Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms

Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms All essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Department of Health and Social Care
• Government begins large-scale virus infection and antibody test study Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Community health, hospital discharge and social care weekly update NHS England
• Weekly COVID-19 surveillance report published Public Health England
• Research and analysis: National COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England
• RCGP calls on Home Secretary to 'urgently relax' rules on controlled medication for patients at the end of life during COVID-19 Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Virus tests now available to millions of workers

Coronavirus: Virus tests now available to millions of workers Up to 10 million key workers and their households can now book a coronavirus test online or through their employer.

The move allows all essential workers in England to register for tests on the government's website, if they or a family member have virus symptoms.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the expanded testing programme was "part of getting Britain back on her feet".

The government remains some way short of its target of 100,000 tests a day in England by the end of this month. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: First patients injected in UK vaccine trial BBC News
• Coronavirus: Doctor rejects Trump's 'heat and light' idea at White House BBC News
• Hopes dashed as coronavirus drug remdesivir fails first trial BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Limited supplies' of kidney treatment kit BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 18,738 with 616 new fatalities The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Government to send testing kits to 20k homes The Daily Mail
• Health chiefs admit 1,000 Brits may have died from coronavirus in care homes between April 11 and 15 The Daily Mail
• Contact tracing: how has it worked for other countries, and could it really help ease UK lockdown? The Daily Telegraph
• Patients warned of zero tolerance approach after staff face discrimination in COVID-19 pandemic GPonlinr
• Emails reveal doctor's plea for PPE before Covid-19 death The Guardian
• Scientists criticise UK government's 'following the science' claim The Guardian
• Coronavirus: what would a year of physical distancing mean for the UK? The Guardian
• Why the UK is finding it so hard to reach 100,000 Covid-19 tests a day The Guardian
• NHS nurse must pay more than £11000 for her and her family to access health service ITV News
• 'I've never been so proud to work for the NHS': Hospital staff on the coronavirus crisis ITV News
• Suicide prevention charity sees surge in calls from NHS workers Metro
• Coronavirus: Applause for NHS up and down the country Sky News

Coronavirus testing at Northampton General 'unaffected' by news that thousands of UK tests could be inaccurate

Coronavirus testing at Northampton General 'unaffected' by news that thousands of UK tests could be inaccurate Northampton General Hospital says it is 'unaffected' by the revelation that thousands of coronavirus tests on frontline NHS staff in England were inaccurate.

Social care minister Helen Whately told Sky News today (April 22) that the initial Covid-19 tests for thousands of NHS staff may have been inaccurate. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Hospital given new breathing aids- thanks to Formula One team just down the road ITV News
• A further 77 coronavirus deaths in hospitals in the Anglia region taking total close to 2000 ITV News
• Government says pandemic has peaked as Northamptonshire's death rate starts to slow Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton teen plans to Irish dance around the Racecourse to raise money for NGH Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH coronavirus death toll rises to 72 Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Rushden car supermarket comes to the rescue of stranded NGH midwife Northamptonshire Telegraph

Britain’s biggest network of diagnostic labs are completed in 5 weeks

Britain’s biggest network of diagnostic labs are completed in 5 weeks Sites in Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Alderley Park in Cheshire are now live and are already testing thousands of patient samples for coronavirus (COVID-19) each day. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Care fit for carers: Ensuring the safety and welfare of NHS and care workers during and after Covid-19 Institute for Public Policy Research
• Public Sector Equality Duty and COVID-19 NHS Employers
• Vulnerable people get direct line to NHS volunteer army NHS England
• Ending the divide: implications of COVID 19 for the Government’s health and social care agenda Policy Exchange
• Detailed guide: NHS entitlements: migrant health guide Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: background information Public Health England
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) advice for social care Social Care Institute for Excellence

Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year'

Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year' The UK will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year, the government's chief medical adviser has said.

Prof Chris Whitty said it was "wholly unrealistic" to expect life would suddenly return to normal soon.

He said "in the long run" the ideal way out would be via a "highly effective vaccine" or drugs to treat the disease.

But he warned that the chance of having those within the next calendar year was "incredibly small". BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Study to track infection and immunity levels BBC News
• Coronavirus: Test data 'reassuring for frontline healthcare workers' BBC News
• Coronavirus: How close are we to getting a vaccine? BBC News
• Fears some ambulances 'left Covid patients at home' BBC News
• GP, two paramedics and mental health worker are latest NHS workers to die from coronavirus The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus Q&A: What is PPE and how can it help NHS workers? Your questions answered The Daily Telegraph
• GPs slam hour-long journeys for COVID-19 tests and demand facilities in every CCG GPonline
• Anaesthetists report coronavirus concerns over inadequate PPE The Guardian
• UK government accused of cover-up over EU scheme to buy PPE The Guardian
• EU turns up pressure on Matt Hancock over Covid-19 PPE scheme The Guardian
• Revealed: Private firm running UK PPE stockpile was sold in middle of pandemic The Guardian
• Exclusive: deaths of NHS staff from covid-19 analysed Health Service Journal
• Apology after NHS sends thousands of dead people covid-19 warnings Health Service Journal
• Coronavirus: Army 'appalled' at NHS planning amid PPE shortage Metro
• Coronavirus: BAME people make up 72% of all NHS and carer deaths with COVID-19 Sky News

'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis'

'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis' Delays in diagnosing and treating people with cancer could lead to more years of lost life than with Covid-19, according to a leading cancer expert.

A drop-off in screening and referrals means roughly 2,700 fewer people are being diagnosed every week, Cancer Research UK says.

Cancer screening has paused in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with few invitations sent out in England. BBC News

Northamptonshire approaching 200 victims as Covid-19 toll keeps rising

Northamptonshire approaching 200 victims as Covid-19 toll keeps rising Northamptonshire is closing in on another grim Covid-19 milestone with 180 deaths now recorded at the county's two main hospitals.

NHS chiefs today confirmed four more patients at Northampton General Hospital died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus between April 7 and April 18. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus deaths in the Anglia region back up after weekend dip ITV News
• Polish ambassador in UK pays tribute to Northampton hospital worker who died after contracting coronavirus Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Public Health England

See also:

• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments Department of Health and Social Care
• Latest COVID-19 guidance updates NHS Employers
• NHS urges public to stay safe ahead of Ramadan NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing Public Health England
• COVID-19 and the VCSE Mental Health Sector Association of Mental Health Providers
• Understanding disproportionate COVID-19 mortality rates among BAME community 'vital', says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Experts question UK self-isolation advice

Coronavirus: Experts question UK self-isolation advice A group of 25 doctors have written to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, because they are concerned about the UK's current advice on self-isolation for coronavirus.

The guidance says people should stay at home and avoid contact with others for seven days if they develop symptoms.

After that, self-isolation can end - if they feel well and do not have a fever.

But World Health Organization advice says people should self-isolate for 14 days after symptoms have cleared. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Government facing fresh questions over EU equipment scheme BBC News
• Coronavirus: NHS and care staff struggling to access tests BBC News
• Coronavirus cure: When will we have a drug to treat it? BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK 'throwing everything' at developing vaccine BBC News
• Coronavirus tests given to NHS staff to let them return to work 'are FLAWED' The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Only 4,900 antibody tests have been carried out The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Lancet editor slams government 'disinformation' The Daily Mail
• Cities with worst air pollution have bigger coronavirus outbreaks, say scientists The Daily Telegraph
• GPs condemn 'shambolic' PPE situation and demand urgent action to protect staff GPonline
• Nurse shortage causes Nightingale hospital to turn away patients The Guardian
• Government misses out on 16m facemasks for NHS in four weeks The Guardian
• Matt Hancock forced to deny ‘political’ opt-out from EU ventilators The Guardian
• Psychiatrists fear surge of Covid-19 cases in UK mental health units The Guardian
• 'This is beyond anything we have ever seen': the fire crews tackling Covid-19 The Guardian
• Coronavirus: WHO warns ‘worst yet to come’ and only tiny minority have developed Covid-19 antibodies The Independent
• GPs wishing to return to NHS for pandemic caught up in red tape for weeks Pulse
• Coronavirus: NHS staff offered new COVID-19 tests after initial checks found to be flawed Sky News

Kettering chief executive lands new role running Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals

Kettering chief executive lands new role running Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals Kettering General Hospital's chief executive has landed the £220,000-a-year role running the new combined management team for Northamptonshire's two major hospitals.

Simon Weldon, will become group chief executive in charge of both Northampton and Kettering hospital trusts later this year, once the current Covid-19 crisis has eased. Northamptonshire Telegraph

'Joanna touched the lives of so many people': Northampton General Hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus

'Joanna touched the lives of so many people': Northampton General Hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus A member of staff at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) 'will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her' having died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Joanna Klenczon, 34, worked at the hospital for 10 years and was a domestic supervisor at the time of her death on April 9. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Tributes paid to 'well-liked' supervisor BBC Northampton
• Northampton General apologises for online 'anxiety' over social distancing controversy in Clap For Our Carers video Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Government coronavirus handouts not enough' says Northamptonshire council leader Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH confirms two more tragic coronavirus deaths Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Tributes paid after member of staff at Northampton Hospital dies from coronavirus aged 34 ITV News

Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements

Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements Sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation. 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
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Testing capacity increases as second Lighthouse Lab becomes fully operational Department of Health and Social Care
• PHE response to a Sun newspaper column Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased Public Health England
• Strengthening hospital capacity for the Covid-19 pandemic Imperial College London
• College Chair Martin Marshall updates members on supplies and use of PPE in general practice Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Record number of deaths recorded

Coronavirus: Record number of deaths recorded Deaths in England and Wales have risen sharply above what would be expected, hitting a 20-year high.

The Office for National Statistics said there were 18,500 deaths in the week up to 10 April - around 10,000 more than is normal at this time of year.

More than 6,200 were linked to coronavirus, a sixth of which were outside of hospital.

But deaths from other causes also increased, suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Masks for public 'could put NHS supplies at risk' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Dentists facing 'critical shortage of kit' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Why are there doubts over contact-tracing apps? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Minute silence in memory of NHS staff BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 16,510 with 450 new fatalities The Daily Mail
• Up to 30% of coronavirus patients hardly develop ANY antibodies The Daily Mail
• Daily coronavirus tests are 80,000 short of the target promised by Health Secretary Matt Hancock The Daily Mail
• Donald Trump to suspend all immigration to US to fight 'invisible enemy' The Daily Telegraph
• NHS will be priority in decision on face masks for public, says minister The Guardian
• PPE shortages app receives hundreds of reports in first fortnight The Guardian
• At least 100 UK healthcare workers have died from coronavirus, figures show The Guardian
• NHS told to expect 'huge number' of legal challenges after pandemic Health Service Journal
• Coronavirus disproportionately affecting Bame communities in UK, new figures show The Independent
• Coronavirus: Medics shouldn’t work without safe PPE, doctors told as fears grow UK pandemic stockpile is almost empty The Independent
• One third of deaths in England and Wales now coronavirus-related The Independent
• Coronavirus: Boots ready to ramp up NHS testing centres Sky News

More than 150 now dead as Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death tolls keeps rising

More than 150 now dead as Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death tolls keeps rising The number of Covid-19 victims in Northamptonshire passed another grim milestone with more than 150 now dead in the county.

Seven more victims between Easter Sunday and Wednesday (April 15) means frontline staff Northampton General Hospital have now seen 93 patients die since the outbreak began last month. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Psychiatric hospitals in Northampton report six deaths between them since outbreak of coronavirus Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northants GPs face challenge of switching to phone and video appointments
• Number of confirmed Covid-19 deaths at Northampton General Hospital rises to 106 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Meet the seven-year-old Northampton girl who is doing everything she can to raise money for the NHS Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Kettering furniture store staff create hundreds of wash bags for the NHS Northamptonshire Telegraph
• No additional Covid-19 deaths registered at Kettering General Hospital in last 24 hours Northamptonshire Telegraph

Capitalising on the offer of help – volunteering in the Covid-19 crisis

Capitalising on the offer of help – volunteering in the Covid-19 crisis As we enter the fourth week of ‘lockdown’, it’s hard to comprehend the unprecedented changes happening in health and care. The weekly ‘clap for care’ is now a feature in most of our communities, reflecting the public’s appreciation of the huge sacrifice that staff are making. But equally notable is the number of people in those communities who have volunteered support to those around them and to organisations providing that care. The King's Fund

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings This guidance provides advice on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for patients recovering or recovered from COVID-19 and remaining in hospital, or being discharged to their own home or residential care. Public Health England

See also:

• Guidance: Mental Health Act: exercise of approval instructions 2015 Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: National testing coordinator warns against unapproved antibody tests Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: Government launches Vaccine Taskforce to combat coronavirus
• Press release: Olympics chief brought in to boost PPE production Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) Public Health England
• Promises that cannot be delivered just make difficult situation worse NHS Confederation
• Extra funding for councils as important as the money for the health service NHS Confederation
• NHS Nightingale London discharges first patients NHS England
• Extra support for occupational health services NHS Employers

Coronavirus: 'Possible to be infected with Covid-19 more than once'

Coronavirus: 'Possible to be infected with Covid-19 more than once' Scientists working on a coronavirus vaccine in Britain hope to start clinical trials towards the end of next week.

The leader of a team working on a vaccine, Professor Sarah Gilbert, from Oxford University said scientists believed it was possible to become infected with Covid-19 more than once.

She added that a vaccine-induced immunity could last longer than the infected-induced immunity. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus cases to be tracked by ethnicity BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Critical' to get protective kit to front line - NHS medical director BBC News
• Coronavirus: Plasma treatment to be trialled BBC News
• Coronavirus: Care home deaths in a week 'double previous month' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hay-fever symptoms could mimic Covid-19, GPs warn BBC News
• Coronavirus: Personal protective equipment delivery to UK from Turkey delayed BBC News
• Whistleblower nurse says 80 per cent of NHS staff on one hospital ward have caught coronavirus due to lack of PPE protective gear The Daily Mail
• Being overweight puts people at greater risk of being hospitalised with coronavirus The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Lockdown extended for three more weeks The Daily Mail
• Exclusive: NHS rationing oxygen with doctors instructed to downgrade blood saturation targets The Daily Telegraph
• The care home front line, where a band of workers risk their own health to comfort dying patients The Daily Telegraph
• No evidence that people who have survived coronavirus have immunity, says World Health Organisation The Daily Telegraph
• Hospital leaders hit out at government as PPE shortage row escalates The Guardian
• Only one in four GP appointments now conducted in person The Guardian
• Scientists raise concerns about quality of UK Covid-19 tests The Guardian
• Michael Gove confirms PM missed five coronavirus Cobra meetings The Guardian
• Government under fire for failing to act on pandemic recommendations The Guardian
• NHS frontline staff may refuse to work over lack of PPE, says union The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson criticised after ‘missing five Cobra meetings’ at start of pandemic The Independent
• Coronavirus: Thousands more care home deaths than official figures show, data suggests The Independent
• Women struggling to access usual contraception as coronavirus plunges sexual health services into chaos The Independent
• Coronavirus: NHS appeals for blood plasma from survivors for trial to help new COVID-19 patients Sky News

Number of Northampton hospital's Covid-19 victims set to hit 100 over the weekend

Number of Northampton hospital's Covid-19 victims set to hit 100 over the weekend The number of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital is set to top 100 over the weekend.

Latest official numbers released today (Thursday April 16) revealed frontline NHS staff had seen another 13 coronavirus-related deaths at the Cliftonville site between April 8 and 14. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Police make lockdown girl's 'best birthday' BBC Northampton
• Northamptonshire's care home workers set for coronavirus testing Daventry Express
• Hospital bosses puzzled by claims of PPE shortage among frontline staff at Northampton Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Wellingborough caterers donate hundreds of meals to KGH and NGH Northamptonshire Telegraph

COVID-19 mental health campaign launches

COVID-19 mental health campaign launches The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge support new Every Mind Matters advice for looking after mental wellbeing. Public Health England

See also:

• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: UKAP statement on health clearance and monitoring Public Health England
• New ‘Looking out for each other’ campaign Public Health England
• Survey results: understanding people’s concerns about the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic Academy of Medical Sciences

Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found'

Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found' The UK must keep a "significant level" of social distancing until a vaccine for coronavirus is found, a scientist advising the government has said.

Prof Neil Ferguson told the BBC there was "little leeway" to relax measures without "something... in their place" - such as testing and contact tracing.

A three-week extension to the lockdown is expected to be announced later.

It comes as the UK recorded another 861 coronavirus deaths, taking the total number of hospital deaths to 13,729. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: 9 in 10 dying have existing illness, ONS data shows BBC News
• Coronavirus lockdown: Lessons from Hokkaido's second wave of infections BBC News
• NHS boss: 'I need gowns, can I call Burberry?' BBC News
• Coronavirus hospitals: Leading a team of 500 during a pandemic BBC News
• Coronavirus: NHS contact tracing app to target 80% of smartphone users BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: NHS to probe 'disproportionate' BAME deaths The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 13,729 with 861 new deaths The Daily Mail
• Doctors vulnerable to legal challenge during COVID-19 pandemic, experts warn GPonline
• Refugees among hundreds of overseas medics to respond to NHS call The Guardian
• Government 'ignores' UK textiles firms desperate to make PPE The Guardian
• Doctors, nurses, porters, volunteers: the UK health workers who have died from Covid-19 The Guardian
• Social care 'an afterthought' in UK coronavirus response, says leaked letter The Guardian
• Healthcare workers 'should be screened for Covid-19 every week' The Guardian
• Less than half UK's Covid-19 testing capacity being used, figures show The Guardian
• Coronavirus: UK statistics on cases, tests and deaths, day-by-day The Independent
• Coronavirus: Britain applauds its NHS heroes Sky News

Ten more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital takes to county toll to 127

Ten more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital takes to county toll to 127 Ten more people have been added to the grim list of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital.

Today's NHS announcement took the sad total to 127 deaths at Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals.

These latest figures are for fatalities recorded between April 8 and April 13, all having tested positive for coronavirus. Delays in reporting over Easter have means they have only just been added to the official numbers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Moulton College donates protective equipment and hand sanitiser to Marie Curie and NHS Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• University of Northampton extends closure until end of May Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton lab volunteers to test county's GP staff for Covid-19 "at least once a week" Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Wellingborough care home's urgent appeal for PPE Northamptonshire Telegraph

Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested

Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Guidance on coronavirus testing for critical workers who are self-isolating. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Government to offer testing for “everyone who needs one” in social care settings Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: National action plan to further support adult social care sector Department of Health and Social Care
• Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult social care action plan Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: prisons (England and Wales) House of Commons Library
• NHS ESR COVID-19 resource hub NHS Employers
• The psychological needs of healthcare staff as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic British Psychological Society
• Supporting older people and people living with dementia during self-isolation British Psychological Society
• The ICO’s regulatory approach during the coronavirus public health emergency Information Commissioner's Office
• Mortality associated with Covid-19 outbreaks in care homes: early international evidence International Long Term Policy Network
• Life under lockdown: coronavirus in the UK King's College London
• Patients should use the NHS wisely - but not put off seeking medical help for serious health concerns unrelated to COVID-19, says College Royal College of General Practitioners
• RPS guidance on ethical, professional decision making in the Covid-19 pandemic Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Coronavirus: We can cope with peak, hospital bosses say

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

See also:

• KGH has £167m debt written off Northamptonshire Telegraph

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

See also:

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

Coronavirus: More tests promised for care homes

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

See also:

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

NHS launches mental health hotline for staff tackling COVID-19

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

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

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

See also:

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

Coronavirus: Will summer make a difference?

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

Coronavirus: Warning over daily death figures

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

See also:

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