GP complaints treble in a year: 'majority' of concerns over patients struggling to make appointment

GP complaints treble in a year: 'majority' of concerns over patients struggling to make appointment Complaints about GPs have almost tripled in a year with the 'vast majority' of those coming from people who were unable to book an appointment due to surgeries prioritising the booster rollout. The Daily Mail 

Dementia patients who see the same GP are 10 times less likely to be admitted to hospital

Dementia patients who see the same GP are 10 times less likely to be admitted to hospital Dementia patients who regularly see the same GP tend to be in better health, a study suggests. 

University of Exeter experts found dementia sufferers enjoyed a raft of benefits over their peers if they consistently saw the same doctor.

They also had a better chance of getting medication that was a good match and less likely to cause side effects.  The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Continuity of GP care for patients with dementia: impact on prescribing and the health of patients (open access) British Journal of General Practice

Covid vaccine chief's plea to Northamptonshire's missing 67,000 to get boosted

Covid vaccine chief's plea to Northamptonshire's missing 67,000 to get boosted Around 67,000 people across Northamptonshire are still to get a Covid-19 booster jab after a slump in demand since Christmas.

The county's vaccination programme director fears public messages about the Omicron variant 'not being that serious' may be hindering the rollout. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Hundreds more people died in Northamptonshire during Covid-19 pandemic than in normal years, according to Public Health England Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid pandemic reaching ‘endgame’ - but shouldn’t be treated like flu Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northamptonshire dementia patients missing out on 'vital' care reviews, figures reveal

Northamptonshire dementia patients missing out on 'vital' care reviews, figures reveal People living with dementia in Northamptonshire missed out on potentially vital care reviews they were entitled to last year, figures suggest. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

For whose benefit? NHS England’s contract with the private hospital sector in the first year of the pandemic

For whose benefit? NHS England’s contract with the private hospital sector in the first year of the pandemic This report analyses the government’s use of the private hospital sector to alleviate the burden on the NHS during the first year of the COVID pandemic. Under this strategy, NHS England purchased access to practically the entire private hospital sector at the outset of the pandemic, in a series of contracts that would run between March 2020 and March 2021.

However, this research shows that none of the goals outlined for the deal were achieved to a significant extent. Centre for Health and Public Interest 

Richard Meddings CBE confirmed as new Chair of NHS England

Richard Meddings CBE confirmed as new Chair of NHS England The government has confirmed today that Richard Meddings will be the new Chair of NHS England, following a fair and open competition.

Mr Meddings previously served on HM Treasury’s Board and as Chair of TSB Bank, and is a non-executive director at Credit Suisse. Department of Health and Social Care 

New weight loss support on the high street

New weight loss support on the high street People struggling to lose weight will now be offered help from their local high street pharmacy as part of the NHS’s radical action to tackle rising obesity levels and type 2 diabetes.

Community pharmacy teams can now refer adults living with obesity, and other conditions, to the twelve-week online NHS weight management programme. NHS England 

COVID-19 variants identified in the UK

COVID-19 variants identified in the UK Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 designated as a variant under investigation (VUI)

The Omicron variant sub-lineage known as BA.2 has been designated a variant under investigation ( VUI-22JAN-01) by the UK Health Security Agency

See also: 

• Guidance: The R value and growth rate UK Health Security Agency
• Research: COVID-19 therapeutic agents: technical briefings UK Health Security Agency
• Research: COVID-19 vaccine weekly surveillance reports (weeks 39 to 3, 2021 to 2022) UK Health Security Agency
• Research: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers UK Health Security Agency

Call to delay compulsory Covid vaccines for NHS staff

Call to delay compulsory Covid vaccines for NHS staff The deadline for health workers to have a Covid vaccination should be delayed to prevent staff shortages in England, the Royal College of GPs has said.

NHS staff must have a first jab by 3 February and be fully vaccinated by 1 April to continue in frontline roles. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: Wales could recruit non-jabbed English NHS staff BBC News
• Covid-19: 'We'll be second-class citizens if self-isolation rules go' BBC News
• Covid cases are already rising again among primary school children, official data shows The Daily Mail
• UK health chiefs are now officially keeping tabs on 'stealth' version of Omicron The Daily Mail
• Anti-vax bomb hoaxer jailed after sparking school evacuation and NHS major incident The Daily Mail
• 'Several thousand' NHS staff still set to lose jobs even if vaccine mandate delayed, warns health service chief The Daily Telegraph
• Forcing NHS refuseniks to have the jab will make matters worse The Daily Telegraph
• Mandatory Covid jabs policy divides NHS leaders in England as deadline nears The Guardian
• Long Covid: nearly 2m days lost in NHS staff absences in England The Guardian
• ‘It’s not an exact science’: In defence of the Covid-19 modellers The Independent
• Attacks against Covid modellers undermine future pandemic response, say Sage scientists The Independent

Severe shortage of nurses in UK children’s intensive care units

Severe shortage of nurses in UK children’s intensive care units Britain’s sickest children are being treated in intensive care units that are struggling with severe shortages of the specialist nurses needed to look after them, a report says.

The shortages in the UK’s 30 paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are so severe that healthcare assistants are covering the work of nurses in an attempt to ensure that staffing levels are maintained. The Guardian

See also:

• Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network Annual Report 2021 The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership

Calories on menus ‘may not be helpful’ in drive against obesity

Calories on menus ‘may not be helpful’ in drive against obesity Campaigners say compulsory menu labelling could put too much emphasis on calorie counting

A Big Mac has 508. Wagamama’s hot chicken katsu curry has 1,089. And a large mixed grill with chips at Wetherspoon’s has 2,052. But will knowing how many calories are in a restaurant meal help make a difference to the UK’s obesity epidemic? The Guardian 

'Don't be Covid complacent' warning as Northamptonshire cases rise despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying they're falling

'Don't be Covid complacent' warning as Northamptonshire cases rise despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying they're falling Northamptonshire health chiefs are warning against Covid complacency after Boris Johnson announced plans to lift Plan B restrictions.

The Prime Minister's claimed that Office for National Statistics data show 'clearly that infection levels are falling' yet the number of new coronavirus cases in the county reported daily has risen sharply during the last three days. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Seventy per cent of KGH Covid patients are unvaccinated Northamptonshire Telegraph

Mental health: trends in the quality of mental health care

Mental health: trends in the quality of mental health care In this QualityWatch update we look at a range of mental health service performance measures, and data on patient experience and outcomes, to give a view of how services have fared in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Nuffield Trust

How does the health and care system hear from people and communities?

How does the health and care system hear from people and communities? People's lived experience is a powerful tool to improve existing services and identify new and better ways to meet their needs. This explainer looks at how the health and care system can listen and learn from the people and communities they serve and the sources of information available to them. The King's Fund

Debt and health: Preventing ‘problem debt’ during the pandemic recovery

Debt and health: Preventing ‘problem debt’ during the pandemic recovery There is a two-way relationship between debt and health: debt problems can lead to deteriorations in mental and physical health, and health problems can be a trigger for increasing debt. 20% of people in problem debt in Great Britain report ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health, compared with 7% of those not in problem debt. The Health Foundation

Health and Care Bill: ensuring we have enough staff to meet demand

Health and Care Bill: ensuring we have enough staff to meet demand A coalition of almost 90 health and care organisations – including NHS Providers – calling for stronger provisions on workforce planning in the Health and Care Bill has issued a briefing ahead of committee stage in the House of Lords in January 2022. An amendment has been tabled by Baroness Cumberlege to mandate the regular publication of independent assessments of current and future health and care workforce numbers. This briefing outlines the principles that the coalition believes any other amendment or clause tabled for this purpose needs to meet. NHS Providers

See also:

• The Health and Care Bill: House of Lords, Committee of the whole House: clauses 35-67 and Schedule 6 NHS Providers

NHS cancer checks at record high with quarter of a million in one month

NHS cancer checks at record high with quarter of a million in one month Record numbers of people are coming forward for cancer tests, with almost a quarter of a million referrals in one month according to the latest data, the NHS said today.

The figures show that 246,000 people were checked for cancer in November – three times as many compared to the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020, when people were reluctant to come forward. NHS England

See also:

• Public told not to delay cancer check-ups BBC News
• Minister defends Government cancer record despite treatment delays and spiralling diagnostic waits The Daily Mail
• NHS hotline set up for people worried about cancer symptoms The Independent

Covid: NHS in push to vaccinate the final four million

Covid: NHS in push to vaccinate the final four million More than four million adults in the UK have not yet had a first Covid jab and 16 million have not had their booster. This winter, NHS vaccine teams have been out on the streets trying to win over those hard-to-reach groups who might have struggled to access health services in the past. BBC News

See also:

• Was South Africa ignored over mild Omicron evidence? BBC News
• 'Brain fog' caused by Covid could be a result of how the virus affects a person's spinal fluid The Daily Mail
• Daily Covid cases fall just 1.6% in a week as Omicron curve begins to level off The Daily Mail
• Schools defy Boris Johnson as they insist face masks must stay in class The Daily Telegraph
• NHS England Covid absences fall amid signs staffing crisis is easing The Guardian
• Covid rule changes leave clinically vulnerable as ‘collateral damage’, charities warn The Independent
• ‘Game-changing’ X-ray technology can diagnose Covid within minutes The Independent
• COVID-19: Decision to lift Plan B rules is 'disaster' for healthcare which is 'at proper low' - NHS doctor Sky News

Moorfields Eye Hospital gives woman, 88, UK's first 'bionic eye implant'

Moorfields Eye Hospital gives woman, 88, UK's first 'bionic eye implant' An 88-year-old woman from east London has become the first UK patient to receive a pioneering eye implant to help partially restore her vision.

The surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital involved inserting a 2mm wide microchip under her retina by surgically creating a 'trapdoor' in which the chip rests. BBC News

Stop caging people with autism and learning disabilities, says Robert Buckland

Stop caging people with autism and learning disabilities, says Robert Buckland Ex-Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland is calling for changes to mental health laws to stop people with autism or learning disabilities being detained in hospitals for long periods.

Last year, the BBC found that 100 people with learning disabilities and autism had been held in hospitals for at least 20 years. BBC News

Ministers and NHS bosses clash over surgery waiting list targets in England

Ministers and NHS bosses clash over surgery waiting list targets in England Publication of ‘elective recovery plan’ delayed as hospital bosses say targets to clear backlog must be realistic

A “very tense” behind-the-scenes row over how quickly hospitals in England can be expected to reduce the massive backlog of surgery has broken out between NHS bosses and ministers. The Guardian

Rates of short-sightedness across the UK skyrocketed by nearly 50% in three decades

Rates of short-sightedness across the UK skyrocketed by nearly 50% in three decades A study of more than 100,000 Britons by University College London found one in five born during WWII went on to develop the condition, with two-thirds of cases diagnosed in childhood. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Temporal trends in frequency, type and severity of myopia and associations with key environmental risk factors in the UK: Findings from the UK Biobank Study (open access) PLOS One

Army arrives at Northampton and Kettering hospitals as figures show ambulances queuing more than an hour for A&E

Army arrives at Northampton and Kettering hospitals as figures show ambulances queuing more than an hour for A&E Nearly one in five ambulances carrying A&E patients were forced to queue for more than an hour outside Northampton General Hospital (NGH) during the first full week of 2022. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Chart of the week: Are a greater proportion of NHS hospital beds being occupied this winter?

Chart of the week: Are a greater proportion of NHS hospital beds being occupied this winter? Winter presents a period of significant pressure on the NHS – there are more illnesses and deaths, and individuals’ existing conditions often get worse. One clear marker of that pressure is the percentage of beds available in hospitals that are occupied by patients. In this chart, Liz Fisher looks at how the bed occupancy rate so far in English hospitals this winter compares with previous winters. Nuffield Trust 

Ethnic minority-led GP practices: impact and experience of CQC regulation

Ethnic minority-led GP practices: impact and experience of CQC regulation Providers led by GPs of an ethnic minority background have raised with us concerns that they do not receive the same regulatory outcomes from CQC as providers led by GPs of a non-ethnic minority background.

To investigate and respond to these concerns, we started a programme of work in February 2021. The focus of this has been on how our own regulatory approach affects ethnic minority-led GP practices and how we can improve our methods to address any inequalities we identify. Care Quality Commission 

CQC publishes new survey showing the impact of lockdown on mental health and dignity

CQC publishes new survey showing the impact of lockdown on mental health and dignity New research published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) carries a stark message on the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and has highlighted the importance of feedback for improving care. 

New plans to boost veterans employment launched

New plans to boost veterans employment launched New programmes to make better use of the unique skills and experience of military veterans, including as prison officers and the uniformed and health services, have been launched.

The programmes are part of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan, which will launch a range of measures to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran. The Cabinet Office 

England to return to Plan A following the success of the booster programme

England to return to Plan A following the success of the booster programme The government has announced that England will fully return to Plan A on Thursday 27 January thanks to the success of the booster programme, with ministers urging anyone who has still not had a top-up jab to come forward and Get Boosted Now. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Health Secretary statement from COVID-19 press conference Department of Health and Social Care

Covid infections falling across the UK, says ONS

Covid infections falling across the UK, says ONS The number of people infected with coronavirus in the UK is showing the most significant fall since the start of the Omicron wave, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates.

In the week to 15 January, 3.5 million people tested positive - down from 4.3 million the week before, it says. BBC News

See also: 

• PM announces end to Plan B Covid measures BBC News
• FactCheck: tens of thousands of NHS England staff face dismissal over compulsory vaccines Channel 4 News
• Machine learning process can predict which Covid patients will recover from the disease The Daily Mail
• Covid-19 UK: Common blood thinner can spare virus patients from severe lung damage, study claims The Daily Mail
• Free lateral flow Covid tests to be scrapped by JULY under No10's 'Operation Rampdown' The Daily Mail
• Covid lateral flow tests don't work as well on children The Daily Mail
• The NHS doctors picking 'no jab' over a job The Daily Telegraph
• Work from home and and mandatory mask rules to be dropped as England moves back to plan A – video The Guardian
• Plan A: what are the new Covid rules in England? The Guardian
• Sajid Javid’s axing of all Covid restrictions draws warnings from NHS The Guardian
• Removal of Covid rules in UK risks premature signal of victory The Guardian
• Dropping Plan B will not ease pressure on NHS, nurses warn The Independent
• No Covid lockdown rules needed says NHS boss with severe cases stable Metro

Millions are dying from drug-resistant infections, global report says

Millions are dying from drug-resistant infections, global report says More than 1.2 million people died worldwide in 2019 from infections caused by bacteria resistant to antibiotics, according to the largest study of the issue to date.

This is more than the annual death toll from malaria or Aids.

Poorer countries are worst affected but antimicrobial resistance threatens everyone's health, the report says. BBC News

See also:

• Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis (open access) The Lancet
• Antibiotic-resistant superbugs killed 1.2MILLION people in 2019 - more than HIV or malaria The Daily Mail
• Antibiotic-resistant infections killing more than HIV or malaria, major study shows The Independent

Patients 'wait two years' for check-ups as dentists drop NHS work

Patients 'wait two years' for check-ups as dentists drop NHS work NHS dentistry is "hanging by a thread" with some patients facing two-year waits for check-ups, the British Dental Association has said.

Department of Health data analysed by the BBC shows almost 1,000 dentists working in 2,500 roles across England and Wales left the NHS last year. BBC News

Changes will give NHS patients 'quicker access to new medicines'

Changes will give NHS patients 'quicker access to new medicines' Changes to the way medicines and devices are assessed for NHS use in England will give patients “better access to life-changing medicines”, experts have said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has proposed a raft of measures changing the way that it assesses new medicines and devices for NHS use. The Independent

Ex-banker NHS chair must ‘get up to speed’ on social care, MPs warn

Ex-banker NHS chair must ‘get up to speed’ on social care, MPs warn The new chair of the NHS must get up to speed on social care, MPs have warned as they approved the banking chief’s appointment.

The appointment of Richard Meddings as new chair of NHS England has been approved by the government’s Health Committee, following an interview on Tuesday. The Independent 

Northamptonshire health boss says major Covid incident not over

Northamptonshire health boss says major Covid incident not over An NHS chief executive has said a county which declared a major Covid incident "is still in the teeth of it" despite a fall in staff absences.

Northamptonshire made the declaration on 7 January, with critical services facing staff shortages.

The number of staff absent at the county's two hospital sites has since fallen from 910 to 694. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Boris Johnson to give update on lifting Covid Plan B rules today Northamptonshire Telegraph

Care home staffing crisis leaves Northampton and Kettering hospitals facing bed-blocking jam

Care home staffing crisis leaves Northampton and Kettering hospitals facing bed-blocking jam County NHS hospitals are dealing with 300 patients who could be discharged but have nowhere to go because of crippling staff shortages in care services. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Collaborating on the wider determinants of health

Collaborating on the wider determinants of health The Health Foundation’s COVID-19 impact inquiry highlighted how deep-rooted issues – poor health, financial insecurity and strained public services – left the UK more vulnerable to the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. I am struck by how clearly COVID-19 has amplified the stark health inequalities within our society, underlining the need to look beyond health care and improve the many wider determinants of health – from welfare and housing to employment and transport. 

CQC Insight: Issue 15

CQC Insight: Issue 15  This report looks at the data on staff vacancies in care homes, and the quality of ethnicity data recording for mental health services. Care Quality Commission 

Covid: Boris Johnson expected to ease England's Plan B measures

Covid: Boris Johnson expected to ease England's Plan B measures Boris Johnson is expected to announce an easing of England's Covid rules when he makes a statement on Plan B later.

The cabinet will review the latest data before Mr Johnson addresses Parliament in the afternoon.

A government spokeswoman said the decision was "finely balanced" but the latest data was "encouraging", with cases falling since early January. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: WHO warns pandemic not over amid Europe case records BBC News
• Hong Kong to cull 2,000 hamsters and small mammals over Covid case BBC News
• Government should 'pause' mandatory vaccination of NHS staff, says RCN Channel 4 News
• Covid: 52000 unvaccinated NHS staff in England at risk of losing jobs Channel 4 News
• A QUARTER of all Covid 'deaths' are now patients who died WITH the virus The Daily Mail
• Pfizer's antiviral Covid pill shows effectiveness against the Omicron variant in lab tests The Daily Mail
• Health department warning over vaccine mandate for NHS staff in England The Guardian
• More than 900 Covid deaths recorded in England and Wales in first week of January The Guardian
• ‘I put my arms around her’: doctor’s story captures anger at No 10 parties The Guardian
• Government wins appeal over contract for firm linked to Dominic Cummings The Guardian
• How has Boris Johnson responded to claims of Covid rule-busting parties? The Independent
• When does the NHS vaccine mandate start? The rules on staff Covid jabs explained and how many are unvaccinated iNews
• Downing Street parties: NHS nurse tells of wards like ‘battlefields’ as Dominic Raab defends No 10 iNews

Depression rise at Christmas linked to stress over Covid

Depression rise at Christmas linked to stress over Covid Feelings of depression and anxiety rose sharply over Christmas, especially in young people, according to a survey led by University College London (UCL).

Despite fewer restrictions than last Christmas, many still said they were worried about high levels of Covid-19 and the risk to friends and family.

Happiness and life satisfaction also dipped in people of all ages. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid-19 Social Study: Results Release 42 University College London

Should bad science be taken off social media?

Should bad science be taken off social media? How do you solve a problem like bad information?

When it comes to understanding science and making health decisions, it can have life-or-death consequences.

People dissuaded from taking vaccines as a result of reading misleading information online have ended up in hospital or even died. BBC News

See also:

• The online information environment The Royal Society
• How misinformation affected the perception of vaccines in the 20th century based on the examples of the polio, pertussis and MMR vaccines (literature review) The Royal Society
• Harmful misinformation shared online should NOT be removed because it could 'exacerbate feelings of distrust', experts warn The Daily Mail

NHS hospitals given fresh warning over 'vulnerable' blood stocks

NHS hospitals given fresh warning over 'vulnerable' blood stocks Hospitals in England have been sent a fresh warning over national blood stocks and urgently need donations of a rare blood type, The Independent has learnt. 

Waiting six hours in A&E before being admitted can raise your risk of dying, study warns

Waiting six hours in A&E before being admitted can raise your risk of dying, study warns Waiting at least six hours in A&E before being admitted to hospital can raise your risk of dying by almost 10 per cent, a damning report suggests. 

NHS targets state 95 per cent of patients should be seen within four hours when they attend casualty units. However, the health service has continually failed to meet its goal. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Association between delays to patient admission from the emergency department and all-cause 30-day mortality (open access) Emergency Medicine Journal
• Doctors warn hospitals ‘not coping’ as study links A&E waits to deaths The Independent

Incoming NHS England chair Richard Meddings admits he has used private healthcare

Incoming NHS England chair Richard Meddings admits he has used private healthcare Former banker Richard Medding, 63 - who is Sajid Javid's pick to chair the NHS - revealed he chose to use private health care 'late last year' when being treated for deep vein thrombosis. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Prospective NHS chairman used private healthcare in 2021, MPs hear The Independent

Addressing vaccine hesitancy in different ethnic communities

Addressing vaccine hesitancy in different ethnic communities Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership used insight gained from a four-stage programme to understand the impact that COVID 19 was having on ethnic minority communities, and work with the different communities to understand the causes of the vaccine hesitancy. This programme of work, which entailed partnership working between multiple agencies as well as with the various communities, led to a significant increase in vaccine uptake in just four months. NHS Confederation 

NHS 111 mental health triage service

NHS 111 mental health triage service NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), worked with partners, including people with lived experience, to develop a seamless, single point of access to mental health crisis support using mental health nurses working in NHS 111. The new service provides easy access to support for patients, takes pressure off the rest of the system by reducing attendance at A&E, and enables people to get mental health support before a problem becomes a crisis. NHS Confederation 

Specialist mental health unit failures exposed by patients

Specialist mental health unit failures exposed by patients There are serious concerns over the standards of specialist care being provided to patients with the most complex mental health needs, a BBC investigation has found.

Patients sent by the NHS to stay in mental health rehabilitation units say they have been placed in unsafe environments, often far from home, with untrained staff. BBC News 

Self-harm guidance to include advice for schools and prisons

Self-harm guidance to include advice for schools and prisons Staff in schools and prisons in England and Wales are for the first time to be included in draft guidance on how to identify people who have self-harmed.

The experts behind it said everyone was responsible for tackling the growing problem of self-harm - not just mental health professionals. BBC News

See also: 

• Self harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence. Draft guidance consultation. NICE

NHS pilots genetic testing to predict risk of heart disease

NHS pilots genetic testing to predict risk of heart disease A world-first pilot of predictive genetic testing aiming to identify those at high risk of cardiovascular disease is under way in GP surgeries in the north of England.

The NHS pilot, called Heart, is offering genetic tests to 1,000 healthy volunteers aged between 45 and 64 years old to give more accurate predictions for their risk of heart disease and stroke. The Guardian 

One in four NHS doctors tired to the point of impairment, survey finds

One in four NHS doctors tired to the point of impairment, survey finds One in four doctors in the NHS are so tired that their ability to treat patients has become impaired, according to the first survey to reveal the impact of sleep deprivation on medics during the coronavirus pandemic. The Guardian

See also:

• Sleep deprived doctors concerned about patient safety Medical Defence Union
• 'Running on empty': one in four GPs warn extreme tiredness is affecting patient care GPonline
• Sleep deprived NHS doctors: ‘I realised my error when the patient collapsed’ The Guardian

7000 doctors and nurses may quit NHS by March unless pension penalties are suspended

7000 doctors and nurses may quit NHS by March unless pension penalties are suspended NHS staff may retire en masse come March as workers try to avoid pension penalties. Quilter has called for an extension of Covid rules for NHS workers who gave up retirement to help out throughout the pandemic. iNews

Sajid Javid plans 'academy school' style NHS revolution in bid to reduce hospital waiting times

Sajid Javid plans 'academy school' style NHS revolution in bid to reduce hospital waiting times The Health Secretary is planning to set up academy style hospitals to tackle post-pandemic waiting lists.

Under the re-organisation, Sajid Javid will give more freedom to well-run hospitals that manage to treat patients quickly.

But he will come down hard on failing NHS trusts in an attempt to deal with the 'huge' variation in performance across the health service. The Daily Mail

SAGE adviser hopes UK will have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by 2023

SAGE adviser hopes UK will have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by 2023 Britain could have a 'flu-type' relationship with Covid by the end of 2022, one of the Government's scientific advisers said today.

Dr Mike Tildesley, who sits on an influential modelling sub-group of SAGE, warned the country 'was not there yet' because hospitalisation levels from the virus are still 'relatively high'. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Covid: 'Fussy eaters' could have smell and taste disorder BBC News
• Retired GP broke Covid rules to hug bereaved woman at clinic BBC News
• Covid infection can cause debilitating brain condition that causes more damage than Alzheimer's The Daily Mail
• Covid outbreaks now shrinking in 96% of England's neighbourhoods The Daily Mail
• More than 80,000 unvaccinated NHS workers face the sack The Daily Mail
• Health chiefs extend shelf-life of Pfizer Covid vaccines by TWO WEEKS The Daily Mail
• Thousands of unvaccinated GP staff face dismissal notice from February GPonline
• Schools rejecting offers of air filters that limit Covid spread, say parents The Guardian
• Lords watchdog launches inquiry into Michelle Mone over ‘VIP lane’ contract The Guardian
• ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ in fight against Covid in UK, says World Health Organisation The Independent
• About 12000 students to be deployed across NHS to tackle pandemic The Independent
• Tens of thousands have died at home without adequate care during pandemic, charity warns The Independent

Carry on testing! Health chief's plea as Northamptonshire's Covid cases fall for first time since October

Carry on testing! Health chief's plea as Northamptonshire's Covid cases fall for first time since October Northamptonshire health chief Lucy Wightman is warning people to beware of new rules about cutting short Covid-19 self-isolation.

Ministers announced this week that those who have tested positive can end their quarantine after just five days instead of ten — but only after TWO negative lateral flow tests (LFT). Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Major change to Covid self-isolation rules takes effect from today Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• ‘Encouraging’ signs Covid rules will lift this month as cases plateau Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid booster jabs to be offered to 16 and 17 year-olds from Monday Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby cancer patient left without Covid antiviral drugs - despite being on high risk list Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Healthcare staff face sack without exit payments under Covid jab plans Northamptonshire Telegraph

A&E at Northampton and Kettering 32 percent busier than 12 months ago, according to official figures

A&E at Northampton and Kettering 32 percent busier than 12 months ago, according to official figures Fewer patients visited hospital A&E at Northamptonshire hospitals last month – but numbers were still nearly one-third higher than over the same period last year, figures reveal. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northamptonshire sees worrying drop in dentists doing NHS work

Northamptonshire sees worrying drop in dentists doing NHS work The number of NHS dentists practising in Northamptonshire fell by 8 per cent in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The county saw 27 fewer dentists last year than in 2020, with 332 practising in the county. Northants Live

NHS performance summary: November - December 2021

NHS performance summary: November - December 2021 NHS England published the latest data on key activity and performance measures for November and December of 2021. Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports were also published for the week beginning 3 January 2022, giving a more up-to-date analysis of how the NHS is coping this winter. Here we show the performance against some key targets, including those set out in the 2021/22 operational planning guidance published in September. Nuffield Trust

Plugging the gap: estimating the demand and supply of jobs by sector in 2030

Plugging the gap: estimating the demand and supply of jobs by sector in 2030 This research report projects that as a result of population ageing, Covid-19 and Brexit, the UK economy could see a shortfall of 2.6 million workers by 2030 – almost twice the workforce of the NHS. Amid continued labour market challenges, ILC calls on government to develop a comprehensive workforce strategy to tackle future shortages. International Longevity Centre-UK

New advertising drive calling on young people to Get Boosted Now

New advertising drive calling on young people to Get Boosted Now A new advertising campaign to encourage 18 to 34 year olds to get their vital COVID-19 booster jabs has launched as uptake among young people is lower than other age groups.

While more than 80% of eligible adults in England have had a booster jab, just 57% of eligible 18 to 34 year olds have been boosted. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Hundreds of thousands of teens to get boosted on NHS NHS England
• Guidance: SARS-CoV-2 variants of public health interest UK Health Security Agency
• Guidance: The R value and growth rate UK Health Security Agency

Covid in the UK: Reported cases at lowest level for a month

Covid in the UK: Reported cases at lowest level for a month The UK has reported another 81,713 coronavirus cases, the lowest daily level seen since 15 December.

The apparent ebbing of the Omicron wave comes as some experts claim the end of the pandemic is in sight for the UK.

However, the number of deaths within 28 days of a test remains high, with 1,843 over the past seven days - a 45% rise from the previous week. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: Cases falling in UK cautiously good news - epidemiologist BBC News
• Covid: Self-isolation cut to five full days in England BBC News 
• 'High confidence' Omicron is less severe in UK BBC News
• Babies in England hospitals with Omicron as a precaution BBC News
• Covid vaccine: Your concerns answered BBC News
• Covid: Why are 12-15s now being double-jabbed? BBC News
• What happens to the 500,000 people who are still shielding? The Daily Mail
• How many people in YOUR area have Covid? Interactive map reveals UK's Omicron hotspots The Daily Mail
• Covid booster jabs in England to be thrown away as demand falls The Guardian
• The NHS isn’t ‘coping’ with Omicron – just ask doctors and patients | Rachel Clarke The Guardian
• ‘Encouraging signs’ plan B Covid measures may soon be lifted in England The Guardian
• Long Covid: Poorest patients denied specialist NHS treatment The Independent
• Vulnerable people denied vaccines by ‘anti-vaxxer’ carers and families The Independent

NHS Tracker: How is the NHS in your area coping this winter?

NHS Tracker: How is the NHS in your area coping this winter? A combination of winter and the ongoing Covid pandemic is placing a huge strain on hospitals.

Patients are facing long waits for emergency treatment and wards are short of beds.

Enter a postcode to find out what is happening in your area. BBC News 

Nottingham NHS trust 'told staff not to discuss bullying'

Nottingham NHS trust 'told staff not to discuss bullying' A union says confidentiality clauses are being unfairly used at an NHS trust where bullying and discrimination were highlighted in a recent inspection.

Unison said Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust uses the clauses - which it says are effectively gagging orders - in settlement agreements.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said such clauses are unacceptable. BBC News 

Revealed: Dozens of deaths and stillbirths at maternity units cost hospital trust £103m in damages over decade

Revealed: Dozens of deaths and stillbirths at maternity units cost hospital trust £103m in damages over decade More than £100 million has been paid out in damages by one hospital trust over 10 years after its maternity units were accused of being responsible for dozens of deaths and stillbirths, Channel 4 News can reveal. 

Vulnerable women starved to death in NHS hospital following 'unacceptable' failures

Vulnerable women starved to death in NHS hospital following 'unacceptable' failures “Unacceptable” failures by a mental health hospital to manage the physical healthcare of a woman detained under the mental health act contributed to her starving to death, The Independent has learned.

Heart attack patient raises alarm after NHS advised him to make own way to hospital

Heart attack patient raises alarm after NHS advised him to make own way to hospital An ambulance service has apologised after a man having a heart attack was advised to get himself to hospital or face a long wait.

Graham Reagan said his son had to drive him to hospital after being told the nearest ambulance was 30 to 40 miles away. The Guardian 

Northampton care home set six-month deadline to get better after being labelled inadequate by inspectors

Northampton care home set six-month deadline to get better after being labelled inadequate by inspectors A Northampton care home has been given a six-month deadline to improve after being placed in 'special measures.' Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northampton couple to run 48KM in 21 hours for neonatal ward after they saved son's life

Northampton couple to run 48KM in 21 hours for neonatal ward after they saved son's life A Northampton couple will be running 48 kilometres in 21 hours in later this year to raise funds for the Gosset Ward, at Northampton General Hospital, after staff there saved their premature baby's life. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Patients waiting for treatment face difficult journey as NHS recovery challenge grows

Patients waiting for treatment face difficult journey as NHS recovery challenge grows The situation on the ground right now across health and care services illustrates the incredibly difficult journey faced by patients waiting for treatment, and by staff in NHS and care services, given the waiting list has now reached the once unthinkable 6 million mark. Nuffield Trust

See also: 

• Government must be honest about consequences of not introducing new COVID-19 measures for the NHS The Health Foundation
• ‘It is clear that the road to recovery will not be a smooth one for NHS services’ The King's Fund
• One in NINE people in England now on NHS waiting list amid Omicron wave The Daily Mail
• Record 6m people waiting for routine hospital treatment in England The Guardian

Overcoming health inequalities in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods

Overcoming health inequalities in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods This report, published jointly with the Northern Health Science Alliance, shows the devastating impact of poor health for those living in deprived areas and left behind neighbourhoods (LBNs) and makes a number of recommendations to overcome the health inequalities faced by people living in these places. All-Party Parliamentary Group for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods 

Caring in Covid

Caring in Covid To help record and highlight the response of the not-for-profit sector, this collection of stories from NCF members describes care, communities and leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic. National Care Forum 

Record number of NHS ambulance call outs for life-threatening conditions in December, despite jump in Omicron absences

Record number of NHS ambulance call outs for life-threatening conditions in December, despite jump in Omicron absences NHS staff dealt with the highest ever number of life-threatening ambulance call outs last month, new figures show today. Ambulances responded to 82,000 category one calls in December, an average of one every 33 seconds and higher than any other month on record. NHS England 

Self-isolation for those with COVID-19 can end after 5 full days following 2 negative LFD tests

Self-isolation for those with COVID-19 can end after 5 full days following 2 negative LFD tests From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Free PPE for frontline extended for another year Department of Health and Social Care
• New advertising drive calling on young people to Get Boosted Now Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement to Parliament: Oral statement on the government's COVID-19 response Department of Health and Social Care
• Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam to step down as Deputy Chief Medical Officer in March 2022 Department of Health and Social Care
• National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published UK Health Security Agency

Covid in pregnancy linked to birth-related complications

Covid in pregnancy linked to birth-related complications A new study has linked Covid-19 to complications during pregnancy.

Scottish researchers found that women who catch the virus near the end of pregnancy were more vulnerable to birth-related complications.

They are more likely to suffer them than women who catch Covid in early pregnancy or not at all. BBC News

See also:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination rates in pregnant women in Scotland (open access) Nature Medicine
• The best of Jonathan Van-Tam's Covid analogies BBC News
• Covid isolation period cut to five full days in England - Javid BBC News
• Lockdown parties in No 10 on eve of Prince Philip's funeral BBC News
• WHO warns that repeated booster shots are not sustainable The Daily Mail
• Covid UK: Cases fall by nearly 40% in a week to 109,133 as Omicron wave continues to collapse The Daily Mail
• Boris's ex-communications director 'apologises unreservedly for anger and hurt caused' over boozy 'lockdown-breaking party' at Downing Street on eve of Prince Philip's funeral The Daily Mail
• ‘Red levels of staffing are the norm’: NHS workers on coping with Covid The Guardian
• 'Tonight, we're going viral': the Jonathan Van-Tam quotes that won't be forgotten – video The Guardian
• Renewed calls for PM to resign over parties on eve of Philip funeral The Guardian
• Boris Johnson’s former spokesperson ‘apologises unreservedly’ for No 10 party during Covid restrictions The Independent
• Downing Street inquiry ‘set to find parties were not criminal The Independent
• Covid-19: Number of NHS staff off work in England is falling The Independent
• NHS under pressure all over, but where are the pinch points? Sky News

Skin cancer: Newcastle University test predicts spread of melanoma

Skin cancer: Newcastle University test predicts spread of melanoma Scientists have developed a test which reliably predicts the spread or return of the most deadly form of skin cancer.

The Newcastle University team made the breakthrough in understanding how skin cancer tumours grow.

The test, known as AMBLor, is applied to a standard biopsy of the primary melanoma when it is removed. BBC News 

NHS chief warned Sajid Javid that deal for private hospitals could waste of taxpayers' money

NHS chief warned Sajid Javid that deal for private hospitals could waste of taxpayers' money NHS England's boss told Sajid Javid the £90million a month deal to rope in private hospitals if Covid spiralled out of control could waste taxpayer money, it emerged today.

The three-month contract sees private healthcare staff and facilities put on standby to help, should Omicron trigger unsustainable levels of hospital admissions or staff absences. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Javid tells NHS England to give private hospitals up to £270m in case of Omicron surge The Guardian
• Private health firms in England to receive up to £525m to fight Omicron surge The Guardian

Glandular fever may be the biggest cause of multiple sclerosis

Glandular fever may be the biggest cause of multiple sclerosis Glandular fever may be the biggest cause of multiple sclerosis, a major study has concluded.

Harvard scientists say they have 'compelling evidence' the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – which causes the 'kissing disease'/mononucleosis – is to blame.

They tracked the prevalence of MS among 10million soldiers in the US military over the course of two decades. Volunteers regularly had blood tests taken to see if they had EBV.  The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis (abstract) Science 

Omicron 'not mild for everyone' warning issued in Northants

Omicron 'not mild for everyone' warning issued in Northants The Director of Northamptonshire's Vaccination Programme has issued a stark warning to locals.

Chris Pallot, who has run the vaccination programme since it was set up in the county at the end of 2020 has warned locals that the new Omicron variant of Covid "is not mild for everybody". Northants Live

See also: 

• Clinically extremely vulnerable people struggle to access Covid antiviral drugs despite guidelines iNews
• Former Covid patient launches fundraiser for Northampton General Hospital to get a family room after they saved her life Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 19 neighbourhoods and villages in Northamptonshire with the highest Covid rates Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Kettering restaurant boss given big Covid fine after hosting lockdown wedding Northamptonshire Telegraph
• What Northants was up to while Downing Street hosted garden party Northants Live

Air ambulance scrambled to 375 missions in Northants last year

Air ambulance scrambled to 375 missions in Northants last year The Northamptonshire air ambulance was called to nearly 400 missions last year.

During 2021, air ambulances across the midlands were called to 3,300 missions as the service remained fully in operation despite covid restrictions. Northants Live 

The full list of products recalled by major supermarkets after salmonella warning

The full list of products recalled by major supermarkets after salmonella warning Supermarkets Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons,Sainsbury’s and Asda have issued an urgent warning after salmonella was found in several products

Bake Away products are among the items being affected, such as their ready-to-roll raw pastry and dough products. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Chart of the week: The rise, fall and rise again of NHS staff sickness absences

Chart of the week: The rise, fall and rise again of NHS staff sickness absences With staff absences in the NHS having been in the headlines recently, Billy Palmer looks at the daily number of staff absent through sickness or self-isolation across NHS acute trusts in England since the start of the pandemic. The numbers are presented as an average across seven days. Nuffield Trust

Past and projected period and cohort life tables: 2020-based, UK, 1981 to 2070

Past and projected period and cohort life tables: 2020-based, UK, 1981 to 2070 Life expectancy (eₓ), probability of dying (qₓ) and number of persons surviving (lₓ) from the period and cohort life tables, using past and projected mortality data from the 2020-based interim national population projections (NPPs), for the UK and constituent countries. Office for National Statistics

See also: 

• Life expectancy calculator Office for National Statistics
• Latest data shows that a child born in the UK today will die nearly 5 years earlier than previously predicted The Health Foundation
• Children born today will die five years earlier than predicted a decade ago as life expectancy falls The Independent

‘Miracle’ Cystic Fibrosis Treatment For Children on The NHS

‘Miracle’ Cystic Fibrosis Treatment For Children on The NHS Hundreds of children are set to benefit from a ‘miracle’ treatment for cystic fibrosis, which has already changed the lives of thousands of people, the NHS has announced today. Patients here were some of the first in Europe to benefit from Kaftrio when NHS England secured a landmark deal in June 2020. NHS England 

More than 40 million people have now had a second jab after bumper week

More than 40 million people have now had a second jab after bumper week More than 40 million second doses have now been delivered by the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, after a bumper week saw over 200,000 people come forward for their second jab. NHS England 

About 4.3 million Covid infections estimated in UK

About 4.3 million Covid infections estimated in UK About 4.3 million people in the UK had a Covid infection in the week up to 7 January - up from 3.7 million the previous week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates.

That is 6.7% of the population, but the rise in people testing positive is slowing down in all four UK nations. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey headline results, UK: 12 January 2022 Office for National Statistics
• Care services struggle with Omicron staff-sickness spike BBC News
• Covid: Hospital staff come in on days off to cover absences BBC News
• In full: Boris Johnson's apology over lockdown drinks party BBC News
• Boris Johnson: Senior Tories urge PM to quit after party apology BBC News
• What has the PM said before about No 10 parties? BBC News
• Covid: Chile starts fourth vaccine dose amid rise in cases BBC News
• Face masks can slash distance infectious Covid droplets travel by up to EIGHT-FOLD, study suggests The Daily Mail
• 'Eventually it will have to break': LMC alert systems show general practice in distress GPonline
• Sajid Javid urged to delay mandatory jabs for NHS staff in England The Guardian
• Use of ‘VIP lane’ to award Covid PPE contracts unlawful, high court rules The Guardian
• ‘What we saw alarmed us’: the long fight to expose ‘VIP lane’ Covid contracts The Guardian
• Boris Johnson admits attending Downing Street party during lockdown The Guardian
• Covid loses almost all its ability to infect beyond short distances, new study finds The Independent
• ‘Deltacron’: New Covid variant or laboratory error? The Independent
• Man fined £100 for standing in the street same day No 10 accused of holding party The Independent
• COVID-19: Patient in intensive care regrets being 'too lazy' to get vaccine Sky News

6m people on hospital waiting lists in England

6m people on hospital waiting lists in England The number of people on a hospital waiting list in England has hit 6 million for the first time, NHS data shows.

Around one in 20 of those have been waiting more than a year.

This figure is for the end of November and covers operations such as knee and hip surgery. That is before Omicron hit so it is likely these figures will have worsened. BBC News

Jonathan Van-Tam stepping down as deputy chief medical officer

Jonathan Van-Tam stepping down as deputy chief medical officer Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, is stepping down from his position, it has been announced.

One of England’s most recognisable and trusted medics of the pandemic, Prof Van-Tam is set to return to the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Nottingham, where he has been on secondment from since 2017. The Independent 

PROF KAROL SIKORA warns thousands of lives will be lost to cancer without urgent action

PROF KAROL SIKORA warns thousands of lives will be lost to cancer without urgent action Anyone who tuned into the debate today amongst a smattering of MPs on the issue of access to radiotherapy would have found it a truly sobering experience.

MPs from all parties lined up to set out in chilling terms the desperate situation we are now facing with cancer. In their words, it is a crisis in every shape and form. The Daily Mail 

UK doctors could soon begin giving heart transplant patients organs from PIGS after US case

UK doctors could soon begin giving heart transplant patients organs from PIGS after US case Transplant patients could routinely be given animal organs within years, according to the surgeon behind the world's first operation to give a dying man a pig heart.

Many experts see the field – known as xenotransplantation – as a solution to a global shortage of human organ donors that is expected to get worse as we live longer.

Last week, a genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into a terminally ill heart failure patient and the organ appears to be functioning properly so far. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Three ethical issues around pig heart transplants BBC News
• First pig heart to human transplant is a game-changer, say surgeons BBC News

Military personnel brought in to support East Midlands Ambulance Service with non-emergency responses

Military personnel brought in to support East Midlands Ambulance Service with non-emergency responses Arrangements have been made for 60 military personnel to support East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) with responding to non-emergency patients in the coming weeks. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Integration and innovation in action: community capacity

Integration and innovation in action: community capacity This report outlines a range of examples where NHS organisations are working collaboratively to improve outcomes for patients and local communities. Based on interviews with NHS leaders, it reflects on the opportunities and challenges of models of care that aim to treat patients in the community. NHS Confederation 

Diverting children from unnecessary hospital attendances in York

Diverting children from unnecessary hospital attendances in York This case study shows how local GP provider organisation Nimbuscare worked with the local authority, volunteers, local businesses and health providers in York to turn an area of wasteland into the beginnings of a health village. The disused car park hosts an innovative paediatric hub pilot scheme to help prevent under-fives from going into hospital, provides preventative health checks and delivers flu, Covid-19 and booster vaccinations on behalf of the eleven GP practices within the city. NHS Confederation 

People with a positive lateral flow test no longer required to take confirmatory PCR test

People with a positive lateral flow test no longer required to take confirmatory PCR test From 11 January, most people with a positive lateral flow test do not need to take a confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm they have COVID-19. UK Health Security Agency 

Is the worst of Omicron really over?

Is the worst of Omicron really over? Covid cases in the UK are on the way down - at least according to the daily figures released by the government.

The number of cases confirmed over the past seven days is 13% down on the previous week.

But does this really mean the Omicron wave has peaked? BBC News

See also: 

• Covid: Half of Europe to be infected with Omicron within weeks - WHO BBC News
• Covid: Quebec to impose health tax on unvaccinated Canadians BBC News
• Covid-19 vaccine: Why are some athletes so reluctant to get the jab? BBC News
• Downing Street party: What Covid rules would it have broken? BBC News
• MPs demand answers over Covid drinks claim BBC News
• Doctor reveals every critically ill Covid patient being treated at his hospital is unvaccinated The Daily Mail
• Pfizer plans to produce up to 100 million doses of new Omicron-specific Covid vaccine by spring The Daily Mail
• Garden party hangover might explain why Boris Johnson didn’t sack Dominic Cummings straight away The Daily Telegraph
• What does the Omicron winter crisis mean for the NHS? The Guardian
• One in seven could still be infectious after five-day Covid isolation The Guardian
• ‘The party’s over, Boris’: what the papers say about Johnson’s No 10 crisis The Guardian
• UK records 379 Covid deaths and 120,821 new cases as PCR test rule change begins The Independent
• No 10 staff told to ‘clean up’ phones amid lockdown party allegations, sources claim The Independent
• Police fined more than 800 people for breach of Covid rules in week of Downing Street party The Independent

RSV: Parents should be alert to symptoms of common winter virus

RSV: Parents should be alert to symptoms of common winter virus A charity is warning parents to be alert to a common winter virus that can cause breathing problems in very young children.

The British Lung Foundation says respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) could rebound in January after few cases last winter - but numbers are currently low.

As with Covid, most children have mild symptoms but a small number need hospital treatment. BBC News