Consultation on the appointment and operation of the Patient Safety Commissioner

Consultation on the appointment and operation of the Patient Safety Commissioner This consultation seeks views and any comments from those who may be affected or have a particular interest in the set up and functions of the new Patient Safety Commissioner for England. It closes on 5 August 2021.  Department of Health and Social Care

UK and US agree new partnership to fight future pandemics and tackle health inequalities

UK and US agree new partnership to fight future pandemics and tackle health inequalities Landmark partnership agreed by UK Health Security Agency and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen global response to future pandemics. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Transparency data: Coronavirus England briefing, 10 June 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• Weekly national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Public Health England
• COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report published Public Health England

Five things Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs

Five things Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has answered questions about his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in front of a committee of MPs. BBC News

See also: 

• UK to donate more than 100m surplus vaccine doses, says PM BBC News
• Covid-19: Vaccines minister says a 'big effort' is needed to vaccinate the world BBC News
• Covid-19 UK: Britain DID simulate a coronavirus pandemic but health chiefs WON'T say how it went The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus is detectable next to the beds of COVID-19 patients - but surface transmission is rare The Daily Mail
• COVID-19 vaccines ARE effective in cancer patients: Study finds 94% of patients developed antibodies The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Indian variant now makes up 91% of all cases, Matt Hancock warns The Daily Mail
• Matt Hancock pledges to hand over any advice on discharges to care homes The Guardian
• Hancock tells MPs: Cummings’ lack of evidence is ‘telling’ The Guardian
• Fingered for failings he’d forgotten, Matt Hancock wriggles free The Guardian
• Eleven pandemic exercises were carried out before Covid, government admits The Independent
• NHS told to identify patients actually sick from Covid-19 separately to those testing positive The Independent

Monkeypox: Two cases identified in north Wales

Monkeypox: Two cases identified in north Wales There have been two cases of monkeypox identified in north Wales, health officials have said.

Public Health Wales (PHW) said the initial case was acquired overseas and both cases were identified in two people from the same household.

Monitoring and contact tracing is taking place and the risk to the general public is very low, PHW added. BBC News

See also: 

• Monkeypox: What is disease detected in UK and what are the symptoms? The Independent

England is on track to completely ELIMINATE the transmission of HIV by 2030, research suggests

England is on track to completely ELIMINATE the transmission of HIV by 2030, research suggests England is on track to have completely eliminated the transmission of HIV by 2030, a promising new study has revealed.

The annual number of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in England fell from 2,770 in 2013 to 854 in 2018, according to the new research. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Tracking elimination of HIV transmission in men who have sex with men in England: a modelling study (open access) The Lancet HIV
• England on track to achieve elimination of HIV transmission by 2030 as model shows sharp decrease in HIV incidence University of Cambridge

The unlikely beginnings of the 'radical' rainbow NHS badge – and why LGBT+ allyship is still sorely needed in healthcare

The unlikely beginnings of the 'radical' rainbow NHS badge – and why LGBT+ allyship is still sorely needed in healthcare As far as symbols go, there are few more powerful than the Pride flag – but the iconic blue and white lettering of the NHS certainly comes close. Pink News 

Kettering General Hospital rebuild could face delays, MP warns

Kettering General Hospital rebuild could face delays, MP warns The £400m redevelopment of a NHS hospital could face delays unless two separate projects are combined, an MP has warned.

Kettering General Hospital was awarded £46m for a new urgent care hub with £350m to follow for refurbishment.

Philip Hollobone, the town's MP, said the money should be released earlier so the work can happen at the same time. BBC Northampton

Warning of dental timebomb facing north Northants

Warning of dental timebomb facing north Northants A two-year wait to see a dentist - that's the reality for some NHS dental patients; even those who are lucky enough to be registered with a practice.

Places available for NHS contracted dental care in North Northamptonshire are hard to come by with people scrambling for spaces at surgeries. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Exploring Freedom to Speak Up: Supporting the introduction of the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role in Primary Care and Integrated Settings

Exploring Freedom to Speak Up: Supporting the introduction of the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role in Primary Care and Integrated Settings A new report from National Guardian’s Office finds that Primary Care providers need further support to implement Freedom to Speak Up effectively.

It illustrates the challenges and benefits of implementing Freedom to Speak Up in different primary care settings.

The protection of personal data in health information systems: principles and processes for public health

The protection of personal data in health information systems: principles and processes for public health Public health institutions are increasingly required to balance fundamental rights and data protection principles. To address this, WHO Europe has released these easy-to-implement guidelines to allow any organisation in public health to increase its level of data protection compliance. World Health Organization

Anne Longfield appointed by NHS to help transform care of children and young people with a learning disability and autism

Anne Longfield appointed by NHS to help transform care of children and young people with a learning disability and autism The NHS has appointed former Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield OBE to help transform the care of children and young people with a learning disability and autism.

As the new independent chair of the Learning Disability and Autism Children and Young People’s Steering Group, Anne will champion the rights of children and young people to ensure they get the support they need at the right time and work closely with the Ministerial led ‘Building the Right Support Board’. NHS England

100,000 help shape Women’s Health Strategy with more urged to come forward before close

100,000 help shape Women’s Health Strategy with more urged to come forward before close Women from under-represented groups urged to respond to government’s call for evidence to shape the future of women’s healthcare.

Women from Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those living in the Midlands and East of England and women between 16 and 18 years old and those over-50 are being urged to respond to the government’s call for evidence. Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Everyone can see hospitalisations going up, says PM

Covid: Everyone can see hospitalisations going up, says PM Boris Johnson says it is clear that Covid cases are rising and hospitalisations increasing, as a decision on 21 June unlocking looms.

Official figures show more than 1,000 people in the UK are currently in hospital with the disease.

The PM said he needed to assess the extent to which the vaccine rollout has built up protection in the population before progressing with the roadmap. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: As Matt Hancock faces grilling, what are key questions for him? BBC News
• Travellers at mercy of rogue testing firms, says Which? BBC News
• Covid: How is Europe lifting lockdown restrictions? BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Neil Ferguson warns SAGE needs 'two to three weeks' more data The Daily Mail
• Birmingham may face tougher travel guidance and surge testing due to Indian variant, experts say The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: NHS 'can cope' with Indian variant if other areas have outbreaks similar to Bolton The Daily Mail
• Will England's Covid restrictions be lifted on June 21 - and when will it be announced? The Daily Telegraph
• Sage modelling warns of risk of ‘substantial’ Covid third wave The Guardian
• Secret planning exercise in 2016 modelled impact of Mers outbreak in UK The Guardian
• Matt Hancock ‘was warned of Covid care home risk in March 2020’ The Guardian
• MPs demand proof of Hancock claims from Dominic Cummings The Guardian
• ‘Intensity’ of Delta importations from overseas set UK on course for sharp rise in Covid cases, say experts The Independent
• NHS hospitals told to protect staff working in PPE during warm weather amid heat stress warning The Independent

Nadine Dorries says women should stand up to doctors

Nadine Dorries says women should stand up to doctors Health minister Nadine Dorries wants women to feel they can demand different treatment, if they are unhappy with how medical staff are looking after them.

Ms Dorries, who deals with patient safety, suicide prevention and mental health, said she was "very aware" women faced inequalities in healthcare.

She said unconscious biases against women had "always been an issue". BBC News

See also:

• Why I despair at our sexist NHS, by health minister Nadine Dorries The Daily Mail

Access to GPs’ patient data key to new treatments, researchers say

Access to GPs’ patient data key to new treatments, researchers say Group of scientists contest privacy concerns that they say are hampering research into illnesses such as long Covid

Researchers have said they could struggle to find new treatments for conditions dealt with by GPs, from long Covid to depression, if they cannot get access to the patient data held by GPs because of concerns over privacy. The Guardian

See also:

• Misinformation on NHS data sharing could scupper vital health research, warn experts The Independent

Dozens of hospitals hit 'dangerous' bed occupancy levels in May, figures suggest

Dozens of hospitals hit 'dangerous' bed occupancy levels in May, figures suggest Dozens of hospitals in England hit dangerous bed occupancy levels at the end of May even though Covid had fizzled out, official figures show.

MailOnline's analysis of the latest NHS data showed 21 trusts had more than 95 per cent of beds filled in the final week of May. One board in London — North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust — had almost every single bed occupied for the whole week. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Huge regional disparities in long hospital waits BBC News

IVF clinics that lie about success rates could be taken to court under new legal guidance

IVF clinics that lie about success rates could be taken to court under new legal guidance IVF clinics that lie about success rates could be taken to court by couples, as the first legal guidance for fertility treatment is published.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the competition regulator, drew up the ground-breaking guidance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The Daily Telegraph

See also: 

• HFEA backs new consumer law and advertising guidance for IVF clinics Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

MEET KGH'S GOVERNORS: Find out about the group trying to improve patient experience at Kettering's hospital

MEET KGH'S GOVERNORS: Find out about the group trying to improve patient experience at Kettering's hospital The group’s main objective is to help ensure that patients have the best experience possible when they go into hospital

The governors at KGH have teamed up with the Northamptonshire Telegraph to give our readers an insight into their role and the work they do.

See also: 

• MEET KGH's GOVERNORS: Learn about committee which works to ensure the health and well-being of all hospital staff Northamptonshire Telegraph

Residential and nursing care fee rates in West Northamptonshire could rise by 2.65 per cent

Residential and nursing care fee rates in West Northamptonshire could rise by 2.65 per cent Residential and nursing care fee rates could rise by 2.65 per cent if a proposed increase is approved by West Northamptonshire Council.

The council's cabinet will be recommended to approve the rise which is a proposed inflationary uplift for 2021-22 to support market delivery cost pressures. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Invisible deaths: understanding why deaths at home increased during the Covid-19 pandemic

Invisible deaths: understanding why deaths at home increased during the Covid-19 pandemic One of the untold stories of the Covid-19 pandemic is the dramatic rise in the number of people dying at home. Between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and 28 May 2021, over 59,000 (39 per cent) more deaths occurred at home in England and Wales than the average number of home deaths in 2015-19. Moreover, the sustained increase in people dying at home has been evident throughout the pandemic and shows no sign of abating. The King's Fund 

VacciNation: exploring vaccine confidence with people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in England

VacciNation: exploring vaccine confidence with people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in England This report, produced together with Traverse, explores vaccination confidence among people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in the UK. Its research uncovered five ways to increase public confidence: allow for agency; independence of institutions; focus on transparency; localise the approach; and address ambiguity. Healthwatch 

Half a million COVID jabs booked in ‘Glastonbury rush’ this morning

Half a million COVID jabs booked in ‘Glastonbury rush’ this morning The NHS saw a welcome surge in demand for vaccines this morning as half a million life-saving jabs were booked in a rush likened to the annual scramble for Glastonbury tickets. NHS England

See also: 

• Further measures in additional areas to tackle Delta (B1.617.2) variant Department of Health and Social Care

Lockdown lifting: Four numbers to look for this week

Lockdown lifting: Four numbers to look for this week The government faces a difficult choice in the next few days.

Many people are desperate to see the return to normality promised by the final stage of the government's roadmap to lifting lockdown.

But ministers always said 21 June was not set in stone - and could be affected by changes in the pandemic, including the emergence of new variants. BBC News

See also:

• Lockdown may have led to loss of strength and mobility BBC News
• Britain's daily Covid cases rise by 90% in biggest week-on-week jump since BEFORE Christmas The Daily Mail
• Adults with Down syndrome are THREE TIMES more likely to contract COVID-19 The Daily Mail
• COVID-19 misinformation was mainly spread online by bots in Facebook groups, study finds The Daily Mail
• ‘Glastonbury-style’ rush for Covid vaccine by 25- to 29-year-olds in England The Guardian
• Teaching unions call for return of masks to classrooms in England The Guardian
• Sunak could accept four-week delay to ending Covid restrictions in England The Guardian
• Covid vaccine: 25-29 year olds turned away by NHS booking system on first day they are eligible The Independent

Major hospital’s maternity services downgraded to ‘inadequate’ amid fears for mothers and babies

Major hospital’s maternity services downgraded to ‘inadequate’ amid fears for mothers and babies Maternity services at one of England’s biggest hospital trusts has been downgraded from outstanding to inadequate amid fears for the safety of mothers and babies.

The Care Quality Commission has imposed conditions on Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust after an unannounced inspection in March warning it was concerned patients could be at risk of harm. The Independent 

NHS trusts hiring non-nurses for nursing roles, union warns

NHS trusts hiring non-nurses for nursing roles, union warns NHS trusts are recruiting people without the right qualifications to act as registered nurses, despite the risk to patients, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned.

It criticised what it claims is a worrying trend driven by the widespread shortage of nurses in England, where there are almost 35,000 unfilled NHS nursing posts. The Guardian

See also: 

• RCN statement calls for employers to value the role of the registered nurse Royal College of Nursing
• NHS trusts replacing nurses with non-nurses compromises safety, warns RCN The Independent

Health chiefs backing jabs and testing to beat rise in Northamptonshire Covid-19 cases

Health chiefs backing jabs and testing to beat rise in Northamptonshire Covid-19 cases Health chiefs say they are prepared for sharp rises in new Covid-19 cases across Northamptonshire.

Numbers of positive tests across the county have gone up by nearly 70 percent in ONE WEEK, according to government data. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• June 21 lockdown lifting ‘to be delayed by two weeks’ to allow time for more jabs Northamptonshire Telegraph

Workforce burnout and resilience in the NHS and social care

Workforce burnout and resilience in the NHS and social care In a highly critical report, the Health and Social Care Committee finds that workforce burnout across the NHS and social care has reached an emergency level and poses a risk to the future functioning of both services.

Only a total overhaul of workforce planning can provide a solution, say MPs.

Though covid-19 had a huge impact on workforce pressures, the Committee was told of staff shortages across the NHS and social care prior to the pandemic, with such shortages identified as ultimately the biggest driver of workforce burnout.

See also:

• ‘Bitter irony’ that health and care staff are made ill by their work The King's Fund
• NHS and social care staff burn-out at an emergency level - report BBC News
• Staff burnout in health and social care putting safety at risk, say MPs The Guardian
• NHS frontline heading for 'burnout emergency' even before Covid Metro
• NHS and social care staff burnout 'extraordinarily dangerous' to future of services, warns MP Hunt Sky News

Organ donation and transplantation 2030: meeting the need

Organ donation and transplantation 2030: meeting the need This strategy sets out a ten-year vision for deceased and living donation and transplantation in the UK. It outlines the key areas that need to be addressed as the UK continues to save and improve more lives through organ donation and transplantation after 2020. It also sets out the actions to support and maximise the potential for living donation, as well as focusing on areas for research and innovation. NHS Blood and Transplant

Chronic pain in adults 2017

Chronic pain in adults 2017 This updated report explores the responses to questions on chronic pain in the 2017 Health Survey for England. It sets out the overall prevalence of chronic pain amongst the general population as well as identifying differences between sub-groups. It examines the site and severity of the chronic pain for those who are experiencing pain, as well as the impact on their mental health. It finishes with an analysis of the use of specialist pain services. Public Health England

NHS COVID vaccine first dose drive enters ‘the home straight’ as final cohort called forward

NHS COVID vaccine first dose drive enters ‘the home straight’ as final cohort called forward The NHS COVID vaccination programme will start inviting remaining adults for their COVID-19 jabs from tomorrow, on the six month anniversary of administering the world-first approved jab. NHS England 

Covid vaccines for 25 to 29-year-olds offered in England

Covid vaccines for 25 to 29-year-olds offered in England People aged 25 and older in England will be able to book a Covid vaccine from Tuesday morning, the health secretary has announced.

And Matt Hancock said that would bring “us ever closer to the goal” of offering all adults in the UK a vaccine by the end of July. BBC News

See also: 

• Fully vaccinated adults had a 91% reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Covid test positivity three times higher in people returning from Portugal The Daily Mail
• No10's former scientific adviser says ministers should delay June 21 reopening by a 'few weeks' The Daily Mail
• What could it mean if England’s June 21 reopening is delayed? The Daily Telegraph
• Dozens of schools in English Covid hotspots reintroduce mask rules The Guardian
• NHS trust contacts hundreds of families in effort at honesty over Covid hospital infections The Independent
• NHS spending on antidepressants rose by £139m during pandemic, study finds The Pharmaceutical Journal

US approves first new Alzheimer's drug in 20 years

US approves first new Alzheimer's drug in 20 years The first new treatment for Alzheimer's disease for nearly 20 years has been approved by regulators in the United States, paving the way for its use in the UK.

Aducanumab targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, rather than its symptoms.

Charities have welcomed the news of a new therapy for the condition. BBC News

See also:

• Alzheimer drug: 'I'm heading in the right direction' BBC News

Dido Harding defends test and trace and says expectations too high

Dido Harding defends test and trace and says expectations too high Tory peer and former TalkTalk boss confirms she is considering applying for top job at NHS England.

Dido Harding has confirmed she could apply to lead NHS England, and has defended her much-criticised record leading the Covid test-and-trace system, saying the main issue with the service was that “expectations were set too high”.

Covid testing in the UK was now “the envy of the world”, Harding told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. The Guardian

See also: 

• Dido Harding to head the NHS? Her position would be untenable | Polly Toynbee The Guardian
• Dido Harding ‘thinking about’ applying for NHSE chief exec job HSJ
• Dido Harding may want to be the head of the NHS but some people aren’t so keen The Independent
• Should Dido Harding end up running the NHS? The Spectator

Thousands of UK men to benefit after NHS approves prostate cancer drug

Thousands of UK men to benefit after NHS approves prostate cancer drug Enzalutamide, which can be taken at home, is especially beneficial to those who cannot have chemotherapy

Thousands of men in the UK with advanced prostate cancer are to benefit from a new drug after it was approved for NHS use.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended enzalutamide as an option for treating some types of prostate cancer. The Guardian 

Indian Covid variant now 'dominant' strain in East Northants and South Northants

Indian Covid variant now 'dominant' strain in East Northants and South Northants Latest figures released today by the director for Public Health for Northamptonshire's two councils have revealed that there have been 88 confirmed cases of the new so-called Indian variant of the coronavirus.   Northamptonshire Telegraph 

‘Our son was let down’: Northampton man, 38, who died on the Racecourse ‘fell through mental health net’, inquest hears

‘Our son was let down’: Northampton man, 38, who died on the Racecourse ‘fell through mental health net’, inquest hears Daniel Sullivan's parents feel their son was 'let down by the NHS and other agencies'.

A Northampton man who died last year had been suffering with mental health issues which had worsened in the six months prior to his death, an inquest heard. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Corby's Lakeside Surgery apologises for appointments woes

Corby's Lakeside Surgery apologises for appointments woes A GP surgery has apologised after patients said they were unable to contact them or make appointments.

Lakeside Surgery in Corby, Northamptonshire, said the number of patients trying to contact them each week had risen from 4,000 in April to 7,000 in May.

Patients said they were "frustrated" at a phone system that either cut them off or keep them on hold. BBC Northampton 

What have we learned from a year of NHS Test and Trace?

What have we learned from a year of NHS Test and Trace? NHS Test and Trace celebrated its first birthday last week.

Through its first year, we’ve tracked its up and downs and reported on its successes and failures. In this blog, we reflect on what we learned and what’s to come of this £37bn government programme. The Health Foundation

Ethnicity coding in English health service datasets

Ethnicity coding in English health service datasets The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted ethnic disparities in health care and outcomes in England, but data on the ethnicities of patients remains poor. This report looks at the quality and consistency of ethnicity coding within health datasets and calls on NHS England to provide new guidance for health service providers and GPs. Nuffield Trust

Clinical radiology: UK workforce census 2020 report

Clinical radiology: UK workforce census 2020 report The RCR's annual workforce census reveals huge shortages across radiology departments – both diagnostic radiologists who enable accurate treatment, and interventional radiologists who treat via non-invasive procedures. The RCR report states that without significant investment in workforce, equipment and new ways of working, patients will suffer, diagnoses will be further delayed, and fewer patients will benefit from life-saving minimally invasive interventional radiology. Royal College of Radiologists

Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK

Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK Estimates of the prevalence and characteristics of people with self-reported “long COVID”, and associated activity limitation, using UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey data to 2 May 2021. Office for National Statistics

See also: 

• Continuing to deepen understanding of long COVID and its unequal impact is crucial to protect the nation’s health The Health Foundation
• 375,000 Britons say they are still suffering from Long Covid, official report finds The Daily Mail

NHS vaccine lead urges people not to delay second dose

NHS vaccine lead urges people not to delay second dose The director of England’s NHS COVID vaccination programme, Dr Emily Lawson, is urging people that are contacted to bring forward their second jab, to rebook as soon as possible, after she received her follow-up jab this week. NHS England

See also: 

• Over 40 million people receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Leading dating apps partner with government to boost vaccine uptake Department of Health and Social Care
• Major testing drive ahead of return to schools next week Department of Health and Social Care
• The MHRA concludes positive safety profile for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
• Sharp rise in people overcoming hesitancy and saying yes to the lifesaving COVID-19 jab NHS England

Covid-19: Government 'open' to delaying 21 June England lockdown end date

Covid-19: Government 'open' to delaying 21 June England lockdown end date The government is "absolutely open" to delaying the final lifting of England's Covid lockdown on 21 June if necessary, the health secretary has said.

Matt Hancock insisted 21 June was a "not before" date to end restrictions and No 10 "would look at the data".

He said the Delta variant first seen in India was about 40% more transmissible than the Alpha (Kent) strain. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: People in hospital with Indian variant not increasing significantly - NHS boss BBC News
• UK Covid infections rise by two-thirds from low level BBC News
• Covid vaccine stickers come to dating apps in UK BBC News
• Covid: PM to push for world vaccination by end of 2022 BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK regulator approves Pfizer Covid vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Indian 'Delta' variant may raise hospital risk, Public Health England warns The Daily Mail
• Vaccinated Britons can enter France freely from next week The Daily Telegraph
• Catching up in Britain: experts assess the scale of the challenge The Guardian
• What can the UK government do to stave off a third Covid wave? The Guardian
• ‘Mix and match’ Covid booster jabs may be offered in UK The Guardian
• End of lockdown poses Boris Johnson one of his toughest decisions The Guardian
• ‘Broken’ NHS staff ‘terrified’ about 21 June lockdown lifting The Independent
• Will the UK go back into lockdown? Everything we know so far The Independent
• Bolton Covid-19 hospital patients 'a lot younger' than in previous waves of the pandemic, NHS chief says iNews

Patient data transfer still set to start in July

Patient data transfer still set to start in July The government is proceeding with the creation of a central store of data from GP records in England next month, despite the NHS suggesting a delay.

The data is moving to a central NHS Digital database, with the Department of Health saying it expects GPs to introduce the system from 1 July.

The NHS wanted a delay until September so patients had more time to learn about the system, the BBC has learned. BBC News

See also:

• National data opt-out NHS Digital
• What’s happening with your NHS data? Full Fact
• College writes to Health Secretary calling for immediate delay to patient data proposals Royal College of General Practitioners
• Government faces legal challenge over NHS data sharing plan Computing
• BCS: Lack of communication over NHS GPDPR ‘astonishing’ Computer Weekly
• Why are there calls for patient data-sharing scheme to be halted? The Guardian
• The NHS data grab: why we should be concerned about plans for GPs’ records The Guardian
• Labour asks NHS and Matt Hancock to pause plans for sharing patient data The Guardian
• Tell me how you’ll use my medical data. Only then might I sign up | Kenan Malik The Guardian
• The Tories have worked out how to pull off an NHS data grab: do it during a pandemic | Marina Hyde The Guardian
• Plan for NHS to collect patient data from GPs should be delayed over privacy fears, says Labour Sky News

UK needs national register for eating disorder deaths, MPs say

UK needs national register for eating disorder deaths, MPs say Eating disorder deaths need to be recorded on a national register, MPs are urging, as experts warn of an underreported “crisis” in the growing number of people in the UK experiencing life-threatening disorders.

While Office for National Statistics figures show 36 people died in 2019 from conditions such as anorexia, there are concerns this underestimates the true toll. The Guardian

See also:

• ‘Young people need help’: parents call for change in eating disorder care The Guardian

Ambulance staff in Northamptonshire will now wear body cams due to increased assault incidents

Ambulance staff in Northamptonshire will now wear body cams due to increased assault incidents More than 1,000 cases of assault were reported by ambulance staff in the last 12 months.

Ambulance staff across Northamptonshire and the rest of the region will now wear body cameras while on shift due to an increase in the number of assault incidents. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

The invisible epidemic: rethinking the detection and treatment of structural heart disease in Europe

The invisible epidemic: rethinking the detection and treatment of structural heart disease in Europe This report considers the impact of structural heart disease (SHD) in an ageing society. It sets out the health and economic case for governments to invest in SHD, followed by the key barriers that contribute to suboptimal detection and treatment and recommendations for how governments, healthcare systems and patients can address these issues. International Longevity Centre UK 

Providers deliver: collaborating for better care

Providers deliver: collaborating for better care A report by NHS Providers, Providers deliver: collaborating for better care features 14 innovative cases studies which showcase successful cooperation between providers in the acute, mental health, community and ambulance sectors, working together and with local partners.

The case studies provide a striking insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the drive towards collaboration both within and across integrated care systems (ICSs), with providers and wider system partners supporting each other during an incredibly challenging time. 

Clinically led review of urgent and emergency care standards

Clinically led review of urgent and emergency care standards The NHS National Medical Director was asked to review the current NHS access standards to ensure they measure what matters most to patients and clinically. In December 2020, the recommendations from the clinically-led review of NHS access standards for urgent and emergency care were published for consultation alongside the strategy for transforming urgent and emergency care provision. This document summarises the responses to the consultation and next steps. NHS England and NHS Improvement 

Over half of UK adults vaccinated with second dose

Over half of UK adults vaccinated with second dose Over half of UK adults have been vaccinated with a second dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, giving them the strongest possible protection. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Corporate report: G7 Carbis Bay progress report: advancing universal health coverage and global health through strengthening health systems, preparedness and resilience Department of Health and Social Care
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK Public Health England
• Research: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England
• Research: Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: variant risk assessments Public Health England
• Research: COVID-19 vaccine surveillance reports Public Health England

Covid: Indian variant 'now dominant' in the UK

Covid: Indian variant 'now dominant' in the UK The variant of coronavirus first identified in India is now the dominant strain in the UK, Public Health England (PHE) has said.

The number of cases confirmed by laboratory analysis rose by 79% over the last week to 12,431.

Scientists believe the variant, now known as Delta, has overtaken the Kent, or Alpha, variant. BBC News

See also:

• UK 'most trusting' country on Covid vaccines BBC News
• Contracting Covid-19 can make you 85% less likely to contract the virus again The Daily Mail
• Neurological symptoms just as likely in people with mild cases of COVID as in severe cases The Daily Mail
• Watch: What happens at a long Covid clinic The Daily Telegraph
• Nurse who spread Covid conspiracy theories that vaccines will 'kill you' struck off The Daily Telegraph
• Covid variants: how much protection do the different vaccines offer? The Guardian

How AI is working with Parkinson’s patients?

How AI is working with Parkinson’s patients? For two weeks recently I got into a steady routine. At 10:30 each morning, I would sit at my kitchen table, strap three devices containing sensors to my right arm, and switch on a tablet computer. Then I would spend 20 minutes going through a series of exercises monitored by a man who popped up in a window on the screen.

The results of my endeavours will, I hope, help millions of people like me dealing with Parkinson's disease. BBC News 

Baby and mother win right to access Healthy Start food scheme

Baby and mother win right to access Healthy Start food scheme A one-year-old baby and her mother have won a high court challenge granting her the right to access a healthy food and vitamins scheme from which she was previously barred. Thousands of babies and toddlers similarly denied access to the scheme will now be able to benefit from it. The Guardian 

Your medical records are about to be given away. As GPs, we’re fighting back

Your medical records are about to be given away. As GPs, we’re fighting back | Ameen Kamlana GP practices in England have been instructed to hand over their patients’ entire medical histories with just six weeks’ notice. Like many GPs, I’m very concerned about the implications this has for my patients. A growing number of us in London have taken taken the decision to pull the plug on the new data-sharing programme with NHS Digital and refuse to hand over patient records. The Guardian 

See also:

• In a couple of weeks your NHS data will be shared with third parties - GPs like me are worried iNews

“Reasonable” to require care home staff to be vaccinated, says UK’s human rights watchdog

“Reasonable” to require care home staff to be vaccinated, says UK’s human rights watchdog The UK’s human rights watchdog has said it is “reasonable” to legally require care home staff to be vaccination against Covid-19. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said a proportionate approach to requiring care home workers to be vaccinated against Covid could help ease restrictions, as well as allowing staff to work in a safe environment and give more freedom to residents. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Northampton General criticised for poor response to racial attack on staff member by patient

Northampton General criticised for poor response to racial attack on staff member by patient Northampton General Hospital has apologised for failing to properly handle an incident where a patient attacked a security officer while hurling racial slurs. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

'Unsafe' Northampton care home is being failed by 'significant shortfalls' from management, say inspectors

'Unsafe' Northampton care home is being failed by 'significant shortfalls' from management, say inspectors The care home for residents with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs has been scolded for exposing patients to risk.

Berrywood Lodge was held in esteem by the CQC after it earned a "good" rating back in 2016 - but in every inspection since then, the home has criticised for declining standards. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Guide for LGBT patients on what to expect from their doctor

Guide for LGBT patients on what to expect from their doctor A new guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) patients, setting out what they should expect from their doctor, has been published to coincide with the start of Pride Month by the General Medical Council. 

Wrong site surgery – wrong patient: invasive procedures in outpatient settings

Wrong site surgery – wrong patient: invasive procedures in outpatient settings The investigation looked at the risks involved in the correct identification of patients in outpatient departments. Correct identification is crucial to make sure they receive the right clinical procedure. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also:

• NHS blunder sees wrong woman given invasive procedure BBC News
• NHS mix-up led to female patient having unnecessary cervical examination The Independent

Three quarters of UK adults vaccinated with first dose

Three quarters of UK adults vaccinated with first dose More than three quarters of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the latest figures published today (2 June) show, as the vaccination programme continues at pace. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• New international approach to combat emerging health threats as crucial G7 health talks begin Department of Health and Social Care
• G7 Chair’s statement on vaccine confidence Department of Health and Social Care
• Speech: How we got here: lessons from the UK vaccine rollout Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19: Health staff in plea for better protection

Covid-19: Health staff in plea for better protection More than 20 healthcare organisations, including those representing nurses, doctors, surgeons and therapists, are calling for stricter UK guidelines to be introduced on face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

In a virtual meeting with officials, they will say existing rules leave them vulnerable to infection through the air, especially by new Covid variants. BBC News

See also:

• Covid Could a third wave change 21 June plans in England? BBC News
• Covid-19: UK's data encouraging, says government adviser BBC News
• Covid: What do under-30s need to know about the vaccine? BBC News
• UK's daily Covid cases jump by a third in a week to 4,330 and 12 more deaths are recorded The Daily Mail
• EU delays adding UK to Covid ‘white list’ over fears of Delta variant The Guardian
• Vietnam variant: What is the new mutation of the India Covid strain? The Independent 

Self-harm in over-65s ‘needs post-pandemic focus’

Self-harm in over-65s ‘needs post-pandemic focus’ Self-harm among the over-65s must receive greater focus because of the increased risks associated with the pandemic, a leading expert has said.

Loneliness, bereavement and reluctance to access GPs can all be causes in older adults, said Prof Nav Kapur, who has produced guidelines on the subject.

He warned that in over-65s, without the right help, self-harm can also be a predictor of later suicide attempts. BBC News 

Priti Patel planning 'stealth tax on frontline heroes' with visa fee hike for NHS staff from EU

Priti Patel planning 'stealth tax on frontline heroes' with visa fee hike for NHS staff from EU Priti Patel is planning to hike visa fees for NHS and other workers from EU countries, triggering criticism of “a stealth tax on frontline heroes”. The Independent

Forbes lists Northampton NHS employee as one of top 30 healthcare leaders under the age of 30

Forbes lists Northampton NHS employee as one of top 30 healthcare leaders under the age of 30 Tremaine Richard Noel, head of emerging technology at Northampton General Hospital, developed a digital automation that monitored oxygen levels for coronavirus patients 24/7 without human intervention at the start of the pandemic. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

GP services in North Northants continue online as practices see patient numbers surge

GP services in North Northants continue online as practices see patient numbers surge Patients at GP surgeries in the north of the county will have to battle online booking and phone systems for the foreseeable future as face-to-face appointments become less common. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

KGH team win prestigious national award for work during pandemic

KGH team win prestigious national award for work during pandemic A team at Kettering General Hospital has won a prestigious award for the way it has cared for vulnerable patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Digestive Diseases Unit (DDU) team won a Cavell Star Award from the Cavell Nurses' Trust, which recognises outstanding care for patients and their families.  Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Happy to help: the welfare effects of a nationwide micro-volunteering programme

Happy to help: the welfare effects of a nationwide micro-volunteering programme This report estimates the wellbeing benefits from volunteering for England’s NHS Volunteer Responders programme which was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It found that active volunteers report significantly higher life satisfaction, feelings of worthwhileness, social connectedness, and belonging to their local communities. A social welfare analysis shows that the benefits of the programme were at least 140 times greater than its costs. London School of Economics and Political Science 

National stroke service model: integrated stroke delivery networks

National stroke service model: integrated stroke delivery networks This document outlines best practice stroke care; from prevention initiatives aimed addressing health inequalities, more efficient diagnosis through improved imaging services, cutting-edge treatments and innovative rehabilitation and life after stroke services. NHS England 

Covid: Zero daily deaths announced in UK for first time

Covid: Zero daily deaths announced in UK for first time The UK has announced zero daily Covid deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the first time since March 2020.

The latest figures also reported another 3,165 new cases, compared with 3,383 on Monday and 2,493 one week ago.

It comes amid concern over a recent small rise in cases linked to the variant first identified in India. BBC News

See also:

• Patients with low immunity anxious despite vaccine BBC News
• Covid: China's Sinovac vaccine gets WHO emergency approval BBC News
• Vitamin D does NOT protect against COVID infection or prevent it from becoming severe The Daily Mail
• Vietnam's 'very dangerous' new hybrid variant may be fueling its worst outbreak so far The Daily Telegraph
• UK monitoring suspected Covid variant detected in Vietnam The Guardian
• More NHS staff to get better protection from airborne Covid-19 risk The Independent
• Scientific community divided over Wuhan lab leak theories The Independent
• Vaccination centres are offering spare doses to under-30s but NHS has no plans to change rules for everyone iNews
• Covid: Bradford NHS consultant first in world to receive booster vaccine ITV News

Why is it harder to diagnose disorders on non-white skin?

Why is it harder to diagnose disorders on non-white skin? After finding unexplained dark marks on her skin which she couldn’t explain, BBC reporter Bree Johnson decided to investigate why it seems harder to diagnose skin conditions on non-white people.

She speaks to Kanayo Dike-Oduah, who nearly died as a result of a rare skin disorder, and to Malone Mukwende, who wrote a guide to help medical professionals diagnose clinical signs on black and brown skin. BBC News 

Ambulance crews in England to get body cameras after 30% rise in assaults

Ambulance crews in England to get body cameras after 30% rise in assaults Thousands of ambulance crews in England will be given body cameras after a sharp rise in attacks on NHS staff treating patients, the government has announced. Data shows that 3,569 ambulance staff were physically assaulted by members of the public last year – 30% more than in 2016-17. The Guardian

Northamptonshire has five times more Indian variant Covid cases than we thought

Northamptonshire has five times more Indian variant Covid cases than we thought Cases of the fast-spreading Indian variant of concern in Northamptonshire are nearly FIVE TIMES more than previously thought.

More than a quarter of the known cases are in East Northants, Corby and Kettering. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Freedom to speak up index report 2021

Freedom to speak up index report 2021 Freedom to Speak Up Index report continues to show an improvement in workers’ perceptions of the speak up culture in NHS Trusts But the disparity between the highest performing organisations and the lowest is increasing. National Guardian's Office 

Global medicine spending and usage trends : outlook to 2025

Global medicine spending and usage trends : outlook to 2025 The future level of global spending on medicines has implications for health care systems and policymakers across developed and emerging economies, and these issues are even more important in light of the global Covid-19 pandemic. This report finds medicine spending growth will continue to be driven by traditional factors including patent expiries, launches of new medicines as well as changing volume demand, particularly in pharmerging and lower income countries. Please note that free registration is required to access this report. IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science 

Dangers of children swallowing magnets prompts NHS call for ban

Dangers of children swallowing magnets prompts NHS call for ban A potentially life threatening TikTok trend, involving tiny magnets that can be easily swallowed, has triggered the NHS to call for a ban. These tiny magnetic balls are widely sold as creative toys, with a recent TikTok craze seeing them used as fake facial piercings by teenagers. NHS England 

NHS Vaccination Programme Jabs Half Of People In Their 30s

NHS Vaccination Programme Jabs Half Of People In Their 30s The NHS Covid Vaccination Programme has jabbed more than half of people in their thirties in just over a fortnight, new figures have revealed. More than five million appointments have been made and 53% of people aged 30-39 have received at least one dose since the programme, the biggest in NHS history, began opening up. NHS England

See also:

• Janssen coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine authorised by UK medicines regulator Department of Health and Social Care
• Life-saving vaccination programme to hit more major milestones as new vaccine added to armoury Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19 surveillance and immunity studies Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: The R value and growth rate Department of Health and Social Care
• England’s top NHS nurse says volunteering surge can be positive Covid legacy NHS England

Covid-19: Job not done despite vaccination success, scientist warns

Covid-19: Job not done despite vaccination success, scientist warns The success of the UK's vaccination programme does not mean that the battle with Covid is over, a scientist advising the government has said.

Prof Adam Finn said the country remained vulnerable as there were still large numbers of unvaccinated people.

More than 25 million people in the UK have had two doses of a vaccine - just under half of the adult population. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid-19: UK in early stages of third wave - scientist BBC News
• Covid-19: Concern over June unlocking amid hospital pressure BBC News
• 'Very few' Covid hospital patients had two jabs, NHS boss says BBC News
• Covid: WHO renames UK and other variants with Greek letters BBC News
• Coronavirus: How Matt Hancock's and Dominic Cummings's claims about care home testing compare The Daily Mail
• Vietnam detects new hybrid of Indian and UK Covid-19 variant The Daily Telegraph
• Why the Covid Wuhan lab escape theory, dead and buried months ago, has risen again The Daily Telegraph
• Some long Covid sufferers in England waiting months for treatment The Guardian
• Patients were sent back to care homes without Covid test despite bosses’ plea The Guardian
• NHS test-and-trace workers are charged out at more than double their pay The Guardian
• MPs tell Johnson: you have a duty to help vaccinate the world The Guardian
• Covid: NHS chief warns of hospital pressures as Boris Johnson faces decision on lockdown ending ITV News

'Gene therapy is a game changer for our son'

'Gene therapy is a game changer for our son' Baby Arthur is just five months old. He has no way of knowing the treatment he is receiving in his right arm is the world's most costly medicine.

His devastating progressive disorder causes loss of muscle control.

But he has become one of the first patients to be treated on the NHS with Zolgensma, a gene therapy with a list price of £1.795m. BBC News

Children with Tourette's Syndrome and Tic Disorders are being 'totally neglected', NHS doctor says

Children with Tourette's Syndrome and Tic Disorders are being 'totally neglected', NHS doctor says Children with Tourette's Syndrome and tic disorders are being "totally neglected" with a failure to provide even the most basic services in some areas of England and Wales, according to a leading NHS doctor.

ITV News found almost a third of children referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) with the condition were told there was no help available. ITV News

Investigation after woman dies weeks after being ‘dropped’ during surgery

Investigation after woman dies weeks after being ‘dropped’ during surgery An investigation is under way at a hospital in Cumbria after a woman died weeks after being “dropped” from an operating table.

Jeanette Shields, 70, was dropped on the floor after a routine operation at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, according to her husband, John Shields. The Guardian

Did you know the NHS is about to share your records?

Did you know the NHS is about to share your records? I am waiting for a letter from my GP’s surgery asking me whether I consent to having my medical data uploaded on to a national database and made available to researchers, but it doesn’t seem it is going to come.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are millions of people in Britain who are unaware that, unless they formally object by June 23, then a week later their health records will be added to an NHS Digital database, which could then be shared, in anonymised form, with universities, pharmaceutical companies and technology companies. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Collecting GP data - advice for the public NHS Digital
• GPs warn over plans to share patient data with third parties in England The Guardian
• The Guardian view on medical records: NHS data grab needs explaining | Editorial The Guardian
• NHS England’s plans for use of our personal data leaves me very worried The Independent
• New GP data extraction ‘far exceeds’ care.data plans, warn privacy campaigners Pulse

Quarter-of-a-million now fully vaccinated in Northamptonshire as 30-year-olds get call for jabs

Quarter-of-a-million now fully vaccinated in Northamptonshire as 30-year-olds get call for jabs More than a quarter-of-a-million people in Northamptonshire have now had two full doses of Covid-19 vaccine as 30-year-olds got the call for their first jabs. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Indian variant surge puts June date for Covid restrictions easing at risk Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Hancock warns it’s till ‘too early to say’ if 21 June lifting of lockdown will go ahead Northamptonshire Telegraph

What impact has Covid-19 had on cancer services?

What impact has Covid-19 had on cancer services? By 2028, the NHS aims for 55,000 more people each year to survive cancer for at least five years after diagnosis. Achieving this requires access to timely diagnosis and treatment. However, cancer services were under pressure even before the Covid-19 pandemic, with waiting times for appointments and surgery worsening. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Chart of the week: The pathway to cancer diagnosis Nuffield Trust
• Cancer Quality Watch Indicator Update Nuffield Trust

Pandemic pressures: how Greater Manchester equalities organisations have responded to the needs of older people during the Covid-19 crisis

Pandemic pressures: how Greater Manchester equalities organisations have responded to the needs of older people during the Covid-19 crisis This report highlights a number of recommendations for service commissioners, funders and contractors to contribute to future emergency planning and responses. It recognises the expertise of equalities organisations in understanding and meeting the needs of the communities they represent, and to involve them in coproducing emergency planning and responses. Ambition for Ageing

A New Deal for Surgery

A New Deal for Surgery The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on NHS surgical services in England. All elective (planned) surgery was cancelled in the first wave and many surgical teams were redeployed to help treat COVID-19 patients. Latest figures show the largest ever recorded NHS waiting list in England of 4.95 million people, including more than 430,000 waiting over a year. In addition, there is a ‘hidden waiting list’ of people who have not yet come forward or who have not yet been referred for hospital treatment. Estimates vary, but could mean the waiting list growing to a figure of 9.7 million by 2023/24.

Our report, New Deal for Surgery, highlights the challenges that exist and provides recommendations for recovery. Royal College of Surgeons

See also: 

• Covid: Surgery waiting times could be cut with specialist hubs, say surgeons BBC News

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK Public Health England releases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of variants of concern and variants under investigation identified in the UK.

See also:

• Everybody aged 30 and over now able to get their COVID jab NHS England
• Independent report: COVID-19: assessment of hospital-associated SARS-CoV-2 infection and care home outbreaks Public Health England 
• Research: COVID-19 vaccine surveillance reports Public Health England 
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England 

Does the UK have highest Covid death toll in Europe?

Does the UK have highest Covid death toll in Europe? Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "We have the highest death toll in Europe."

That is correct but does not take into account population size. Some smaller countries have reported higher rates of deaths per 100,000 people.

The UK did have the worst figures across most measures in the first wave of coronavirus, but has since been overtaken by countries that had worse winters. BBC News

See also:

• WHO virologist urges US to share Covid origins info BBC News
• Coronavirus patients spent a WEEK less in ICU if they had breathing tubes inserted quickly The Daily Mail
• Nearly three-quarters of patients with moderate or severe COVID had at least ONE long-term symptom The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: Matt Hancock claims Bolton is doing 'tens of thousands' of jabs per day The Daily Mail
• Introducing Covid certificates is a ‘finely balanced’ decision, says Gove The Guardian
• Three-quarters of new UK Covid cases could be India variant, says Hancock The Guardian
• Covid hospital admissions rising with most patients younger people, says NHS leader The Independent
• How many NHS hospital staff have had the Covid vaccine? ITV News

Covid: Matt Hancock answers Dominic Cummings allegations

Covid: Matt Hancock answers Dominic Cummings allegations Matt Hancock has told MPs he got up each day and asked "what must do I to protect life?" as that was the job of the health secretary.

He was asked by Labour shadow Jonathan Ashworth if the claims made by the PM's former adviser Dominic Cummings on Wednesday were correct.

Mr Hancock said the "unsubstantiated allegations around honesty" were not true, as he gave figures on the number of questions, statements and press statements he had answered over Covid. BBC News

See also:

• Bereaved on Cummings' testimony: 'Angry, upset, relieved' BBC News
• The government's Covid strategy was discredited but we're still paying the price The Guardian
• I was straight with people, says Hancock after Cummings claims The Guardian
• How Kate Bingham got caught in the ‘crossfire’, according to Cummings The Guardian
• Hancock faces calls to explain Covid test failings at care homes The Guardian

NHS waiting times: Why dropping four-hour A&E target could be good for patients

NHS waiting times: Why dropping four-hour A&E target could be good for patients Officials say there is “clear evidence” that when it was first introduced, the four-hour target improved care, but that it has only ever focused on one part of a now much more complex range of urgent services for patients.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine had said that the four-hour waiting time target had served the NHS well but was no longer enough to force through clinical improvements. iNews 

NHS Digital set to share medical records with outside third parties

NHS Digital set to share medical records with outside third parties If you live in England, you have until June 23 to opt out of your data being included in a ‘digital scrape’ by the NHS, which it will share with third parties.

Privacy campaigners have harshly criticised the plans of NHS Digital, which will see the medical histories of more than 55 million patients ported into a database, including mental and sexual health data, criminal records and more sensitive information. Metro