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Birmingham Queen Elizabeth hospital cancels all planned operations for two days

Owing to a lack of beds and space, one the of the largest hospitals in the country has had to cancel all it's planned operations for two days. 

The hospital, which has more than 1,100 beds has had to cancel cancer operations and liver transplants due to an influx in coronavirus patients increasing demand for bed space. 

Deputy medical director at the University Hospitals Birmingham, Ian Sharp has said “The pressure at the front door, whether its people who should be able to access care elsewhere, or people with Covid, or people with other acute issues, flooding our front door makes it very difficult to function effectively". 

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Source: The Independent, 16 July 2017

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1.6m in England told to self-isolate in a week

1.6 million people in England have been told to self-isolate in a week and the government say it is unlikely the Covid app will adjusted to make it less sensitive. 

Robert Jenrick, communities secretary told the BBC, “It is important we have the app, that we take it seriously and that when we do get those messages, we act accordingly”. 

According to reports, UK coronavirus cases climbed to 48,553 on Thursday, the highest since January. Concerns have now been raised about the climbing number of cases with fears there may be chaos to come. 

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Source: The Guardian, 16 July 2021

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Greater Manchester hospitals ‘forced to provide extra critical care beds’

Hospital waiting lists across the country could hit 13 million in the months to come.

Reports have found Manchester Hospitals are having to provide extra beds for critical care patients as the number of people coming in has surged.

Hospitals are struggling to cope due to increase in patients attending hospitals in the city a reports the Manchester Evening News.

The “number of people attending emergency departments across Greater Manchester has seen a significant increase in recent weeks” and that assistance from hospitals in other parts of the country was “part of our usual processes”, a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership has said.

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Source: The Independent, 15 July 2021

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Study finds Long Covid linked to 200 symptoms

A major new study has found Long Covid is associated with at least 200 symptoms, the most common of which includes fatigue, post-exertional malaise and cognitive dysfunction.

The research led by a team at University College London spoke to thousands of people, many of whom have said they experienced symptoms for months. 

Other symptoms include: visual hallucinations, tremors, itchy skin, changes to the menstrual cycle, sexual dysfunction, heart palpitations, bladder control issues, shingles, memory loss, blurred vision, diarrhoea, and tinnitus.

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Source: The Independent, 15 July 2021

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Covid: Younger adults at risk of organ damage

A new study has found younger adults admitted to hospital with Covid-19 may suffer similar complications as to those over 50 year old. 

The research, conducted by 7 different universities, the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England found that around half of all adult patients in hospital with Covid-19 suffered a least one complication.

Professor Calum Semple who led the work has said, "The message is that this is not just a disease of the elderly and frail".

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Source: BBC News, 16 July 2021

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Inappropriate anticoagulation of patients with a mechanical heart valve

NHS England have issued a safety alert on the risk of inappropriate anticoagulation of patients with a mechanical heart valve.

Published guidance supported clinical teams in reviewing patients being treated with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) early on in the pandemic and change their medication to an alternative anticoagulant where needed. 

However, there have been reports that those with a mechanical heart valve have been prescribed a molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) which the guidance lists as an exception to its use in such patients.  

The alert asks GPs and other NHS providers to urgently identify patients with a mechanical heart valve and ensure they are on the most appropriate anticoagulant. 

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Source: NHS England, 14 July 2021

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Almost 7,000 waiting for lifesaving transplants in the UK

NHS Blood and Transplant have estimated that almost 7,000 people are waiting for lifesaving transplants in the UK, the highest number in six years.

During the first peak of the pandemic last year, several key services have had to be closed reveals the analysis from April 2020 to March 2021, although most were rapidly reinstated and 80% of NHS transplant work went ahead. 

Figures from the report found 474 patients died while waiting for organs, a higher number than the year before and the majority of patients were waiting for kidney transplants. 

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Source: BBC News, 15 July 2021

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Unlocking risk for pregnant women

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned there may be a risk to pregnant women when next weeks restrictions relax. 

Experts are warning that infection rates among pregnant women may increase once the restrictions are lifted and encourage them to protect themselves and their families as women who are pregnant are more likely to become severely ill with Covid-19.

RCN chief executive Gill Walton, has said: "Along with mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing, vaccination is a vital tool in the fight to protect yourself against this virus.

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Source: BBC News, 15 July 2021

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Winter viruses to surge alongside Covid warn medics

Since lockdown, people have not been exposed to viruses that normally circulate during the winter months, but now that restrictions are lifting, there are concerns the viruses may make a comeback. Now, leading medics have warned there will be a surge in respiratory viruses alongside Covid-19 this winter and have urged anyone experiencing symptoms to self-isolate. 

Testing for flu, Covid and respiratory viruses common in children and elderly may help doctors treat cases quickly, doctors have said. 

A report by Professor Azra Ghani, from Imperial College London found a surge in winter viruses during the summer. She has said "Whilst we expect the peak in deaths to be considerably lower than last winter, under some scenarios we could see hospital admissions rise to similar levels."

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Source: BBC News, 15 July 2021

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Face masks and ventilation needed after July 19th

The Royal College of Nursing has written to the Prime Minister demanding continued protective measures after the loosening of restrictions on July 19th.

In a joint letter with the British Medical Association, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, British Dental Association and College of Optometrists, they ask for support and protection for healthcare staff.

The letter says “The need to recognise health and care settings as unique environments for the care and safety of the most vulnerable is paramount. While you state that you would expect the public to continue wearing face coverings in healthcare settings, we ask that this is translated into action".

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Source: RCN, 14 July 2021

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New study develops a 'core outcome set' to make new surgical techniques safer

A new study has been published focusing on surgical innovation and how it could be made safer. 

The research set out to develop a 'core outcome set', an agreed minimum set of outcomes to measure and report for safe surgical techniques in all audits, research, and clinical practice. 

The study, co-led by Dr Kerry Avery, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol and NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has said "It may surprise many people to learn that surgical procedures haven’t traditionally been subject to the kind of regulation we see in other areas of medicine. But to ensure safety and improve efficiency, a core outcome set is an important step".

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Source: University of Bristol, 13 July 2021

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Independent inquiry to examine maternity care after deaths at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust

A new independent inquiry has been launched after reports of mother and baby deaths at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.

According to patient safety minister Nadine Dorries, the inquiry will be led externally and will be examining cases going back to 2016. 

The review has been welcomed by families but they have said they want to be fully involved in the process including setting the terms of reference and making sure it is a truly independent inquiry. 

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Source: The Independent, 13 July 2021

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Nurse understaffing during the Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted patient safety

A new study has found nursing shortages may have negatively impacted patient safety, including unsafe practice management workarounds and cognitive failures.

Research has found cutting corners when understaffed may have been the only way to get the work done quicker due to the added strain and heavier workload and in another study, it was discovered nurse staffing demand increased to 245 percent between September and December 2020. 

It was also reported that nurses who had little or no experience of working in the ICU environment were assigned to work there which may have led to higher stress levels and cognitive failures such as memory and attention lapses. 

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Source: Recycle Intelligence, 13 July 2021

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Study finds delta surge 'could leave hundreds of thousands with long Covid'

New research has suggested unvaccinated young people may be at a higher risk of getting long-term symptoms. With restrictions being lifted on 19th July, concerns have been raised about the impact of the Delta variant. 

Professor Danny Altmann has said “From every version of Covid we’ve ever seen on the planet, we’ve got a rule of thumb that any case of Covid, whether it’s asymptomatic, mild, severe, or hospitalised, incurs a 10 to 20% risk of developing long Covid, and we haven’t seen any exceptions to that.”

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Source: The Guardian, 13 July 2021

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Scotland to keep mandatory face masks

As restrictions are due to lift on the 19th July and the mandatory face masks mandate moving to recommended, Scotland have said they will keep the mandatory rule. 

BMA Council Chair, Dr Chaand Nagpaul has called the decision to lift restrictions 'irresponsible and perilous', with Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation saying there was "a real risk that dropping the restrictions including to wear masks, especially in health care settings and to socially distance will lead to a significant COVID-19 surge which will place even more strain on a system struggling to cope".

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Source: Medscape, 13 July 2021

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Long Covid: Hope for diagnostic tests

Researchers at Imperial College London have found a pattern of rouge antibodies that may allow a simple blood test to diagnose Long Covid in the next 6 to 18 months. 

Currently, there is no diagnostic test for Long Covid and the condition is not yet fully understood, and with the rise in cases, it is not yet known if the vaccination can protect patients from getting long-term symptoms. 

However, leading the research team at Imperial College London, Professor Danny Altmann believes the research could allow for a test to be performed in a GP surgery. And regarding the rising cases, Professor Altmann has said "If we're heading into a phase of 100,000 cases per day, and, we're saying that 10-20% of all infections can result in long Covid, I can see no certainty that we're not brewing those long Covid cases despite having a vaccinated population,"

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Source: BBC News, 12 July 2021

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'We feel bullied' say emergency department staff

In November last year, Unison and RCN raised concerns with NHS Forth Valley chief executive Cathie Cowan amid bullying claims made by emergency department staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. 

In light of the reports of bullying, a review was commissioned and leaked details revealed junior doctors were left unsupervised on shifts, nurses and doctors had said they are 'battle-weary', and many senior staff members have resigned their posts. 

Karren Morrison, Unison Forth Valley health branch secretary has said: ‘Last year, concerns were being raised by our members who worked in, or who had previously worked in the ED. Staff talked to us about feeling bullied and intimidated, being frightened to speak up, concerns about the delivery of safe patient care, high staff turnover and other issues.’

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Source: Nursing Standard, 12 July 2021

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RCN council supports principles behind a petition to protect the title of 'nurse' in UK law

The RCN council has agreed to support the principles behind a petition, started by RCN Professional Nursing Committee member Alison Leary, calling for the title of 'nurse' to be protected and reserved for those who are registered. 

Whilst the term 'registered nurse' is protected in law, the term 'nurse' is not, meaning anyone can call themselves a nurse, regardless of whether they have the appropriate qualifications or not. The RCN believes the title should be protected in order to help protect the public and ensure accountability. 

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Source: RCN, 12 July 2021

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Women in Scotland who require surgical mesh removal can receive free treatment in US or England

Spire Health Care in Bristol and the Mercy Hospital in Missouri have been awarded contacts by the Scottish government to perform surgical mesh removal for Scottish women, with costs for travel and surgery covered by the hospitals, the BBC reports.

Each procedure has been estimated to cost between £16,000 and £23,000, with contracts to remove the mesh outside of Scotland expected to start later in the summer. 

Marian Kenny, 62, from Glasgow has said, "It has given me and lots of other women hope - and that's not something I've had in my life for quite some time."

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Source: BBC News, 12 July 2021

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NHS waiting list could increase to 13 million warns the health secretary

Health secretary Sajid Javid has warned NHS waiting lists will soar amid the incoming third wave of coronavirus. 

Thousands of patients are on hold for at least 2 minutes before their 999 calls are answered, The Independent has revealed. Mr Javid has also been told by officials the situation will get worse in the coming weeks. 

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Javid has said "Hearing that figure of 13 million, it has absolutely focused my mind, and it’s going to be one of my top priorities to deal with because we can’t have that."

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Source: The Independent, 11 July 2021

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Covid-19 vaccinators facing abuse by people seeking second jab early

NHS staff have faced abuse by members of the public after demanding their second dose of the jab earlier than 8 weeks so they can go on holiday. 

A doctors has said covid-19 vaccinators are experiencing aggression and threats from people and after one incident, police had to be called over fears for safety.

Chair of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Martin Marshall has said: “It is understandable that people want to be fully vaccinated as soon as possible. But it is entirely unacceptable for anybody working on the Covid vaccination programme, be it in GP-led sites, mass vaccination centres or hospital centres, to be at the receiving end of verbal abuse and intimidation.

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Source: The Guardian, 10 July 2021

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Another maternity unit downgraded by NHS watchdog

The Care Quality Commission has downgraded another maternity unit over 'blame culture' and concerns over safety.

After an inspection was carried out, Salisbury Foundation Trust , which was downgraded from 'good' to 'inadequate' has been told it must make improvements after concerns were raised about safety and leadership of the maternity unit.

Head of hospital inspection at the Care Quality Commission, Amanda Williams has said: “Following our recent inspection of Salisbury District Hospital’s maternity services, we found that women and babies using the service received effective care and treatment which met their needs most of the time. But most of the time is not good enough.

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Source: The Independent, 10 July 2021

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Vaginal mesh scandal: no action from ministers

A year on from the vaginal mesh scandal and ministers have failed to take action. The new health secretary Sajid Javid has been called on to intervene by families, lawyers and campaigners and has been asked to implement recommendations made by the Cumberlege Inquiry. 

Emma Hardy, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Surgical Mesh Implants has said “Women deserve better than the government’s refusal to implement the Baroness Cumberlege recommendations. The recommendations will not only make life better for those living with mesh complications, but they will also improve patient safety for everyone in the future.”

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Source: The Independent, 08 July 2021

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Irregularities in blood could pave the way for a test for long covid

A pattern in rouge antibodies has been found by Imperial College London scientists which may lead to a blood test for the condition within 6 to 18 months. 

Leading the team at Imperial College London, Professor Danny Altmann has said the 'work will lead to a test which could be done in a doctor's surgery'. However, he is concerned with the lifting of lockdown restrictions on 19th July. 

Long Covid is not yet fully understood with no current diagnostic test yet available for the illness. However, a range of symptoms have been listed which include fatigue, breathlessness, muscle pain and headaches.

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Source: BBC News, 12 July 2021

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NHS staff face 'dread and anxiety' as virus cases surge again

A frontline respiratory consultant has said, “Healthcare professionals are deeply anxious about the impact of relaxing restrictions further given the current surge in Covid cases. To do away with risk-mitigating measures like social distancing and wearing of masks is incomprehensible to many of us. I feel anxious and frustrated".

Hospitals in Yorkshire and North of England may also be experiencing a fourth wave. Dr Nick Scriven has told The Guardian, “Us up north are experiencing a fourth wave in community cases, with an uptick in hospital cases. Although numbers are not massive it’s both frightening and upsetting for staff as ICU cases are rising with unvaccinated people, either as they are young or by choice or both. There is to me a growing feeling that vaccination makes this almost preventable.”

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Source. The Guardian, 9 July 2021

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