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Pregnant women denied mental health help

Analysis from leading psychiatrists found from 2020-2021 out of 47,000 women, only 3,1261 were able to get help from perinatal services. 

Whilst it was deemed the pandemic was not the main reason women were being denied access, it was established that due to lack of investment and funding, services were unable to provide support when needed. 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for funding in the next spending review.

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Source: The Guardian, 1 July 2021

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Number of positive isolating pupils unknown in England

In an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, the government introduced a policy where pupils would be sent home to self-isolate if they came into contact with an infected person in school.

However, the number of cases being prevented by this policy is not being monitored. It has been estimated at least 279,000 children are at home with many being asked to self isolate for 10 days. 

Without a full set of data, it cannot be known how this current policy is affecting the rate of infections. A government spokesperson has said the health secretary and education secretary are working on getting education back to normal as soon as they can. 

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Source: BBC News, 01 July 2021

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Long Covid cases under reported

A study by React have estimated around 2 million people may be suffering from long Covid but scientists say the cases are going under reported. 

Currently, there is no universal definition of long Covid and the symptoms are varying and broad. 

To better understand the condition, the government has set up around 80 clinics and have invested £50m for research. 

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Source: BBC News, 30 June 2021

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RCN insists pay rise for NHS staff would help morale

A letter signed by the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and Royal College of Midwives have called for a higher pay rise for NHS staff. 

In their letter, they explain that currently, staff are experiencing high levels of exhaustion, and that a pay rise would help convince staff members to stay in their roles and raise morale after facing the challenges of the pandemic. 

According to the article, the Royal College of Nursing is calling for a 12.5% pay increase for NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts. 

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Source: Royal College of Nursing, 29 June 2021

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New report finds Covid-19 death rate 25% higher in Manchester

New research has found the death rate in Manchester was 25% higher than the rest of England during the pandemic. 

The report describes how Manchester is experiencing a number of avoidable health inequalities that needs to be addressed. 

The Mayor of Manchester has said people on lower incomes are less able to control their exposure to the virus and that more needs to be done to help communities hit hardest by the pandemic. 

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Source: BBC News, 29 June 20201

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BBC research reveals people with disabilities forgotten during pandemic

Research by the BBC finds thousands of people with disabilities had been forgotten about during the pandemic, revealing most participants experienced worsening of their disability and many said their vital appointments had been cancelled. 

The research found some reported attempting suicide due to the sudden changes, being isolated or not being able to access their care or support networks. 

Scope, one of the UK's biggest disabilities charities have said the research conducted by the BBC confirms the government failed to support people with disabilities during the pandemic. 

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Source: BBC, 30 June 2021

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New FFP3 respirators may cut infection risk

New FFP3 masks may reduce likelihood of infection rates, a new study finds. After healthcare workers used the masks when on Covid-19 wards, the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections was found to be lowered by a significant amount. 

Since the study, Public Health England have updated its guidance which now requires NHS organisations to provide FFP3 respirators where appropriate. 

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Source: BMJ, 29 June 2021

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New flexible working rights for NHS staff first day in post

NHS staff will now be able to request flexible working arrangements from the first day in post. 

Previously, staff had to be in service for at least 6 months before they could put in a request. It has been found a lack of work-life balance was a significant cause of why staff left the healthcare service. 

The new rule will come into effect on 13 September 2021 and staff will be allowed to make an unlimited number of flexible working applications and submit them without justification or provide specific reasons. 

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Source: Royal College of Nursing, 29 June 2021

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Covid-19: parents unable to see dying son

Parents to Ollie Bibby, 27, were unable to see their dying son in UCL Hospital and describe their experience as being treated 'like criminals'. 

Outrage has come after Matt Hancock, England's Health Secretary was caught having an affair with aide, breaking the social distancing rules. Mother, Penny Bibby, has said she is 'livid' that Mr Hancock broke the rules whilst she and her husband were unable to see their dying son. 

UCLH have responded that they are learning from the family's experience and are confident he received the appropriate care and treatment and offer their 'sincere condolences'. 

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Source: BBC News, 29 June 2021

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Covid-19 to cast 'long shadow' on mental health

Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer has said the pandemic will have an impact on mental health for a considerable period to come. 

Speaking at the Royal College of Psychiatrists international congress, The CMO acknowledged the pandemic may have caused a lot of fear and anxiety as well as affecting people's social support and finances. 

Whilst Chris Whitty is optimistic that the end of the pandemic is in sight, he believes there will still continue to be some difficulties, now and in the future. 

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Source: BMJ, 28 June 2021

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Manchester Royal Infirmary under major pressures

Staff at Manchester's Royal Infirmary have said they are facing mounting pressures amid staff shortages and increasingly long waiting lists in A&E. 

Doctors and nurses have said they were told a 'major incident' was declared, however, it was then reduced to an internal incident in an attempt to avoid 'bad press'. 

A clinician has said A&E patients are now regularly waiting over 8 to 10 hours overnight due to an increasing influx of patients and a surge in children attending A&E.

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Source: The Independent, 26 June 2021

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Updated toolkit for better working environments for nurses

The Royal College of Nursing has updated their Healthy Workplace toolkit to include the need for nurses to stay hydrated during their shifts and to take their at-work breaks. 

The toolkit was designed to improve health and wellbeing for nurses working in all areas of healthcare. It also includes pandemic-specific advice and an aim to improve working environments for nursing staff. 

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Source: Royal College of Nursing, 21 June 2021

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Compensation to be paid to family of patient who died from starvation

The family of a patient is to be paid a 6 figure sum after staff failed to realise she was malnourished and had intestinal failure, subsequently starving to death. 

The out-of-court settlement comes after Linda Doherty, 69, was found to have died from sepsis and acute kidney injury, malnutrition, intestinal failure secondary to Crohn’s disease and ileal resection, and inadequate nutritional intake. 

Read full story. (paywalled)

Source: BMJ, 25 June 2021

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More than 2 million people in the UK may have suffered from long Covid

A new survey of half a million adults in the UK has revealed more than 2 million may have suffered from long Covid. 

Currently, long Covid is not fully understood and its definition has not yet been agreed upon. The self-reported survey showed 37% of respondents experienced at least one symptom lasting 12 weeks or more with higher weight, smoking, lower incomes and having a chronic illness being associated with a higher chance of experiencing symptoms of long Covid. 

The government has issued £50m in funding for research on long Covid. 

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Source: BBC News, 24 June 2021

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Young children in A&E with mild winter viruses

It has been reported Accident and Emergency are seeing record numbers of young children being brought in with mild winter viruses, overwhelming the department. 

Experts have said it is unlikely to be serious and that people should seek to speak with their GP, pharmacist or NHS 111 as the first port of call, but that A&E is an option if parents are worried it could be an emergency. 

It has emerged that most of the children are under the age of five and it may be that as lockdown has been easing and people are mixing, winter viruses are reappearing. 

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Source: BBC News, 25 June 2021

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Woman in Scotland dies after cervical cancer screening error

A woman in Scotland has died from cervical cancer after she was excluded from the cervical cancer screening programme. 

The error meant that more than 400 women have also not been tested and it has been revealed since then, a small number of women have developed cervical cancer. 

It has also emerged that some of the women wrongly excluded from the screening programme had partial hysterectomies dating back to 1997.  

Maree Todd, the Scottish public health minister extends her condolences to the family of the woman who died. NHS boards are putting together better measures to ensure the errors do not happen again. 

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Source: The Guardian, 24 June 2021

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Statement released by the RCOG and FSRH on women's painful IUD experience

A statement has been released by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Faculty for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) addressing the concerns raised by women on painful IUD fittings. 

Dr Diana Mansour, Vice President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) and Dr Edward Morris, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists give a statement in support to women who have experienced pain during an IUD fitting, describing their concern and dismay at women's pain being dismissed. 

Dr Edward Morris calls 'on the UK government to ensure these experiences are recognised and addressed in the new Women’s Health Strategy for England'. 

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Source: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 22 June 2021

Related hub content:

The pain of my IUD fitting was horrific…and I’m not alone

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Government urged to address the shortage of specialist nursing staff

A new report by the Royal College of Nursing shows the number of learning disability nurses working in NHS Hospitals, NHS hospital and community services in England has risen by only 22 in three years.

Worryingly, there is estimated to be only 17,000 learning disability specialist nurses on the NMC register in the UK. 

The Royal College of Nursing is urging the government to address the shortage of specialist nurses for learning disabilities. 

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Source: Royal College of Nursing, 22 June 2021

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TAGGED

New long Covid enhanced service (ES) to pay just under 50p per registered patient

GPs have been given until the 31st July to sign up patients to the new enhanced long Covid enhanced service (ES).

The new service was set up to help support patients with the condition as it was considered complex and needed consistent support. 

The ES is also intended to help GP practices 'plan their workforce set up, training needs and infrastructure in order to support patients with this new condition’. 

The payment to practices will occur on a monthly basis and will be paid 75% of the fee (£0.371) per registered patient. The remaining 25% (£0.124 )will be paid once patients have been signed up. 

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Source: Pulse Today, 21 June 2021

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Number of children prescribed antidepressants coincide with lockdowns

The number of children being prescribed antidepressants has increased over the past 5 years, with analysis from The Pharmaceutical Journal showing peaks have coincided with Covid lockdowns. 

It was found between April 2015 and April 2020, children from the ages 0-17 who were prescribed antidepressants by a GP increased by 26 per cent with an increase in prescriptions occurring more notably during lockdowns. 

Furthermore, the analysis found an 8 per cent increase since March 2019 showing 17,902 females and 9,855 males were found to have been prescribed antidepressants when the country was locked down in March 2020.  

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Source: The Independent, 24 June 2021

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Outdated hospital oxygen systems a ‘risk to patients’, review warns

A new review by a Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) found outdated systems used to provide oxygen around hospitals struggled to cope with demand, particularly during the winter months during the Covid surge. 

HSIB was created to investigate safety issues in England, and have said the problems with oxygen was not isolated to just one hospital. 

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Source: BBC News, 24 June 2021

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Ethnic minorities found at higher maternity risks

The charity Birthright have launched an inquiry into why women from ethnic minority backgrounds are experiencing higher maternity risks. 

Evidence in the inquiry will be gathered from parents, anti-racist campaigners, midwives and obstetricians. 

The NHS has said it is working on a new strategy to address inequalities, maternity and neonatal care. 

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Source: BBC News, 23 June 2021

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Ministers to legislate for more power over patient data

Ministers are to legislate more powers over how data on patients is collected and are imposing a 'duty' on the NHS to share patient information when doing so would benefit the system. 

The Health and Social Care Act 2021 already allows for sharing of data on an individual basis but staff have reported finding it hard to share it when it comes to primary and secondary care and administrative purposes. 

The new draft strategy produced by NHSX, has suggested it may want to use cloud storage to create a set of “structured data records” with the idea that it would make it easier for patients to access their own data. 

Read full story. (paywalled)

Source: HSJ, 22 June 2021

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