Royal award for Emma at Northampton General Hospital after training 120 volunteers during pandemic - Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Royal award for Emma at Northampton General Hospital after training 120 volunteers during pandemic Within ten days, Emma Wimpress worked tirelessly to advertise, interview and get 120 new volunteers supporting doctors and nurses in the fight against coronavirus. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Queen's Birthday Honours List 2020: Every person in Northamptonshire to receive an award from Her Majesty Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Fewer begin cancer treatment than pre-pandemic at Northampton General Hospital Trust

Fewer begin cancer treatment than pre-pandemic at Northampton General Hospital Trust Far fewer patients started treatment for cancer at Northampton General Hospital Trust in August compared to the same time last year, new figures reveal. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Research on understanding LGBT employee networks published

Research on understanding LGBT employee networks published New research published by the University of York sets out key findings and recommendations following a three-year study on how LGBT+ employee networks operate within the NHS. NHS Employers

Building a resilient state: a collection of essays

Building a resilient state: a collection of essays The Covid-19 pandemic has placed a huge strain on the state, and while the response has demonstrated some of the great strengths of our public services and machinery of government, it has also exposed some of the biggest flaws. As an introduction to Reform's new ‘Resilient State’ programme, this collection of essays brings together insight and expertise from across the political spectrum to explore different aspects of a resilient state. The series aims to provide a platform for innovative ideas, to stimulate debate, and help shape a way forward. Reform

Power down to level up: resilient place-shaping for a post-Covid age

Power down to level up: resilient place-shaping for a post-Covid age This report draws on case studies and analysis to argue that an effective case for refocusing UK governance on place must overcome entrenched orthodoxies about where local capacity lies, the nature of power in the modern state, and how policy success is best measured. Local Government Information Unit

Providers deliver: resilient and resourceful through Covid-19

Providers deliver: resilient and resourceful through Covid-19 This report showcases eight examples of great ideas put into action by trusts through the dedication and ingenuity of staff. One of the main themes in the report is the value of staff empowerment, where trust leaders support ideas and approaches developed within their workforce. Other themes such as innovation and collaboration also emerge. NHS Providers

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam's Op-Ed

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam's Op-Ed Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam outlines the current Covid-19 situation.

In our national fight against Covid-19, we are at a tipping point similar to where we were in March; but we can prevent history repeating itself if we all act now. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Effect of pandemic on children's wellbeing revealed in new report Department of Health and Social Care
• Largest testing study for coronavirus publishes latest findings Department of Health and Social Care
• Official Statistics: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: October 2020 results Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Pressure building in UK hospitals

Covid: Pressure building in UK hospitals NHS Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate are being asked to get ready to take patients.

Government advisers say admissions are rising, with more elderly people needing urgent treatment for Covid.

More people are now in hospital with Covid than before restrictions were announced in March.

It comes as a new three-tier system of lockdown rules for England is due to be announced. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: NHS 'determined' to keep non-Covid services running BBC News
• Covid: Second national lockdown possible, says top UK scientist BBC News
• Covid-19 virus 'survives on some surfaces for 28 days' BBC News
• Covid: What is the mental health cost to the young? BBC News
• Covid: South Asian hospital patients 'at greater risk of dying' BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Boris Johnson to start 'three-tier' lockdown TODAY The Daily Mail
• White people have driven spiralling cases of Covid-19 cases over the past fortnight, data reveals The Daily Mail
• Government buys 1 million pin prick Covid-19 tests which 'don't work' The Daily Mail
• Hospital bosses urge NHS England to drop 'unfair' fines as Covid admissions rise The Guardian
• Whitehall told to release secret 2016 files on UK pandemic risks The Guardian
• Herd immunity letter signed by fake experts including 'Dr Johnny Bananas' The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Refuse Covid patients if you can’t stop spread of virus, care homes told The Independent

Flu jab 'essential' for pregnant women this winter

Flu jab 'essential' for pregnant women this winter All pregnant women are being advised to get a flu jab as soon as possible to protect their babies and themselves.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM) say the free vaccination is particularly important this year because of Covid-19.

Influenza is dangerous to people who are pregnant and can be deadly. BBC News

How is the plan for 48 hospitals going?

How is the plan for 48 hospitals going? Boris Johnson said in his virtual conference speech: "This government is pressing on with its plan for 48 hospitals. Count them. That's eight already under way and then 40 more between now and 2030."

This is an upgrade of the "40 new hospitals" pledge Mr Johnson made during the election campaign in 2019 - a claim we examined last December.

So, how is the hospital-building plan progressing? BBC News

Do Not Resuscitate orders to be reviewed after being used on patients during first wave of coronavirus without consent

Do Not Resuscitate orders to be reviewed after being used on patients during first wave of coronavirus without consent An investigation has been launched into allegations of the blanket use of "Do not resuscitate" orders in England during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerns have been raised that blanket orders were applied to some groups - such as residents in some care homes - as the NHS faced the first peak of Covid-19.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it is proceeding with the review "at pace". The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• CQC to review use of DNACPR during pandemic Care Quality Commission
• Do-not-resuscitate order: blanket use reviewed BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: CQC will probe use of 'do not resuscitate' orders in care homes The Daily Mail
• Inquiry begins into blanket use in England of Covid 'do not resuscitate' orders The Guardian

Covid coughing link 'may be stopping people with lung cancer coming forward'

Covid coughing link 'may be stopping people with lung cancer coming forward' Referrals currently at 60% of pre-pandemic levels, figures from Cancer Research UK show.

The link between coughing and Covid-19 could be stopping people with lung cancer from seeking medical attention, experts have said.

According to figures from Cancer Research UK, about 350,000 fewer people than normal received urgent suspected cancer referrals across all cancers since the end of March, while 3 million people have missed out on cancer screening. The Guardian

Kettering General Hospital confirms county's first Covid-19 victim for 43 days

Kettering General Hospital confirms county's first Covid-19 victim for 43 days Kettering General Hospital has confirmed the first Covid-19 death in the county since August 25.

NHS England’s daily bulletin revealed the victim died yesterday (Wednesday) having tested positive for coronavirus within the previous 28 days. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Northamptonshire's health chiefs braced to deal with "steep and severe" rise in Covid-19 cases Northamptonshire Telegraph
• The strange reality of being a student right now - Alone Together podcast Northamptonshire Telegraph

'Business as usual' at Northampton General Hospital despite reports of blood test shortages

'Business as usual' at Northampton General Hospital despite reports of blood test shortages Northampton General Hospital say it is 'business as usual' despite a reports of a shortage of chemicals used in blood tests.

National NHS provider Roche revealed earlier this week that problems with its distribution centre has led to "a very significant drop" in supplies. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Nurses wanted for inpatient beds service at new Brackley medical centre and community hospital

Nurses wanted for inpatient beds service at new Brackley medical centre and community hospital Nurses are needed at the new medical centre and community hospital in Brackley ahead of its scheduled opening later this year by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

A team of band five nurses will help shape and deliver the inpatient beds service at the newly-built facility on Northampton Road. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Pushed from pillar to post: improving the availability and quality of support after self-harm in England

Pushed from pillar to post: improving the availability and quality of support after self-harm in England This report finds that there is no consistently effective support available to people who self-harm. The research identified four key support needs for people who self-harm, which are seen as essential to providing effective care: distraction from immediate self-harm urges, emotional relief in times of stress, developing alternative coping strategies, and addressing the underlying reasons for self-harm.

The report makes several recommendations of how the needs of people who self-harm can be met more effectively. Samaritans

The long shadow of deprivation: differences in opportunities across England

The long shadow of deprivation: differences in opportunities across England This report finds that social mobility in England is a postcode lottery, with large differences across areas in both the adult pay of disadvantaged adults, and the size of the pay gap for those from deprived families, relative to those from affluent families. It also finds inequalities in infant health outcomes and mental health in areas with average lower pay. Social Mobility Commission

Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports

Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports National influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses. Public Health England

Speech to NHS Providers

Speech to NHS Providers The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care thanked the NHS for its hard work and set out the government's commitment to supporting the NHS for the future. Department of Health and Social Care

Covid cases have 'increased rapidly' in England, says ONS

Covid cases have 'increased rapidly' in England, says ONS Coronavirus cases in England have "increased rapidly", data shows, as ministers grapple with what to do next.

Estimates suggest between one-in-170 and one-in-240 people you meet in the street has the virus.

Both current cases, and the speed at which they are increasing, are much higher in the north of England than the national average. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot: England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 9 October 2020 Office for National Statistics
• Coronavirus: Rapid bedside test shows promise in hospitals BBC News
• Covid-19: New restrictions to be announced for parts of England 'within days' - Jenrick BBC News
• UK announces 17,540 Covid-19 cases and 77 deaths as infections treble in a fortnight The Daily Mail
• More than 32,000 contacts of coronavirus-infected patients in England were not tracked down The Daily Mail
• Remdesivir shortens recovery time from COVID-19 by FIVE days and reduces risk fo death by 25% The Daily Mail
• NHS to provide remdesivir to Covid patients after joint EU deal The Guardian
• Hospitals in north of England 'to run out of Covid beds within a week' The Guardian
• Coronavirus levels in north west will replicate across country in a few weeks, government study warns The Independent
• Coronavirus: Hancock warns of ‘perilous’ situation as hospital admissions doubling every fortnight The Independent