"Disappointed, but not surprised" is Northamptonshire health chief's view on 'Freedom Day' delay

"Disappointed, but not surprised" is Northamptonshire health chief's view on 'Freedom Day' delay Northamptonshire's health chief says she is "disappointed, but not surprised" by the delay in easing Covid-19 restrictions. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

A call to action on ethnic health inequalities: how can the NHS accelerate change?

A call to action on ethnic health inequalities: how can the NHS accelerate change? Black women die during pregnancy or in the year after at a rate four times higher than white women. This is just one example of the health inequalities experienced by people from minority ethnic groups. 

Understanding and addressing these inequalities – which are complex and have multiple overlapping causes – has (on paper at least) been a focus for the NHS for some time. The King's Fund 

Investigation into NHS-funded fertility care for female same-sex couples

Investigation into NHS-funded fertility care for female same-sex couples BPAS Fertility releases the results of an investigation into NHS-funded fertility care for female same-sex couples, highlighting the additional, hidden financial burdens they face.

Fertility services in the UK, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), are provided by a mixture of NHS and private services. 

NHS-funded care is commonly given to heterosexual couples once they can demonstrate they have tried to conceive naturally for 2-3 years. However, female same-sex couples are required to establish their “fertility status” by self-funding several rounds of artificial insemination (AI) privately, at considerable cost.

See also:

• Lesbians face 'illegal and discriminatory' barriers to getting IVF on the NHS iNews

Guidance for the transfer and remission of adult prisoners and immigration removal centre detainees under the Mental Health Act 1983

Guidance for the transfer and remission of adult prisoners and immigration removal centre detainees under the Mental Health Act 1983 These good practice guidance documents set out the process for transferring and remitting patients in England to and from prisons, immigration removal centres and mental health, learning disability and/or autism inpatient services. They outline the timeframe for completing the assessment, transfer and remission of individuals detained under the Mental Health Act to and from mental health, learning disability and/or autism services and replace the Department of Health’s Good practice procedure guide 2011. The accompanying consultation report sets out the engagement activity which has helped to inform these guidance documents. NHS England and NHS Improvement 

Patients with type 1 diabetes to get artificial pancreas on the NHS

Patients with type 1 diabetes to get artificial pancreas on the NHS An ‘artificial pancreas’ designed to revolutionise the life of people with Type 1 diabetes will be provided by the NHS, 100 years after the discovery of insulin, health service chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced. NHS England 

More than 30 million people vaccinated with second dose

More than 30 million people vaccinated with second dose More than 30 million people in the UK have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the latest figures published today (15 June) show, as the vaccination programme continues at unprecedented pace and scale. Department of Health and Social Care

Another life-saving Covid treatment found

Another life-saving Covid treatment found Exactly a year on from the discovery that a cheap steroid drug prevented Covid deaths, researchers say they have found another life-saving therapy.

It is expensive - a potent intravenous infusion of antibodies to neutralise the virus, rather than dampen the body's inflammatory response to it.

Results from the Recovery trial suggest it could help one in three of those in hospital with severe Covid. BBC News

See also:

• Covid jab 'compulsory' for England care home staff BBC News
• What are the Delta variant symptoms? BBC News
• England needs to speed up vaccine rollout by 12% to meet targets for July 19, analysis shows The Daily Mail
• Covid survivors say they experience 'bizarre' tastes and smells months after clearing the infection The Daily Mail
• One in three patients admitted to hospital during first Covid wave received DNR orders, study shows The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: SAGE warned Covid admissions could spike past 7,000 a day with Indian variant The Daily Mail
• Britain has Europe's WORST Covid outbreak as Indian variant sees nation overtake Spain The Daily Mail
• Mapped: The hotspots for the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the UK The Daily Telegraph
• Compulsory jabs for NHS and care staff to be announced The Daily Telegraph
• All adults in England able to book Covid jabs ‘by end of week’ The Guardian
• Why is Israel lifting Covid restrictions as England extends them? The Guardian

Mental health patients turned away by NHS under controversial scheme

Mental health patients turned away by NHS under controversial scheme NHS whistleblower says that he had to refuse care to a woman who attempted suicide on multiple occasions, because of rules adopted by mental health trusts. iNews 

Care watchdog downgrades two more NHS maternity units over safety concerns

Care watchdog downgrades two more NHS maternity units over safety concerns Maternity services at two hospitals run by the same NHS trust have both been downgraded by the care watchdog after whistleblowers raised the alarm over unsafe staffing levels and a poor culture. The Independent 

'Menopause revolution': England must make hormone replacement therapy free of NHS charges, MPs say

'Menopause revolution': England must make hormone replacement therapy free of NHS charges, MPs say  England must “follow the lead” of Scotland and Wales and make Hormone Replacement Therapy exempt from NHS prescription charges, MPs have warned.

The majority of the 3.4 million women between 50 and 64 in the UK will be experiencing symptoms of the menopause – with these ranging from heart palpitations to hot flushes, vaginal pain, anxiety and depression. The Independent

Adult social care services face ‘deluge’ of requests for support

Adult social care services face ‘deluge’ of requests for support Adult social care services are facing a “deluge” of requests for support from vulnerable and older people as society starts to open up after the pandemic, according to council care chiefs in England.

There has been a big increase in people needing help after their condition deteriorated while waiting to be admitted to hospital for treatment, as well as a surge in those needing support after being discharged from hospital. The Guardian

Boris Johnson ‘confident’ lockdown restrictions will end in England on 19 July

Boris Johnson ‘confident’ lockdown restrictions will end in England on 19 July Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is "confident" that no further delay to the lifting of remaining Covid restrictions in England will be necessary, and will come to an end on 19 July. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also: 

• Full list of everything announced by Boris Johnson as June 21 lockdown lifting is delayed Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Covid rule-breaker hit with £800 court bill for not wearing a face covering in Northampton barbers Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Naming the issue: chronic excessive workload in the NHS

Naming the issue: chronic excessive workload in the NHS The Health and Social Care Committee’s report on workforce burnout and resilience in the NHS and social care is unequivocal. Chronic excessive workload is damaging staff health, patient care and staff’s long-term ability to provide high-quality and compassionate care for people in their communities. In a context of inadequate resources including unsatisfactory levels of staffing, equipment, training and supportive leadership, workload is the number one factor predicting ever-increasing levels of staff stress. The King's Fund 

Guidance on community mental health services: promoting person-centred and rights-based approaches

Guidance on community mental health services: promoting person-centred and rights-based approaches This guidance provides a detailed description of person-centred and human rights-based approaches in mental health, examples of good practice services around the world and recommendations for integrating such services into national health and social care systems and services. The guidance is accompanied by a set of seven technical packages focused on specific categories of mental health services and guidance for setting up new services. World Health Organization

Outsourcing as a threat to public health: the case for insourcing public sector cleaners and facilities management

Outsourcing as a threat to public health: the case for insourcing public sector cleaners and facilities management The evidence cited in this report suggests that outsourced health facilities management services pose a threat to public health. This represents a major weakness in the UK’s ability to cope with subsequent waves of Covid-19. As a matter of public health, this paper recommends that: the government should launch an urgent and independent inquiry into the outsourcing of key workers, including cleaners, to assess whether, as the literature suggests, there is a link between outsourcing and higher rates of infection; and as a pandemic precautionary measure, all local authorities and NHS Trusts should immediately assess their portfolio of healthcare facilities management and sanitation workers, and examine opportunities to bring them in-house. New Economics Foundation 

Mind the gap: a policy report on how people are disadvantaged by digital exclusion

Mind the gap: a policy report on how people are disadvantaged by digital exclusion The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed a devastating overlap between digital exclusion and social exclusion, social exclusion and poverty, and then in turn, poverty and health inequalities. This report acknowledges digitalisation brings both huge benefits for many but also great disadvantage for some and looks at the experiences of local people based on evidence brought to the attention of Chesterfield Citizens Advice workers. The report sets out measures to ensure that services are `fair by design`, that they are accessible for vulnerable people who cannot use digital and that suitable alternative provisions are always in place to meet their needs. Chesterfield Citizens Advice 

Discharge to assess: the case for permanent funding

Discharge to assess: the case for permanent funding This Community Network briefing sets out the case for permanent funding to support the ‘discharge to assess’ model based on cost effectiveness for the taxpayer and improved outcomes. NHS Confederation 

NHS sets up specialist young people’s services in £100 million long COVID care expansion

NHS sets up specialist young people’s services in £100 million long COVID care expansion The NHS is setting up specialist long COVID services for children and young people as part of a £100 million expansion of care for those suffering from the condition.

The 15 new paediatric hubs will draw together experts on common symptoms such as respiratory problems and fatigue who can directly treat youngsters, advise family doctors or others caring for them or refer them into other specialist services and clinics. NHS England

PM statement at coronavirus press conference: 14 June 2021

PM statement at coronavirus press conference: 14 June 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement at the coronavirus press conference on the delay of easing lockdown restrictions. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street

See also:

• Statement to Parliament: Oral statement on easing of coronavirus restrictions Department of Health and Social Care
• Sir Richard Sykes appointed chair of Vaccine Taskforce Department of Health and Social Care
• Vaccines highly effective against hospitalisation from Delta variant Public Health England
• Guidance: PHE monitoring of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination Public Health England

Covid-19: 'Immunisation moving us to a better place everyday'

Covid-19: 'Immunisation moving us to a better place everyday' Prof Adam Finn has said that despite uncertainties around Covid variants, continued immunisation "is moving us to a better and better place everyday".

A member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), Prof Finn said he understood why people needed dates to hold on to but "this is a process".

His comments came after it was announced that the government was delaying many aspects of easing lockdown restrictions in England planned for 21 June. BBC News

See also:

• 21 June: What will delaying the full unlock achieve? BBC News
• Covid: Lockdown easing in England delayed to 19 July BBC News
• Covid-19: Vaccine booster study begins in Cambridge BBC News
• Headache and running nose linked to Delta variant BBC News
• Proof jabs WILL protect NHS from Indian variant: PHE study finds vaccines more than 90% effective The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus: How worsening data have spooked No10 into delaying the end of England's lockdown The Daily Mail
• UK doctors urge public to get fully vaccinated as Delta variant spreads The Guardian
• England’s Covid lockdown lifting: is a four-week delay enough? The Guardian
• Covid-19 will ‘be with us forever,’ warn Whitty and Vallance The Independent
• England’s Covid case rates climb to highest level since early March The Independent