Solving the puzzle: delivering on the promise of integration in health and care

Solving the puzzle: delivering on the promise of integration in health and care This report reviews the Health and Care Bill and suggests the proposed reforms could be a ‘turning point’ in the drive towards a more integrated health care system. However, it warns that improved outcomes will only be delivered if combined with changes to the way health care is organised and how services work together. Institute for Public Policy Research 

New Every Mind Matters campaign to improve people's mental health

New Every Mind Matters campaign to improve people's mental health A new campaign has been launched to help people with their mental wellbeing.

The general public is urged to find “what works for me” to support their mental wellbeing as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) launches the latest  Better Health – Every Mind Matters (EMM) campaign. Department of Health and Social Care 

Brain implant may lift most severe depression

Brain implant may lift most severe depression An electrical implant that sits in the skull and is wired to the brain can detect and treat severe depression, US scientists believe after promising results with a first patient.

Sarah, who is 36, had the device fitted more than a year ago and says it has turned her life around.

The matchbox-sized pack in her head is always "on" but only delivers an impulse when it senses she may need it. BBC News

See also: 

• Closed-loop neuromodulation in an individual with treatment-resistant depression (open access) Nature Medicine

'Concerning' research finds number of 11 to 16-year-olds with problems eating has almost doubled

'Concerning' research finds number of 11 to 16-year-olds with problems eating has almost doubled The proportion of older children who experience problems with eating has almost doubled in four years, new research has shown.

A survey by NHS Digital found that 13% of 11 to 16-year-olds raised concerns about eating compared with just 7% in 2017. Sky News 

Number of women not being screened for breast cancer ‘rises by half’

Number of women not being screened for breast cancer ‘rises by half’ The number of women in the UK who have not been screened for breast cancer rose by 50 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a charity.

Before March 2020, there were about one million women eligible for NHS screening who were not being checked for signs of the disease, Breast Cancer Now said. The Independent

See also: 

• Breast screening and coronavirus: up to 1.5 million fewer women seen by screening services since they restarted Breast Cancer Now

Eight-week-old baby died after hospital’s ‘catalogue of failings’, NHS inquiry finds

Eight-week-old baby died after hospital’s ‘catalogue of failings’, NHS inquiry finds Bristol Children’s hospital tried to ‘deceive’ Ben Condon’s parents about his death, NHS ombudsman says

An eight-week-old baby died after “a catalogue of failings” in his treatment at a children’s hospital, which then tried to “deceive” his parents about his death, an official inquiry has found. The Guardian

See also: 

• ‘A deliberate attempt to deceive’: Hospital criticised over baby death The Independent

NHS England to offer breakthrough treatment for sickle cell disease

NHS England to offer breakthrough treatment for sickle cell disease Thousands of patients in England are to benefit from the first treatment for sickle cell disease in two decades, the NHS has announced.

Crizanlizumab, a “revolutionary” life-changing drug treatment, is delivered by a transfusion drip and works by binding to a protein in the blood cells to prevent the restriction of blood and oxygen supply. The Guardian

See also:

• First new treatment for sickle cell in 20 years BBC News
• New hope for sickle cell disease as first drug in 20 years is approved The Independent

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective against hospitalization for first six months

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective against hospitalization for first six months Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine remains effective at preventing hospitalizations for at least six months, a new study suggests..

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) gathered data from the company's health care network to discover how often fully vaccinated people were either testing positive for the virus or being hospitalized because of it. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Effectiveness of mRNA BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine up to 6 months in a large integrated health system in the USA: a retrospective cohort study (open access) The Lancet

How Covid vaccine is saving lives and keeping people out of Northamptonshire hospitals

How Covid vaccine is saving lives and keeping people out of Northamptonshire hospitals Experts believe Northamptonshire hopsitals are dealing with up to 75 per cent fewer Covid-19 patients thanks to more than one million vaccinations.

The number of Covid patients sadly dying in Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital has dropped by nearly 70 per cent compared to the second wave in January. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid: Five drop-in clinics open in Northamptonshire BBC Northampton
• Whole year group learning from home as staff absences bite at Northampton secondary school Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Unreal': One in 16 Kettering children test positive for Covid in a week as school cases rise Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Covid cases quadruple among Northamptonshire students but health chief says virus is NOT spreading inside schools Northamptonshire Telegraph

Councillors set to give new Kettering private hospital green light

Councillors set to give new Kettering private hospital green light A bid to build a new private hospital on the edge of Kettering looks set to be approved. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Investigation launched after fourth 'never event' this year at Northamptonshire hospital

Investigation launched after fourth 'never event' this year at Northamptonshire hospital Northamptonshire hospital chiefs have apologised to a patient after mixing up their medication and administering it the wrong way.

A patient at Kettering General Hospital needed medication which should have been taken orally.

But hospital staff wrongly gave them the dose through a peripherally inserted central catheter. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northampton health expert highlights impact inequalities can have on mental health

Northampton health expert highlights impact inequalities can have on mental health Exposure to inequalities in society can have a dramatic impact on peoples’ mental health, a top researcher from Northampton has found.

Speaking at the start of National Inclusion Week, a team led by Dr Kieran Breen, Head of Research and Innovation at St Andrew’s Healthcare, has reported that inequalities experienced by people in their daily lives can have a huge impact on their mental health. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health and social care funding projections 2021

Health and social care funding projections 2021 This report presents the REAL Centre’s projections of future health and social care funding requirements, both for the next 3 years and longer term funding to 2030/31.

The report sets out what it may cost the government to fund the NHS and social care system in England along with workforce requirements over the next 10 years. The projections are based on underlying funding pressures – such as population size and age structure – and additional funding pressures, such as policy choices,  The Health Foundation

See also:

• Over a million more health and care staff needed in the next decade to meet growing demand for care The Health Foundation
• How much does the NHS and social care workforce need to grow by over the next decade to meet demand? The Health Foundation
• England’s NHS and care services need 1.1m extra staff by 2031, finds study The Guardian

The long shadow of Covid-19 - addressing the wider impacts of the pandemic

The long shadow of Covid-19 - addressing the wider impacts of the pandemic When we talked with directors of public health for our research into their experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic, one topic we wanted to hear about was its indirect impacts. From their position in local authorities, directors have a broad view across not just the roll out of health protection measures, but also the wider implications of the pandemic and the response to these for the populations they serve. They raised a breadth of issues with us. The King's Fund

Mental health in prisons

Mental health in prisons This report finds that a disjointed and incoherent approach to care has left many prisoners suffering from mental health issues undiagnosed and unable to access care. It calls on the NHS, Ministry of Justice and the Prison and Probation Service to implement a system of integrated care, that improves identification of mental health issues, provides seamless care while in prison and supports transition to care in community settings on release. House of Commons Justice Committee

RCM warns of midwife exodus as maternity staffing crisis grows

RCM warns of midwife exodus as maternity staffing crisis grows Midwives are being driven out of the NHS by understaffing and fears they can’t deliver safe care to women in the current system, according to a new survey of its members by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

The College is warning of a ‘midwife exodus’ as it publishes the results of its annual member experiences of work survey. Over half of midwives surveyed said they were considering leaving their job as a midwife with 57% saying they would leave the NHS in the next year.

See also:

• UK facing midwife exodus as more than half want to quit The Daily Mail
• Poor staffing and safety fears is driving midwives out of the NHS The Independent

Government launches landmark review of health and social care leadership

Government launches landmark review of health and social care leadership The government has launched a review of leadership in health and social care. The review will be led by former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Gordon Messenger, and will report back to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid, in early 2022. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• The King's Fund responds to the Government’s review of leadership in health and social care The King's Fund
• Tories order biggest shake-up of NHS leadership in England for 40 years The Guardian
• Ex-military chief to oversee shake-up of NHS leadership The Independent

40 community diagnostic centres launching across England

40 community diagnostic centres launching across England Millions of patients will benefit from earlier diagnostic tests closer to home thanks to 40 new community diagnostic centres set to open across England in a range of settings from local shopping centres to football stadiums. Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: Delay of third jabs for most vulnerable criticised

Covid: Delay of third jabs for most vulnerable criticised The rollout of third doses of Covid vaccines for vulnerable people with weak immune systems has gone "badly wrong", say charities.

Vaccine experts recommended on 1 September that immunosuppressed patients should be given the extra dose to give them fuller protection.

But Kidney Care UK and Blood Cancer UK say many are still waiting. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid antiviral pill can halve risk of hospitalisation BBC News
• Covid: Care home staff should get the jab or another job - Javid BBC News
• Covid: One in 20 secondary-age children infected in England BBC News
• Covid-19 vaccinations: More than 50 nations have missed a target set by the WHO BBC News
• What can you do to recover your sense of smell after contracting Covid-19? The Daily Mail
• Vaccine uptake has stalled at 55% in 16 to 18-year-olds, official data shows The Daily Mail
• Flu and Covid jabs safe to be given at same time, study finds The Guardian
• NHS trust apologises to families of patients who died after catching Covid at hospital The Independent

Bowel cancer patients fear cost of break in treatment

Bowel cancer patients fear cost of break in treatment Bowel cancer patients are scared to take a break from their treatment because they might end up having to pay for it, campaigners say.

Patients are only eligible for two specialist drugs on the NHS if they do not have a break of six weeks or more. BBC News

Doctors, receptionists and practice teams quit after wave of hostility over GP appointments

Doctors, receptionists and practice teams quit after wave of hostility over GP appointments Senior doctors have warned that practice staff and GPs are quitting after an unprecedented and escalating wave of abuse from patients that has followed weeks of public pressure over face-to-face appointments.

Practice managers, receptionists and doctors have spoken of daily confrontations with patients over issues including appointments, vaccinations and blood tests. The Guardian

Nearly a quarter of callers to NHS helpline give up after being left on hold

Nearly a quarter of callers to NHS helpline give up after being left on hold Nearly one in four callers to the NHS’s advice line for urgent health needs are giving up while trying to get through, with people kept on hold for nearly 25 minutes in north-east England, the Observer can reveal.

Depression rates are dropping... but they're still nearly twice as high as they were pre-Covid

Depression rates are dropping... but they're still nearly twice as high as they were pre-Covid Rates of depression in Britain are starting to fall after shooting up during the Covid pandemic, official data shows.

The Office for National Statistics estimated that 10 per cent of adults in the UK were depressed before the virus first struck.

This more than doubled to a record 21 per cent last winter after two brutal waves of the epidemic and three lockdowns, with women and young people worst affected. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Coronavirus and depression in adults in Great Britain Office for National Statistics

Getting flu jab for six years in a row cuts risk of developing dementia by 14%

Getting flu jab for six years in a row cuts risk of developing dementia by 14% Having the flu vaccine every winter could significantly reduce the risk of dementia, a study suggests.

The jab lowered the chances of developing the incurable condition by 14 per cent.

But it seems to work only when patients have had it for at least six years in a row. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Dementia risk following influenza vaccination in a large veteran cohort (abstract) Vaccine

Covid: Kettering's high rate 'not all about children'

Covid: Kettering's high rate 'not all about children' Cases of Covid-19 have almost doubled in Kettering, making it the area with the highest number of new positive tests per 100,000 people in the country. Why are numbers in the Northamptonshire town so high? BBC Northampton

University of Northampton urges students to stay safe during Freshers Week amid series of reported drink spikings at town centre nightspots

University of Northampton urges students to stay safe during Freshers Week amid series of reported drink spikings at town centre nightspots The University of Northampton has called on its students to stay safe on nights out amid a series of drink spiking cases at nightspots in the town centre.

Around seven drink spiking incidents have been reported at town centre venues since the beginning of September. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also: 

• Northampton club boss reiterates extensive security measures taken to combat a series of drink spikings in town Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Covid-19: healing the people who cared for us

Covid-19: healing the people who cared for us Much has already been written about living through Covid-19 and its impact on health and care staff. Among the harrowing tales, many positives have been captured about the experience, including the speed with which changes were adopted; how people coalesced around a shared sense of purpose; and how decisions were taken at the front line, closer to the patient. It is easy, and perhaps sloppy, to conclude from this that everyone has debriefed, that life is already moving on, and that some improved version of past reality can now be restored. But is that really the case? The King's Fund 

Whistleblowing report from healthcare regulators

Whistleblowing report from healthcare regulators The General Medical Council (GMC) has joined seven other healthcare regulators including the NMC and HCPC, to publish an annual report on whistleblowing disclosures. 

Perinatal mental health services: recommendations for the provision of services for childbearing women

Perinatal mental health services: recommendations for the provision of services for childbearing women This report summarises the latest evidence base for the extent and impact of perinatal mental disorder and opportunities for intervention. It sets out: best practice principles; guidance on effective interventions; and workforce recommendations. Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Building back inclusively: radical approaches to tackling the elective backlog

Building back inclusively: radical approaches to tackling the elective backlog This briefing recommends radical, whole-system changes to tackle the elective backlog inclusively. Aimed at healthcare leaders overseeing elective recovery, as well as policymakers with the levers to effect change, it puts forward ten practical measures to manage the backlog. NHS Confederation

See also: 

• Manifesto for recovery: the health and care system after Covid-19  NHS Confederation
• Building back inclusively: the evidence NHS Confederation

Government seeks views on contingency proposals for certification

Government seeks views on contingency proposals for certification The government has published the policy proposal for mandatory vaccine certification as a contingency measure under the government’s Autumn and Winter Plan.

As set out by the Prime Minister on 14 September, mandatory vaccine-only certification could potentially be introduced in certain settings as part of ‘Plan B’. Department of Health and Social Care 

Covid: People are vaccinated - so why are there so many cases?

Covid: People are vaccinated - so why are there so many cases? More than four out of five adults in the UK have now had two jabs, but reported daily Covid cases remain high.

Millions of people will get booster vaccines this autumn - while healthy children aged 12-15 are being offered single doses. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: What's the 'Winter Plan' and what are the rules across the UK? BBC News
• Vitamin-A treatment trial for Covid loss of smell BBC News
• Covid: Boris Johnson makes inquiry pledge to bereaved families BBC News
• Britain's Covid cases rise by 10% in a week to 34,526 The Daily Mail
• Vaccine passports could be required in England in a wide range of venues under No10's Covid 'Plan B' The Daily Mail
• Third of Covid patients diagnosed with at least one long-term symptom The Independent
• Smokers more likely to end up in hospital or die with Covid The Independent
• COVID-19: NHS director alerts parents to fake vaccine consent letters Sky News

People also suffer 'long flu', study shows

People also suffer 'long flu', study shows People who have fallen ill with flu can suffer long-term symptoms in a similar way to long Covid, a study suggests.

The Oxford University research analysed health records of people diagnosed with flu and Covid, mainly in the US.

The two groups - both with just over 100,000 patients - included people seeking healthcare for symptoms three to six months after infection. BBC News

See also: 

• Incidence, co-occurrence, and evolution of long-COVID features: A 6-month retrospective cohort study of 273,618 survivors of COVID-19 (open access) PLoS Medicine

NHS Highland pays out millions to bullied staff

NHS Highland pays out millions to bullied staff NHS Highland says it expects to pay £3.4m in settlements to current and former staff who have complained of bullying.

Whistleblowers exposed a "culture of bullying" at NHS Highland in 2018.

A Scottish government-commissioned review suggested hundreds of health workers may have experienced inappropriate behaviour. BBC News 

Fuel crisis leading to cancellations of NHS cancer appointments

Fuel crisis leading to cancellations of NHS cancer appointments The postponement of NHS appointments for some cancer patients because of the fuel crisis will heap additional pressure on patients and their families, charities have warned.

The Guardian learned that several cancer patients due to attend appointments this week at University College hospital (UCLH), one of London’s largest hospitals, have been told they will have to be rescheduled. 

Air pollution causes almost 6MILLION premature births around the world every year, study finds

Air pollution causes almost 6MILLION premature births around the world every year, study finds Air pollution may have contributed to almost 6million premature births and nearly 3million babies being born underweight around the world in 2019, a study claims.

And it wasn't just pollution from traffic or power plants, which have commonly been thought to be the biggest source of toxic air. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Ambient and household PM2.5 pollution and adverse perinatal outcomes: A meta-regression and analysis of attributable global burden for 204 countries and territories (open access) PLoS Medicine

Covid: Kettering sees case rates nearly double in a week

Covid: Kettering sees case rates nearly double in a week Secondary school-aged children have been urged to stay at home if their parents suspect they have Covid as cases soar in a Northamptonshire town.

Kettering, which currently has the highest infection rate in England, has seen cases nearly double within a week.

The Northamptonshire town saw 960 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 23 September. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Kettering's Covid rate goes through the roof as 'simply shocking' school infections soar Northamptonshire Telegraph

Annual hospital outpatient report

Annual hospital outpatient report NHS Digital has published annual outpatient figures, covering outpatient activity in the NHS and NHS-commissioned activity in the independent sector.

Included in the Hospital Outpatient Activity 2020-21 report is the number of outpatient appointments in 2020/21, broken down into patients that attended and did not attend. Further breakdowns of gender and age are also included. 

National AI strategy

National AI strategy This strategy builds on the UK’s strengths but also represents the start of a step-change for AI in the UK, recognising the power of AI to increase resilience, productivity, growth and innovation across the private and public sectors. Office for Artificial Intelligence 

Policy paper: Proposal for mandatory COVID certification in a Plan B scenario

Policy paper: Proposal for mandatory COVID certification in a Plan B scenario This document fulfils the commitment, set out in the Autumn and Winter Plan, to provide organisations with more detail about the proposed certification regime that would be introduced as part of Plan B. Department of Health and Social Care 

UKHSA publishes new recommendations for COVID-19 infection prevention and control

UKHSA publishes new recommendations for COVID-19 infection prevention and control UKHSA has recommended 3 pragmatic changes to the current management of COVID-19 IPC measures, with a focus on elective care. UK Health Security Agency

See also: 

• Hospitals in England can relax Covid rules to treat more patients BBC News
• Addenbrooke's Hospital: A&E patients made to wait in car park BBC News
• Covid: 'I lost my daughter to cancer after the pandemic paused chemotherapy' BBC News
• Covid UK: NHS hospitals are told to drop restrictions to help clear backlog The Daily Mail
• Hospitals in England relax Covid rules to help tackle waiting lists The Guardian

Most teenagers willing to have Covid jab - study

Most teenagers willing to have Covid jab - study Half of children and young people aged nine to 18 are willing or eager to be vaccinated against Covid, a large survey in England suggests.

It is one of the first polls to ask pupils, rather than parents, their views on teenage Covid jabs.

Carried out during the summer term, the responses from more than 27,000 students at 180 schools reveal half would opt to get protected. BBC News

See also: 

• Willingness of children and adolescents to have a COVID-19 vaccination: Results of a large whole schools survey in England (open access) EClinicalMedicine
• What it's like to be a nine-year-old in a vaccine clinical trial BBC News
• Schools warn about hoax anti-vaccine letters BBC News
• Mothers can pass Covid antibodies onto their babies via breastmilk for up to 10 MONTHS, study finds The Daily Mail
• People who don't wear face masks are up to TWICE as likely to test positive for Covid, data suggests The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Cases begin to spill over from children to parents as rates rise in 35-50 year olds The Daily Mail

Health workers should be given priority access to fuel in UK, says senior doctor

Health workers should be given priority access to fuel in UK, says senior doctor No 10 is facing calls to give ambulance drivers, healthcare staff and other essential workers priority access to fuel after panic buying caused shortages across the UK.

With ministers due to meet on Monday afternoon to discuss the growing crisis, the British Medical Association (BMA) called for emergency measures to let medical staff fill up, warning that as pumps run dry “there is a real risk that NHS staff won’t be able to do their jobs”. The Guardian 

'Explosive' jump in autism as number of children on the spectrum rises eight-fold in 20 years

'Explosive' jump in autism as number of children on the spectrum rises eight-fold in 20 years Autism diagnoses in England have soared nearly eight-fold in the past two decades, a study has shown. 

UK researchers said the 'explosive' rise was likely due to increased awareness and screening for the condition. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Time trends in autism diagnosis over 20 years: a UK population-based cohort study (open access) Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Northamptonshire hospitals see number of Covid patients double in four weeks

Northamptonshire hospitals see number of Covid patients double in four weeks Hospital chiefs fear more pressure piling on to local NHS services after the number of Covid patients needing treatment more than doubled in a month. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Covid vaccine rollout begins on Monday for Northamptonshire secondary school students Northamptonshire Telegraph
• England unlikely to need ‘full-blown lockdown’ this winter, leading expert says Northamptonshire Telegraph

What's the plan for ambulances to get through traffic chaos outside Northampton General Hospital?

What's the plan for ambulances to get through traffic chaos outside Northampton General Hospital? Three-month major roadworks near Northampton General Hospital (NGH) have caused standstill traffic during the rush hours this week - but is there a plan for emergency vehicles to get in and out of NGH? Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Northants hospitals warning over scam texts inviting patients for operations

Northants hospitals warning over scam texts inviting patients for operations Northampton General Hospital has issued vital information for customers on how to identify a real NHS text from a scam.

The Northamptonshire hospital has offered the advice with patients being increasingly contacted by their doctors by text. Northants Live 

Northants care workers paid the lowest wage in the country - as pay talks continue for Corby home care staff

Northants care workers paid the lowest wage in the country - as pay talks continue for Corby home care staff Figures analysed by our sister news site NationalWorld showed that council-employed carers across Northamptonshire are paid the lowest wages in the whole country. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Tackling the elective backlog – exploring the relationship between deprivation and waiting times

Tackling the elective backlog – exploring the relationship between deprivation and waiting times Long waiting times and growing waiting lists for hospital treatment have been a problem for some time, but now the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue and waiting lists have grown rapidly. As with other aspects of the pandemic, this has not been experienced equally. Our analysis of waiting list data shows a clear relationship with deprivation, which sees those living in the most deprived areas nearly twice as likely to wait more than a year for treatment compared to those living in the least deprived areas. The King's Fund

See also: 

• NHS waits: More people feeling forced into private healthcare BBC News
• Agony for half of over-50s as it emerges thousands are waiting for surgery amid crisis in the NHS The Daily Mail
• NHS backlog disproportionately affecting England’s most deprived The Guardian

Elective care: how has COVID-19 affected the waiting list?

Elective care: how has COVID-19 affected the waiting list? This analysis looks at what we know about the waiting list for elective care in England.

While the NHS delivered a remarkable amount of elective treatment during the pandemic, the pressure of caring for large numbers of patients seriously unwell with COVID-19 has led to the waiting list for elective care reaching the highest level since current records began.

Data show that 6 million fewer people completed elective care pathways between January 2020 and July 2021 than would have been expected based on pre-pandemic numbers. The Health Foundation

How primary care is delivering for patients

How primary care is delivering for patients This infographic demonstrates how primary care teams in England have been supporting patients. NHS Confederation 

Consultation on the future regulation of medical devices in the United Kingdom

Consultation on the future regulation of medical devices in the United Kingdom The MHRA is inviting members of the public to provide their views on possible changes to the regulatory framework for medical devices in the United Kingdom. The MHRA wants to develop a future regime for medical devices which enables: improved patient and public safety; greater transparency of regulatory decision making and medical device information; close alignment with international best practice and; more flexible, responsive and proportionate regulation of medical devices. It welcomes the views of patients, medical device researchers, developers, manufacturers and suppliers, clinicians, other healthcare professionals and the wider public to help shape the MHRA’s future approach to regulating medical devices in the UK. This consultation closes on 25 November 2021. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

People aged 16 and 17 urged to get lifesaving COVID vaccine as NHS bookings open

People aged 16 and 17 urged to get lifesaving COVID vaccine as NHS bookings open People aged 16 and 17 are able to book their COVID-19 jabs through the National Booking Service from today as the NHS vaccination programme pulls out all the stops to protect people ahead of winter.

Almost three quarters of a million young people in England – around 60% – have already received their vaccine thanks to the NHS ‘Grab a Jab’ campaign, where the NHS online site finder helps people find their nearest walk-in vaccine clinic. NHS England 

Margaret Keenan: First UK person to get the Pfizer jab gets booster

Margaret Keenan: First UK person to get the Pfizer jab gets booster A woman who became the first person in the world to get the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has had her booster.

Margaret Keenan, 91, from Coventry, got her third injection at University Hospital in the city on Friday, the same place she was first vaccinated.

Also getting the booster was Matron May Parsons, who administered Ms Keenan's first jab back in December. BBC News

See also: 

• World Health Organisation will start NEW Covid investigation The Daily Mail
• Invented in Britain: New anti-viral nasal spray that dramatically cuts the chance of catching Covid The Daily Mail
• England's Covid outbreak shrunk by 11% last week, official data shows The Daily Mail
• ‘We haven’t finished the job’: JVT reflects on 18 months of Covid The Guardian
• Children ‘paying the price’ for delayed approval of Covid vaccine, warn experts, as cases soar The Independent
• Campaign sending schools legal letters over Covid jabs stopped due to ‘censorship issues’ The Independent

NHS ‘on the edge’ with some patients waiting 48 hours for a bed

NHS ‘on the edge’ with some patients waiting 48 hours for a bed The NHS is struggling to cope with growing demand for urgent and emergency care, health officials have warned, with hospitals under the kind of pressure “usually seen at the height of winter”.

A&E units across the UK are so crowded that 50% are being forced to hold sick patients outside or turn ambulances away every day, Britain’s top emergency doctor told the Guardian. The figure is the highest ever recorded; it was 27% in October 2020 and 17% in March this year.

See also: 

• QE Hospital Birmingham: Winter looms with staff 'hanging on by a thread' BBC News
• ‘Things are grim here’: doctor tells of dire situation in north-west England ICU The Guardian
• Gas crisis, Covid and food shortages: Tories fear perfect winter storm The Guardian

Labour launches bid to end NHS 'culture of secrecy' and improve safety following care scandals

Labour launches bid to end NHS 'culture of secrecy' and improve safety following care scandals Labour is to push for key changes to the government’s NHS reforms, with new laws on transparency in the NHS and a demand for safe staffing levels on hospital wards, following a series of scandals relating to failures in patient care.

Amendments to the government’s Health and Care Bill will also include plans for the investigation of stillbirths by medical examiners, and for limits on the power of the health secretary to interfere in investigations. The Independent

See also: 

• NHS On 'Slippery Slope' To Insurance System, Claims Shadow Health Secretary Huffington Post UK
• Ashworth sets out Labour’s prescription for the health of the nation The Independent

Stillbirths fell to lowest EVER rate in 2020 amid Covid pandemic, official figures show

Stillbirths fell to lowest EVER rate in 2020 amid Covid pandemic, official figures show Office for National Statistics figures show there were 3.8 stillbirths per 1,000 births in England and Wales last year, the lowest since records began in 1927. The Daily Mail 

Covid vaccine rollout begins on Monday for Northamptonshire secondary school students

Covid vaccine rollout begins on Monday for Northamptonshire secondary school students Health workers will deliver the first Covid vaccines for Northamptonshire's secondary school students from Monday (September 27).

All those aged between 12 and 15-years-old will be offered jabs to combat recent spikes in cases causing more disruption to children's education. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid-19: Tree of Hope mural unveiled at Kettering hospital BBC Northampton

Homelessness in Northampton linked to domestic abuse more than 100 times during pandemic, figures reveal

Homelessness in Northampton linked to domestic abuse more than 100 times during pandemic, figures reveal Domestic abuse pushed Northampton people into homelessness or put them at risk of losing their homes more than 100 times during the coronavirus pandemic, figures reveal.

A spike in such cases nationally has been branded “shocking” by domestic abuse charities, which are calling for more funding to help survivors. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Northampton Hospital: Virtual appointment solution to road delays

Northampton Hospital: Virtual appointment solution to road delays A hospital is to offer patients virtual appointments after reports of delays of nearly two hours caused by roadworks.

Northampton General Hospital said it would offer the online service "where possible" because of congestion on Cliftonville Road and Bedford Road.

It apologised "for any inconvenience" caused by the traffic pressure. BBC Northampton

Taxes and health care funding: how does the UK compare?

Taxes and health care funding: how does the UK compare? The government’s decision to raise taxes to better fund health and social care has understandably generated a lot of interest. For many, this is a much-needed increase that will help meet some of the care needs of people in the UK after the pandemic. For others, the NHS is a ‘black hole’, swallowing increasing sums of taxpayer money.

These arguments raise several important questions. In particular, do we spend enough – or too much – on health and social care? And is it reasonable to raise taxes to fund increased spending? While the answers to these questions will ultimately be decided by the public, it is important to consider how the UK compares to other countries on health care spending and tax revenue. The Health Foundation 

Beyond reach: barriers to accessing early years services for children

Beyond reach: barriers to accessing early years services for children To better understand the support parents need, Action for Children surveyed just over 2,000 parents of nought to fives in England, to find out about their experience of using early years services. Four things are highlighted in this report: parents need a wide range of early years services; for too many parents, these services are beyond reach; parents are worried about the impact of being unable to access support; and the government has an opportunity to change this. 

Building back cancer services in England

Building back cancer services in England The pandemic has severely disrupted cancer services in England. While Covid-19 might not have caused our health service to ‘collapse’ rapidly, it has forced us to take previously unthinkable steps like cancelling cancer treatments. There have been widespread disruptions across the cancer care pathway – screening, referrals, diagnostic and treatment services have all seen reductions in activity.

Unmitigated, the consequences will be severe. Institute for Public Policy Research

See also: 

• Covid: Cancer backlog could take a decade to clear BBC News
• 'Thousands will die' over the next decade because of a huge cancer care backlog, report reveals The Daily Mail
• ‘A system on its last legs’: NHS forced to deny chemotherapy for cancer patients The Independent
• Clearing NHS cancer backlog could take over a decade – report ITV News

Rebuilding our NHS: the case for capital funding

Rebuilding our NHS: the case for capital funding This briefing highlighting what trust leaders need from the comprehensive spending review, based on a survey of trust and foundation trust finance directors across all sectors. NHS Providers

See also: 

• NHS chiefs want another £1.5bn a year extra to improve buildings The Daily Mail

The recovery challenges for NHS hospital services

The recovery challenges for NHS hospital services This month’s Insight report looks at how NHS trusts are planning for people’s care while tackling a backlog of treatment caused by COVID-19.

In May and June 2021, we asked 73 trusts about their approaches to longer waiting lists and how they are considering people’s care in a fair and equal way. We wanted to know about their assessments of the challenges. Care Quality Commission 

Covid-19: Life expectancy is down but what does this mean?

Covid-19: Life expectancy is down but what does this mean? Life expectancy for men in the UK has fallen for the first time in 40 years, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates.

Life expectancy at birth in the three years to 2020 was 79 years for men, falling back to a level last seen in 2012-14.

Female life expectancy was virtually unchanged, at just below 83.

Normally, life expectancy in the UK and around the world increases over time - and falls are rare. BBC News

See also: 

• UK Covid vaccine rules cause hesitancy - Africa health chief BBC New
• Britain's Covid cases rise by over a THIRD in a week to 36,710 The Daily Mail
• The true toll of Covid on the NHS: 18MILLION fewer appointments were carried out in 2020 The Daily Mail
• Covid? What Covid? Moderna boss expects pandemic to be done in a year The Daily Mail
• Moderna vaccine more effective against COVID-19 infection at 96% compared to Pfizer shot at 89% The Daily Mail
• Emails emerge of ‘VIP route’ for UK Covid test contracts The Guardian
• More than 100 countries face spending cuts as Covid worsens debt crisis, report warns The Guardian
• Nearly 125,000 deaths prevented by Covid vaccines in England, figures suggest The Independent

Woman with Down's loses abortion law fight

Woman with Down's loses abortion law fight A woman with Down's syndrome has lost her High Court challenge over a law that allows abortion up to birth for a foetus with the condition.

Heidi Crowter, 26, from Coventry, brought the case against the government in July, saying the legislation did not respect her life.

Her legal team had argued the rules were unlawfully discriminatory.

The government maintained there was no evidence the law discriminated against Down's. BBC News 

England set to eradicate HIV by 2030, research suggests

England set to eradicate HIV by 2030, research suggests England is set to have diagnosed 95 per cent of people living with HIV within the next four years, making it likely that the country will have eliminated transmission of the virus by 2030, according to a new study.

This places England on course to meet the ambitious global target set by Unaids for ending the AIDS epidemic by the close of the decade. The Independent

See also: 

• Trends in undiagnosed HIV prevalence in England and implications for eliminating HIV transmission by 2030: an evidence synthesis model (open access) The Lancet Public Health

Undisclosed private companies analysing facial data from NHS app

Undisclosed private companies analysing facial data from NHS app Undisclosed companies are analysing facial data collected by the NHS app, which is used by more than 16 million English citizens, prompting fresh concern about the role of outsourcing to private businesses in the service.

Data security experts have previously criticised the lack of transparency around a contract with the NHS held by iProov, whose facial verification software is used to perform automated ID checks on people signing up for the NHS app. The Guardian 

National insurance hike to hit NHS and care staff with £900m tax bill

National insurance hike to hit NHS and care staff with £900m tax bill Boris Johnson’s national insurance hike to fund health and social care will hit NHS and care workers with a £900m tax bill, the Guardian can reveal.

The prime minister announced this month that contributions are to increase by 1.25 percentage points to tackle the NHS backlog and pay for social care reforms. 

Work starts on national NHS uniform for England after nurses back plans

Work starts on national NHS uniform for England after nurses back plans Nurses have given the green light to plans for a national NHS uniform for England, with improved professional identity and patient safety cited as reasons for making for the move. Nursing Times 

Safety inspectors give GPs the okay to return after Northampton surgery struck by car

Safety inspectors give GPs the okay to return after Northampton surgery struck by car Doctors displaced by some dodgy driving are back behind their rightful desks just a day after having to decamp from their Northampton surgery. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also: 

• Freak accident shuts Northampton doctors surgery affecting 10,000 patients Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Watch as DAY TWO of three-month major roadworks sees more traffic CHAOS around Northampton General Hospital

Watch as DAY TWO of three-month major roadworks sees more traffic CHAOS around Northampton General Hospital Traffic was CRAWLING through Northampton AGAIN Tuesday, September 21 due to major roadworks taking place at a busy junction. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England

The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England This long read examines ethnic differences in health outcomes, highlighting the variation across ethnic groups and health conditions, and considers what’s needed to reduce health inequalities. The King's Fund

Record number of children and young people referred to mental health services as pandemic takes its toll

Record number of children and young people referred to mental health services as pandemic takes its toll Record numbers of children and young people are being referred to mental health services for crisis and non-crisis care, as the toll of the pandemic on the country’s mental health is revealed in a new analysis of NHS Digital data by the Royal College of Psychiatrists

See also: 

• Record-breaking 2,000 children are referred to NHS mental health services EVERY day The Daily Mail
• Children’s NHS mental health referrals double in pandemic The Guardian

Good for you, good for us, good for everybody: a plan to reduce overprescribing to make patient care better and safer, support the NHS, and reduce carbon emissions

Good for you, good for us, good for everybody: a plan to reduce overprescribing to make patient care better and safer, support the NHS, and reduce carbon emissions This report contains the findings and recommendations of the national overprescribing review led by Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England. The review sets out a series of practical and cultural changes to ensure patients are receiving the most appropriate treatment for their needs while ensuring clinicians’ time is well spent and taxpayer money is spent wisely. This includes better use of technology, how to review prescriptions more effectively, and how to offer alternatives to medicines where they would be more effective. Department of Health and Social Care

First UK manufactured rapid tests deployed across England

First UK manufactured rapid tests deployed across England The first UK-manufactured rapid tests – otherwise known as lateral flow devices or LFDs – are being rolled out to universities across England.

As the government continues to back companies and technologies working to help break chains of COVID-19 transmission, these new tests will bolster efforts to detect asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, and support more than 370 jobs in the Midlands. Department of Health and Social Care 

Covid: How can missing five million be persuaded to have the jab?

Covid: How can missing five million be persuaded to have the jab? The Covid debate has recently centred on whether teenagers should have the vaccine and when the most vulnerable will receive booster jabs. But a third group is of real concern among scientists and politicians - the five million or so adults yet to have a first dose. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid-19: New allergic reactions to hair dye reported BBC News
• Covid: Immune therapy from llamas shows promise BBC News
• Ivermectin does NOT fight Covid and scientific reviews heaping praise on de-wormer drug are flawed The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 UK: Professor Chris Whitty warns almost ALL unjabbed youngsters will get infected The Daily Mail
• Covid may be an occasional trigger of rare Guillain-Barré syndrome The Daily Mail
• Anti-viral drug remdesivir reduces risk of hospitalization in high-risk COVID-19 patients by 87% The Daily Mail
• Covid variant that originated in Japan should be watched closely, expert says The Daily Mail
• Only 20pc of people wearing masks on public transport since July 19 The Daily Telegraph
• State of a Covid nation: why this winter could push the NHS to breaking point The News Statesman 

Is 'the worst cold ever' going around?

Is 'the worst cold ever' going around? You've probably heard a lot more sniffles around if you've gone out recently or got on public transport.

Perhaps there's that one person on the work call who's not muted and starts a coughing fit before a meek: "It's not Covid, I've been tested!"

Or, maybe you've been ill and agree with people saying that what's going around right now is "the worst cold ever." BBC News 

Health service has experienced its 'toughest summer' says NHS England boss

Health service has experienced its 'toughest summer' says NHS England boss The NHS has experienced its toughest summer ever, the head of the health service in England has said as hospitals prepare for the autumn and a likely inevitable winter crisis. The Independent 

No trans under-17s referred for hormone treatment in the last nine months after gender clinic approval

No trans under-17s referred for hormone treatment in the last nine months after gender clinic approval Not a single person under the age of 17 seeking treatment from a hormone specialist through England’s NHS trans youth service from December last year has been referred, i can reveal.

No-one approved for treatment by the Gender and Identity Development Service during the last nine months has been given an appointment with an endocrinologist, who assess and approve puberty blockers and cross-hormones for patients aged up to 17. iNews 

NHS App 'storing facial recognition data with private tech company'

NHS App 'storing facial recognition data with private tech company' The NHS app is reportedly collecting and storing facial recognition data under a contract with a private tech company – sparking concern among privacy campaigners.

Biometric verification company iProov was awarded a contract by NHS Digital in 2019 to manage user verification on the app. Digital Health 

Eight in ten Britons want an 'in-person' GP appointment

Eight in ten Britons want an 'in-person' GP appointment The Daily Mail's campaign to win the right for all patients to have face-to-face care from their family doctor has received a tidal wave of public support.

Some 85 per cent of Britons believe they should be entitled to an 'in-person' appointment with their GP – and not be fobbed off with a remote consultation by phone or video. 

Schools fuelling surge in cases as Kettering overtakes Corby as country's Covid hotspot

Schools fuelling surge in cases as Kettering overtakes Corby as country's Covid hotspot Kettering has overtaken Corby as England's Covid hotspot with positive tests in schools fuelling a surge in cases.

Daily government data released at 4pm on Tuesday September 21 showed 171 out of 597 new positive tests countywide were people living in the former Kettering borough. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• University of Northampton urges new students to use drop-in clinics to get a Covid jab Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid tickets worth £140,000 brought fines of £780 in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph

Three more reports of drink spiking incidents confirmed in Northampton nightlife venues

Three more reports of drink spiking incidents confirmed in Northampton nightlife venues Three more incidents of drink spiking in Northampton venues have been reported, a police spokeswoman has confirmed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also: 

• Northampton nightclub working with police over drink-spiking BBC Northampton
• Detective's warning over fears women's drinks were spiked in Northampton nightclub Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Watch traffic CHAOS at Northampton General Hospital on the first day of THREE-MONTH major roadworks in the area

Watch traffic CHAOS at Northampton General Hospital on the first day of THREE-MONTH major roadworks in the area There was traffic CHAOS at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) Monday as the first day of major roadworks in the area began. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Directors of public health and the COVID-19 pandemic

Directors of public health and the COVID-19 pandemic Directors of public health continue to play a critical role in responding to and recovery from COVID-19. It is vital that we learn from their experiences in order to strengthen the role of public health and directors of public health for the longer term. The Health Foundation 

Welfare facilities for healthcare staff

Welfare facilities for healthcare staff This guidance, developed by the NHS Staff Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Partnership Group, aims to support NHS organisations to improve their provision of staff welfare facilities. NHS Employers 

Independent report: National overprescribing review report

Independent report: National overprescribing review report The findings and recommendations of the national overprescribing review led by Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England.

The review sets out a series of practical and cultural changes to ensure patients are receiving the most appropriate treatment for their needs while ensuring clinicians’ time is well spent and taxpayer money is spent wisely. This includes better use of technology, how to review prescriptions more effectively, and how to offer alternatives to medicines where they would be more effective. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Government pledges to reduce overprescribing of medicines Department of Health and Social Care
• College hits back at anti-GP media coverage on prescribing Royal College of General Practitioners
• We welcome review into overprescribing Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Overprescribing of medicines must stop, says government BBC News
• Government review finds 10% of drugs dispensed in England are pointless The Guardian
• Ministers to crack down on overprescription of medicines on the NHS The Independent

New strategy launched to improve patient safety through digital technology

New strategy launched to improve patient safety through digital technology NHSX in collaboration with NHS Digital and NHS England and NHS Improvement, has published the first ever Digital Clinical Safety Strategy to help the NHS provide a safer service for patients.

NHSX’s new strategy, builds on the national NHS Patient Safety Strategy. It sets out a clear vision and recommendations to make care safer for patients, use digital to improve safety and expand staff access to digital safety.

See also: 

• Digital Clinical Safety Strategy NHSX
• Speech: Using the power of technology to make the world a safer and healthier place Department of Health and Social Care
• Digital Clinical Safety Strategy adds to NHS patient safety plan Computer Weekly
• First of its kind strategy to ‘mainstream’ digital clinical safety Digital Health
• NHSX launches strategy to improve patient safety through digital technology Healthcare IT News

Severe mental illness: inequalities in cancer screening uptake

Severe mental illness: inequalities in cancer screening uptake This report presents analysis of differences in the uptake of bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening in England between people with and without severe mental illness (SMI).

Based on a large sample of primary care data, the report is part 1 of an assessment of SMI and cancer screening. It is also part of a larger ongoing exploration into the causes of high premature mortality among adults with SMI. Public Health England

New NHS clinical leadership to support post-COVID challenges

New NHS clinical leadership to support post-COVID challenges Leading clinicians from across the health service have been appointed to new national clinical roles to help lead action on post-COVID challenges facing patients and staff.

The five new clinical leads – covering urgent and emergency care, elective care and long COVID – will provide expert advice to the NHS Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis, and to the programme teams working to support local NHS teams improve services for patients in these areas. NHS England 

Long NHS waiting lists have led to a dangerous explosion in opiate use

Long NHS waiting lists have led to a dangerous explosion in opiate use A hidden and worrying aspect of the rapid growth in NHS waiting lists is the 40 per cent rise in use of drugs like tramadol, codeine and dihydrocodeine compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Researchers uncovered this startling increase in patients waiting for hip and knee operations. This type of surgery is a useful barometer as these are the most common surgical procedures carried out in the NHS, although much of this bread and butter work is subcontracted to private health providers. The Independent

Britain's daily Covid cases rise again by nearly a fifth in a week and deaths climb 10%

Britain's daily Covid cases rise again by nearly a fifth in a week and deaths climb 10% Department of Health bosses posted 31,564 new coronavirus infections today, up 18.5 per cent on the 26,628 recorded last Tuesday. Cases had been falling for the nine days prior to Saturday. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Covid vaccine: India to resume vaccine exports from October BBC News
• Covid vaccine stockpiles: Are 241m doses at risk of going to waste? BBC News
• Covid was the THIRD leading cause of death in England last month The Daily Mail
• Tories slam No10 over 'perverse' move to give over-12s Covid vaccines The Daily Mail
• Fix ‘grotesque’ vaccine inequity, campaigners tell world leaders The Independent

Number of parents using surrogates in England and Wales has quadrupled in a decade

Number of parents using surrogates in England and Wales has quadrupled in a decade Almost four times as many parents in England and Wales are using surrogates now compared to a decade ago, it was revealed today.  

A report by Kent University found there were 413 babies born to surrogate mothers last year, compared to just 117 in 2011. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Surrogacy on the rise in England and Wales BBC News

More people seek mental health support in Northamptonshire

More people seek mental health support in Northamptonshire More people were using NHS mental health services across Northamptonshire in July than at the same point last summer, figures show. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Green shoots: creating the conditions for health care innovation to flourish

Green shoots: creating the conditions for health care innovation to flourish During the hard days of the pandemic, many people have found it restorative to look for ‘green shoots’ in their surroundings, both literal and more metaphorical. In the context of health, we might see such green shoots in the impressive COVID-19 vaccination programme and the discovery of innovative ways to provide high-quality care – the rapid rollout of the COVID Oximetry @home and COVID virtual ward programmes, for example. These are just some of many green shoots that provide hope for the future amid the devastating impact of COVID-19 on lives and livelihoods. The Health Foundation 

National survey of malnutrition and nutritional care in adults

National survey of malnutrition and nutritional care in adults This report outlines the findings of a survey that aimed to take the temperature on the status of nutritional care across all health and social care settings in the UK. The survey found that 40 per cent of patients were at risk of malnutrition but also that the majority of patients had a nutritional care plan in place, particularly for those who were at medium or high-risk of malnutrition. British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) 

Action to ensure all women receive safe, effective, and personalised maternity care must be prioritised to prevent future tragedies

Action to ensure all women receive safe, effective, and personalised maternity care must be prioritised to prevent future tragedies A new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlights continued concern about the variation in the quality and safety of England’s maternity services - prompting the regulator to call for improvements to be prioritised to ensure safer care for all mothers and babies.

See also:

• Troubled maternity wards still jeopardising patients, watchdog warns The Guardian 
• Revealed: Unsafe maternity care has cost the NHS £8.2bn in 15 years The Independent

Folic acid to be added to flour to prevent spinal conditions in babies

Folic acid to be added to flour to prevent spinal conditions in babies Folic acid will be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour across the UK to help prevent life-threatening spinal conditions in babies, the government and devolved administrations announced. Department of Health and Social Care