Nurses to suspend 48-hour strike as talks with government start

Nurses to suspend 48-hour strike as talks with government start Intensive talks are due to start later between ministers and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) after the union halted next week's 48-hour strike in England.

Health Secretary Stephen Barclay will sit down with RCN leader Pat Cullen to discuss a compromise deal to end the stand-off over pay.

The talks are likely to focus on next year's pay rise, which is due in April.

One option is to backdate it by several months, effectively giving nurses an extra pay boost for part of this year. BBC News

See also:

• Joint Government and RCN statement Department of Health and Social Care and the Royal College of Nursing
• Matthew Taylor responds to government negotiations with the Royal College of Nursing NHS Confederation
• Danny Mortimer responds to government negotiations with the RCN NHS Employers
• NHS Providers responds to statement from the government and RCN on pay talks NHS Providers
• Pay proposal will worsen the NHS dispute UNISON
• Government recommends 3.5% pay rise for nurses and other workers BBC News
• Nurses in England to pause strike action ahead of ‘intensive’ government talks Channel 4 News
• What could the nurses’ breakthrough with the government mean for other striking unions? Channel 4 News
• Devastating NHS nursing strikes are PAUSED as ministers finally agree to 'intensive talks' over pay The Daily Mail
• Nurses in England pause strike action to enter ‘intensive’ pay talks The Guardian
• Nursing union pause strike to hold ‘intensive talks’ with government to over pay The Independent
• Tories hope U-turn on nurses’ pay will boost poll numbers The News Statesman
• In first breakthrough of long-running dispute, nurses to begin 'intensive talks' with govt today Sky News

Suicidal NHS staff lose mental health support in ‘irresponsible’ cuts

Suicidal NHS staff lose mental health support in ‘irresponsible’ cuts Suicidal NHS staff will be left in “dangerous” situations without support when national funding for mental health hubs ends next month, health leaders have warned.

The hubs, set up with £15 million of government funding for NHS workers following Covid, are being forced to close or reduce services as neither the department for health and social care nor the NHS has confirmed ongoing funding for 2023-24.

This will leave thousands of NHS staff, some of whom are described as “suicidal” in “complete limbo”, The Independent has been told.

Patient safety put 'at risk' by crumbling NHS hospitals in need of repair

Patient safety put 'at risk' by crumbling NHS hospitals in need of repair Patient safety put 'at risk' by crumbling NHS hospitals in need of repair.

An investigation by ITV News found raw sewage, collapsing floors and ageing walls among the structural problems facing staff at hospitals in England.

Police in England and Wales dealing with more mental health crises than ever

Police in England and Wales dealing with more mental health crises than ever The police are dealing with increasing demands to intervene with people suffering mental health crises, freedom of information requests have revealed.

Some forces across England and Wales have experienced a tripling in mental health requests between 2019 and 2021, data shows. Suffolk police have recorded an increase of 342%, Norfolk 260%, Northamptonshire 90%, and Leicestershire 54%. The Guardian

Death rates 'are NOT higher among Covid-vaccinated Brits'

Death rates 'are NOT higher among Covid-vaccinated Brits' Death rates are not higher among people vaccinated against Covid, according to official data.

Leading statisticians tasked with tracking deaths from all causes in England found rates are 'consistent' between the unjabbed and fully-jabbed.

Mortality levels were actually higher among the unvaccinated, the figures showed. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Deaths involving COVID-19 by vaccination status, England: deaths occurring between 1 April 2021 and 31 December 2022 Office for National Statistics

Kettering Hospital ward accused of traumatising children may close

Kettering Hospital ward accused of traumatising children may close Children's services could be forced to close at a hospital that is accused of leaving young patients traumatised and sick through poor care.

The care regulator said it had taken action to "ensure people are safe" on Skylark ward at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) in Northamptonshire.

Thirteen parents with serious concerns after their children died or became seriously ill have spoken to the BBC.

The hospital said it was "very sorry" to families who felt let down. BBC Northampton

Kettering General Hospital's diagnostics test wait times among worst in the country

Kettering General Hospital's diagnostics test wait times among worst in the country KGH bosses say they’re working to clear a backlog after the trust’s diagnostics test wait times were revealed to be among the country’s worst.

NHS targets say 95 per cent of patients should have their tests – which include those such as MRI scans and non-obstetric ultrasounds – within six weeks.

But newly-published data from NHS England showed that the Rothwell Road hospital was nowhere near hitting that figure in December 2022. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Fixing the foundations: why it’s time to rethink how we support older people with health problems to stay well at home

Fixing the foundations: why it’s time to rethink how we support older people with health problems to stay well at home This report provides a first-hand account of older people’s difficulties in getting the good, joined up health and social care they need to manage at home, leaving them at risk of crisis which often results in being admitted to hospital. Yet the evidence is clear that with the right care at the right time many of these admissions could have been avoided. Age UK

Hundreds of thousands of women experiencing menopause symptoms to get cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hundreds of thousands of women experiencing menopause symptoms to get cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy Around 400,000 women across England will get better access to menopause support – saving hundreds of pounds and making treatment more accessible. Department of Health and Social Care

Improved system of organ use to save lives

Improved system of organ use to save lives Patients waiting for organs will benefit from changes to organ transplant services designed to better match donated organs with recipients, increase the number of transplants and improve the patient experience.

The Organ Utilisation Group has produced the report ‘Honouring the gift of donation - utilising organs for transplant’ which includes a number of recommendations - accepted by the government - designed to make sure as many donated organs as possible are used to save the lives of patients on the waiting list. Department of Health and Social Care

Big rise in long-term sick hitting UK workforce

Big rise in long-term sick hitting UK workforce The UK risks a shrinking workforce caused by long-term sickness, a new report warns.

Pensions and health consultants Lane, Clark and Peacock (LCP) says there has been a sharp increase in "economic inactivity" - working-age adults who are not in work or looking for jobs.

The figure has risen by 516,000 since Covid hit, and early retirement does not appear to explain it.

The total of long-term sick, meanwhile, has gone up by 353,000, says LCP. BBC News

See also:

• "The Great Retirement or the Great Sickness?” – is the Government at risk of ‘barking up the wrong tree’ on the rise in economic inactivity Lane, Clark and Peacock

NHS crisis: Why are so many staff leaving the health service?

NHS crisis: Why are so many staff leaving the health service? Chronic staff shortages are raising the pressure on NHS staff, with long working hours and high anxiety driving more staff to quit. Sky News analysis shows that a surge in resignations due to work-life balance cost the NHS 10,000 staff last year. Sky News

See also:

• Health workers ‘shattered’, says Jeremy Farrar as more NHS strikes loom The Guardian
• Record numbers of NHS doctors are resigning. One senior consultant tells us why she had to leave Sky News

Junior doctors in England to strike for 72 hours in March

Junior doctors in England to strike for 72 hours in March Hundreds of thousands of operations and medical appointments will be cancelled in England next month and progress in tackling the huge care backlog will be derailed as the NHS prepares to face the most widespread industrial action in its history.

Junior doctors are poised to join nurses and ambulance workers in mass continuous walkouts in March after members of the British Medical Association (BMA) voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action. The Guardian

 

See also: 

• Junior doctors vote yes to industrial action BMA
• Industrial action NHS Employers
• Supplementary FAQs on support during strike action of junior doctors NHS Employers
• Juniors doctors vote for strikes in England BBC News
• Junior doctors set for three-day walkout as huge majority back strikes GPonline
• Junior doctors vote by 98% for unprecedented strike that will hit every hospital The Independent
• Junior doctors’ strike: Why are they taking action and what are their demands? The Independent
• NHS staff met with ‘wall of silence’ says union as pay dispute widens in England Nursing in Practice

Revealed: record number of households in UK depending on food banks

Revealed: record number of households in UK depending on food banks More people are depending on food banks than ever before in Britain, new figures show, as “ever-increasing” numbers of households – including pensioners, NHS staff and teachers – seek help amid the cost of living crisis.

New research by the Independent Food Aid Network (Ifan), shared with the Observer, found that almost 90% of food banks surveyed reported increased demand in December 2022 and January 2023 compared with a year earlier. Half of the 85 organisations running 154 food banks that responded said if demand rose further they would either have to cut support or turn people away.

New type of CPR ‘could save more patients in cardiac arrest’

New type of CPR ‘could save more patients in cardiac arrest’ More heart patients could be saved thanks to a new type of “advanced” CPR which involves hooking up patients to an artificial lung machine.

People who suffer cardiac arrest – when the heart stops pumping blood around the body – could be offered the advanced form of resuscitation if they do not respond to traditional CPR thanks to a new service in the Thames Valley region. The Independent

Children's surgery backlog grows as NHS prioritises adult waiting lists

Children's surgery backlog grows as NHS prioritises adult waiting lists Hundreds of thousands of children are waiting for surgery as new figures show the backlog has spiralled by almost 50 per cent in two years.

The latest NHS data for December lays bare the parlous state of paediatric medicine, with NHS leaders and doctors warning that adult care is being prioritised over children’s. The Independent

Number of mental health service users rose by 16% this year, data shows

Number of mental health service users rose by 16% this year, data shows The number of people accessing NHS mental health services in England has risen year on year, even as overall numbers of mental health nurses across hospital and community services has fallen, data has shown.

Data released by NHS Digital today reveals that 16% more people accessed NHS-funded secondary mental health, learning disabilities, and autism services in 2021-2022 compared with 2020-21. Nursing in Practice

Over 1,000 chemists and clinics have shut since 2015, study shows

Over 1,000 chemists and clinics have shut since 2015, study shows More than 1,000 GP practices and pharmacies have closed over the past seven years - forcing patients to travel further for care, a damning study reveals.

A major audit of official data on new openings and permanent closures from 2015 to 2022 today lays bare the tragic demise of primary care in England.

It found there has been a net loss of 670 pharmacies and 343 GP practices over this period, with the most deprived areas hit hardest. The Daily Mail

Pharmacists warn of further vital drug shortages

Pharmacists warn of further vital drug shortages Britain's medicines shortage crisis is deepening, with an unprecedented 70 commonly taken drugs now out of stock, according to the latest data.

Over the past 12 months, supply problems have hit crucial antibiotics, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, painkillers and over-the-counter cold and flu remedies – but now certain antidepressants, stop-smoking pills and a sleeping tablet taken by millions have been added to the list. The Daily Mail

Nurses in Northants to strike next month with union warning of ‘absolute minimum’ services

Nurses in Northants to strike next month with union warning of ‘absolute minimum’ services Nurses at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will join tens of thousands of others on strike next month in the largest NHS strike in history.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) voted to strike for 48 hours between March 1-2 in an ongoing dispute with the government over pay and conditions. The union has warned that services will be an "absolute minimum” at the 120 NHS trusts affected. Northants Live

Improving staff experience and staff engagement at QEH

Improving staff experience and staff engagement at QEH The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is a rural district general hospital in West Norfolk. In 2019, QEH had the worst NHS Staff Survey results in the country. This case study explores what the organisation did and how it applied staff engagement methods to improve its NHS Staff Survey scores. NHS Employers

NICE says evidence that COVID-19 treatment Evusheld is effective in protecting vulnerable adults against current variants is lacking as it announces new rapid update process for COVID-19 medicines

NICE says evidence that COVID-19 treatment Evusheld is effective in protecting vulnerable adults against current variants is lacking as it announces new rapid update process for COVID-19 medicines The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued draft guidance for public consultation which does not recommend Evusheld for preventing COVID-19 in adults who are unlikely to have an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, or who can’t be vaccinated.

See also:

• Tixagevimab plus cilgavimab for preventing COVID-19 (draft guidance) NICE
• Evusheld European Medicines Agency
• Covid-19: Evusheld is unlikely to prevent infection with current or future variants, NICE concludes The BMJ
• AstraZeneca sends updated Covid drug Evusheld to regulators for approval The Daily Mail
• U.S. FDA pulls authorization for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 treatment Evusheld Reuters

Plans to bolster patient safety and boost support for frontline staff by streamlining the system for healthcare regulators

Plans to bolster patient safety and boost support for frontline staff by streamlining the system for healthcare regulators The government has reaffirmed its commitment to streamline the system, improve patient safety and expand the role of medical support staff in the NHS to relieve pressure on GPs and improve access to services.

A new consultation will be launched today seeking views on draft legislation to provide the General Medical Council (GMC) with powers to regulate physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) for the first time. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Regulating anaesthesia associates and physician associates (consultation open until 16th May 23) Department of Health and Social Care
• Consultation outcome: Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public Department of Health and Social Care
• NMC welcomes milestone on journey to better, safer regulation for people and communities across the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council

Hundreds of junior doctors in England announce March strike

Hundreds of junior doctors in England announce March strike Hundreds of junior doctors in England have said they will strike for the first time in the union’s history next month in a dispute over pay.

Members of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) voted to strike in March, following a ballot.

Around 45,000 junior doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) have also been balloted on strike action – with the result due at the end of February. ITV News

See also:

• BMA warns of huge escalation of strike action in England if Government continues to refuse to talk BMA
• NHS dispute widens to cover most parts of England UNISON
• British Medical Association calls government reckless over pay talks BBC News
• Strikes update: How Monday 20 February’s walkouts will affect you BBC News
• Around 144,000 appointments and procedures postponed due to strikes, says NHS Confederation director of policy Channel 4 News
• Fresh strike hell for NHS: More than 11,000 ambulance workers walk out TODAY - on same day ballot of 45,000 junior doctors will down tools for the first time in their union's history The Daily Mail
• Junior doctors’ mass strike expected as they threaten to leave NHS ‘for better-paid jobs’ The Daily Telegraph
• Nurses’ leader and Unison call on Rishi Sunak to help resolve pay disputes The Guardian
• Nurses’ pay squeeze and Tory tax cut ambitions: can they perhaps be related? The Guardian
• NHS leaders urged not to cancel operations during strikes in March The Guardian
• Ambulance workers’ strike goes ahead after government’s ‘reckless’ refusal to negotiate The Independent
• Junior doctors to strike next month in dispute over pay The Independent
• Thousands of ambulance workers go on strike today - as junior doctors announce when they will stage walkout Sky News

Breast cancer: Living life after treatment

Breast cancer: Living life after treatment BBC News editor Carly Appleby was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2017. At that time, she had no idea how gruelling treatment was going to be. Now looking back - and to the future - she reflects on how it has changed her life.

New racism targets introduced for hospitals just as NHS scraps top race roles

New racism targets introduced for hospitals just as NHS scraps top race roles The NHS is to bring in new racial equality targets, but insiders fear hospital trusts will not be held to account because specialist roles set up to tackle racism are facing the axe.

A leaked document has revealed that NHS England will require trusts to gather data on how diverse their hospital hiring panels are, and they will be measured on the rates of General Medical Council (GMC) misconduct referrals of Black and minority ethnic doctors compared with those of white staff. The Independent

NHS' 'slapdash' cost-cutting leaving thousands without vital treatment

NHS' 'slapdash' cost-cutting leaving thousands without vital treatment Thousands of children and adults are being forced to live with a debilitating condition after the NHS cut funding for its treatment, The Independent can reveal.

Leading surgeons have voiced their concerns that an estimated 3,000 children and adults in England living with the rare congenital condition pectus are missing out on life-changing surgery following “slapdash” cuts to the service.

High court judge ‘deeply frustrated’ by NHS delays in suicidal girl’s care

High court judge ‘deeply frustrated’ by NHS delays in suicidal girl’s care A high court judge has expressed her “deep frustration” at NHS delays and bureaucracy that mean a suicidal 12-year-old girl has been held on her own, in a locked, windowless room with no access to the outdoors for three weeks. The Guardian

‘There may still be surprises’: Jeremy Farrar warns of pandemic perils ahead

‘There may still be surprises’: Jeremy Farrar warns of pandemic perils ahead As the former Sage adviser leaves Wellcome to join WHO, he talks about exhausted health workers, the UK’s sluggish response to Covid and the danger of conspiracy theories. The Guardian

Barclay orders urgent investigation into woke NHS guidelines telling staff to not use 'he' or 'she'

Barclay orders urgent investigation into woke NHS guidelines telling staff to not use 'he' or 'she' Steve Barclay last night ordered an urgent investigation into new guidelines that tell NHS staff to treat all patients as gender-neutral.

The Health Secretary demanded answers after learning taxpayers had funded the guide to ‘inclusive communication’.

It instructs doctors and nurses not to use phrases such as ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ or ‘he’ and ‘she’ until a patient has confirmed their gender identity. The Daily Mail

ChatGPT will see you now! How AI chatbot that's gripped the world REALLY fares compared to a doctor

ChatGPT will see you now! How AI chatbot that's gripped the world REALLY fares compared to a doctor Move over Dr Google, it's Dr ChatGPT's time to shine.

Or is it? 

The AI chatbot has quickly become an online sensation due to its ability to rapidly research complicated topics, provide clear answers, and converse with its users in a human-like manner. The Daily Mail

Northampton hospital praised for its 24-hour restaurant for staff and patients

Northampton hospital praised for its 24-hour restaurant for staff and patients Northampton General Hospital has been praised for its round-the-clock restaurant for patients and visitors by campaigners and NHS bosses during a recent visit. One campaigner said the NHS Trust in Northampton was "leading the way for other NHS Trusts to follow.” Northants Live 

KGH nurses receive awards for outstanding care

KGH nurses receive awards for outstanding care Nurses from Kettering General Hospital have received DAISY Awards for the outstanding compassionate and sensitive care they have provided for patients.

ICU staff nurse Jessica Flowers, Naseby A registered nurse Brenda Mgijima, Deene B registered nurse Neethu John, and Skylark Ward staff nurse Tatiana Ururu were nominated for their awards by patients or close family members. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Addressing social care workforce challenges: what can England learn from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Addressing social care workforce challenges: what can England learn from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland? All parts of the UK are struggling with social care staffing pressures, but England has been particularly singled out for its inaction. Alongside the latest explainers in our series on adult social care across the UK, Camille Oung and Nina Hemmings look at what England can learn from social care workforce reform in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Nuffield Trust

Why can't I get care? Older people's experiences of care and support

Why can't I get care? Older people's experiences of care and support It’s been more than three years since Boris Johnson promised he would “fix care for good”.  Since then, our underfunded care system has come under even greater pressure and millions of older people are paying the price.

This short report aims to explain the answer, drawing on older people’s experiences, as well as on what we know about how the social care system is supposed to work, and how it actually works in cash-strapped 2022. Age UK

See also:

• England’s worsening care shortages leave older people struggling – Age UK The Guardian

Government progress on digitising the NHS rated ‘inadequate’ by Expert Panel

Government progress on digitising the NHS rated ‘inadequate’ by Expert Panel The Government is making inadequate progress on vital commitments to digitise the NHS, an independent panel of experts has found in a new report. The digitisation of health and social care is essential to deliver the promise of improved and better integrated health and social care services, said the Government in a policy paper published in 2022.

Despite some encouraging progress, the Expert Panel found that key Government commitments on workforce and the use of patient information were either not met or were not on track to be met. The Panel found that overall progress towards improving the digital capabilities of the NHS was too slow, and often lacked support and funding. The experts concluded that social care was often missed out in commitments, stifling progress across the health and care system. House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee

See also:

• Government progress on digitising the NHS ‘inadequate’ says Commons Expert Panel Digital Health
• Government rated 'inadequate' on delivering its own plans to digitise the NHS GPonline
• Government efforts to digitise NHS rated ‘inadequate’ and ‘too slow’ by expert panel The Independent

Access to critical patient information at the bedside

Access to critical patient information at the bedside This investigation report aims to improve patient safety by supporting staff to access critical information about patients, at their bedsides, in emergency situations.

The investigation involved engagement with hospitals across England, experts in fields associated with human factors and the display of information, and national bodies with the remit of policy and strategy in the NHS. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published

National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published In week 6, swab positivity for flu decreased to 2.0% compared to 2.8% in week 5, with the highest positivity seen in those aged 15 to 44 years at 4.8%, a decrease from 5.2% in week 5.

Hospital admission rates decreased in the last week and have returned to the baseline activity range. Influenza ICU admissions slightly decreased in week 6 and remained within the baseline range of activity. UK Health Security Agency

Nurses to stage 48-hour strike as dispute escalates

Nurses to stage 48-hour strike as dispute escalates The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced its biggest walkout of the pay dispute in England.

Its members at half of hospitals, mental health and community services will take part in the 48-hour strike from 1 to 3 March.

The union will also ask members working in key areas such as critical care and chemotherapy to take part in strike action for the first time.

Ministers accused the union of putting patients at risk. BBC News

See also:

• RCN announces biggest strike to date: no services will be exempt Royal College of Nursing
• BMA expresses solidarity with nurses as RCN escalates strike action BMA
• NHS recovery or more strikes: Prime Minister must decide NHS Confederation
• NHS Confederation responds to RCN announcement on most disruptive strikes to date NHS Confederation
• Industrial action – planning for future Royal College of Nursing strikes NHS England
• Nurses strike escalation ‘most worrying yet’ NHS Providers
• Cancer and A&E nurses join biggest NHS strike so far with 48-hour walkout The Daily Telegraph
• Nursing union chief says she ‘hasn’t met with Health Secretary for a month’ Evening Standard
• Nurses to stage 48-hour strike in March as dispute escalates Evening Standard
• Tens of thousands of A&E and intensive care nurses to join 48-hour NHS strike The Guardian
• Nurses And Rail Workers To Strike Again As Winter Of Discontent Rumbles On Huffington Post
• RCN warns fresh strike will have ‘significant impact’ on NHS The Independent
• Nurse strikes escalate as A&E and cancer care staff to join new 48-hour walkout The Independent
• Nurses announce new strike action - is your area affected? The Independent
• As more ambulance workers strike, further walkouts by nurses and rail staff loom ITV News
• Tens of thousands of nurses to stage 48-hour strike Sky News

Bristol scientists develop quicker way to detect papilloedema

Bristol scientists develop quicker way to detect papilloedema Bristol scientists are developing new guidelines to speed up the diagnosis of patients with a potentially dangerous eye condition.

Papilloedema is caused by increased pressure inside the head and could be the first sign of a brain tumour.

But half of people with a brain tumour have no symptoms, and optometrists may be the first to notice a problem. BBC News

Watchdogs issue safety warnings after junior doctors left unsupervised on maternity wards

Watchdogs issue safety warnings after junior doctors left unsupervised on maternity wards Two health watchdogs have issued safety warnings after junior staff were left to work unsupervised on maternity wards previously criticised after a baby’s death.

Training regulator, Health Education England (HEE), criticised the “unacceptable” behaviour of consultants who left junior doctors to work without any superiors at South Devon and Torbay Hospital Foundation Trust’s wards.

The maternity safety watchdog Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) also raised “urgent concerns” over student midwives and “unregistered midwives” providing care without supervision. The Independent

The NHS is “a sickness service, not a health service,” say MPs

The NHS is “a sickness service, not a health service,” say MPs MPs have scrutinised the Department of Health and Social Care’s decision to prioritise the NHS backlog over prevention health services, such as tackling issues like smoking or sedentary behaviour.

The Health and Social Care Committee questioned Helen Whately, the social care minister, in Parliament on the future of integrated care systems (ICSs) – the new structure within the NHS where organisations work together to provide health and care services for a local area. Forty-two ICSs were set up in England last year. The New Statesman

Sewage leak figures prompt warning over state of England’s hospitals

Sewage leak figures prompt warning over state of England’s hospitals Hospitals in England have recorded more than 450 sewage leaks in the last 12 months, data shows, putting patients and staff in danger and prompting warnings that the NHS estate is “falling apart” after a decade of underinvestment.

Freedom of information requests to NHS trusts by the Liberal Democrats found alarming examples of sewage leaking on to cancer wards, maternity units and A&E departments. The investigation also uncovered multiple cases of urine and faeces flowing into hospital rooms and on to general wards. The Guardian

See also:

• Hundreds of sewage leaks in England’s hospitals Liberal Democrats
• NHS battles sewage leaks as repair backlog grows BBC News
• Sewage warning casts shadow over England’s hospitals The Independent

NHS ambulance delays improving - but norovirus levels 'significantly higher' than last year

NHS ambulance delays improving - but norovirus levels 'significantly higher' than last year An increase in norovirus cases is putting pressure on the NHS, even as ambulance delays ease.

Handover times from ambulances remain above NHS targets.

But the share of ambulance handovers in England taking more than 30 minutes averaged 20% in the week to 12 February. This was pretty much identical to the same time last year when they averaged 20.1%. Sky News

See also:

• Official Statistics: National norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2022 to 2023 season UK Health Security Agency

A FIFTH of Brits have still never had Covid, officials estimate

A FIFTH of Brits have still never had Covid, officials estimate Nearly a fifth of people in England have still never caught Covid, top statisticians believe.

It means around 10.3million have managed to dodge the virus since the pandemic began three years ago, in theory.

Rates shot up quickest during the winter of 2021, the Office for National Statistics believes. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 10 February 2023 Office for National Statistics

Your chance to help influence healthcare in Northamptonshire by becoming a governor

Your chance to help influence healthcare in Northamptonshire by becoming a governor People are being encouraged to step forward and play a key role in healthcare across Northamptonshire.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is inviting people aged 16 and over, and with a range of backgrounds and life experiences, to become a governor. Northamptonshire Telegraph

LGBTQ+ staff and patients deserve better from the NHS

LGBTQ+ staff and patients deserve better from the NHS A recent survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors and Dentists (GLADD) highlighted the difficulties faced by LGBTQ+ NHS staff. More than a quarter (29 per cent) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer respondents, and three in five trans respondents (59 per cent) considered their experiences serious enough to amount to unlawful discrimination, abuse or harassment. The King's Fund

Patterns of employment amongst nursing associates: evidence from the electronic staff record

Patterns of employment amongst nursing associates: evidence from the electronic staff record This report draws upon the electronic staff record (ESR), the monthly payroll of all staff directly employed by NHS trusts, to describe the personal and employment characteristics of all trainee nursing associates (TNAs) and nursing associates (NAs) (T/NAs) employed by NHS trusts in England over time and how they compare to other staff groups. NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce

£421 million to boost drug and alcohol treatment across England

£421 million to boost drug and alcohol treatment across England Local authorities across England will benefit from an extra £421 million government funding through to 2025 to improve drug and alcohol addiction treatment and recovery, the government announced today (16 February 2023).

The extra funding means that total local authority funding for treatment will have increased 40% between 2020/21 and 2024/25. It will enable the creation of over 50,000 high-quality places in drug and alcohol treatment. Department of Health and Social Care

Some ambulance callers to be told go elsewhere

Some ambulance callers to be told go elsewhere A new way of screening ambulance calls is to be introduced across England in an effort to improve response times.

NHS England is asking ambulance crews to review which emergency calls other than those classed as immediately life threatening can be treated elsewhere.

The calls - known as category two - include emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes.

But the category also covers some that may not need such a fast response, such as burns and severe headaches. BBC News

See also:

• Ambulance waits putting disabled children's lives at risk, doctors warn BBC News

Nearly 250,000 potential donors yet to give blood

Nearly 250,000 potential donors yet to give blood Nearly a quarter of a million people who signed up to be a blood donor in 2022 are yet to make a donation.

Exclusive figures given to BBC 5Live from NHS Blood and Transplant show only about 91,000 people out of 325,000 who registered have had an appointment. BBC News

NHS signs nationwide £20m deal for 'electronic infection control systems

NHS signs nationwide £20m deal for 'electronic infection control systems The NHS has signed a £20m deal to enable health-service organisations to deploy technology to help better manage the spread of infections.

The contract – awarded to US-based healthcare giant Baxter – is intended to offer NHS trusts a means through which they can buy a comprehensive infection-control platform. Public Technology

Fake doctor who worked in NHS for 20 years found guilty of fraud

Fake doctor who worked in NHS for 20 years found guilty of fraud A fraudulent doctor who worked in the NHS for 20 years has been convicted of a “deliberate and wicked deception” after forging a medical degree certificate and practising as a psychiatrist without the necessary qualifications.

Zholia Alemi, who is believed to be 60, worked in hospitals across England, Wales and Scotland and received income and benefits of more than £1m across her career, Manchester crown court heard. The Guardian

State of Britons' mental health could be the worst it has EVER been, charity boss warns

State of Britons' mental health could be the worst it has EVER been, charity boss warns The country's mental health is probably the worst it has ever been - with the cost-of-living crisis, aftermath of the Covid pandemic and global instability pushing people to the brink, the head of a major charity has warned.

Dr Sarah Hughes, who became chief executive of Mind in January, said the charity was really worried about the impact the cost-of-living crisis will have on people's mental health. The Daily Mail

Government's decision to scrap dedicated cancer plan 'is catastrophic', leading experts warn

Government's decision to scrap dedicated cancer plan 'is catastrophic', leading experts warn The Government's decision to scrap a dedicated cancer strategy is a 'catastrophic decision that will cost lives', experts have warned.

Sajid Javid declared a 'national war on cancer' and vowed to produce a ten-year plan aimed at improving care when he was Health Secretary.

But Steve Barclay, who now holds the position, last month announced the plan would be axed in favour of a 'major conditions strategy'. The Daily Mail

Join webinars by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on how to manage menopause

Join webinars by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on how to manage menopause People are being invited to join free workshops on how to help manage the symptoms of menopause.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is inviting people to join its online Talking Therapies workshop for anyone who thinks they might be going through any stage of the menopause (perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause) and experiencing low mood or anxiety. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Woman, 22, arrested after nurse assaulted at Northampton General Hospital

Woman, 22, arrested after nurse assaulted at Northampton General Hospital A 22-year-old woman has been arrested following an incident when a nurse was assaulted at Northampton General Hospital.

The incident happened on January 27, between 7.30pm and 7.50pm. A female patient assaulted a nurse by grabbing her lanyard before throwing water over another patient, Northamptonshire Police have said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Expanding volunteer support in the allied health professions to start an NHS career

Expanding volunteer support in the allied health professions to start an NHS career Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust used volunteers to support their allied health professionals, offering a first step into an NHS career. NHS Employers

Supporting clinical leadership in virtual wards: a guide for integrated care system clinical leader

Supporting clinical leadership in virtual wards: a guide for integrated care system clinical leader This guidance supports integrated care system clinical leadership to create and develop their virtual ward service. NHS England

First toddler receives life-saving gene therapy on NHS

First toddler receives life-saving gene therapy on NHS Teddi from Northumberland with a rare and devastating genetic condition has become the first child to be treated on the NHS with a life-saving gene therapy.

The drug, called Libmeldy, is the most expensive medicine ever approved for the NHS. BBC News

See also:

• NHS to roll out life-saving gene therapy for rare disease affecting babies NHS England
• The UK’s most expensive drug saved one sister, but it is too late for the other BBC News
• Little Teddi becomes the first child to receive revolutionary gene therapy drug on the NHS The Daily Mail
• Girl with deadly inherited condition is cured with gene therapy on NHS The Guardian
• Heartbreak as one sibling saved using miracle drug, but older sister not eligible for treatment The Independent

Male contraceptive pill prototype stops sperm swimming

Male contraceptive pill prototype stops sperm swimming An on-demand, non-hormonal male contraceptive pill may be a real possibility say scientists who have found a cell pathway, or switch, that stops sperm from being able to swim.

Tests in mice suggest it keeps sperm stunned for at least a few hours - long enough to stop them reaching the egg.

Many more tests are planned and needed, moving to rabbits before people. BBC News

See also:

• On-demand male contraception via acute inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase (open access) Nature Communications
• ‘On demand’ male contraceptive pill stops sperm swimming The Independent

Government’s mental health review will not prevent ‘appalling’ abuse of patients, campaigners warn

Government’s mental health review will not prevent ‘appalling’ abuse of patients, campaigners warn A government review into mental health hospitals will fail to prevent the “appalling” treatment of patients, campaigners have warned.

The urgent inquiry into inpatient mental health services will focus solely on data, the government said on Tuesday.

The “rapid review”, launched following investigations by The Independent into “systemic abuse” across a group of children’s mental health hospitals, will last 12 weeks and is being led by a former national NHS mental health director Dr Geraldine Strathdee.

See also:

• Terms of reference for rapid review into data on mental health inpatient settings Department of Health and Social Care

NHS strikes force thousands to wait 18 months for surgery as flagship target to be missed

NHS strikes force thousands to wait 18 months for surgery as flagship target to be missed Thousands of patients are being forced to wait more than 18 months for treatments such as knee and brain surgery as the health service is set to miss its flagship target because of NHS strikes.

NHS England last week claimed it was “on track” to hit the mandated target, but senior sources have warned that the impact of prolonged walkouts combined with unprecedented demand for emergency care means that this is now unlikely. The Independent

Nine viruses the World Health Organisation is concerned about

Nine viruses the World Health Organisation is concerned about Equatorial Guinea has just confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which reports that at least nine people have already died of the Ebola-related virus.

The case is the latest reminder that, for infectious diseases experts, the job is never done. The Independent

See also:

• WHO convenes 'urgent' meeting over outbreak of one of world's deadliest diseases The Daily Mail
• Now Marburg virus spreads to Cameroon The Daily Mail
• Bird flu 'may mutate to kill more than 50% of humans' The Daily Mail
• What is Marburg virus and how does it spread? The Independent

Weight loss jabs to be sold via high street chemists in England

Weight loss jabs to be sold via high street chemists in England Weekly weight-loss jabs that are popular with celebrities will soon be made available through high street chemists in England, despite controversy over their use.

Many people struggle to tackle obesity through diet and exercise alone as they often find they regain the weight that they lose.

However a range of drugs, initially used for people with type 2 diabetes, has shown promise in treating obesity, with trials revealing that when combined with supervised weight-loss coaching they help people lose significant amounts of weight. The Guardian

See also:

• Hollywood weight loss jab to be sold by Boots chemist BBC News
• What is weight loss drug Semaglutide? What are Ozempic's side effects? The Daily Mail

Half of NHS trusts missed key 2-week cancer diagnosis target last year

Half of NHS trusts missed key 2-week cancer diagnosis target last year Half of NHS hospital trusts missed a crucial two-week cancer diagnosis target every month last year, new figures reveal.

The health service says 93 per cent of patients should have an appointment with a specialist within a fortnight of an urgent GP referral.

But analysis of official data by the House of Commons library shows this was missed by 63 out of 132 trusts in England (48 per cent) every month in 2022. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Cancer statistics for England House of Commons Library
• Two-week cancer diagnosis target missed by half of NHS trusts in England in every month last year, data reveals Sky News

Exciting new phase for 'crisis houses' in Northamptonshire

Exciting new phase for 'crisis houses' in Northamptonshire New sensory garden for people with autism among plans being unveiled.

Just a few days after the Prime Minister described Northamptonshire’s mental health services as “trailblazing”, exciting plans have been unveiled to transform the county’s innovative ‘crisis houses’. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Trusts' chair to leave amid CEO instability

Trusts' chair to leave amid CEO instability The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group – which covers Northampton General Hospital Trust and Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust – today confirmed Alan Burns would not extend his term of office, which ends on 31 March. Health Service Journal

Tech transformation disrupts leadership styles

Tech transformation disrupts leadership styles Digital technologies are transforming the NHS and social care, changing how care is accessed, provided and experienced, by both patients and staff, and the effectiveness of services. Leaders have an important part to play in creating the conditions in which digital technologies to be effectively implemented and used, but this requires a significant change in leadership behaviours. The King's Fund

10 steps hospitals can take to tackle ethnic inequalities in elective waiting lists

10 steps hospitals can take to tackle ethnic inequalities in elective waiting lists Across England, hospital activity continues to be seriously impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with large falls in routine care resulting in millions of patients now subject to vast backlogs. Data analysis shows people from Asian groups faced larger falls in planned hospital care – both before and during the pandemic – than people from White, Black or Mixed ethnic groups. This infographic resource, designed in collaboration with the Nuffield Trust, aims to support the healthcare system by highlighting ten key ways to tackle these disparities, and to take practical actions to address the ethnicity gap in care provision. NHS Race & Health Observatory

Long Covid & employment

Long Covid & employment This report calls on government to introduce guidance for employers on long Covid alongside a compensation scheme for frontline workers. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus

Delayed hospital discharges and adult social care

Delayed hospital discharges and adult social care This explainer sets out what the government is doing to reduce the number of people staying in hospital longer than necessary. House of Commons Library

One-stop-shops for testing deliver over 3 million potentially lifesaving checks, tests and scans

One-stop-shops for testing deliver over 3 million potentially lifesaving checks, tests and scans Tens of thousands of patients across the country will benefit from quicker access to tests, with 19 new community diagnostic centres which will perform 1.1 million tests, checks and scans every year set to open later this year. Department of Health and Social Care

Hospitals in England with worst A&E waits revealed

Hospitals in England with worst A&E waits revealed A&E waiting times have deteriorated so much this winter that at some hospitals in England more than half of patients have had to wait more than four hours.

BBC analysis of data for December and January shows Hull University Hospitals, Wye Valley and Shrewsbury and Telford were worst for A&E waits.

The best trust out of the 107 providing data, Northumbria Healthcare, had fewer than 10% waiting more than four hours.

NHS England said plans were being put in place to support struggling trusts. BBC News

Watford General Hospital recorded 50 times birth gas legal limit

Watford General Hospital recorded 50 times birth gas legal limit Nitrous oxide levels on Watford General Hospital's maternity suite far exceeded legal limits during peak periods, a BBC investigation has found.

In February 2022, air monitoring showed levels of almost 5,000 parts per million (ppm) - 50 times what is safe.

The hospital's trust said it had since installed machines to remove the gas. BBC News

One in three women with female health conditions forced to wait three years for diagnosis

One in three women with female health conditions forced to wait three years for diagnosis A third of those with a women’s health condition have been made to wait three years or longer for a diagnosis, damning new research has revealed.

The same study found half of those women took a year or more to be given their diagnosis.

Gynaecologists told The Independent delays are harming women’s mental health and placing their physical health at risk.

See also:

• Why women are more likely to suffer chronic pain but less likely to be taken seriously than men The Daily Mail

'Abused and exhausted': 90% of junior doctors say mental health has worsened

'Abused and exhausted': 90% of junior doctors say mental health has worsened A survey carried out by ITV News has shown that 90% of junior doctors say work has worsened their mental health.

NHS pressures aren’t just impacting patients' physical health, they’re affecting doctors’ mental health too.

According to a survey carried out on behalf of ITV News, many feel burnt out, demoralised and some are even driven to have suicidal thoughts.

More than half said last year was worse for their mental health than either of the pandemic years.

See also:

• NHS in crisis: Junior doctors struggling with mental health and rising pressures ITV News

Healthcare staff shortages fuelling near-record job vacancies across UK economy

Healthcare staff shortages fuelling near-record job vacancies across UK economy Shortages of healthcare workers are fuelling near-record numbers of job vacancies across the UK economy, with the lack of nurses, carers and other staff serving as the biggest recruitment challenge in almost every local authority area.

According to analysis by the Office for National Statistics, more than one in 10 job vacancies posted online in December were in healthcare – more than any sector across the economy. The Guardian

Patients in England not collecting NHS prescriptions because of cost

Patients in England not collecting NHS prescriptions because of cost Rising numbers of patients in England are failing to collect their medicines or asking pharmacists which ones they can “do without” because they cannot afford prescription charges, a survey shows.

NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England there are exemptions for certain items, medical conditions and specific parts of the population, but most adults have to pay. The current prescription charge is £9.35 an item. The Guardian

See also:

• Pharmacists say 'tax on sick' should be axed. So is it time to END prescription charges in England? The Daily Mail

How 'virtual wards' may only be staffed 12 hours a day

How 'virtual wards' may only be staffed 12 hours a day 'Virtual wards' designed to relieve pressure on the NHS may backfire as some are only staffed 12 hours a day, a senior doctor has warned.

The system works by giving patients devices to monitor vital signs like blood pressure at home, with readings sent to their doctors via a smartphone app, freeing up hospital beds.

But some of the 'wards' are only staffed 12 hours a day, with patients told to call 111 or 999 for help at other times, the Sunday Telegraph reported. The Daily Mail

Covid booster jabs END for under-50s - so how many have ever been jabbed in your area?

Covid booster jabs END for under-50s - so how many have ever been jabbed in your area? Just a third of people in some English neighbourhoods have ever had a Covid jab, MailOnline can reveal.

Approximately 13million people across the nation have still never been vaccinated against the virus — despite the historic programme having opened over two years ago.

It comes as the multi-billion pound immunisation drive starts to be wound down as the country settles further into post-pandemic life. The Daily Mail 

How dozens of lives were saved or transformed by Northants organ donors last year

How dozens of lives were saved or transformed by Northants organ donors last year Donors across Northamptonshire were able to save or transform dozens of lives by giving the "ultimate gift" of their organs transplants last year, according to the county's two hospitals. They say it highlights the importance of donors speaking to their families about their decision. Northants Live

Some children in Northamptonshire waiting more than a year for mental health help, health boss says

Some children in Northamptonshire waiting more than a year for mental health help, health boss says Some children in Northamptonshire who need specialist help after suffering trauma are having to wait for more than a year for treatment.

A senior manager at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) conceded some waits are “too long” at a meeting of members of NHFT. An experienced social workers also told the meeting that this is a “national problem”. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Valuing Nursing in the UK – Staffing for Safe and Effective Care

Valuing Nursing in the UK – Staffing for Safe and Effective Care A new report reveals that tens of thousands of skilled and experienced nursing staff are leaving the profession, with many of those aged 21 to 50.

The report sets out the issues contributing to the poor retention of nursing staff, the reasons why they’re leaving, and calls for immediate action from the UK governments. Royal College of Nursing

See also:

• Nurses’ union in UK warns of exodus of young staff The Guardian

The state of community health services in England

The state of community health services in England Community health services help people to stay healthy and live independently at home, but it has proved difficult to realise a long-standing ambition to deliver more services out of hospital. In this explainer, Sarah Scobie and Stephanie Kumpunen describe what community services are, who uses and provides them, who pays for them, and some of the challenges they face. Nuffield Trust

Both, and: population health and public health professionals need to make the most of distinct contributions to better health

Both, and: population health and public health professionals need to make the most of distinct contributions to better health Integrated care systems (ICSs) were established to create partnerships for population health, not simply to better manage existing patterns of NHS care. In many systems, statutory status has been accompanied by the creation of director, or similar, roles with titles that include population health. Roles intended sometimes to stimulate a reframing of work across the whole leadership team but elsewhere simply leading a standalone programme of work, often primarily analytical. How these emergent roles develop matters. The King's Fund

The cost of living impacts access to prescription medicines

The cost of living impacts access to prescription medicines The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has released the results of a survey showing that pharmacists say the cost of living is having an impact on whether people can afford prescription medicines in England.

The A&E crisis: what’s really driving poor performance?

The A&E crisis: what’s really driving poor performance? This briefing paper seeks to understand what is actually happening in emergency departments and, using publicly available data, challenges some of the arguments frequently heard about the A&E crisis. It identifies areas for further investigation which the authors believe could be key to stabilising the system. Reform

Nurses strike: A&E and cancer staff could join further walkouts

Nurses strike: A&E and cancer staff could join further walkouts Nurses from A&E, intensive care and cancer wards could join fresh strikes in England, as a major nursing union considers escalating its pay dispute.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) wants higher wages, but ministers argue that pay is set by an independent body.

The union is considering a continuous 48-hour strike, which could begin in weeks.

However, under union law staff would need to meet minimum legal levels of care. BBC News

See also:

• NHS nurses' strike action in England set to intensify Evening Standard
• Nurses set to withdraw from A&E and intensive care units as strike intensifies The Guardian
• NHS A&E and cancer nurses set to join ‘most disruptive’ strikes yet The Independent
• NHS leaders urge Health Secretary to discuss pay to avoid 'alarming' escalation in nurses' strikes ITV News
• RCN set to announce all-out and 48-hour strike action Nursing Notes
• A&E, intensive care and cancer nurses could soon join colleagues on the picket line Sky News

Northumberland hospitals test drone flights for medical supplies

Northumberland hospitals test drone flights for medical supplies An NHS trust is to use drones as a way of transporting clinical supplies between hospitals at up to 70mph.

The drone will be used to carry blood samples, chemotherapy drugs, equipment and mail between Northumberland hospitals for the next four months.

Initially there will be six flights per day, increasing to about 15 in May. BBC News

Failure to root out abusers in ambulance service leaves vulnerable patients at risk, watchdog warns

Failure to root out abusers in ambulance service leaves vulnerable patients at risk, watchdog warns Emergency patients are being left open to abuse when they are at their most vulnerable because of a lack of vetting of ambulance workers, watchdog officials have warned.

One watchdog official warned that abusers would even seek out work as a paramedic because it provided an “attractive environment” for exploitation. The Independent

First UK patient fitted with heart failure sensor the size of a pen lid

First UK patient fitted with heart failure sensor the size of a pen lid The innovative technology, which is implanted during a simple 45-minute procedure, will enable more rapid interventions, helping keep people well for longer and avoiding hospital admissions that cost billions of pounds every year. Sky News

NHS consultants run private firms charging to cut waiting lists at their own hospitals

NHS consultants run private firms charging to cut waiting lists at their own hospitals Some of the country’s most senior NHS clinicians are earning a lucrative side-line running private firms that offer to cut waiting lists at their own hospitals, the Observer can reveal.

Top consultants in Manchester, Sheffield and London are among directors of “insourcing” agencies that charge the health service to treat patients at weekends and evenings and have won millions of pounds of work.

See also:

• NHS consultants charge hospitals they work at through their own private companies The Daily Mail 

How a new treatment for diabetes offers hope for millions | podcast

How a new treatment for diabetes offers hope for millions | podcast The development of an ‘artificial pancreas’ could revolutionise the daily lives of people living with type 1 diabetes. Now the technology could be made available to more than 100,000 people in the UK on the NHS. The Guardian

More than 84,000 babies missed health checks within two weeks of birth

More than 84,000 babies missed health checks within two weeks of birth More than 84,000 babies missed out on health visitor checks in the first two weeks of life last year, data shows.

Figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities reveal a drop in the proportion of newborns visited on time, from 88 per cent in 2020/21 to 83 per cent in 2021/22. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Health visitor service delivery metrics experimental statistics: quarterly data for 2022 to 2023 Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
• More than 84,000 newborn babies ‘missed out’ on health visitor checks The Independent

New figures show the number of areas with more than 2,000 patients per GP has almost DOUBLED

New figures show the number of areas with more than 2,000 patients per GP has almost DOUBLED The number of areas with more than 2,000 patients per GP has almost doubled over six years, analysis reveals.

Some 92 of 106 health districts in England now have more than 2,000 patients per fully qualified GP – up 80 per cent from 51 areas in 2016.

On average across England, there are now 2,273 patients per fully qualified GP – an increase from 1,981 in 2016. The rise means patients face longer waits for appointments, and experience a weaker bond with their doctor. The Daily Mail

Bird flu warning as top experts say world is 'nowhere near' ready for inevitable pandemic

Bird flu warning as top experts say world is 'nowhere near' ready for inevitable pandemic The world is 'nowhere near ready' for another pandemic, experts have warned amid mounting fears over an 'unprecedented' wave of bird flu sweeping the planet. 

Cases of the killer H5N1 strain have already jumped from birds to mammals.

It has sparked huge concern among top virologists that the deadly pathogen is now one step closer to spreading in humans — a hurdle which has so far stopped it from triggering a pandemic. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England DEFRA and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• The influenza imperative: we must prepare now for seasonal and pandemic influenza (open access) The Lancet Microbe
• Be warned: the next deadly pandemic is not inevitable, but all the elements are in place The Guardian
• Bird flu: Expert calls for work to start on vaccine with risk to humans 'increasing' Sky News

Northamptonshire NHS Trusts team up with the University to highlight apprenticeship career routes

Northamptonshire NHS Trusts team up with the University to highlight apprenticeship career routes This National Apprenticeship Week (6th to 12th February) NHS Trusts in Northamptonshire, along with the University of Northampton, are showing their support by highlighting the apprenticeship opportunities within healthcare across the county. FE News

See also:

• Northampton hospital worker shares his apprenticeship story Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Join family event in Northamptonshire to celebrate autism pride

Join family event in Northamptonshire to celebrate autism pride People are invited to an event taking place in Northamptonshire celebrating Autism Pride.

Autism Pride Day takes place at Moulton Community Centre in the village of Moulton on Wednesday, March 29 from 10am to 2pm.

The event has been organised by Northamptonshire Autism Champion Network and the Autism Advisory Panel, with support from Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Northamptonshire Telegraph

NHS performance summary: January - February 2023

NHS performance summary: January - February 2023 Ambulance response times saw an improvement in January, with Category 2 incidents (such as stroke or heart attack) responded to over an hour quicker than in December, but still 14 minutes slower than the 18 minute target.

A&E waiting times improved in January with 28% of people waiting over 4 hours to be admitted, transferred or discharged – a 7.4 percentage point improvement on December but still far from reaching March 2024’s objective of 24%.

The waiting list for planned hospital care grew slightly in December to 7.2 million, where it has fluctuated for the last three months. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Combined Performance Summary NHS England
• Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports 2022-23 NHS England
• NHS figures show a service under severe strain, despite some improvements The Health Foundation
• 'Not yet out of the woods' - The King's Fund responds to latest monthly NHS performance data The King's Fund
• NHS Confederation responds to the latest performance statistics and winter situation report NHS Confederation
• Ambulance response times improve in face of ongoing winter pressures NHS England
• New figures show persistently high demand as 18-month waits rise NHS Providers
• Improvement in urgent care performance but significant challenges remain to bring down waiting times Nuffield Trust
• RCP responds to the latest NHS performance stats Royal College of Physicians
• ‘Intolerable situation in NHS will not be overcome without a people recovery’ The Society for Acute Medicine
• Ambulance response times improve by one hour BBC News
• NHS A&E waiting times show signs of improvement but it's not all good news ITV News