These are the 17 sites delivering Covid-19 jabs in Northamptonshire

These are the 17 sites delivering Covid-19 jabs in Northamptonshire County's vaccination programme gathers pace with 25,000 jabs already delivered.

There are 17 Covid-19 vaccination sites up and running in Northamptonshire — with more to follow.

Primary Care teams are currently vaccinating the over-80s, care home workers and their own staff assessed as being at highest risk. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

See also:

• Health chiefs decline to say how many people in Northamptonshire have had second dose of vaccine Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Police are 'increasingly likely' to give out Covid fines - but will it reduce compliance? Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Birthday party and basement bash broken up as Northamptonshire Police dish out £200 Covid fines Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• ‘Worst is yet to come’ for Covid-19 infections - what you need to know Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Experts say Test and Trace is a ‘big failure’ - where did it go wrong? Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Current shopping rules at UK supermarkets during lockdown - including Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s Northamptonshire Telegraph

New Northamptonshire charity set up by cancer survivor to make and deliver 'pick me up' care packages for NHS staff

New Northamptonshire charity set up by cancer survivor to make and deliver 'pick me up' care packages for NHS staff A new Northamptonshire charity will create and deliver care packages full of ‘pick me up’ items to give out to NHS staff during lockdown.

Ailsa’s Aim was set up by Sara Whatley, from Higham Ferrers, who was diagnosed with rare forms of ovarian cancer while pregnant with her now two-year-old daughter, Ailsa. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Main Northampton hospital entrance shuts ahead of three-month construction project

Main Northampton hospital entrance shuts ahead of three-month construction project Northampton General Hospital's main entrance will close for three months as of today for a three-month long facelift project.

The south entrance of NGH is being redeveloped to build a reception area with a Costa, Subway, M&S Simply Food and Stock Shop introduced to the hospital. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and the COVID-19 crisis (updated 7th January 2021)

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and the COVID-19 crisis, SCIE (updated 7th January 2021) Those most at risk from COVID-19 – older people, and people with existing long-term health conditions – are likely to be over-represented in the group of people whose rights and freedoms are protected by the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. This guidance sets out what protections the MCA gives them, both during the crisis and in more typical times. Social Care Institute for Excellence 

The Covid-19 vaccine communication handbook

The Covid-19 vaccine communication handbook A team of renowned scientific experts has joined forces from across the world and created this guide to help fight the spread of misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccines. The Handbook sets out the facts, highlighting how the vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective. University of Bristol 

Public health medicine pandemic experience survey

Public health medicine pandemic experience survey This survey report of doctors working in public health and health protection roles has exposed criticism and scepticism with the government’s plans to reorganise Public Health England, and the opportunities for doctors to help shape any changes. The survey further found doctors reporting dangerously highly levels of mental and physical fatigue as a result of battling Covid-19, coupled with resentment with the sense their branch of practice had been overlooked by decision makers. British Medical Association 

The UK response to Covid-19: use of scientific advice

The UK response to Covid-19: use of scientific advice This report analyses of the way the government has received, and applied, scientific evidence and advice during the first period of the coronavirus pandemic up to autumn 2020. It considers the nature and function of official scientific advisory structures, the transparency of scientific advice, and the use of data in informing the UK's Covid-19 response. House of Commons Science and Technology Committee 

Government publishes plan for the largest vaccination programme in British history

Government publishes plan for the largest vaccination programme in British history Tens of millions of people will be immunised by the spring at over 2,700 vaccination sites across the UK, the government has announced as part of comprehensive plans to rapidly scale up the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• Policy paper: UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement to Parliament: A vaccine delivery plan for everyone Department of Health and Social Care
• More than 2.2 million people in UK receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine Department of Health and Social Care
• Government to deploy first British-manufactured rapid lateral flow antigen tests for COVID-19 Department of Health and Social Care
• New NHS Vaccination Centres Open Their Doors Today NHS England

Which Covid vaccine is better? Pfizer v Oxford v Moderna

Which Covid vaccine is better? Pfizer v Oxford v Moderna The three Covid-19 vaccines are from Pfizer-BioNTech, the University of Oxford and Astra-Zeneca and Moderna.

The Pfizer, Oxford and Moderna vaccines each require two doses and you are not fully vaccinated until a week after your second shot.

But there are many differences between them. BBC News 

See also:

• Covid: UK at 'perilous moment' in pandemic, says PM  BBC News
• Inside Newcastle's Covid mass vaccination centre  BBC News
• Coronavirus patients who have lived to tell the tale share their stories The Daily Mail
• Covid research: Convalescent plasma trial paused as results poor The Daily Mail
• Retired medics are still being asked to fill out THIRTEEN forms to join Covid vaccine effort The Daily Mail
• Hospital's oxygen supply at 'critical level' due to surge in Covid patients The Daily Telegraph
• Sage 'urges Boris Johnson to introduce three-metre rule' The Daily Telegraph
• After an unrelenting year, stressed-out NHS staff deserve more than a clap The Guardian
• This is what an 'overwhelmed NHS' looks like. We must not look away The Guardian
• 'Hot homes' scheme to ease strain on NHS falls well short of target The Guardian
• 'Cummings effect': why are people bending lockdown rules? The Guardian
• Quarter of Covid hospital admissions in England aged under 55 The Guardian
• Coronavirus spreading out of control, warns NHS England chief The Independent
• Covid patients occupying more than 30,000 hospital beds in England The Independent
• Illness among NHS staff and other healthcare workers is hitting crisis level iNews
• NHS workers on 'hell' of Covid-19 wards at Gloucestershire hospital ITV News
• NHS staff debunk Covid-19 conspiracy theories with harrowing messages Metro

Eyesight risk warning from lockdown screen time

Eyesight risk warning from lockdown screen time An eye health charity is recommending people learn the "20-20-20" rule to protect their sight, as lockdown has increased people's time using screens.

Fight for Sight advises looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes you look at a screen.

Out of 2,000 people, half used screens more since Covid struck and a third (38%) of those believed their eyesight had worsened, a survey suggested. BBC News

See also:

• More than 1 in 3 people in the UK report deteriorating eyesight due to increasing screen time during pandemic Fight for Sight

Global health insurance card to replace EHIC

Global health insurance card to replace EHIC UK residents can apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to access emergency medical care in the EU when their current EHIC card runs out.

Under a new agreement with the EU, both cards will offer equivalent healthcare protection when people are on holiday, studying or travelling for business.

This includes emergency treatment as well as treatment needed for a pre-existing condition. BBC News  

Thousands of women had abortions while ‘struggling to access contraception during Covid crisis’

Thousands of women had abortions while ‘struggling to access contraception during Covid crisis’ Thousands of women have had abortions after falling pregnant while having difficulties accessing contraception during the pandemic, healthcare providers have warned.

Sexual health clinics have been forced to shut or run reduced services while staff are transferred to work with Covid patients or have to self-isolate - with the profound disruption leaving many women unable to access their usual methods of contraception. The Independent

Launch of mass vaccination centre in Northamptonshire is '80 per cent there'

Launch of mass vaccination centre in Northamptonshire is '80 per cent there' The venue is already picked out and is "good to go" - provided we can secure enough vaccines.

Northamptonshire is the final stages of launching its own "large vaccination centre" in the style of the one unveiled in London this week. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid-19: Horsey seal sightseeing couple fined for 130-mile trip BBC Norfolk
• Trust boss warns region faces 'absolute crisis' with trusts 'hanging on by their fingernails' Health Service Journal
• Health chiefs tell Northamptonshire 'non-Covid believers' that virus could soon affect ability to offer other emergency care Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Lockdown 3 press conference begins as 14 more deaths announced at NGH and KGH Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 1 in 5 people in England may have had Covid - millions more than first thought Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• A lack of social distancing in supermarkets is causing concern - how to stay safe Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• This is how the Pfizer, Oxford and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines differ Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire couple fined after travelling over 120 miles to go seal-watching Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northamptonshire health chief's Test and Trace plea: 'We're not interested in fines, just keeping you and your loved ones well' Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Corby’s Covid rate now one of the highest in England after almost TRIPLING in a week Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Why Corby’s tight-knit family ties may have caused its soaring Covid rates Northamptonshire Telegraph
• NatWest issues urgent warning over fake Covid and delivery scams - what to look out for Northamptonshire Telegraph

Policy paper: UK Rare Diseases Framework

Policy paper: UK Rare Diseases Framework A framework setting out a coherent, national vision on how the UK will improve the lives of those living with rare diseases. Department of Health and Social Care

Statement from Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty on national alert levels

Statement from Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty on national alert levels We have faced several grave moments during our battle against coronavirus. But right now, the country is perhaps facing the most serious yet.

The new, more transmissible variant of this disease is spreading rapidly across the country and having tragic consequences. On Monday the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers and the NHS Medical Director recommended raising the national alert level to the maximum of level 5 for the first time. This means that without further action there is a material risk of our healthcare services being overwhelmed within 21 days. Since then the situation has deteriorated further. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Statement from Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock on testing and vaccinations Department of Health and Social Care
• Asymptomatic testing to be rolled out across the country starting this week Department of Health and Social Care
• Policy paper: Community testing Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement from Chief Medical Adviser for NHS Test and Trace, Susan Hopkins on community testing Department of Health and Social Care
• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine authorised by UK medicines regulator Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement from Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi on vaccine deployment Department of Health and Social Care
• New TV advert urges public to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives Department of Health and Social Care
• Hundreds of thousands invited to new NHS vaccination centres NHS England
• Guidance: National protocol for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]) Public Health England
• Guidance: National protocol for COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) Public Health England

Covid: 'Most dangerous time' of the pandemic, says Whitty

Covid: 'Most dangerous time' of the pandemic, says Whitty The UK will go through the "most dangerous time" of the pandemic in the weeks before vaccine rollout has an impact, England's chief medical officer has warned.

Prof Chris Whitty urged people to minimise all unnecessary contact.

The next few weeks will be "the worst" of the pandemic for the NHS, he said. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: UK reports more than 80,000 deaths BBC News
• Covid-19: Hancock warns flexing of rules 'could be fatal' BBC News
• Covid: The truth behind videos of 'empty' hospitals BBC News
• Covid: Mass vaccination centres to open in England BBC News
• Pfizer vaccine 'works' against key variant mutation, study suggests BBC News
• Why is the new UK Covid-19 strain more infectious? BBC News
• Are Covid patients getting younger? BBC News
• SAGE warns people must still wear masks AFTER getting Covid vaccine The Daily Mail
• Covid: UK approves Moderna vaccine but won't get any until MARCH The Daily Mail
• Switzerland's decision to close schools was one of most effective measures of reducing Covid spread, study says The Daily Telegraph
• Tighter restrictions on the cards as concerns grow over public compliance with coronavirus rules The Daily Telegraph
• Covid in the UK: why is it so bad now and when will cases decline? The Guardian
• 'We're bursting': a day inside a Covid intensive care unit The Guardian
• Calls to escalate English lockdown amid fears one in five may have had Covid The Guardian
• All UK adults will be offered Covid vaccine by autumn, says Matt Hancock – video The Guardian
• Covid patients occupying more than 30,000 hospital beds in England The Independent
• Covid: Unions urge public to back ‘decent’ pay rise for NHS workers The Independent
• COVID-19: NHS at breaking point and public 'not listening' to lockdown, warns top doctor Sky News

1000 cleaners cut from NHS over the past decade

1000 cleaners cut from NHS over the past decade New figures show £38 million has been taken out of NHS cleaning budgets in real terms.

The number of cleaners employed by the NHS in England has been cut by almost 1,000 in the past decade, a union is claiming.

GMB said its research showed the need for urgent investment in cleaning services, especially during the worsening coronavirus crisis. iNews

'We're on target to deliver 135000 Covid jabs in Northamptonshire by mid-February,' says NHS chief

'We're on target to deliver 135000 Covid jabs in Northamptonshire by mid-February,' says NHS chief NHS staff are winning a "race against time" to deliver 135,000 Covid-19 jabs in Northamptonshire in just 11 weeks. 

Hospital bosses say more than 20,000 vaccinations have already been delivered in less than four weeks since the roll-out started in Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Moderna Covid vaccine granted approval for use in the UK - what you need to know Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid vaccinations may need to be administered 'every 6 months' - what Matt Hancock said Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Pfizer says vaccine protects against new Covid-19 mutant strains spreading across the UK Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Workplace outbreaks of Covid in Northamptonshire have increased this week following Christmas dip, health boss confirms Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Northamptonshire MP describes Chief Medical Officer's suggestion restrictions could be in place next winter as 'very unhelpful' Northamptonshire Telegraph
• The different Covid vaccines explained - and why you can't choose which one you receive Northamptonshire Telegraph
• These four key criteria must be met before lockdown can be lifted in England Northamptonshire Telegraph

How is COVID-19 impacting people working in adult social care?

How is COVID-19 impacting people working in adult social care? Much of what's happening right now feels dauntingly like last March – we’re back in lockdown and being told to ‘protect the NHS’. We’re seeing similar media coverage of the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the NHS and its hardworking staff but a great deal less attention on protecting adult social care services and staff. The Health Foundation

NHS patients to receive life-saving COVID-19 treatments that could cut hospital time by 10 days

NHS patients to receive life-saving COVID-19 treatments that could cut hospital time by 10 days Patients across the UK who are admitted to intensive care units due to COVID-19 are set to receive new life-saving treatments which can reduce the time spent in hospital by up to 10 days, the government has announced. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• New Oxford vaccine rolled out to general practice services NHS England
• Operational Guidance: Vaccination of Frontline Health & Social Care Workers NHS England
• Flu vaccine uptake among over 65s highest on record Public Health England
• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England