innovations and their potential to transform health and care delivery. The King's Fund

Fears for maternity as staffing shortages hit safety and morale

Fears for maternity as staffing shortages hit safety and morale The safety of maternity services is under serious threat, according to a new survey by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The survey found that eight out of 10 midwives (83%) do not believe their NHS Trust or Board has enough staff to operate a safe service. Services are already stretched almost to breaking point, with 42% reporting that half of shifts are understaffed, and a third saying there are very significant gaps in most shifts.

See also:

• More than 75% of NHS midwives think staffing levels unsafe, says RCM The Guardian

Restoring services: NHS activity tracker November 2020

Restoring services: NHS activity tracker November 2020 This briefing highlights detailed examples of the innovations trusts and their staff are developing to improve capacity, respond to unmet demand despite the constraints created by Covid-19, and the need to prepare for additional winter pressures. NHS Providers

Mental health for all?

Mental health for all? This final report of the Commission finds that mental health inequalities mirror wider economic and social inequalities. Wealth and power inequalities put at risk the mental health of people experiencing poverty, racial injustice and discrimination. This creates sharp social divisions, meaning that many groups of people face two or three times the risk of mental ill health. Yet the same groups of people find it harder to get help for their mental health, and in some cases also get poorer outcomes when they do. This report highlights, however, that effective action is possible. It sets out what a system designed for equality would look like, and how communities, local organisations, public services and national government can work together to generate change at scale. Commission for Equality in Mental Health

Government secures 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine

Government secures 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine The UK government has completed negotiations with biotech company Moderna to secure access to 5 million doses of its promising vaccine, enough for around 2.5 million people. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Health and Social Care Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 16 November 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Government response: UK government’s response to Moderna’s publication of efficacy data for its COVID-19 vaccine Department of Health and Social Care
• Pilot for family members to get regular testing for safer care home visits Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: COVID-19: comparison of geographic allocation of cases in England by lower tier local authority Public Health England

Moderna: Covid vaccine shows nearly 95% protection

Moderna: Covid vaccine shows nearly 95% protection A new vaccine that protects against Covid-19 is nearly 95% effective, early data from US company Moderna shows. 

The results come hot on the heels of similar results from Pfizer, and add to growing confidence that vaccines can help end the pandemic.

Both companies used a highly innovative and experimental approach to designing their vaccines. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: Visitor tests in all care homes in England 'by Christmas' BBC News
• WHO worried young people won't want Covid vaccine BBC News
• Coronavirus: Dentists warn millions of treatments have been missed BBC News
• £100 billion Operation Moonshot will 'fail miserably because the tests are poor' The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: UK scientist says risk of reinfection is 'low' but people should still be cautious The Daily Mail
• UK Covid-19 cases and deaths: how the UK is coping with a second wave The Daily Telegraph
• Covid vaccine: Volunteers with no medical experience will be trained to give out jab The Daily Telegraph
• Mothers needlessly separated from babies under UK hospital Covid rules The Guardian
• Care homes pour cold water on Hancock's visitor-testing promise The Guardian
• Operation Moonshot 'like building Channel tunnel without civil engineers' The Guardian
• Covid: England's tiers 'need strengthening to get through winter' The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS publishes guidance for COVID-19 app glitch on iPhones Sky News

'How I learned to love my stoma'

'How I learned to love my stoma' A woman who had an ileostomy bag fitted has been documenting her life on social media in a bid to inspire others. 

Sarah Smith, who has ulcerative colitis, was fitted with the bag following emergency surgery in 2019.

The 31-year-old, from Wigston in Leicestershire, said after living in pain for years she now felt happy and healthy and wanted to help people who have stomas feel better about their bodies. BBC News

'Diabetes burnout': The mental-health impact of diagnosis

'Diabetes burnout': The mental-health impact of diagnosis "It's a full-time job that you can't quit. It's a massive burden that you didn't ask for, didn't expect."

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 19, Naomi, now 33, says she reached a point where she simply could not handle "the physical or mental challenges of diabetes any more", a condition known as "diabetes burnout". BBC News

See also:

• Diabetes: My baby saved my life BBC News

The welfare system is failing those with mental health problems

 The welfare system is failing those with mental health problems Mental health is a growing concern, with up to one in two people now thought to experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. Many working-age adults experience problems like depression, anxiety, phobias or PTSD, which are worsened by unemployment. Yet there are striking discrepancies between UK welfare policy and the actual experience of benefit claimants with mental health problems. The Independent 

Hancock refuses to promise pay rise for NHS staff

Hancock refuses to promise pay rise for NHS staff Health secretary Matt Hancock has refused to guarantee a post-Covid pay rise for NHS staff.

Mr Hancock was speaking in response to a question from The Independent at a 10 Downing Street press conference on the coronavirus crisis.

Period poverty has surged in UK during Covid pandemic

Period poverty has surged in UK during Covid pandemic Charity supplying six times as many menstrual products compared with before crisis

Period poverty has increased sharply in the UK since the coronavirus crisis began, according to a charity that says it is supplying almost six times as many menstrual products compared with before the pandemic started.

Bloody Good Period (BGP) has been supplying food banks, community support groups, those fleeing domestic violence, asylum seekers and refugees, homeless shelters and even NHS frontline workers. The Guardian

Northamptonshire hospitals face double whammy of staff shortages and rising Covid cases

Northamptonshire hospitals face double whammy of staff shortages and rising Covid cases Nearly 300 NHS workers told to stay at home as virus patients occcupy 10% of beds.

Hospitals are starting to facing a double whammy of pressure as the number of Covid-19 cases in the county rises.

Public Health England has revealed 785 lab-confirmed positive virus tests in the county in the last three days. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northamptonshire hospitals see 16 coronavirus deaths in eight days Daventry Express
• Public Health chief warns picture is "very stark" after another record rise in Northamptonshire's coronavirus cases Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Nearly two in five close contacts still not being reached by test and trace regime in Northamptonshire Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton university students could be offered Covid tests before returning home for Christmas Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH staff told 'actions needed now' as patient numbers rise Northamptonshire Telegraph
• More than a dozen Northamptonshire Police officers have tested positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic began Northamptonshire Telegraph

St Andrew’s Hospital responds to union’s threat of taking action over redundancy pay changes

St Andrew’s Hospital responds to union’s threat of taking action over redundancy pay changes Union claimed changes were being made with consultation...but the hospital denies claims and has now doubled redundancy pay for those who earn the least. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Recruitment begins for two new hospital CEOs as Northampton and Kettering move closer to 'group model'

Recruitment begins for two new hospital CEOs as Northampton and Kettering move closer to 'group model' As Northamptonshire’s hospitals move closer to a ‘group model’ two new CEOs are being recruited.

Following the recruitment of the first group chief executive officer, Simon Weldon, earlier this year, Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital are looking for a ‘hospital CEO’ to run each site. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Time to bring our care workers in from the cold

Time to bring our care workers in from the cold A new report published by Age UK shows how tough life has been for care workers during the pandemic. The report, ‘Time to bring our care workers in from the cold’, highlights the extent to which care workers have often had to put their own health and financial worries at the bottom of the pile while battling to keep the virus at bay and their clients safe and well. It looks at staff shortages and levels of pay within the care workforce calls for pay equalisation with the NHS.

Delays to intrapartum intervention once fetal compromise is suspected

Delays to intrapartum intervention once fetal compromise is suspected This report aimed to dentify improvements in maternity care to help reduce the risk of delays in crucial interventions during labour when a baby is suspected to be unwell. It was compiled after a review of 289 maternity investigations into intrapartum stillbirths, neonatal deaths and potential severe brain injuries. In 14.9 per cent of cases the delay was a contributory factor. The review identified issues such as inadequate staffing, poor infrastructure and high workload as contributory factors to the delays. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

A critical juncture for public services: lessons from COVID-19

A critical juncture for public services: lessons from COVID-19 This report discusses lessons to be learned from the pandemic and recommends a number of principles to transform public service delivery. It finds that decisions were made much more quickly and concludes that many public service providers and councils developed “remarkable innovations” to meet the Covid-19 challenge. However the Committee raise concerns about public service provision during the pandemic for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, homeless people, and people with complex needs. House of Lords Public Services Committee 

People with learning disabilities had higher death rate from COVID-19

People with learning disabilities had higher death rate from COVID-19 The report, Deaths of people identified as having learning disabilities with COVID-19 in England in the Spring of 2020 examined data from The English Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) and NHS England’s COVID-19 Patient Notification System (CPNS) which records deaths in hospital settings. 

It found 451 per 100,000 people registered as having a learning disability died with COVID-19 between 21 March and 5 June, a death rate 4.1 times higher than the general population after adjusting for other factors such as age and sex. Public Health England

See also:

• Covid: Learning disability death rates 'six times higher' BBC News