Friday, 25 September 2020

Coronavirus: Test turnaround times getting longer in England

Coronavirus: Test turnaround times getting longer in England People are waiting longer for test results from England's community Covid testing centres, figures show.

Only 28% of tests carried out in these venues came back in 24 hours in the week up to 16 September.

That is down from one in three last week, and two in three the week before, NHS Test and Trace said. BBC News

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Brexit: NHS put on no-deal planning alert, letter reveals

 Brexit: NHS put on no-deal planning alert, letter reveals NHS hospitals have been told to start preparing for the UK to leave the EU single market and customs union without a deal at the end of 2020.

Chief executives of hospitals across England have been put on alert and asked to get the health service ready for potential disruption following the Brexit transition period. The Independent

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UK government warned about contaminated blood risk for haemophiliacs

 UK government warned about contaminated blood risk for haemophiliacs A new documentary is set to detail how the UK was warned about risks of a haemophilia treatment that led to thousands of patients being infected with HIV and Hepatitis C.

Letters were sent to the UK officials warning of potential dangers of using blood imported from the US, the upcoming ITV film claims. The Independent

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NHS whistleblower privacy concerns passed on to regulator, but campaigners not holding their breath

NHS whistleblower privacy concerns passed on to regulator, but campaigners not holding their breath NHS Improvement chair Dido Harding acknowledges receiving concerns raised about the anonymity of whistleblowers, but campaigners have little faith that anything will be done.

NHS Improvement is looking into criticism of the lack of guarantees of confidentiality for NHS whistleblowers due to inadequate privacy technology and policies, following an investigation by Computer Weekly. ComputerWeekly.com
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Thursday, 24 September 2020

Health authorities call for volunteers to take part in tests to help control the spread of COVID-19

Health authorities call for volunteers to take part in tests to help control the spread of COVID-19 Following the announcement of new restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19, residents across Northamptonshire have been urged to take part in vital research to help tackle the pandemic.

NHS Trusts and GP practices across Northamptonshire are working with the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) East Midlands, part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), to provide opportunities for residents to be involved in research into COVID-19. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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County council launches new ‘healthy schools’ service across Northamptonshire

 County council launches new ‘healthy schools’ service across Northamptonshire A new county-wide service has launched to help improve the health and wellbeing of school pupils and staff.

Northamptonshire County Council has recruited four dedicated ‘healthy schools advisors’ to work with primary, secondary and specialist schools. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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NHS nursing workforce

NHS nursing workforce This report finds that the NHS has 40,000 nursing vacancies with tens of thousands leaving every year, and 36 per cent of current workforce considering leaving in the next year. It says that the progress on increasing the number of nurses in the NHS is too slow and expresses concerns about the Department of Health and Social Care’s approach to addressing shortages in adult social care nurses. House of Commons Public Account Committee
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    NHS COVID-19 app launches across England and Wales

    NHS COVID-19 app launches across England and Wales People across England and Wales are being urged to download the NHS COVID-19 app to help control the spread of coronavirus and protect themselves and their loved ones as case numbers rise.

    The app launches today, and after positive trials and rigorous testing is an important new tool to work alongside traditional contact tracing to help reduce the spread of the virus.

    It will be available to those aged 16 and over in multiple languages. Department of Health and Social Care

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    Coronavirus vaccine: What are human challenge trials?

    Coronavirus vaccine: What are human challenge trials? Human challenge trials are regarded by some as a faster way to develop vaccines - but they come with big risks.

    Challenge trials have been used for hundreds of years but a lot of people question how ethical is to deliberately expose people to an infectious disease.

    More than 140 different organisations around the world are currently trying to discover a vaccine for Covid-19.

    But could challenge trials be used to speed up the process? BBC News

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    Flu jabs limited due to high demand

    Flu jabs limited due to high demand Pharmacists and GP surgeries are having to limit flu jabs to the most at-risk groups due to increased demand.

    The Boots chain has suspended its appointment booking system for anyone outside of the vulnerable groups, which include people aged over 65.

    It said it faces "unprecedented demand" for vaccinations, but NHS England says enough stocks are available. BBC News
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    Fear of contacting GPs during Covid outbreak 'fuelling missed diagnoses'

    Fear of contacting GPs during Covid outbreak 'fuelling missed diagnoses' Study of GP records in Salford shows diagnoses up to 50% lower than expected in spring.

    Concerns around contacting GPs during the coronavirus outbreak could be fuelling a rise in missed or delayed diagnoses, researchers have said.

    A growing body of research has suggested that patients have avoided seeking medical attention because of the pandemic. Figures have revealed a large increase in the numbers of people dying at home, while visits to A&E have been markedly reduced. The Guardian

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    NHS trust fined for lack of candour in first prosecution of its kind

    NHS trust fined for lack of candour in first prosecution of its kind University Hospitals Plymouth NHS trust admits not being open with bereaved family of patient

    A hospital trust has been fined for failing to be open and transparent with the bereaved family of a 91-year-old woman in the first prosecution of its kind.

    Elsie Woodfield died at Derriford hospital in Plymouth after suffering a perforated oesophagus during an endoscopy. The Guardian
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    Hundreds of hospital ventilators could stop working, NHS warned

    Hundreds of hospital ventilators could stop working, NHS warned Hospitals have been warned hundreds of ventilators used to keep sedated patients alive are at risk of suddenly shutting down because of a fault, in some cases without warning. The Independent

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    Wednesday, 23 September 2020

    Northamptonshire health officials backing Boris' 10pm shutdown for pubs and restaurants

     Northamptonshire health officials backing Boris' 10pm shutdown for pubs and restaurants Boris Johnson's 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants was an option for Northamptonshire's Public Health officials as they battled rising Covid-19 cases. 

    Northampton and Corby remain areas of concern on the Public Health England watch list after spikes in numbers of new infections in the last eight weeks. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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    Can you spare three or four hours a week to help out Northampton General Hospital?

    Can you spare three or four hours a week to help out Northampton General Hospital? Northampton General Hospital is looking to bolster its regular army of 300 volunteers supporting patients and staff. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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    Urgent action is needed to improve working conditions for nurses and midwives

    Urgent action is needed to improve working conditions for nurses and midwives New minimum standards to improve working conditions and a review of 12-hour shifts are needed to address exhaustion and burnout among nurses and midwives, according to a new report from The King’s Fund, commissioned by the RCN Foundation.

    The report finds that staff stress, absenteeism and turnover in the professions have reached alarmingly high levels. This has been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has laid bare and exacerbated longer-term issues including chronic excessive workload, inadequate working conditions, staff burnout and inequalities, particularly among minority ethnic groups.

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    National survey of malnutrition and nutritional care in adults

    National survey of malnutrition and nutritional care in adults The purpose of this report was to gain an understanding of the prevalence of malnutrition according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (‘MUST’), and the use of nutritional care across England, in all settings. The survey recorded a high prevalence of malnutrition (42 per cent), higher than previous national surveys. British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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      Homes, health and Covid-19

      Homes, health and Covid-19 This report from Centre for Ageing Better, written in partnership with The King's Fund, summarises the role and impact of poor-quality housing on health, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Centre for Ageing Better
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        Lessons and legacy from the Covid-19 pandemic in health and care

        Lessons and legacy from the Covid-19 pandemic in health and care This report contains key findings from a short research study undertaken in June and July to understand how technology has been an enabler in reducing the care burden and coping with the Covid-19 crisis, and to identify what should be sustained in the ‘new normal’ longer-term. It argues that social care needs to be given the same weighting as to the NHS to accelerate the move towards health and social care integration. The AHSN Network
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          Coronavirus: 'We've reached a perilous turning point', says Boris Johnson

          Coronavirus: 'We've reached a perilous turning point', says Boris Johnson The UK has reached "a perilous turning point", Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said, as he set out a raft of new coronavirus restrictions for England which could last for up to six months.

          Shop staff will have to wear face masks and weddings will be limited to a maximum of 15 people, under the rules.

          Fines for breaking laws on gatherings and not wearing a mask will increase to £200 for a first offence. BBC News

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          Yew Trees hospital: Ten staff suspended at mental health unit

          Yew Trees hospital: Ten staff suspended at mental health unit Ten workers at a mental health unit have been suspended amid claims patients were "dragged, slapped and kicked".

          Inspectors said CCTV footage recorded at the Yew Trees hospital in Kirby-le-Soken, Essex, appeared to show episodes of "physical and emotional abuse".

          The details emerged in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report after the unit was inspected in July and August. BBC News
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          NHS chief nurse sets out £180m plan to boost nursing workforce ahead of winter

          NHS chief nurse sets out £180m plan to boost nursing workforce ahead of winter England’s chief nurse has set out plans to spend up to £180m to boost NHS nurse numbers ahead of a second wave of coronavirus.

          Ruth May said the health service would need more nurses to avoid operations being cancelled this winter. The Independent

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          NHS to hold review into gender identity services for children and young people

          NHS to hold review into gender identity services for children and young people Review will examine rise in number of children in UK seeking treatment, from 77 in 2009 to 2,590 in 2018-19

          The NHS is launching an independent review into gender identity services for children and young people, it has been announced. The Guardian
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          Boots stops taking flu jab bookings for under-65s as stocks run low

          Boots stops taking flu jab bookings for under-65s as stocks run low Boots has stopped taking bookings from under-65s who want the flu jab after stocks ran low following a record number of requests.

          The company said “more people than ever” had been booking early to get their flu vaccinations, following a government campaign to get people vaccinated to reduce the pressure on the NHS as the country goes into a second wave of the coronavirus crisis. The Guardian
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          Tuesday, 22 September 2020

          ‘Work from home if you can’ - Government changes advice on return to office as coronavirus cases rise

          ‘Work from home if you can’ - Government changes advice on return to office as coronavirus cases rise The UK government has changed its stance on returning to the office, with workers to be told to work from home if possible, moving away from their ‘back to work’ campaign. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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          Northamptonshire's NHS workers call on Government to show its appreciation by giving them an early pay rise

          Northamptonshire's NHS workers call on Government to show its appreciation by giving them an early pay rise Health staff across Northamptonshire – including nurses, paramedics, cleaners, domestics and porters – joined in two days of campaigning urging the Government to give an early pay rise of at least £2,000 to every NHS worker. Northamptonshire Telegraph
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          New Do OD Power and Impact tool

          New Do OD Power and Impact tool Access the Do OD team's new tool on the Do OD Organisation Development app, A Conversation About Power. The tool comes after a series of workshops, and a session at their annual conference. Power is a central issue in organisation development roles and work. NHS Employers
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          Surge in smokers trying to quit see increased success rates in 2020

          Surge in smokers trying to quit see increased success rates in 2020 This year’s Stoptober campaign is calling on smokers to put their lungs first and breathe easier ahead of flu season. Public Health England
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          Update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the COVID-19 alert level

          Update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the COVID-19 alert level A joint statement from the UK CMOs recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 3 to level 4. Department of Health and Social Care

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          Covid: UK coronavirus alert level ‘moving to 4'

          Covid: UK coronavirus alert level ‘moving to 4' The UK's coronavirus alert level is being upgraded from 3 to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially", its chief medical officers have said.

          It comes after the government's scientific adviser warned there could be 50,000 new coronavirus cases a day by mid-October without further action.

          On Monday, a further 4,368 daily cases were reported in the UK, up from 3,899.

          The prime minister will make a statement in the Commons on Tuesday. BBC News

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          Flu jab 'more important than ever' this winter

          Flu jab 'more important than ever' this winter People are being advised to get a flu jab to help protect against the "double danger" of flu and coronavirus.

          Research shows people can catch both diseases at the same time, with serious and sometimes deadly consequences.

          More people will be offered a free flu vaccine this year - anyone over 50 in England is eligible. BBC News
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          Infected blood scandal: Treasury refuses to publish key documents

          Infected blood scandal: Treasury refuses to publish key documents Response to FoI request from victim’s son says disclosure may attract ‘disruptive’ media coverage

          The Treasury is refusing to publish key documents about the treatment of haemophiliacs infected by the NHS with HIV on the grounds that it would be “disruptive” and material might be “distorted” by the media. The Guardian
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          Monday, 21 September 2020

          Coronavirus: Northampton council leader says 'keep carping' about tests

          Coronavirus: Northampton council leader says 'keep carping' about tests A Conservative council leader has urged residents to "keep carping" about the availability of coronavirus tests.

          Earlier this week senior minister Jacob Rees-Mogg was criticised after he described concern over testing shortages as "carping".

          Bu Jonathan Nunn from Northampton Borough Council said if someone, or their family member, had symptoms it was "sensible to get a test". BBC Northampton

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          'Think outside the box!': Northampton General Hospital charity urges fundraisers to go virtual as events cancelled

          'Think outside the box!': Northampton General Hospital charity urges fundraisers to go virtual as events cancelled Northampton General Hospital's charity is facing the loss of future income this year as iconic races as big events like the London Marathon are being rescheduled. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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          What influences improvement processes in healthcare? A rapid evidence review

          What influences improvement processes in healthcare? A rapid evidence review Although many healthcare organisations are engaging in activities to improve the quality of healthcare, there are still considerable challenges in doing so. RAND Europe was commissioned by The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute at the University of Cambridge to conduct a rapid review of literature exploring the influences on improvement processes in healthcare. The study identified a number of themes and issues relevant to future research in this space, including the key influences affecting the implementation of improvement processes in healthcare. RAND Europe
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            Towards resilience: redesigning our systems for a better future

            Towards resilience: redesigning our systems for a better future From both a public health and an economic perspective, Britain performed poorly during the Covid-19 crisis in comparison to similar countries. When put to the test, many of Britain's core systems were revealed to be incapable of withstanding extra stress and demand. In partnership with Local Trust, this paper intends to start a conversation about the country can move towards resilience for a more prepared and better future. It identifies five pillars that need to form the centre piece of any approach: economic resilience, public sector resilience, community resilience, environmental resilience and workforce resilience. New Local Government Network
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              Covid-19: assessing the risk to public protection posed by a doctor as a result of concerns about their practice during the pandemic

              Covid-19: assessing the risk to public protection posed by a doctor as a result of concerns about their practice during the pandemic This guidance details how to take the context created by Covid-19 into account when considering complaints about doctors. It means that, in line with the General Medical Council's normal practice, concerns about doctors will be considered in the context of the pandemic and, in certain circumstances and where there are no risks to patients or to public confidence, some issues might not put into question a doctor’s fitness to practice. General Medical Council
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                Guidance: Visiting care homes during coronavirus

                Guidance: Visiting care homes during coronavirus Guidance for making arrangements for limited visits for care homes with the support of their director of public health. Department of Health and Social Care

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                Covid: UK at 'critical point' in pandemic, top scientists to warn

                Covid: UK at 'critical point' in pandemic, top scientists to warn The UK is at a "critical point" in the coronavirus pandemic and "heading in the wrong direction", the government's chief medical officer will warn later.

                Prof Chris Whitty believes the country is facing a "very challenging winter period" and will hold a televised briefing at 11:00 BST.

                It comes after the prime minister spent the weekend considering whether to introduce further measures in England. BBC News

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                Cancer taskforce aims to reduce patient backlog

                Cancer taskforce aims to reduce patient backlog A new taskforce will meet next week to kick-start the recovery of cancer services across the NHS in England.

                Charities believe the pandemic has led to a significant reduction in people being referred for urgent cancer treatment.

                Cancer Research UK says three million people have missed cancer screenings since March. BBC News
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                Music boosts memories for ethnic minority dementia patients

                Music boosts memories for ethnic minority dementia patients Charities are using tailored music to bring back memories for dementia patients from ethnic minorities.

                To mark World Alzheimer's Day, the BBC has created a catalogue of world music to help people from all cultures living with the syndrome. BBC News
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                Medics missing mental illness diagnosis in more than one in four patients, data suggests

                 Medics missing mental illness diagnosis in more than one in four patients, data suggests More than one in four patients with severe mental health conditions are missing diagnosis when they are admitted to hospital for other reasons, new research suggests.

                According to data analysed by scientists at University College London, those who are missing these mental illness diagnoses are more likely to be from ethnic minority groups or have a previously diagnosed mental illnesses. The Independent 

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                Smokers urged to join 'Stoptober' as quitting rate in England rises

                Smokers urged to join 'Stoptober' as quitting rate in England rises The proportion of people who have successfully quit smoking this year is at its highest in more than a decade, new figures show.

                Data from the UCL Smoking Toolkit Study shows that in England in 2020 there has been an increase of almost two-thirds in the quitting success rate, rising from 14% to 23%, the highest since at least 2007. There has also been a surge in smokers in England trying to quit, increasing by 22% from 2019, with experts saying attitudes have been changed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Guardian
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                Thursday, 17 September 2020

                Chair of Northampton mental health hospital steps down due to shielding as former health minister takes on role

                Chair of Northampton mental health hospital steps down due to shielding as former health minister takes on role 
                A new chair has been appointed for a Northampton mental health hospital after the current chair announced he is to step down.

                Peter Carter joined St Andrew’s in July 2019, but has now ended his reign as he feels he can no longer contribute properly to the transformation strategy of the charity while working remotely due to ongoing shielding requirements. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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                ‘Most vital ever’ health and care worker flu vaccination drive launched

                'Most vital ever’ health and care worker flu vaccination drive launched 
                The health and social care service’s most senior clinicians and leaders have urged their frontline colleagues to get their annual flu jab as soon as possible, as the first vaccine deliveries start to reach local employers this week.
                This comes alongside an expanded flu vaccination programme for both the public and frontline health and social care workers, with a record 30 million people eligible for a free vaccine this year. NHS England
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                New personalised care training hub will set standards for evidence-based education and aims to reach 75,000 health and care workers by 2024

                New personalised care training hub will set standards for evidence-based education and aims to reach 75,000 health and care workers by 2024 The Personalised Care Institute (PCI), a virtual organisation for evidence-based personalised care training, convened by the Royal College of GPs in partnership and funded by NHS England and Improvement launches today. The PCI will set standards for evidence-based training, offering workers from across health and care sectors access to accredited personalised care training and development. RCGP
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                Making history: health visiting during Covid-19

                Making history: health visiting during Covid-19 
                Institute of Health Visiting -
                This collection of case studies presents a window into the working lives of health visitors and families navigating the ups and downs of the Covid-19 pandemic. The case studies, family stories and creative pieces contained capture the pace and scale of change as health visiting services adapted to working during “lockdown”. King's Fund
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                Next steps for funding mental healthcare in England: prevention

                Next steps for funding mental healthcare in England: prevention The RCPsych has identified four areas that must be fully and sustainably resourced if access to quality of mental health services in England that have been promised by government is to be realised. These are: infrastructure; prevention; people; and technology. This paper focuses on prevention and considers the next steps for funding mental healthcare in England, with a specific focus on public health and prevention, promoting resilience in social care and budgeting for workforce growth, education and training. King's Fund
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                Maximum jail term for attacking emergency workers to be doubled

                Maximum jail term for attacking emergency workers to be doubled 
                The maximum penalty for assaulting police officers, nurses or any other emergency workers is to be doubled from one to two years.

                It follows a consultation this summer on raising punishments and comes amid a series of reforms to sentencing being announced by the Ministry of Justice this week. The Guardian
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                Fears Covid may leave thousands in UK with severe kidney disease

                Fears Covid may leave thousands in UK with severe kidney disease 
                Tens of thousands of people may require kidney dialysis or transplants because of coronavirus, according to experts who warn the long-term effects of Covid are causing an “epidemic in primary care”.

                Up to 90% of coronavirus patients admitted to hospital may still experience symptoms two to three months later – from breathlessness to joint pain, fatigue and chest pain – scientists told the Lords science and technology committee on Tuesday. The Guardian
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                Covid disruption leaves thousands of UK stroke patients disabled

                Covid disruption leaves thousands of UK stroke patients disabled 
                Thousands of stroke patients have suffered avoidable disability because NHS care for them was disrupted during the pandemic, a report claims.

                Many people who had just had a stroke found it harder to obtain clot-busting drugs or undergo surgery to remove a blood clot from their brain, both of which need to happen quickly. The Guardian
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                UK Covid testing system has 'huge problems', admits Boris Johnson

                UK Covid testing system has 'huge problems', admits Boris Johnson Boris Johnson has said the Covid-19 testing system currently “has huge problems” during a sometimes downbeat appearance before an influential committee of MPs, as new figures showed nearly 4,000 UK cases in the 24 hours up to Wednesday morning, the highest daily total since early May. The Guardian

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                Plans to record pregnant women's alcohol consumption in England criticised

                Plans to record pregnant women's alcohol consumption in England criticised 
                Pregnant women’s alcohol consumption could be recorded on their child’s medical records under plans for England being considered by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), prompting criticism from pregnancy rights advocates.
                The proposal from Nice has been drawn up as part of a consultation to cement guidelines for doctors to diagnose and prevent foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The Guardian

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                Tuesday, 15 September 2020

                Gov website tells Northamptonshire residents 'there are no Covid tests available in your area'

                Gov website tells Northamptonshire residents 'there are no Covid tests available in your area' Northamptonshire residents are still being told there are no Covid-19 tests available for them in following a warning about lack of testing capacity last week. Northamptonshire Telegraph
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                Council makes new Weston Favell health and wellbeing hub ‘a leading priority’ as public consultation begins

                Council makes new Weston Favell health and wellbeing hub ‘a leading priority’ as public consultation begins A new project to turn old public sector buildings into a multi-million pound health and wellbeing hub has reached the public consultation stage. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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                NHS coronavirus app to launch in England and Wales on 24 September

                NHS coronavirus app to launch in England and Wales on 24 September The UK government’s Covid contact-tracing app will finally launch in England and Wales on 24 September, the government has announced, more than four months later than initially promised. The Guardian

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                Funding boost for community mental health initiatives

                Funding boost for community mental health initiatives Community initiatives including mental health first aid training for barbers, and counselling for bereaved relatives, are set to benefit from a £10 million funding boost.

                A dedicated support package has been provided to local NHS, public health teams and voluntary organisations across England to strengthen suicide prevention plans and provide practical and emotional support to friends and family who have lost a loved one to suicide. NHS England
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                Reintroducing visitor access to maternity services

                Reintroducing visitor access to maternity services New guidance will help NHS trusts to reintroduce access to maternity services for partners, visitors and other supporters of pregnant women.
                Developed in partnership with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives, and the Society and College of Radiographers, the framework reflects on the experiences of pregnant women and their families and applies to outpatient and inpatient services. NHS Networks
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                NHS reminder about face-to-face appointments angers GPs

                NHS reminder about face-to-face appointments angers GPs NHS bosses have sent a letter to GPs to remind them to offer face-to-face appointments where necessary, sparking an angry response from professional bodies who say such comments risk insulting hard-working doctors.
                In March, GPs were urged to move to remote consultations where possible in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The result was a surge in the number of appointments conducted at a distance: in May alone, 48% of GP appointments were carried out over the phone. The Guardian

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                Coronavirus: Care homes in England warned of rise in infections

                Coronavirus: Care homes in England warned of rise in infections The government has written to care home providers in England to warn them of a rise in new coronavirus infections within the sector.
                A letter from the Department of Health urged care bosses to take "necessary action to prevent and limit outbreaks".
                Cases were mainly among staff but risked spreading to residents, it said. BBC News

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                The 'rule of six': what are the new UK coronavirus restrictions?

                The 'rule of six': what are the new UK coronavirus restrictions? The phrase “rule of six” was used by Boris Johnson in his press conference last week, where he announced a ban on meetings of groups of more than six people in England, applying indoors and outdoors from Monday.

                The law replaces existing guidance on no more than two households meeting indoors, meaning that the six individuals can be from up to six households. The Guardian

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                Coronavirus: 86% of doctors in England expect second wave in next six months

                Coronavirus: 86% of doctors in England expect second wave in next six months Almost 86% of doctors in England say they expect a second peak of coronavirus in the next six months, according to a new survey, as concern continues to grow over a recent rise in cases.

                On Friday, new results from a population-based study suggested the R number for England is now at 1.7, with infections doubling every 7.7 days. While the prevalence of the disease remains lower than it was in the spring, an R value above 1 means cases could grow exponentially. The Guardian

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                'Soaring alcohol misuse' could overwhelm service

                'Soaring alcohol misuse' could overwhelm service

                Addiction services in England could struggle to cope with "soaring" numbers of people misusing alcohol, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is warning.

                Many adults are drinking more since the coronavirus pandemic began, data shows.

                The college estimates that in June, more than 8.4m people in England were drinking at higher-risk levels, up from 4.8m in February. BBC News

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                Friday, 11 September 2020

                Best time to book Covid test appointment in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough 'between 6pm and 8pm' say experts

                Best time to book Covid test appointment in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough 'between 6pm and 8pm' say experts Walk-in Covid centres in our towns have switched to an appointment-only system this week because of a national shortage of testing capacity, public health chiefs confirmed today. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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                Billing Road 'one-way street' plan will impact Northampton's A&E and traffic problems, say councillors

                Billing Road 'one-way street' plan will impact Northampton's A&E and traffic problems, say councillors A plan to turn a main Northampton road into a one-way street has sparked a mixed reaction from the town's councillors. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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                Chart of the week: What effect will the return to schools and universities have on infection outbreaks this autumn?

                 Chart of the week: What effect will the return to schools and universities have on infection outbreaks this autumn? As children return to schools this week and universities prepare to open their doors later this month, we look back at national reporting of acute respiratory infection outbreaks to see what previously happened in schools and educational settings – and discuss whether Covid-19 might have unpredictable effects on historical trends. Nuffield Trust

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                Women's Lives, Women's Rights: Strengthening Access to Contraception Beyond the Covid-19 Pandemic

                Women's Lives, Women's Rights: Strengthening Access to Contraception Beyond the Covid-19 Pandemic The APPG SRH opened Inquiry into Access to Contraception in 2019, in response to reports of women being unable to access contraception in a way that meets their needs. We reopened evidence submissions in May 2020 in order to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's access to contraception.

                The Inquiry's report, Women's Lives, Women's Rights: Strengthening Access to Contraception Beyond the Contraception can be downloaded below: All Party Parliamentary Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health
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                Ageing in place for minority ethnic communities: the importance of social infrastructure

                Ageing in place for minority ethnic communities: the importance of social infrastructure This research project was developed to explore the types of social infrastructure that people aged 50 and over from ethnic minority communities use in specific places. The aim of this project is to understand how organisations working with ethnic minority groups engage with older members from their community and how this might have changed over time. The report demonstrates the importance for older people with a shared cultural identity to have places where they can meet together, not only to maintain their sense of identity but also for bonding social connections. Ambition for Ageing
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                  Fixing social care: better quality services and jobs

                  Fixing social care: better quality services and jobs This report argues that the Covid-19 pandemic has shown how essential social care is to society. It looks to the future and building a better system, including a demand for long-term, sustainable funding of services that provide value for money to the public purse while meeting the needs of individuals and communities. It also calls for appreciation of care workers through improved pay and working conditions. Trades Union Congress
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                    Venues required by law to record contact details

                    Venues required by law to record contact details Premises and venues across England must have a system in place to record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff in the latest move to break the chains of transmission of coronavirus. Department of Health and Social Care

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                    Coronavirus: What are the challenges of mass testing?

                    Coronavirus: What are the challenges of mass testing? The prime minister talked about his "Moonshot" plan, on Wednesday, to test millions of people every day using tests that can produce results in as little as 20 minutes.

                    He said they "would allow people to lead more normal lives" by giving them the all clear to go to the theatre or a football match after a negative on-the-day test result.

                    No virus would mean a free pass to mix freely with other people without the need for social distancing.

                    But just how realistic is that plan to test vast numbers of people regularly and very quickly? BBC News

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                    Coronavirus: Long waits for hospital operations soar

                    Coronavirus: Long waits for hospital operations soar The disruption to hospitals in England during the pandemic has meant the number of patients facing long waits for routine operations has soared.

                    More than two million people on the waiting list - half the total - have been waiting more than 18 weeks, the highest since records began in 2007.

                    Some 83,000 have waited over a year, up from 2,000 before the pandemic. BBC News

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                    Hospital boss praised by Matt Hancock told to end ‘toxic management culture’

                    Hospital boss praised by Matt Hancock told to end ‘toxic management culture’ Royal College of Anaesthetists criticise West Suffolk hospital chief executive after staff complaints

                    A hospital boss championed by Matt Hancock has been told to end “a toxic management culture” after doctors were asked to provide fingerprint samples to identify a whistleblower.

                    The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) has urged the chief executive of West Suffolk hospital, Steve Dunn, who Hancock described as an “outstanding leader”, to take urgent action to improve the wellbeing of senior clinicians and “thereby the safety of patients”. The Guardian
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                    Thursday, 10 September 2020

                    Number of Northamptonshire care home beds at record low

                    Number of Northamptonshire care home beds at record low The number of care home beds available to elderly people in Northamptonshire hit a record low in March, new figures reveal. 

                    Care home representatives and charities warn vulnerable people could be put at risk without more funding to increase capacity in the sector across England, which has been strained by Covid-19. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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                    Kettering primary school pupils told to self-isolate after positive Covid-19 test

                    Kettering primary school pupils told to self-isolate after positive Covid-19 test Pupils in a bubble at a Kettering primary school have been told to remain at home after a positive coronavirus test in one person.
                    Grange Primary Academy in Jean Road, Kettering, emailed parents this morning (Wednesday, September 9) to say pupils in a Year 1 bubble should stay at home until Friday, September 19. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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                    Rolling out social prescribing: understanding the experience of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector

                    Rolling out social prescribing: understanding the experience of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector This report sets out the findings of research conducted by National Voices for NHS England to explore the perspectives and experiences of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in relation to the NHS rollout of social prescribing. National Voices spoke to over 300 people through a series of interviews, workshops and online engagements between December 2019 and June 2020. National Voices

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                      Workforce race equality standard (WRES): indicators for the medical workforce

                      Workforce race equality standard (WRES): indicators for the medical workforce There are eleven indicators for the medical workforce. Four of the indicators reflect variation in career progression and pay, six represent medical staff perceptions of how they are treated by colleagues, employing organisations and patients, and one highlights the diversity of the councils and boards of medical institutions. NHS England
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                      Public Health England launches new Every Mind Matters campaign

                      Public Health England launches new Every Mind Matters campaign Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic. With children and young people now back at school or college, the new Public Health England (PHE) Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to help children and young people’s mental wellbeing, and equip parents and carers with the knowledge to support them.
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                      Covid-19: what people are telling us

                      Covid-19: what people are telling us This briefing looks at the key issues the public have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, ranging from the affect lockdown has had on carers, to the problems getting emergency dental treatment. Healthwatch England
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                        New campaign to prevent spread of coronavirus indoors this winter

                        New campaign to prevent spread of coronavirus indoors this winter The ‘Hands. Face. Space’ public information campaign urges the public to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control infection rates and avoid a second peak. Department of Health and Social Care

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                        Coronavirus: Concerns over Boris Johnson's 'moonshot' testing plans

                        Coronavirus: Concerns over Boris Johnson's 'moonshot' testing plans Scientists and health professionals have raised doubts about Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Operation Moonshot" plan for mass coronavirus testing.

                        The PM hopes millions of Covid-19 tests - including some giving results within minutes - could be processed daily.

                        But experts say there are issues with laboratory capacity for current tests, while the technology for more rapid tests "does not, as yet, exist". BBC News

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                        Coronavirus prompts surge in people wanting to be nurses

                        Coronavirus prompts surge in people wanting to be nurses The Covid-19 pandemic is thought to be responsible for a surge in people applying for healthcare qualifications.

                        The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) has reported a rise in applications among all ages across the UK.

                        A total of 47,320 people applied for nursing degrees by the end of June, a 16% rise on last year. BBC News
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                        Half of British voters think PM will still include NHS in trade deals

                        Half of British voters think PM will still include NHS in trade deals Almost half of British voters do not believe Boris Johnson’s claim that the NHS is “off the table” in trade deals, a new poll has found.

                        And the survey by pollsters Survation found that three-quarters (75 per cent) want specific protections for the NHS to be written into law in the Trade Bill, which has its second reading in the House of Lords today. The Independent

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                        Wednesday, 9 September 2020

                        No fears of 'second wave' of Covid-19 cases among Greencore sandwich makers, says Northamptonshire's Public Health chief

                         No fears of 'second wave' of Covid-19 cases among Greencore sandwich makers, says Northamptonshire's Public Health chief Public Health chiefs confirmed Northampton's Greencore factory is fully back up and running again and they are confident of no "second wave" of Covid-19 cases. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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                        NHS Trust eyes up empty offices in Northampton to create mental health call centre and therapy hub

                        NHS Trust eyes up empty offices in Northampton to create mental health call centre and therapy hub Two empty offices in Northampton could be used by the Northamptonshire Healthcare to create a hub of mental health support services to help potentially thousands of residents. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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                        Charity supporting Northampton General Hospital during pandemic receives huge grant from bank

                        Charity supporting Northampton General Hospital during pandemic receives huge grant from bank A charity that has been supporting staff, patients and volunteers at Northampton General Hospital during the pandemic has received a huge grant from a bank.

                        Northamptonshire Health Charity, which also supports Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, has been awarded funding by Barclays, as part of its Covid-19 Community Aid Package. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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                        Northampton's oldest transplant patient urges public to sign organ donation register after surviving for 30 years with new heart

                        Northampton's oldest transplant patient urges public to sign organ donation register after surviving for 30 years with new heart A Northampton transplant patient, who is celebrating 30 years since his heart operation on October 6, has said not donating your organs when you die 'is a waste'. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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                        Action for equality: The time is now

                        Action for equality: The time is now Action for equality: The time is now by the NHS Confederation’s Health & Care Women Leaders Network builds on and expands the work undertaken for the 2017 NHS Women on Boards 50:50 by 2020 report which examined the steps the NHS needed to take to reach the target of equal gender representation on boards by 2020.

                        Written by Professor Ruth Sealy of the University of Exeter Business School, the new report includes analysis of board-level data on over 3,000 directors across NHS trust boards in England and arm’s-length bodies, and over 70 interviews with board chairs, directors, and women aspiring to directorship positions.

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                        Clinical psychology in primary care

                        Clinical psychology in primary care Clinical psychologists can meet the needs of people who otherwise get little or no help from the NHS, says a report published today by Centre for Mental Health and the British Psychological Society.

                        The report explores real life examples of psychologists working in GP surgeries and communities. It finds that they help people the NHS often struggles to support and who otherwise get little or no effective treatment for their mental health.

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                        Worlds of influence: understanding what shapes child well-being in rich countries

                        Worlds of influence: understanding what shapes child well-being in rich countries This report looks at children from the world’s richest countries and offers a mixed picture of their health, skills and happiness. For many, issues such as poverty, exclusion and pollution threaten their mental well-being, physical health and opportunities to develop skills. It finds that even countries with good social, economic and environmental conditions are a long way from meeting the targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Unicef
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                          Healthy environment, healthy lives: how the environment influences health and well-being in Europe

                           Healthy environment, healthy lives: how the environment influences health and well-being in Europe A significant proportion of the burden of disease in Europe continues to be attributed to environmental pollution resulting from human activity. This report highlights how the quality of Europe’s environment plays a key role in determining our health and well-being. European Environmental Agency

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                          Childhood obesity

                          Childhood obesity Successive governments have struggled to tackle rising childhood obesity and it is not clear that the Department of Health & Social Care’s (DHSC) current programme will be able to make the step change needed in the timescale available, according to today’s report by the National Audit Office.
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                          Coronavirus: More than 1,000 doctors want to leave NHS over government’s mishandling of pandemic

                          Coronavirus: More than 1,000 doctors want to leave NHS over government’s mishandling of pandemic “More than 1,000 doctors have said they intend to quit the NHS due to the government’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic and frustration over wages, according to new research.

                          In a survey conducted by the Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK), two-thirds of respondents outlined their plans to move abroad, switch to the private sector or take a career break within the next three years. Doctors' Association UK
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