Covid patients 'less likely to die than in April'

Covid patients 'less likely to die than in April' Coronavirus patients admitted to intensive care have a better chance of surviving now than they did in April, according to the dean of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine.

But these gains levelled off over the summer, Dr Alison Pittard said.

The proportion of patients admitted to critical care who die fell by almost a quarter from the peak and as much as half in hospitals overall. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: What the tier rules say about the split between science and politics BBC News
• Covid: Row over regional rules 'damaging to public health', scientist warns BBC News
• Coronavirus: Higher ethnic death risk 'not linked to health' BBC News
• Is tracking down every super spreader the REAL key to beating Covid-19? The Daily Mail
• England's Covid-19 outbreak grows 64% in a week The Daily Mail
• Physios and paramedics will be trained to deliver flu and Covid-19 jabs The Daily Mail
• Ethnic minorities are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 than white people because of poverty The Daily Mail
• Increase in Covid infections means Christmas will be 'tough' this year, Sage member warns The Daily Telegraph
• Covid: Greater Manchester running out of hospital beds, leak reveals The Guardian
• NHS Covid-19 app users sent incorrect risk-level change alerts The Guardian
• Midwives, physios and pharmacists to administer future UK Covid vaccine The Guardian
• Serco profits surge thanks to Covid-19 test-and-trace contract The Guardian
• 'Psychological PPE' is what Britain's health professionals urgently need now | Clare Gerada The Guardian
• UK coronavirus cases up nearly 17,000 in 24 hours, as deaths increase by 67 The Independent
• Coronavirus: Police to be given test-and-trace data to help enforce isolation rules The Independent

Endometriosis care needs urgent improvement, MPs say

Endometriosis care needs urgent improvement, MPs say Endometriosis care across the UK needs urgent improvement and diagnosis times need to be cut in half, a report by MPs says.

It found an average wait for a diagnosis was eight years and that has not improved in more than a decade.

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in the UK and causes debilitating pain, very heavy periods and infertility. BBC News

Police 999 callouts to people suffering mental health crises soar

Police 999 callouts to people suffering mental health crises soar Two fifths of people in England waiting for NHS support end up calling emergency or crisis services.

The police are being called to deal with soaring numbers of incidents involving people suffering from mental health crises, sparking fresh concern about lack of NHS help for the mentally ill. The Guardian

NHS hospital admissions for eating disorders rise among ethnic minorities

NHS hospital admissions for eating disorders rise among ethnic minorities Faster increase among BAME people in England raises fears of cultural or racial factors

The number of hospital admissions for eating disorders is rising at a faster rate among people from ethnic minorities in England, prompting concerns that there may be cultural or racial factors driving them.

For white ethnicities, hospital admissions for eating disorders rose by just under a third (31%) across three years, whereas admissions among ethnic minorities rose by more than a half (53%), according to Guardian analysis of NHS data. The Guardian

New mothers need longer 'settling in' period at home before midwife visits, NICE warns

New mothers need longer 'settling in' period at home before midwife visits, NICE warns New mothers should be given a longer "settling in" period at home, as very early visits from midwives could lead to unfair assessments, warns new guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Parents should be allowed at least 12 hours alone with their baby after they leave hospital to ensure risk assessments carried out by midwives during the first postnatal visit accurately reflect their living situation, the independent body recommends. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Consultation: Postnatal care In development [GID-NG10070] NICE

Why won't councils re-open our public loos? 'Covid-says-no' attitude leaving many stranded at home

Why won't councils re-open our public loos? 'Covid-says-no' attitude leaving many stranded at home In June, the UK Government wrote to local councils explicitly stating that 'enabling access to toilets is vital' and gave detailed guidance, but it appears this has not been universally heeded. The Daily Mail

Hospitals say they are prepared for second wave of Covid-19 in Northamptonshire

Hospitals say they are prepared for second wave of Covid-19 in Northamptonshire The CEO of Northamptonshire's two main hospitals says he is concerned the Covid-19 second wave currently hitting parts of the UK is heading for the county. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Cystic fibrosis: Shielder, 24, hopes 'everyone is sensible' over Covid BBC Northampton
• First death of patient with Covid-19 for 73 days is confirmed at Northampton General Hospital Daventry Express
• NHS 111 services recorded eight times more children with coronavirus symptoms in Northamptonshire when schools reopened Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• One-year waiting list for routine treatment hits record high at Northampton General Hospital Trust due to pandemic Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Seventy four positive coronavirus cases reported today across Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Another Kettering secondary school confirms coronavirus cases Northamptonshire Telegraph

The Comprehensive Spending Review needs to be genuinely comprehensive: and that means investing in social care

The Comprehensive Spending Review needs to be genuinely comprehensive: and that means investing in social care The clue to what needs to happen in this year’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) is in the first word of its title. While some areas of public spending have been largely protected in the past decade, others, including local authorities and adult social care, have seen heavy cuts. As social care reels from the impact of Covid-19, it is time to redress some of that balance and make public spending more comprehensive, focusing not just on health services but on care, and not just on spending by national government but by local government too. The King's Fund

The bigger picture: learning from two decades of changing NHS care in England

The bigger picture: learning from two decades of changing NHS care in England This report looks back at how NHS care in England has changed over the last two decades. It finds a disconnect between the way services have developed and the changing health needs of the population. It finds that, while the volume of health care delivered grew substantially, growth varied significantly across different services. The Health Foundation

COVID-19 is magnifying inequalities and “risks turning fault lines into chasms” – focus now must be on shaping a health and care system that delivers for everyone

COVID-19 is magnifying inequalities and “risks turning fault lines into chasms” – focus now must be on shaping a health and care system that delivers for everyone The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England looks at the quality of care over the past year. This includes the period before the full impact of COVID-19 began to be felt and CQC’s routine inspections were suspended as a result of the pandemic.

See also:

• The King’s Fund response to Care Quality Commission's State of care report The King's Fund
• England's 'fragile' care sector needs immediate reform, says regulator The Guardian

How will Brexit affect the UK’s response to coronavirus?

How will Brexit affect the UK’s response to coronavirus? This briefing considers how leaving the single market might affect UK health and social care services in the short term as they try to deal with coronavirus while maintaining normal services. It also looks at what difference a deal might make, and the options that the UK and the EU have. Nuffield Trust

Day surgery for children and young people

Day surgery for children and young people This report highlights the specific needs of children and young people undergoing day surgery, outlining pre- and post-operative aspects of care and preparation, parental involvement and facilitating discharge. Royal College of Nursing

Heart failure: a blueprint for change

Heart failure: a blueprint for change This report reveals that prior to lockdown, UK hospital admissions for heart failure had risen by nearly a third over the last five years to more than 100,000 per year. It suggests that this could partly due to missed opportunities to diagnose and treat people with the condition before they become more unwell and need to be admitted to hospital. It concludes that disjointed and unequal care, likely exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, is leading to more people dying with heart failure. British Heart Foundation

Living with Covid-19

Living with Covid-19 A dynamic review of the evidence around ongoing Covid19 symptoms (often called Long Covid).

This rapid and dynamic review draws on the lived experience of patients and expert consensus as well as published evidence to better understand the impact of ongoing effects of Covid19, how health and social care services should respond, and what future research questions might be. National Institute for Health Research

Local COVID-19 alert level update: 15 October 2020

Local COVID-19 alert level update: 15 October 2020 The following areas will move from local COVID alert level: medium to local COVID alert level: high from Saturday. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Full list of local COVID alert levels by area Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): looking after people who lack mental capacity Department of Health and Social Care
• Transparency data: DCMO coronavirus briefing, situation report 14 to 15 October 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England

Covid restrictions: Matt Hancock says 'things will get worse before they get better'

Covid restrictions: Matt Hancock says 'things will get worse before they get better' The Health Secretary has announced that tougher Tier 2 Covid measures will come into force in London, Essex, York and other areas.

Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that the measures are "vital" to deal with the pandemic, and the decision to bring them in was made "with a heavy heart". BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Is Sweden getting it right? BBC News
• Circuit breaker lockdown: What is a circuit breaker? BBC News
• Coronavirus testing lab 'chaotic and dangerous', scientist claims BBC News
• Coronavirus: Remdesivir has 'little effect' on death risks, says WHO The Daily Mail
• AstraZeneca took ONE MONTH to give the FDA vaccine trial data after the study was paused The Daily Mail
• Test and Trace records another worst-ever performance as just 63% of contacts reached The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Agency staff are STILL working in multiple homes The Daily Mail
• Chinese coronavirus vaccine candidate safe, early results suggest The Daily Telegraph
• Leaking vials supplied for NHS test and trace, say whistleblowers The Guardian
• Liverpool Covid admissions will 'devastate' other hospital care The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Test and trace system ‘rendered ineffective’ by rate of infections, government scientific advisers believe The Independent
• Coronavirus: UK cases rise to 673,622, with 138 more deaths The Independent
• Exclusive: NHS in discussions with BMA and others around December Covid vaccine programme Pulse

Lack of mental health help: 'I felt nobody cares'

Lack of mental health help: 'I felt nobody cares' The number of under-18s getting NHS help for mental health issues in England nearly halved in the first two months of lockdown.

Young people who weren't able to get support say they felt like they "didn't really matter".

Lucy, who's 17, says she she didn't know where to go for help.

The number of people in England referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) dropped 47% in April and May, compared with last year. BBC News

Baby loss: 'Being a black woman the odds were stacked against me'

Baby loss: 'Being a black woman the odds were stacked against me' Genelle Aldred was 19 when her baby girl Sade-Rose was still born in 2002 and felt because of her age and ethnicity the "odds were stacked against her".

She believes racial bias within the maternity care sector played a role in her daughter's death as she was not listened to when she said she was not feeling well and saw seven midwives in one week.

According to research at Queen Mary's University Hospital in London, black babies are twice as likely to be stillborn compared to white babies. BBC News

Parents win six-year battle for truth after NHS 'cover-up' of son's death

Parents win six-year battle for truth after NHS 'cover-up' of son's death The parents of a three-year-old boy whose death was part of an alleged NHS cover-up have won a six year battle for the truth about how he died.

Shropshire coroner John Ellery backed the parents of three-year-old Jonnie Meek in a second inquest into his death on Thursday and rejected evidence from nurses about what happened at Stafford Hospital in August 2014. The Independent

Second Covid-19 death in six days is confirmed at Kettering General Hospital

Second Covid-19 death in six days is confirmed at Kettering General Hospital NHS England has confirmed a second Covid-19 patient has died at Kettering General Hospital in the space of six days. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Volunteer befriending phone line extended until April in Northamptonshire as 788 calls are made during pandemic

Volunteer befriending phone line extended until April in Northamptonshire as 788 calls are made during pandemic The welfare call service was supported by just three volunteers who make calls to patients and service users in need of emotional wellbeing support at the start of the pandemic.

Northamptonshire Healthcare's welfare call service has been extended to deliver befriending support in the county. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

It is time to put trust, transparency and fair value at the centre of digital health and care

It is time to put trust, transparency and fair value at the centre of digital health and care Health data has the potential to change health and care provision, but it also reveals some of the most personal information about ourselves. Emerging examples demonstrate a remarkable potential for data to give new insights that enable service improvements, such as better understanding the unmet need in universal childhood vision screening, enabling blood cancer treatment to be tailored, and training AI software potentially improving detection of eye disease. The King's Fund

England, Wales and Scotland among nations with highest death toll from pandemic

England, Wales and Scotland among nations with highest death toll from pandemic England, Wales and Scotland had among the highest rate of deaths from all causes, including COVID-19, as a result of the first wave of the pandemic.

This is the finding of an international study, led by Imperial College London

See also:

• Magnitude, demographics and dynamics of the effect of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on all-cause mortality in 21 industrialized countries (open access) Nature Medicine

Health equals wealth: the global longevity dividend

Health equals wealth: the global longevity dividend This report (launched ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting) looks at the significant, and growing, economic contributions of older people across the G20. It argues that leveraging the economic contributions of older people will be instrumental in the global post-pandemic recovery, and that addressing health barriers to spending, working, caring and volunteering for longer can unlock a significant ‘longevity dividend’. The analysis finds that countries that spend more on health as a proportion of GDP see higher employment participation, volunteering, and spending by older people. Furthermore, increasing preventative health spending by just 0.1 per cent is associated with a nine per cent increase in annual spending by people aged 60 and over. International Longevity Centre UK

Guidance: COVID-19: reducing transmission – what you can do to help

Guidance: COVID-19: reducing transmission – what you can do to help Advice on how you can help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). Public Health England

See also:

• Research and analysis: COVID-19: impact on vaccination programmes Public Health England

Covid: NHS staff testing 'dismantled' in virus hotspots

Covid: NHS staff testing 'dismantled' in virus hotspots A number of NHS trusts stood down in-house coronavirus testing for staff in the summer, ahead of a surge in virus cases, a health leaders' body says.

This followed assurances from government about the capacity of the centralised system, says NHS Providers.

But it left some staff, including in virus hotspots, unable to access testing when the national system came under strain earlier in the autumn. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Vaccine should be widely available ‘next year’ BBC News
• Covid: Two-week circuit breaker 'may halve deaths', report says BBC News
• Covid-19: Talks continue over new restrictions for parts of England BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Long Covid could be four different syndromes' BBC News
• London due to move from Covid Tier 1 to Tier 2 BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Infected to be sent from hospital back to care homes The Daily Mail
• NHS hospitals in England are cancelling operations to make way for a surge in coronavirus patients The Daily Mail
• PHE told peers on September 15 that UK 'on same trajectory as Germany' The Daily Mail
• What is a 'circuit breaker' lockdown, and how could it help curb rising Covid-19 cases? The Daily Telegraph
• NHS staff in northern England 'exhausted' amid second wave fears The Guardian
• Ministers and north of England leaders clash over further Covid restrictions The Guardian
• Hospitals battle coronavirus outbreaks as workforce shortages drive cancellation fears The Independent
• Second COVID wave will be '10 times harder' for the NHS, says CEO OnMedica

East Kent Hospitals: 'Toxic culture risks patients' lives'

East Kent Hospitals: 'Toxic culture risks patients' lives' A "toxic culture" at a troubled NHS trust is risking patients' lives, say several current and former staff.

Managers and medics have told BBC News that people are fearful of speaking up amid a bullying, blame culture at the East Kent Hospitals Trust. BBC News

Down's syndrome language: 'No-one meant anything hurtful"

Down's syndrome language: 'No-one meant anything hurtful' A mother of a young boy with Down's syndrome is helping to teach people about appropriate language. BBC News

NHS trust apologises after dementia patient, 77, was 'restrained on 19 occasions at hospital

NHS trust apologises after dementia patient, 77, was 'restrained on 19 occasions at hospital An NHS trust has apologised unreservedly to a patient and his family amid accusations that he was restrained on 19 occasions so staff could forcibly treat him.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust said care for the man 'fell far short' of what patients should expect. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Kent NHS trust apologises after patient was forcibly restrained by staff 19 times ITV News

Pleas to Northamptonshire residents to 'play their part' as Covid restrictions remain unchanged

 Pleas to Northamptonshire residents to 'play their part' as Covid restrictions remain unchanged ‘Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’ says Northamptonshire’s top Public Health boss following lockdown announcement.

As the country enters the next phase of tackling coronavirus with a new lockdown system, the message from the local health authority is clear. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• The government has launched a new postcode checker for coronavirus restrictions - how to use it Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Vulnerable people don’t need to go back to shielding yet - this is the updated advice based on the tier where you live Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Children told to self-isolate after Covid case at Barton Seagrave school Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Finedon club to pay penalty after two Covid breaches Northamptonshire Telegraph

How should general practice be preparing for winter?

How should general practice be preparing for winter? In the early days of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the call to 'protect the NHS' was very much focused on preventing hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. As we enter winter facing a second wave of the pandemic, ensuring the hospital system is resilient enough to endure another crisis will be key. But as we’ve said before, NHS resilience is so much more than hospital beds. The King's Fund

State of the nation 2020: children and young people’s wellbeing

State of the nation 2020: children and young people’s wellbeing This report collates published evidence on the wellbeing in children and young people over the period of March to August 2020, including: statistics on the personal wellbeing of children and young people in England and the UK; a wider set of indicators on their; relationships; health; education and skills; personal finance; activities; and where they live. Department for Education

Stories of shielding: life in the pandemic for those with health and care needs

Stories of shielding: life in the pandemic for those with health and care needs When lockdown began, Local Voices created a digital platform - Our Covid Voices - for people with health and care needs to share their experiences of the impact of the the pandemic. This provided the unfiltered views and stories from people at great risk of all the effects of the pandemic, including anxiety, uncertainty and changes to their care. Also their relationships, their jobs and dealing with the everyday aspects of life in the pandemic. This report is a compliation of the contributions to help inform any decisions taken in the future regarding the way their needs are addressed. National Voices

Levelling up communities

Levelling up communities The Covid Recovery Commission was formed in July 2020. The independent Commission brings together some of the UK’s most prominent business figures and entrepreneurs. The Commission will release three short papers before the end of 2020 and a final report in February 2021.

This first report presents the Commission’s initial analysis on how inequality impacts on individuals, neighbourhoods and communities right across the UK and how these inequalities have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It argues that a new approach to levelling up is needed to tackle these inequalities. This should focus on local impacts and use a comprehensive strategy, wider than simply rebalancing economic fortunes, to ensure the UK economy and society is fairer post-Covid-19, than it was before.

Cutting-edge treatments to be fast-tracked to patients through international collaborations

Cutting-edge treatments to be fast-tracked to patients through international collaborations The UK will join the USA, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore and Brazil to speed up the approval of innovative medicines. Department of Health and Social Care

Clinically extremely vulnerable receive updated advice tailored to local COVID alert levels

Clinically extremely vulnerable receive updated advice tailored to local COVID alert levels Clinically extremely vulnerable people in England will receive new guidance to help them reduce their risk from coronavirus, tailored to where they live. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19 surveillance Department of Health and Social Care
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England

Covid-19: New three-tier restrictions come into force in England

Covid-19: New three-tier restrictions come into force in England The new three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions has begun in England.

Most of the country is in the lowest tier - medium - but millions of people in the North and the Midlands face extra curbs on households mixing.

The Liverpool region is the only area to be under the toughest rules, with pubs and bars not serving meals closed. BBC News

See also:

• Covid Sage documents: What was the evidence and what happened? BBC News
• Shielding not needed yet, despite rising Covid rate BBC News
• Covid 19: Care home visitor scheme to be piloted in England BBC News
• Coronavirus: Patient has sudden permanent hearing loss BBC News
• Trial to test if Vitamin D protects against Covid BBC News
• Covid-19 deaths continue to creep up with 321 victims in England and Wales last week The Daily Mail
• What the SAGE scientists REALLY told Boris Johnson: 10pm pubs curfew won't work The Daily Mail
• Just 2% of Britons are getting Covid-19 test results within a day, data shows The Daily Mail
• Up to ONE-THIRD of people believe unproven theories that the coronavirus was made in a Chinese lab The Daily Mail
• What has gone wrong with England's Covid test-and-trace system? The Guardian
• 'Operation Moonshot': doubts over UK's Covid test ambitions after trial scaled back The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Surge in UK cases makes decision on Oxford vaccine more likely before end of year, says trial director The Independent
• Coronavirus: Liverpool intensive care units '90% full' as city braces for second wave The Independent
• Winter pressures and Covid surge 'causing concern' for NHS staff ITV News

NHS app updated to 'fix' phantom messages

NHS app updated to 'fix' phantom messages The NHS Covid-19 app has been updated to fix an issue with confusing alerts that pop up suggesting exposure to the virus and then disappear.

Users have complained that the notifications are scary and confusing. BBC News

Migrants denied NHS care for average of 37 weeks, research finds

Migrants denied NHS care for average of 37 weeks, research finds Report finds hospital charged destitute anti-FGM campaigner with brain tumour £8,397 for initial treatment

Migrants who need NHS care are being denied treatment for an average of 37 weeks, despite suffering from conditions such as cancer, heart problems or kidney failure, according to research.

One in three end up waiting between six and 12 months, some face even longer delays and in one case a woman with a serious heart complaint could not access care for more than four years, a report found. The Guardian

Parents shocked to learn of maternity failings at ‘inadequate’ hospital unit

 Parents shocked to learn of maternity failings at ‘inadequate’ hospital unit The parents of a baby boy who suffered brain damage at a maternity unit criticised by regulators say they fear more babies could have been harmed.

Basildon University Hospital’s maternity services were rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission in August after inspectors identified a cluster of babies who were starved of oxygen during birth and put at risk of brain damage. The Independent

Let's give Boris' three-tier scheme time to see if it works, says Northamptonshire's Public Health chief

 Let's give Boris' three-tier scheme time to see if it works, says Northamptonshire's Public Health chief Northamptonshire's Public Health chief says it's time to stick not twist over the latest Covid-19 restrictions...for now.

The county is rated "medium risk" — the lowest — in Boris Johnson's three-tier system announced on Monday with national restrictions and recommendations staying the same. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Government reveals which tier Northamptonshire falls into on new Covid alert levels Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Two siblings test positive for Covid-19 at South Northamptonshire school Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid-19 case at Irthlingborough school Northamptonshire Telegraph
• How the three-tier alert system will work across England Northamptonshire Telegraph

New state-of-the-art medical centre to open next month in Brackley

New state-of-the-art medical centre to open next month in Brackley Brackley Medical Centre and Community Hospital in Wellington Road will include a GP surgery featuring 16 consulting and treatment rooms and a dedicated urgent care unit. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Reducing health inequalities for people living with frailty: a resource for commissioners, service providers and health, care and support staff

Reducing health inequalities for people living with frailty: a resource for commissioners, service providers and health, care and support staff This report aims to share practical recommendations and examples of how commissioners, service providers and health, care and support staff can overcome barriers to health care for people at greater risk of frailty, including people experiencing deprivation, people who are homeless, people experiencing substance misuse, people with learning disabilities, LGBT people, people with mental health needs, people from Gypsy and Traveller communities, and vulnerable migrants.

It offers insights on how services can work in collaborative, holistic and inclusive ways to reduce health inequalities for people living with frailty, and offer patients the support needed to manage the condition long-term. Friends, Families and Travellers

Avoidable natural deaths in prison custody: putting things right

Avoidable natural deaths in prison custody: putting things right This report, written in collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing, sets out proposals to reduce the number of preventable natural deaths in prisons. It identifies how natural deaths occurring in prison might be prevented, where possible, and end of life care managed with dignity and compassion. Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody

World Menopause Day 2020

World Menopause Day 2020 Access our resources to promote understanding of menopause in the workplace.

World Menopause Day takes place 18 October 2020.

Studies have shown that menopause symptoms can have a significant impact on attendance and performance in the workplace, which makes menopause not just a female issue, but an organisational issue.

With just under one million women working in the NHS, reducing the stigma attached to the menopause is vital so that more people will talk openly about it. NHS Employers

PM Commons statement on coronavirus: 12 October 2020

PM Commons statement on coronavirus: 12 October 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement on coronavirus to the House of Commons. Prime Minister's Office

See also:

• Detailed guide: Local COVID alert levels: what you need to know Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Local COVID Alert Level: Very High Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Local COVID Alert level: High Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Local COVID Alert level: Medium Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Full list of local COVID alert levels by area Department of Health and Social Care
• Statutory guidance: Local authority powers to impose restrictions under coronavirus regulations Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Sage scientists called for short lockdown weeks ago

Covid: Sage scientists called for short lockdown weeks ago The government's scientific advisers called for a short lockdown in England to halt the spread of Covid-19 last month, newly released documents show.

The experts said an immediate "circuit breaker" was the best way to control cases, at a meeting on 21 September.

Labour called the document "alarming" but No 10 says it took "robust" action. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Are we still listening to the science? BBC News
• Coronavirus: What is the Covid tier lockdown system in England? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Ethnic-minority vaccine volunteers needed BBC News
• Coronavirus: WHO head calls herd immunity approach 'immoral' BBC News
• Covid care: 'It is very serious and it is very real' BBC News
• The dogs trained to sniff out Covid-19 BBC News
• US pauses Covid vaccine trial due to ill volunteer BBC News
• Professor Jonathan Van-Tam: North of England never squashed Covid-19 outbreak properly The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: 13,972 new cases and 50 deaths as daily toll rises The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 infection rates at universities are up to SEVEN TIMES higher than in local cities The Daily Mail
• UK Covid-19 cases and deaths: how the UK is coping with a second wave The Daily Telegraph
• Ministers told weeks ago to impose short lockdown or face 'large epidemic' The Guardian
• Boris Johnson’s latest Covid strategy: no hope and no end in sight The Guardian
• Liverpool hospitals cut back on operations to cope with Covid-19 rise The Guardian
• Analysis: Can hospitals cope with a second wave of Covid-19? The Independent
• Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine trial paused after participant’s ‘unexplained illness’ The Independent

Covid reinfection: Man gets Covid twice and second hit 'more severe'

Covid reinfection: Man gets Covid twice and second hit 'more severe' A man in the United States has caught Covid twice, with the second infection becoming far more dangerous than the first, doctors report.

The 25-year-old needed hospital treatment after his lungs could not get enough oxygen into his body.

Reinfections remain rare and he has now recovered. BBC News

See also:

• Genomic evidence for reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: a case study (open access) Lancet Infectious Diseases
• Nevada man, 25, contracted coronavirus twice in 48 days and was SICKER during his second bout The Daily Mail
• Man caught Covid-19 twice and second infection 'was more severe' The Daily Telegraph
• Despite the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, cases of reinfection aren’t what they seem The Independent

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

Research on understanding LGBT employee networks published

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

Building a resilient state: a collection of essays

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

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

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

Providers deliver: resilient and resourceful through Covid-19

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

Covid: Pressure building in UK hospitals

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

Flu jab 'essential' for pregnant women this winter

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

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

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

How is the plan for 48 hospitals going?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The long shadow of deprivation: differences in opportunities across England

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

Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports

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

Speech to NHS Providers

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

What has happened to England's seven Nightingale hospitals?

What has happened to England's seven Nightingale hospitals? Most of the hastily constructed Covid centres have never had a patient, with some repurposed.

Seven Nightingale hospitals built to cope with the feared pressures on the NHS in England from the first Covid-19 wave remain on standby, albeit in some cases repurposed or having been considered for alternative use. The Guardian

East Kent maternity scandal: Hospital prosecuted over death of seven day old baby

East Kent maternity scandal: Hospital prosecuted over death of seven day old baby A scandal-hit NHS trust is being prosecuted over the death of a baby in its care, in the first case of its kind.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced on Friday that it is prosecuting East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust over the death of Harry Richford. The Daily Telegraph

NHS cancer wait times drop to a 10-year low, 'extremely worrying' figures reveal

NHS cancer wait times drop to a 10-year low, 'extremely worrying' figures reveal Some 87.8 per cent of 170,000 patients in England suspected to have cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks of referral- the lowest since records began in October 2009. The Daily Mail

Research paper suggests 4,000 Northamptonshire lives were saved by lockdown measures

Research paper suggests 4,000 Northamptonshire lives were saved by lockdown measures The Covid-19 national lockdown possibly saved 4,000 lives in Northamptonshire according to an early research paper looking into how the virus spreads. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid-19 mortality rates in Northamptonshire UK: initial sub-regional comparisons and provisional SEIR model of disease spread (open access preprint) MedRxiv
• Northamptonshire left crunching the numbers after NHS test and trace blunder Northamptonshire Telegraph
•  Here's which local areas of Northamptonshire has seen the most new Covid-19 cases in the last week Northamptonshire Telegraph

Laying foundations: Attitudes and access to mental health nurse education

Laying foundations: Attitudes and access to mental health nurse education Mental health nursing is a vital and varied profession, accounting for over a third of the mental health workforce in England. Yet the numbers choosing to study to join the profession are unable to meet sharply rising demand. This major new report, commissioned by NHS Employers and the Mental Health Network, looks at ways more people might be attracted to apply to study mental health nursing – and reasons why numbers are currently limited. Nuffield Trust 

See also:

• Mental health nurse education: perceptions, access and the pandemic Nuffield Trust

So what now?: supporting students through a global pandemic and beyond

So what now?: supporting students through a global pandemic and beyond This report finds that many student midwives are struggling under the weight of financial concerns, poor mental health and an unpredictable job market. It finds that 96 per cent of student midwives reported having mild or moderate mental health problems since the pandemic began. The survey shows that by the end of July just 36 per cent of students in their final year of midwifery training had been offered a job in the NHS. At the same time, midwifery educator numbers are not keeping pace with the rise in student midwife numbers, potentially leaving students less supported throughout their training. Royal College of Midwives

Project reset in emergency medicine: patient FIRST

Project reset in emergency medicine: patient FIRST This toolkit shares practical examples from emergency department staff to help trusts harness the learning from the Covid-19 pandemic. The resource focuses on five key areas: flow, infection control, reduced emergency department attendances, staffing and treatment. Care Quality Commission

Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of NHS care in England

Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of NHS care in England Providing equal access to healthcare to all solely on the basis of need was a founding principle of the NHS. Despite this, large differences persist in the amount of care used by people living in different areas and with different backgrounds. At this event we explored the findings of new IFS work outlining what has happened to educational inequalities in health care in England since 2002-03. Institute for Fiscal Studies

Third year of industry progress to reduce sugar published

Third year of industry progress to reduce sugar published Public Health England publishes third annual report on industry action to reduce sugar levels in products that contribute most to children’s sugar intakes.

See also:

• Research and analysis: Sugar reduction: report on progress between 2015 and 2019 Public Health England
• Sugar reduction in food well below target of 20% BBC News
• What is England's sugar target and why has the food industry missed it? The Guardian
• Only 3% sugar cut out from food products in three years, PHE finds The Guardian 

NHS to offer ‘long covid’ sufferers help at specialist centres

NHS to offer ‘long covid’ sufferers help at specialist centres People suffering ‘long covid’ symptoms will be offered specialist help at clinics across England, the head of the NHS announced today. Respiratory consultants, physiotherapists, other specialists and GPs will all help assess, diagnose and treat thousands of sufferers who have reported symptoms ranging from breathlessness, chronic fatigue, “brain fog”, anxiety and stress. NHS England 

Covid deaths three times greater than flu in 2020

Covid deaths three times greater than flu in 2020 Three times as many people have died from Covid-19 than from flu and pneumonia in England and Wales this year, according to official figures.

Between January and August 2020, there were 48,168 deaths due to Covid-19 compared to 13,600 from pneumonia. Only 394 were due to flu. 

The Office for National Statistics analysis looked at the underlying cause of death. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: How A&E is coping in the pandemic BBC News
• Coronavirus: Thousands still missing out on vital NHS care BBC News
• Covid: New restrictions for England likely next week  BBC News
• Coronavirus: Health experts join global anti-lockdown movement BBC News
• Almost 90% of coronavirus-infected patients DON'T have any symptoms The Daily Mail
• Downing Street rejects anti-lockdown petition by scientists calling for coronavirus herd immunity The Daily Mail
• Covid vaccine 'rolled out NEXT MONTH with tens of thousands getting jab every day by Christmas' The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Government’s Test and Trace reaches lowest ever proportion of close contacts The Independent
• Coronavirus: 86% of people who tested positive did not have cough, fever or loss of taste or smell, new study shows The Independent

'No more clapping': Boris Johnson must pay nurses fairly, union leader pleads

 'No more clapping': Boris Johnson must pay nurses fairly, union leader pleads Boris Johnson is facing fresh demands to pay nurses fairly, with the leader of the UK’s nursing union calling on the government to reward frontline staff for their efforts during the pandemic - rather than showering them with “claps, or medals or pin badges”.

The prime minister has not yet entered into discussions with NHS bosses over pay rises sought by health unions since July, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The Independent

Court hears children cannot consent to puberty blockers

Court hears children cannot consent to puberty blockers NHS trust sued over UK’s only gender identity development service for children

The argument that children can give informed consent to the prescription of puberty blockers is a “fairy tale”, the high court has been told. The Guardian

World Mental Health Day: Where you can get mental health support 24/7

World Mental Health Day: Where you can get mental health support 24/7 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust partnered with mental health charity, Mind, to launch a mental health support number for Northamptonshire residents.

Anyone in Northamptonshire can receive mental health support by calling one number at any time - 0800 448 0828. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northampton bar fined after 'string of breaches' against Covid restrictions

 Northampton bar fined after 'string of breaches' against Covid restrictions A bar in Northampton has been fined after failing to comply with the Government's Covid-19 restrictions.

Jimmy's Sports Bar in Harlestone Road, St James has been served with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice after several visits from Environmental Health Officers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

See also:

• Kettering CCTV monitoring shoppers and bus passengers' face mask compliance Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Face masks become less effective in the rain - here’s what experts are saying Northamptonshire Telegraph

Two-fifths of patients waiting for mental health treatment forced to resort to emergency or crisis services

Two-fifths of patients waiting for mental health treatment forced to resort to emergency or crisis services  Two-fifths of patients waiting for mental health treatment contact emergency or crisis services, with one-in-nine (11%) ending up in A&E, research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists has found.

A Savanta ComRes poll of 513 British adults diagnosed with a mental illness also reveals the damaging consequences that hidden waiting lists - the wait between referral and second appointments – have on the lives of patients living with severe or common mental illness.

See also:

• One in four waiting three months or more for mental health help The Guardian

Pandemic fatigue: Reinvigorating the public to prevent COVID-19

Pandemic fatigue: Reinvigorating the public to prevent COVID-19 Despite documented public support for pandemic response strategies across the WHO European Region, Member States are reporting signs of pandemic fatigue in their populations – here defined as demotivation to follow recommended protective behaviours, emerging gradually over time and affected by a number of emotions, experiences and perceptions.

This document provides a framework for the planning and implementation of national and subnational strategies to maintain and reinvigorate public support to prevent COVID-19. World Health Organization Europe

See also:

• Coronavirus: Europe experiencing 'pandemic fatigue' BBC News

The Chancellor’s post-pandemic choices

The Chancellor’s post-pandemic choices This briefing uses historical data and analysis to identify those policies that could maximise government revenue growth following the coronavirus crisis. It includes an analysis of public finances. Institute of Economic Affairs

Government invests in UK-developed antibody tests from UK Rapid Test Consortium

Government invests in UK-developed antibody tests from UK Rapid Test Consortium The government has signed a deal with the UK-RTC for 1 million antibody tests, Health Minister Lord Bethell has announced.

The home antibody tests will be rolled out as part of the government’s COVID-19 surveillance studies to help build a picture of how the virus has spread across the country and further develop our understanding of how antibodies work. Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19: NHS tests threatened by Roche supply chain failing

Covid-19: NHS tests threatened by Roche supply chain failing Coronavirus swabs and other key NHS tests for conditions including cancer are under threat, after a supply chain failure at a major diagnostics company.

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche said problems with a move to a new warehouse had led to a "very significant" drop in its processing capacity.

A spokesperson said Covid-19 tests would be prioritised, but it could take two weeks to fix the issue. BBC News

See also:

• Covid hospital cases jump 25% in a day in England BBC News
• Covid can be airborne, US CDC guidelines now say BBC News
• East Kent Hospitals Trust: Covid-19 practice failings revealed by inspection BBC News
• Coronavirus: Scientists to map hospital spread BBC News
• Why Scotland isn't faring much better than England despite Nicola Sturgeon's 'zero-Covid' approach The Daily Telegraph
• UK to buy 1m antibody home tests despite accuracy concerns The Guardian
• UK government 'thwarting independent labs' efforts to step up Covid-19 testing' The Guardian
• Global shortage of key Covid drug leads to NHS rationing The Guardian
• Ingenuity in a crisis: how Covid forced NHS trusts to innovate The Guardian
• Further restrictions may be needed to protect NHS, expert warns The Independent

Nearly half of NHS Trusts reported risks classified as ‘significant’, Labour analysis shows

Nearly half of NHS Trusts reported risks classified as ‘significant’, Labour analysis shows Almost half of NHS Trusts in England have reported risks classified as “significant” or “extreme”, with issues facing funding, buildings and failing equipment, according to an analysis by Labour.

Highlighting warnings of staff shortages and patient safety, the party demanded urgent action from the government to prepare the health service for the winter months as cases of Covid-19 accelerate across the country. The Independent

NHS in England cannot cope without more funds, PM told

NHS in England cannot cope without more funds, PM told Boris Johnson urged to abandon ‘have our cake and eat it’ approach and recognise pressures on health service.

Boris Johnson has been warned he must give the NHS more money and not pursue a “have our cake and eat it” policy of thinking it can deliver Covid care within existing budgets.

The plea came from Chris Hopson, the leader of England’s hospital bosses, who said the extra £20.5bn the NHS was promised in 2018 was no longer enough to let it do its job. The Guardian

Thousands of patients affected by GP surgery closures, figures show

 Thousands of patients affected by GP surgery closures, figures show An estimated 350,000 patients were forced to move to a new GP surgery over the past year due to closures, figures suggest.

Data obtained by Pulse Healthcare under Freedom of Information laws shows 99 GP surgeries were closed in the UK throughout 2019, down from 138 the year before. The Independent

See also:

• Further practice closures cannot be ruled out if the pressures facing general practice are not addressed, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

IT worker, 23, sues NHS gender clinic that gave her puberty-blocking drugs

IT worker, 23, sues NHS gender clinic that gave her puberty-blocking drugs An IT engineer put on puberty blockers as a 16-year-old girl has claimed a gender clinic failed to carry out a proper psychiatric assessment before giving them to her.

Keira Bell, 23, of Manchester, who is taking legal action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust in London, suffered from gender dysphoria as a child. The Daily Mail