Spinal muscular atrophy: Gene therapy approved by NHS

Spinal muscular atrophy: Gene therapy approved by NHS A life-changing drug has been approved by the NHS to treat babies with a rare fatal genetic disorder.

The gene therapy Zolgensma offers hope to infants with a type of severe spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

With a list price of £1.79m it could become the most expensive drug ever approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. BBC News 

Nurses' union prepares for strike action over 1% pay offer for NHS staff

Nurses' union prepares for strike action over 1% pay offer for NHS staff Royal College of Nursing sets up fund to cover members’ lost earnings should they decide to walk out

A nurses’ union is preparing for strike action as anger grows about the 1% pay rise proposed for NHS staff in England.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that at an emergency meeting called by its governing council, members voted to set up a £35m fund to support workers facing loss of earnings owing to industrial action. The Guardian

See also:

• Johnson defends 1% pay rise despite NHS staff exodus warnings The Guardian
• How is NHS pay decided and what is the case for a 1% rise? The Guardian
• Boris Johnson: we've tried to give NHS staff as much as we can – video The Guardian
• Vast majority of those affected by controversial NHS pay offer are women The Independent

Covid vaccines: 35,000 jabs done in just ONE WEEK across Northamptonshire

Covid vaccines: 35,000 jabs done in just ONE WEEK across Northamptonshire Four out of every ten people in Northamptonshire have now received at least a first dose of coronavirus vaccine.

NHS teams across the county delivered an astonishing 35,000 jabs in just seven days between February 22 and February 28, according to official figures released on Thursday. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• North Northamptonshire's Covid rates raised with Matt Hancock again Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• UK most likely place in world for Covid-19 mutant strain - health minister warns Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Scientists are tracking another new Covid variant in the UK after 16 cases found Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Latest advice for Northamptonshire mums-to-be over Covid vaccinations Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Some asthma sufferers are being refused a Covid vaccine by GPs despite government guidance Northamptonshire Telegraph

MEET THE GOVERNORS: Kettering governor explains more about Northamptonshire's health scene

MEET THE GOVERNORS: Kettering governor explains more about Northamptonshire's health scene A KGH governor has gone into more details about Northamptonshire's health scene.

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

The end of an era? Brexit’s impact on the UK’s scientific successes

The end of an era? Brexit’s impact on the UK’s scientific successes For almost 50 years, the NHS benefited from easy access to a large market, meaning it’s been first in the queue for the latest innovations. But what impact might Brexit have on medicines, medical devices and life sciences in the UK? Nuffield Trust 

NHS launches ‘Op Courage’ veterans’ mental health service

NHS launches ‘Op Courage’ veterans’ mental health service Armed forces veterans suffering a mental health crisis will receive specialist care as part of a new Op Courage service launched by NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens. NHS England 

£79 million to boost mental health support for children and young people

£79 million to boost mental health support for children and young people Millions more children and young people will have access to significantly expanded mental health services, backed by £79 million. Department of Health and Social Care 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK Sixteen cases of a new variant, VUI-202102/04 (lineage B.1.1.318), have been identified in the UK. The variant has been designated a Variant Under Investigation (VUI) by Public Health England

See also: 

• Transparency data: Coronavirus cases by local authority, epidemiological data, 4 March 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• Transparency data: NHS Test and Trace (England) statistics: 18 February to 24 February 2021 Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England

Covid-19: Another new variant added to UK watch list

Covid-19: Another new variant added to UK watch list Scientists have identified 16 cases of another new variant of coronavirus in the UK.

Public Health England has designated it as a 'variant under investigation' (VUI), meaning it is on their watch list, but not one they are immediately concerned about.

It has a mutation in common with the South Africa and Brazil variants. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid variants: What happens when a virus mutates? BBC News
• Covid: Asthma patients refused vaccine by some GPs BBC News
• Covid: Fresh air 'key to safer classrooms' BBC News
• Covid: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines give T-cell immunity against new variants The Daily Mail
• Matt Hancock urges England to stay vigilant after study claims the decline in Covid cases has SLOWED The Daily Mail
• Some English care homes to delay allowing indoor visits over Covid risk The Guardian

Test and Trace barely used check-in data from pubs and restaurants - with thousands not warned of infection risk

Test and Trace barely used check-in data from pubs and restaurants - with thousands not warned of infection risk Data from hundreds of millions of check-ins by people who visited pubs, restaurants and hairdressers before lockdown was barely used by Test and Trace, according to a confidential report obtained by Sky News

See also:

• Covid contracts still unpublished despite Boris Johnson's claim BBC News
• Test And Trace Spending Will Top £37bn, Budget Small Print Reveals Huffington Post

Hospitals failing to heed warnings over patient deaths, reveals new study

Hospitals failing to heed warnings over patient deaths, reveals new study Thousands of similar errors contributing to patient deaths are being repeated by hospitals despite warnings from coroners, according to new research.

An analysis of four years of official reports by coroners, issued after the conclusion of inquests into patient deaths, has revealed the impact of the NHS struggling with a lack of resources and staff. Coroners found similar mistakes across hundreds of inquests. The Independent 

See also: 

• A thematic analysis of the prevention of future deaths reports in healthcare from HM coroners in England and Wales 2016–2019 (open access) Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management

Unions attack 'pitiful' 1% pay rise proposed for NHS staff

Unions attack 'pitiful' 1% pay rise proposed for NHS staff The government is embroiled in a row with NHS staff after deciding they should get only a 1% pay rise next year, despite Boris Johnson’s effusive praise for their efforts during the pandemic.

Nurses and doctors accused ministers of not valuing health service personnel highly enough after the recommendation that more than 1 million staff should receive only a small increase. The Guardian

See also: 

• Policy paper: DHSC evidence for the NHSPRB: pay round 2021 to 2022 Department of Health and Social Care
• Policy paper: DHSC evidence for the DDRB: pay round 2021 to 2022 Department of Health and Social Care
• Government’s evidence on NHS pay is ‘bitterly disappointing’ and ‘out of touch’ but not a done deal Royal College of Nursing
• Nurses' union anger over 'pitiful' 1% NHS pay rise BBC News
• Low-paid public sector workers to get £250 pay rise BBC News
• NHS 1% pay rise is what we can afford - minister BBC News
• Government recommends 1pc pay rise for NHS staff Health Service Journal
• 1% NHS Staff Pay Rise Is ‘Most We Think We Can Afford’ Nadine Dorries Says Huffington Post
• Minister’s planned NHS pay rise labelled ‘pitiful’ by unions The Independent

Community resilience group launched in Wellingborough to offer post-pandemic support

Community resilience group launched in Wellingborough to offer post-pandemic support A new Wellingborough group has been launched to ensure the community spirit which has helped so many through Covid continues long after the pandemic. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Northamptonshire holidaymaker fined for ignoring quarantine rules despite fears over Brazilian Covid variant Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Matt Hancock says UK residents will be able to certify they have had a Covid vaccination in future Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Maternity services to take over Northampton neighbourhood library formerly used as a community hub

Maternity services to take over Northampton neighbourhood library formerly used as a community hub A Northampton library formerly used as a community hub will now be used for maternity services. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Residual drugs in intravenous cannulae and extension lines

Residual drugs in intravenous cannulae and extension lines Our investigation looked at the risks to patients when intravenous (IV) drugs are retained in cannulae and extension lines.

Some drugs, such as those used in anaesthesia and pain management, can cause patients to stop breathing. After administration, these drugs should be flushed through cannulae and extension lines to make sure no residual quantities of the drugs are left. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also: 

• Dozens of patients left conscious but unable to breathe after NHS drug errors The Independent

New research shows the health care use of individuals with multiple conditions also depends on health of those they live with

New research shows the health care use of individuals with multiple conditions also depends on health of those they live with Health Foundation research shows that the health and health care needs of people living in the same household are interconnected. The findings highlight the potential for services to make better use of household information when planning and providing care. 

Budget 2021

Budget 2021 The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented his Budget to Parliament on Wednesday 3 March 2021. HM Treasury

See also: 

• Chancellor has imposed 'an unfair tax on doctors' and survey shows many now plan to leave the NHS before their expected retirement BMA
• A budget for rescue but not recovery The Health Foundation
• Member briefing: Budget 2021 NHS Confederation
• Budget 2021 NHS Employers
• Striking absence of a plan for long-term recovery of health and social care services in the Budget Nuffield Trust
• Lack of funding for health and social care service recovery will affect both staff and patients Royal College of Nursing
• Budget 2021: Key points at-a-glance BBC News
• From furlough to restart grants, how Rishi Sunak's £352bn Covid support package works The Daily Telegraph
• NHS, social care and most vulnerable 'betrayed' by Sunak's budget The Guardian
• Sunak goes long on support for jobs – but says little about NHS or inequality The Guardian
• Budget 2021: 'Insulted' NHS staff must make do with 'clapping and badges' after being denied pay rise iNews
• Rishi Sunak's pension tax relief policy could hit NHS doctors at the worst possible time iNews

Final findings from February COVID-19 REACT-1 study published

Final findings from February COVID-19 REACT-1 study published Findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show infections fell by two-thirds from the last REACT-1 report in January, with 1 in 204 people infected. Department and Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Official Statistics: REACT-1 study of coronavirus transmission: February 2021 final results Department and Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: Evaluating detection of SARS-CoV-2: AntiBodies at Home study Public Health England

Covid: React study finds virus decline slowing in England

Covid: React study finds virus decline slowing in England A marked decline in infections between January and February may have slowed, according to scientists tracking coronavirus in England.

Infections fell by two-thirds over lockdown, but one in 200 people still have the virus.

Lower virus levels are needed to get the best out of the vaccination programme, Imperial College's React study says. BBC News

See also: 

• Covid-19: New vaccines for variants to be fast-tracked BBC News
• Covid: Oxford vaccine does protect older people, Europe told BBC News
• No10 admits 'Crude' and flawed formula used to divvy up Covid vaccine supplies The Daily Mail
• NHS hospitals in London are told to prepare for a 'possible surge' in Covid patients later this year The Daily Mail
• Unions attack 'sinister' plan to force NHS staff to have Covid vaccine The Guardian
• 'I don't want to be bullied': NHS and care workers on mandatory Covid jabs
• Ninety percent of Covid deaths are in countries with high obesity rates, study finds The Independent

UK government may start offering financial rewards for becoming healthier

UK government may start offering financial rewards for becoming healthier NHS and councils in England also being given £70m towards weight loss and fitness courses

The government is expanding access to weight loss services and may start offering people financial rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle as part of the fight against obesity. The Guardian