Covid-19 death-rate may be slowing but we're far from out of the woods yet, warns Northampton hospital boss

Covid-19 death-rate may be slowing but we're far from out of the woods yet, warns Northampton hospital boss Doctors fear Northampton is far from out of the woods yet over Covid-19 despite a falling death-rate and the Government easing lockdown laws.

Schools and are due to reopen next week with non-essential shops also unlocking their doors for the first time in 12 weeks on June 15.

Yet staff at Northampton General Hospital are warning the county's death-rate may be slowing, but it is not slowing as fast as in major cities such as London and Birmingham. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Returning NHS waiting times to 18 weeks for routine treatment: the scale of the challenge pre-Covid-19

Returning NHS waiting times to 18 weeks for routine treatment: the scale of the challenge pre-Covid-19

Returning to ‘normal’ levels of activity is expected to take some time and, even before Covid-19, there were substantial challenges with waiting times. As the NHS looks to start to recover services, this long read looks at the context in which planned treatment will recommence. Specifically, it looks at what would have been needed – if the NHS were operating within a ‘business as usual model’ – to return to delivering the standard of 92 per cent of patients being treated within 18 weeks, given the waiting lists and waiting times backlog that had built up by January 2020. The Health Foundation

Age, death risk, and the design of an exit strategy: a guide for policymakers and for citizens who want to stay alive

Age, death risk, and the design of an exit strategy: a guide for policymakers and for citizens who want to stay alive This discussion paper provides information on the strong age-pattern in the risk of death from three countries (China, Italy, the UK). If politicians want an imminent removal of the lockdown, the safest approach in our judgment would be a rolling age-release strategy combined with the current principle of social distancing. But even if that is not the policy adopted, citizens need to be shown graphs of the kind in this paper. Honest guidance ought to be given to those in midlife and beyond. Governments have to allow people to understand their personal risk after any release from lockdown. Institute of Labor Economics

Government launches NHS Test and Trace service

Government launches NHS Test and Trace service New guidance means those who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive must isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: NHS test and trace: how it works Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: NHS test and trace: workplace guidance Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Latest COVID 19 guidance updates NHS Employers
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England
• Guidance: Guidance for contacts of people with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person Public Health England

Coronavirus: Matt Hancock outlines new isolation guidelines

Coronavirus: Matt Hancock outlines new isolation guidelines From Thursday, those who have been contacted by the NHS will be asked to isolate, even if they do not have symptoms. 

In the government's daily briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock set out details for the test and trace system, which will start tomorrow in England.

The aim of the test and trace system is to move from lockdown for all towards more targeted measures. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Test and trace system kicks off in England BBC News
• Coronavirus: Everyone in the UK is now eligible for a test BBC News
• Coronavirus: Schools and workplaces could see 'local lockdowns' BBC News
• Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool's Champions League match led to MORE deaths The Daily Mail
• UK's test, trace and isolate scheme will only cut infections by 5%, scientists warn The Daily Mail
• The NHS Test and Trace system, explained The Daily Telegraph
• Significant regional variation in COVID-19 care home deaths GPonline
• Coronavirus is whipping up a mental health storm for NHS workers The Guardian
• England's coronavirus tracing plan: 'beset by conflict and confusion' The Guardian
• Cancer, transplant and asthma patients axed from shielding list by text message The Guardian
• Test and trace: New NHS coronavirus track scheme could prove very difficult to put into practice, doctors warn iNews
• Coronavirus: New guidance issued to protect black, Asian and ethnic minorities working in English hospitals Sky News

NHS hospital car parking policies in the UK

NHS hospital car parking policies in the UK This briefing sets out policies on NHS hospital parking charges in the UK. Hospitals may charge for car parking in all NHS hospitals in England and Northern Ireland. Most hospital car parking charges were abolished in Wales in 2008 and Scotland in 2009. House of Commons Library

Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death toll still trending downwards, despite rise in positive tests

Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death toll still trending downwards, despite rise in positive tests Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death-rate in our two main hospitals continued to slow with one more victim in the latest 24-hour period.

The death at Kettering General Hospital on Sunday (May 17) took the total to a sobering 357 at the two NHS trusts since the coronavirus outbreak claimed its first victim on March 3. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• NHS reports 18 more coronavirus deaths in hospitals in the Anglia region ITV News
• Covid-19 claims its 500th victim among Northamptonshire's hospital patients and care home residents Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Zero Covid-19 deaths at KGH announced today Northamptonshire Telegraph

Shielded voices

Shielded voices At the beginning of the acute phase of the Covid-19 crisis, we could reason that it might have been necessary and understandable to make big decisions about health and care (and much else) quickly without much input from patients or users. However, as we move tentatively out of the acute phase, with health and care services working through how they deliver much needed support, the need to ensure we are hearing from people and communities using services, particularly those living with ill health or disabilities, becomes ever more pressing. The King's Fund

The Covid-19 pandemic, financial inequality and mental health

The Covid-19 pandemic, financial inequality and mental health This briefing discusses the mental health effects of financial inequalities in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. It draws evidence from the “Coronavirus: Mental Health in the Pandemic” research – a UK-wide, long-term study of how the pandemic is affecting people’s mental health. The study is led by the Mental Health Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, Swansea University, the University of Strathclyde and Queen’s University Belfast.

Girlguiding research briefing: early findings on the impact of Covid-19 on girls and young women

Girlguiding research briefing: early findings on the impact of Covid-19 on girls and young women This report summarises research of 7,000 members and reveals how girls and young women aged 4–18 in the UK are coping with the changes to their daily lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Findings reveal over half of girls aged 15 -18 feel lockdown has had a negative impact on their mental health – amidst high levels of worry, stress and loneliness. Girlguiding

Selected NHS patients to access coronavirus treatment remdesivir

Selected NHS patients to access coronavirus treatment remdesivir The anti-viral drug remdesivir will be made available to patients meeting certain clinical criteria to support their recovery in hospital. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Coronavirus (Covid-19): antibody tests Department of Health and Social Care
• Government significantly boosts UK PPE supply with more than 100 new deals Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Coronavirus deaths fall to six-week low

Coronavirus deaths fall to six-week low Coronavirus death registrations in the UK in the week to 15 May reached their lowest point since the beginning of April.

Between 11 and 15 May, there were 4,210 death registrations mentioning Covid-19, across the UK.

Down from 4,426 the previous week, it is the lowest weekly figure since the 3,801 for the week ending 10 April. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: The human cost of virus misinformation BBC News
• Coronavirus: Why can I shop but not visit my relatives? BBC News
• Coronavirus: One week in one hospital BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: MHR tells labs to STOP analysing home tests The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: One in 20 London care home residents have died The Daily Mail
• Remdesivir drug to be available for selected NHS Covid-19 patients The Guardian
• Sally Daghlian: 'Some migrants are too scared to seek healthcare' The Guardian
• Outside socialising may be relaxed in England within weeks The Guardian
• Hancock: local lockdowns will be used to suppress infection The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Psychiatric effects 'could last a decade' as NHS fears impact of lockdown on children  The Independent

Ten more coronavirus patients die at KGH

Ten more coronavirus patients die at KGH Ten more Covid-19 patients at KGH have died, bringing the hospital's sobering death toll to 164.

The NHS confirmed three deaths at the Rothwell Road hospital yesterday with a further seven confirmed today (Sunday).

All of the deaths took place over four days with five in just one 24-hour period. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Coronavirus: Mum of boy with cerebral palsy talks of lockdown struggle BBC Northampton
• A further 11 hospital patients have died with coronavirus in the Anglia region ITV News
• Northampton's NHS heroes get a special 'thank you' every time they go to work Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Good news for pregnant women...Northampton General Hospital opens three new community maternity hubs Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• First double-digit rise in a week in number of Northamptonshire hospitals' Covid-19 victims Northamptonshire Telegraph
• RPA firm automates monitoring of oxygen supply at Northampton General Hispital to support COVID-19 patients Med-Tech Innovation

The impact of Covid-19 on working relationships

The impact of Covid-19 on working relationships Recovery plans are gearing up to deal with the legacy of an emergency response that put many services on hold to prevent Covid-19 from overwhelming the health and care system. Efforts are focusing on unmet need – deferred treatment, late presentations and the long-term physical and mental health effects of the crisis – alongside a determination to retain and embed some of the innovations resulting from new ways of working. But, while some individuals and teams are flying, with energy to capitalise on the opportunities, there are other, harder to acknowledge, aspects of unmet need emerging. The King's Fund

Minimum bridging competencies for general practice nurses transitioning to community nursing: for use during Covid-19 pandemic

Minimum bridging competencies for general practice nurses transitioning to community nursing: for use during Covid-19 pandemic These competencies aim to support nurses who are taking up new roles at short notice during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Queen's Nursing Institute 

Overview of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Overview of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic This report provides an overview of government’s wide-ranging response to Covid-19. It finds that between 31 January and 4 May, the government made over 500 announcements. The report sets out £124.3 billion of programmes, initiatives and spending commitments in response to the pandemic. It concludes that the costs of government’s response are large and uncertain and will depend on the continuing health and economic impacts of the pandemic. National Audit Office

Government to offer antibody tests to health and social care staff and patients in England

Government to offer antibody tests to health and social care staff and patients in England New antibody testing programme to provide tens of thousands of antibody tests per day across the UK from next week. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Trial of rapid coronavirus test launched in Hampshire Department of Health and Social Care
  
• £300 million additional funding for local authorities to support new test and trace service Department of Health and Social Care
• £22 million awarded to life-saving health charities during virus outbreak Department of Health and Social Care
  
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Government announces 14-day quarantine arrangements including exemptions for healthcare workers NHS Employers
• NHS thanks Muslim staff working through Ramadan and urges care over Eid NHS England
• NHS expands offer of help to people with diabetes during coronavirus outbreak NHS England
• Weekly COVID-19 surveillance report published Public Health England

Coronavirus: WHO halts trials of hydroxychloroquine over safety fears

Coronavirus: WHO halts trials of hydroxychloroquine over safety fears Testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for coronavirus has been halted because of safety fears, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

Trials in several countries are being "temporarily" suspended as a precaution, the agency said on Monday. 

It comes after a recent medical study suggested the drug could increase the risk of patients dying from Covid-19. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: UK authorises anti-viral drug remdesivir BBC News
• Coronavirus: The search for antibody super donors BBC News
• Coronavirus: Can it affect eyesight? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Sports events in March 'caused increased suffering and death' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Can we stay safe as lockdown eases? BBC News
• Coronavirus: How to keep safe while shopping BBC News
• Human coronavirus vaccine trials to begin in Australia TODAY with 130 people The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 36,914 with 121 new fatalities The Daily Mail
• Three in 10 negative coronavirus tests may be wrong, a doctors' union warns The Daily Mail
• NHS won't be the service people had previously, health chief says The Daily Mail
• Six in 10 UK health workers killed by Covid-19 are BAME The Guardian
• Dominic Cummings: resign or be sacked, says leading doctor The Guardian
• Cummings' trip could harm test-and-trace strategy, experts say The Guardian
• Huge backlog in operations building due to lack of PPE and staff testing The Guardian
• UK coronavirus R number stays the same for two weeks in a row The Guardian
• Trust chiefs lead NHS criticism of 'disgraceful' Cummings Health Service Journal
• Coronavirus: UK hospital closes A&E and no longer accepting new patients The Independent
• It will take months for NHS services to resume, health leaders warn ITV News
• Coronavirus: NHS doctor threatens to resign if Dominic Cummings does not Sky News

Northampton General Hospital implements robot to help plan care of Covid-19 patients

Northampton General Hospital implements robot to help plan care of Covid-19 patients Northampton General Hospital has started using robotic technology to free up healthcare workers' time when looking after Covid-19 patients.

The hospital has introduced a bot to monitor and record the its crucial supply of compressed oxygen - something that otherwise needs a healthcare worker to do manually every hour of the day. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Family 'feel lied to' over care home virus death BBC Northampton
• A further 15 patients with coronavirus die in hospitals in the Anglia region ITV News
• Northampton General Hospital looking at bringing back suspended home birth service as NHS starts to reopen Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• New report highlights impact of Covid-19 crisis on medical tests at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Number of people going to A&E in Northampton drops by 50% in April compared to last year Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'We want answers' say family of widower who died after contracting Covid-19 at Kettering care home Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death toll still trending downwards, despite rise in positive tests Northamptonshire Telegraph

Why are improvements in life expectancy slowing in the United Kingdom and across Europe?

Why are improvements in life expectancy slowing in the United Kingdom and across Europe? International monitoring and co-operation can be invaluable in tackling global health problems because often the drivers and solutions are common across national boundaries. This is vital and done routinely in the context of infectious disease, as evident currently in the Covid-19 (coronavirus) context, but it can be important also in the context of non-communicable diseases. The King's Fund