BAME people’s experience of British lockdown significantly worse, Wellcome survey finds

BAME people’s experience of British lockdown significantly worse, survey finds People from Black and Asian minority ethnic (BAME) groups in Britain were far more likely than their White counterparts to be very concerned about the impact of coronavirus on their personal finances, physical and mental health at the height of lockdown, and less trusting of information on the disease from health sector and government sources, according to a new Wellcome survey.

See also:

• Anxiety, Confusion and Distrust How BAME people in Britain have had a worse experience of the COVID-19 pandemic Wellcome
• BAME Britons less likely to trust Covid health officials – survey The Guardian

Improving the nation’s health: striking the right balance between national and local

Improving the nation’s health: striking the right balance between national and local In mid-August, I chaired an event with five former Secretaries of State and Ministers of State from the Department of Health (and now Social Care). While outside the sky crashed with thunder and lightning, in our virtual launch the only thing that was powerful was the agreement between politicians from all the main parties about the future direction for health. The King's Fund

Adult social care and COVID-19: Assessing the impact on social care users and staff in England so far

Adult social care and COVID-19: Assessing the impact on social care users and staff in England so far Analysis on the scale of the impact of COVID-19 on social care in England during the first phase of the pandemic. The Health Foundation

See also:

• Adult social care and COVID-19: Assessing the policy response in England so far The Health Foundation

The whole society approach: making a giant leap on childhood health

The whole society approach: making a giant leap on childhood health This report looks at the government's 'obesity strategy' announcement in July 2020 and looks at how it could be used to address growing levels of 'health risk' faced by children. This report outlines a ‘whole society’ approach to expand ambition from obesity to all health issues; tackle the link between childhood health and issues like marginalisation, poverty and deprivation; and ensure the full range of levers offered by a collective approach are being used. Institute for Public Policy Research

Delivering patient eye care services during and beyond COVID-19

Delivering patient eye care services during and beyond COVID-19 The College of Optometrists and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists have developed a joint vision that sets out principles and recommendations for the development and governance of high quality eye care services that involve other key policy and commissioning organisations.

NHS Test and Trace successfully reaches almost 300,000 people

NHS Test and Trace successfully reaches almost 300,000 people The latest weekly statistics show that the service has consistently reached the vast majority of those testing positive and their contacts in 3 months of operation. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Statistical data set: COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes - management information Public Health England
• Research and analysis: Wider impacts of COVID-19 on health monitoring tool Public Health England

Coronavirus: Daily cases highest since mid-June

Coronavirus: Daily cases highest since mid-June The number of daily UK cases of coronavirus has risen to 1,522 in 24 hours - up from 1,048 on Wednesday - the highest tally since mid-June.

This is still much lower than the 5,000 new cases a day in April, at the peak of the epidemic.

Cases have been rising across Europe and began edging up again in the UK in July, after falling in June. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: 'Reassuring' study of children's 'tiny' risk BBC News
• Scientists target coronavirus immunity puzzle BBC News
• Covid-19: Five ways to avoid catching the virus indoors BBC News
• Matt Hancock grilled over supply teacher coronavirus risk The Daily Mail
• Test and Trace gets worse... AGAIN: Record-low 72.6% of infected patients were reached The Daily Mail
• Police issue just 38 fines for face covering breaches on public transport, new data shows The Daily Telegraph
• NHS test and trace hit by delays and Covid home test failures The Guardian
• On masks in schools – like everything else in this pandemic – Johnson is winging it | Trish Greenhalgh The Guardian
• Claims of 99% accuracy for UK Covid antibody test ‘cannot be trusted’ The Guardian
• Coronavirus: UK daily cases rise by 1,522 in highest increase since June The Independent
• Coronavirus: Nearly 2,000 infected people may have gone untraced for days due to ‘infrastructure problems’ in government testing system The Independent

Period poverty: Schools 'not aware' they can order free tampons

Period poverty: Schools 'not aware' they can order free tampons Charities say many schools and colleges are not aware they can order free period products through a government scheme, amid concerns Covid-19 has left more pupils struggling to access and afford tampons and pads.

Just under 40% of state schools and colleges have placed orders since it was launched in England in January. BBC News

Can Robots Save the NHS?

Can Robots Save the NHS? As the coronavirus pandemic grips the world, our NHS is facing its biggest crisis in a generation. New technology is one of the tools being used to fight this virus - as well as many other illnesses, and the use of artificial intelligence is on the rise across the health sector. ITV News

More than 15million patients are waiting for treatment on NHS's 'hidden' waiting list

More than 15million patients are waiting for treatment on NHS's 'hidden' waiting list More than 15 million patients are currently waiting for treatment on the NHS's 'hidden waiting list' - nearly four times higher than the official 3.9 million, a report claimed today.

Freedom of Information requests to NHS trusts have put the total number of people awaiting follow-up hospital appointments at 15.3 million. The Daily Mail

Less than half of adults saw NHS dentist in past two years, figures show

Less than half of adults saw NHS dentist in past two years, figures show Less than half of adults in England were seen by an NHS dentist over the last two years, according to new data.

Figures from NHS Digital have shown that within a 24-month period, up to the end of February, only 49.7% of adults received any dental treatment. Sky News

M&S supplier Greencore back in operation after Covid closure

M&S supplier Greencore back in operation after Covid closure Production is back under way at a sandwich-making factory days after it was closed because almost 300 workers tested positive for Covid-19.

M&S supplier Greencore in Northampton ceased production on Friday, with workers told to self-isolate.

The Bakers' Union said staff have been asked to return to work before periods of self-isolation have finished. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Union criticises Northampton sandwich factory for calling workers back in less than a week after ordering employees into isolation Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Coronavirus risk at Wellingborough horse fair is low, say public health officials Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• £8.5m covid shortfall could impact new unitaries start up balances Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Bank Holiday horse fair: The statement in full from Police, Wellingborough council and Public Health Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
• New Covid-19 testing unit opens in Wellingborough town centre Northamptonshire Telegraph

PPE: care workers delivering homecare during the Covid-19 response

PPE: care workers delivering homecare during the Covid-19 response This national intelligence report provides insight into a safety risk related to PPE requirements for care workers delivering homecare during the Covid-19 response. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also:

• Unclear UK advice on PPE cited in home care Covid-19 death inquiry The Guardian
• Coronavirus: ‘Confusing’ advice from Public Health England put patients at risk, watchdog says The Independent

How has Covid-19 and associated lockdown measures affected loneliness in the UK?

How has Covid-19 and associated lockdown measures affected loneliness in the UK? This briefing highlights findings from the Covid Social Study, as part of ongoing data analysis work with University College London. This study has surveyed over 70,000 people since March 2020, asking different questions about their experiences and wellbeing over the past few months, including asking people about loneliness. What Works Centre for Wellbeing

Women in healthcare: moving from the front lines to the top rung

Women in healthcare: moving from the front lines to the top rung This report shows women in healthcare have made progress and continue to report high job satisfaction. However, women also encounter persistent obstacles to advancement, particularly for senior positions, where they remain underrepresented. McKinsey & Company

Suicide Prevention in Gypsy and Traveller communities in England

Suicide Prevention in Gypsy and Traveller communities in England The suicide rate for members of the Traveller community is six times higher than the general population, yet Gypsy and Traveller communities are not recognised as a high-risk group, nor mentioned once in the Government’s National Suicide Prevention Plan. This paper assesses 79 local suicide prevention plans which represent 113 local areas to see whether the high suicide rate in Gypsy and Traveller communities has been identified and mitigated against on a local level. It finds that only five out of 79 local suicide prevention plans in England mention Gypsy and Traveller communities. Friends, Families and Travellers

New payment for people self-isolating in highest risk areas

New payment for people self-isolating in highest risk areas People on low incomes who need to self-isolate and are unable to work from home in areas with high incidence of COVID-19 will benefit from a new payment scheme. Department of Health and Social Care

UK flu jab rates prompt complacency warning

UK flu jab rates prompt complacency warning Complacency over the flu jab risks overwhelming the NHS, experts warn, as data reveals the scale of the challenge in expanding the vaccination programme.

Last month, the government announced plans to double the amount of people who receive the influenza jab.

But BBC analysis has found the take-up rate among those people in vulnerable groups eligible for a free jab has declined in recent years. BBC News

See also:

• Flu: Why we still need to worry about it this winter BBC News

The deterioration of Britain's mental health can no longer be ignored

The deterioration of Britain's mental health can no longer be ignored | Frances Ryan It feels as if the nation’s mental wellbeing has been strangely ignored throughout the pandemic. The public has experienced what is by any definition a traumatic event this year with little time to grieve or process it, often while enduring financial insecurity and hardship. A survey by the Office for National Statistics shows the number of adults in Britain with depression has doubled during the pandemic. Almost one in five people experienced depression in June, with young adults, women, key workers and disabled people among those most likely to be affected, as well as those unable to meet unexpected costs. The Guardian

Britain's two-metre social distancing rule 'is based on outdated science'

Britain's two-metre social distancing rule 'is based on outdated science' Britain's two metre social distancing rule is based on outdated science and is not far enough in crowded places like bars, experts say.

Dr Nicholas Jones and colleagues at the University of Oxford said the rule was produced from studies dating back up to 100 years ago and is too simplistic.

Instead, there should be a grading system depending on how 'risky' a place is, they said. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Two metres or one: what is the evidence for physical distancing in covid-19? (open access) The BMJ
• Coronavirus: Obesity 'increases risks from Covid-19' BBC News
• First Scotland deaths after positive test for six weeks BBC News
• Coronavirus: Payment for people on low incomes who must self-isolate BBC News
• UK announces Covid-19 deaths for Wednesday The Daily Mail
• BAME Britons less likely to trust Covid health officials – survey The Guardian 
• Saving lives or UK economy from Covid a 'false choice', MPs warn The Guardian