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News ArticleAuthorities in Australia have issued a warning to patients of a retired dentist, urging them to test themselves for bloodborne viruses due to "poor infection control practices" at the clinic. Thousands of patients at Dr William Tam's clinic in Strathfield, western Sydney may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the New South Wales state health ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. The Ministry urged patients to see a doctor and test for such viruses, thought it noted that the "risk is low". Tam is now retired and de-registered as a dentist, the statement said. "The poor infection control practices at Dr Tam's practice means all former patients may be at low risk of a blood borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts," Dr Leena Gupta, the public health clinical director of the Sydney Local Health District, said in the ministry statement. "People with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades, so it is important that people at risk of these infections are tested, so that they can access treatment as appropriate." Gupta said they believed Tam had seen thousands of patients in the last 25 years, but there were no records that could be used to contact them. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 13 May 2026
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News Article
How worried should we be about hantavirus?
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Passengers from the cruise ship struck by a hantavirus outbreak are being evacuated and sent to their home countries to isolate and receive medical treatment if necessary. Some other passengers from MV Hondius left on earlier flights or connections and their contacts are now being traced as a precaution. Officials say the risk of the infection spreading to the general public remains low. Crew and passengers now face having to self-isolate for more than a month to avoid any potential spread. Three died either on board or after travelling on the ship, which set sail from Argentina a month ago. Four others were medically evacuated from the ship for treatment. In an update on Thursday, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove from the World Health Organization (WHO) stressed it was not the start of a pandemic, saying: "This is not Covid, this is not influenza, it spreads very, very differently." Unlike diseases such as measles, which are highly contagious and spread easily, the Andes strain of hantavirus behind the outbreak is not that infectious. Human-to-human spread is possible but the risk of infections globally remains low, says WHO. In its latest update, external, it says eight cases - six confirmed - have been identified in people who were on the ship. It is still not clear how the outbreak started. Read full story Source: BBC News, 7 May 2026 -
Content Article
At Patient Safety Learning we believe that sharing insights and learning is vital to improving outcomes and reducing harm. That's why we created the hub; providing a space for people to come together and share their experiences, resources and good practice examples. To support. WHO's World Immunisation Week, we have picked 14 resources full of practical advice about vaccination in a range of settings. 1 WHO: Vaccines explained "Vaccines Explained" is a series of illustrated articles from the World Health Organization that describe how vaccines work, how they’re developed and distributed and how their safety is carefully monitored. 2 EDUCATE KS3 lesson pack: HPV vaccination Co-produced by young people and researchers from the University of Bristol and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, ‘EDUCATE’ helps teach students about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and provide reassurance about receiving the vaccine, which is usually offered to teenagers at school as part of the national vaccination programme. 3 The Green Book: Immunisation against infectious diseases The Green Book is published by the UK Health Security Agency and contains the latest information on vaccination procedures for vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in the UK. It offers guidance on general safety considerations and clinical procedures relating to immunisation, as well as specific information on a wide range of diseases and vaccinations. 4 Vaccination awareness toolkit for children and young people The School And Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) has coproduced this vaccination toolkit with children and young people. It aims to increase young people's awareness of what vaccines are, why they are important and what to expect from different types of vaccines. 5 Improving communication about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme among families In England, young people aged 12 to 13 years are offered immunisation against HPV as part of the NHS vaccination programme. However, research by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol has identified sustained inequalities in uptake by area and minority ethnic groups. They have produced a number of information videos to address information needs about HPV among young people. They were coproduced with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and diverse ethnic groups. 6 A visual guide to vaccines for the UK routine vaccination programme This guide by the UK Health Security Agency is designed to help ensure healthcare workers administer the right vaccines at the right time. It provides photos of all vaccines used in the UK routine immunisation programme, as well as information on when each vaccine should be given and its different trade names and abbreviations. 7 Pain management in infant immunisation: A cross-sectional survey of UK primary care nurses Childhood immunisation is a critically important public health initiative. However, since most vaccines are administered by injection, it is associated with considerable pain and distress. Despite evidence demonstrating the efficacy of various pain management strategies, the frequency with which these are used during routine infant vaccinations in UK practice is unknown. This study aimed to explore primary care practice nurses’ use of evidence-based pain management strategies during infant immunisation, as well as barriers to evidence-based practice. 8 Shingles Vaccination Programme: GP toolkit for improving uptake About 1 in 5 people who have had chickenpox develop shingles, predominantly those who are over 70. However, uptake rates of the shingles vaccine are falling in London and across England. The purpose of this toolkit is to help GPs better protect their patients by suggesting ways to improve uptake of the shingles vaccine. These suggestions are based on best practice and evidence and have been shown to work with little or no cost to practices. 9 Interview with Charlet Crichton, founder of UKCVFamily UKCVFamily was set up in November 2021 to support patients in the UK who have had an adverse reaction to a Covid-19 vaccination. The group provides help and advocacy as well as raising awareness amongst healthcare professionals, the media and the Government. In this video for the hub, founder of UKCVFamily Charlet Crichton talks about why she established the group and describes the support it offers to patients. 10 Measles and rubella vaccine microneedle patch: new hope to reach the unreached children This Lancet article looks at how microneedle patches (MNPs) could potentially improve coverage of childhood vaccinations by providing a more thermostable, individual-dose, injection-free vaccine delivery device suitable for administration by local, non-medical personnel. MNPs could also reduce wasted vaccine doses, needle-stick injuries and breaks in the cold chain, as well as making waste management easier. 11 Whooping cough resurgence as vaccination rates slump Official data on whooping cough show that reports of suspected cases are at a 15-year high in the first three months of 2024. This article in the Pharmaceutical Journal looks at why cases are increasing, including falling rates of children receiving the childhood 6-in-1 vaccine and maternal vaccination. It outlines the symptoms of whooping cough, describes how it can be treated and includes a map identifying infection 'hot spots' in England and Wales. 12 Enhancing vaccine confidence across ethnic minority communities The Collaboration for Change is a group of two UK universities, nine community organisations and two small and medium size enterprises, who have conducted research on how to improve vaccine uptake among ethnic minority groups. The report highlights the factors influencing vaccine uptake. 13 Vaccination in the UK: Access, uptake and equity Over the last decade, the uptake of vaccines in the UK has stalled and is in many cases falling. Declining rates of routine childhood vaccination in a country with a well-established universal healthcare system are extremely concerning and pose a significant public health risk, with outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough already being seen. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)'s Commission on Immunisation policy report assesses how and why vaccine uptake has stalled or declined. It outlines the evidence and our recommendations to increase uptake of routine childhood vaccinations across three broad themes: access to services, improved data systems and strengthening public information, education and communication. 14 UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 4 -Vaccines and therapeutics The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its fourth report and recommendations following its investigation into ‘Vaccines and therapeutics of the United Kingdom’. It considers and makes recommendations on a range of issues relating to the development of Covid-19 vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Issues relating to the treatment of Covid-19 through both existing and new medications were examined in parallel. Do you have a resource or story to share about immunisation safety? We’d love to hear about it - leave a comment below or join the hub to share your own post. -
News Article
Pregnancy vaccine reduces baby hospital admissions for RSV by 80%
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A vaccine during pregnancy which protects newborns against nasty chest infections is cutting hospital admissions of babies by more than 80%, UK health officials say. A virus, called RSV, affects many babies in the first few months of life and can leave them gasping for breath and struggling to feed, with more than 20,000 babies ending up seriously ill in hospital in the UK every year. Since 2024, women have been offered a vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect their newborns. A new study analysing the impact of the vaccine shows it gives "excellent protection" to babies when they are most vulnerable to RSV, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is one of the main reasons young babies are admitted to hospital before the age of one. Half of newborns catch the virus, which can cause anything from a mild cold to a life-threatening chest infection because of inflammation in the lungs. Small numbers die from it every year. The new vaccine was introduced in the UK in 2024 after clinical trials showed it could boost a pregnant woman's immune system enough to pass on protection to the baby through the placenta. This means babies born to vaccinated pregnant women are protected from the day they are born. This new study shows the protection is nearly 85% when given at least four weeks before baby is born. Some protection is still possible if the jab is given later than this. Read full story Source: BBC News, 18 April 2026 -
Content ArticleThe UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its fourth report and recommendations following its investigation into ‘Vaccines and therapeutics of the United Kingdom’. It considers and makes recommendations on a range of issues relating to the development of Covid-19 vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Issues relating to the treatment of Covid-19 through both existing and new medications were examined in parallel.
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Content ArticleThe Covid-19 Inquiry published its second report and recommendations following its investigation into the ‘Core decision-making and political governance’ on Thursday 20 November 2025. It looked into core political and administrative governance and decision-making. It includes initial response, central government decision making, political and civil service performance as well as the effectiveness of relationships with governments in the devolved administrations and local and voluntary sectors. Recommendations include: Broadening participation in SAGE (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), through open recruitment of experts and representation of devolved administrations. Reforming and clarifying the structures for decision-making during emergencies within each nation. Improving consideration of the impact that decisions might have on those most at risk in an emergency: changes should aim to identify any risks to vulnerable groups, in both the planning for and response to emergencies. Ensuring that decisions and their implications are clearly communicated to the public. Laws and guidance should be easily understood and available in accessible formats. Enabling greater parliamentary scrutiny of the use of emergency powers through safeguards such as time limits and regular reporting on how powers have been used. Establishing structures to improve the communication between the four nations during an emergency to ensure better alignment of policies where desirable and to provide a clear rationale for differences in approach where necessary. See also: UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1: The resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 3 Report – The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the healthcare systems of the United Kingdom Questions around Government governance
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News Article
NHS facing ‘second surge’ in vomiting virus as cases reach highest level this winter
Mark Hughes posted a news article in News
The NHS is facing a “second surge” of norovirus as cases of the vomiting bug reach their highest level so far this winter. NHS figures published today show the average number of patients in hospital with diarrhoea, vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms each day this week rose to 1012 – up 8.9 per cent on the 929 cases the previous week. The average number of norovirus patients in hospitals per day surged from 361 at the start of January to 950 by the end of the month. Although cases of the vomiting bug did stabilise at the beginning of February, figures have now been rising again for the second week in a row, prompting fears of a second wave. Read full article. Source: The Independent, 19 February 2026 -
News ArticleMeasles infections have been confirmed across at least seven schools in north London as the NHS has warned parents to immunise their children. Cases were confirmed across several schools in Enfield and Haringey, according to a warning issued by Evergreen GP Surgery in Edmonton, who said that the infection was spreading. More than 60 measles cases were reported in London since January, and labs have confirmed 34 cases of measles in Enfield since 12 January, with one in five of these children being admitted to hospital with the infection. “There is no treatment for measles, only the vaccination to prevent catching it, which is part of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (MMRV) injection,” the surgery said on the website. “Parents should ensure that their children are up-to-date with all their immunisations. This can be done by checking the child’s immunisations ‘red book’ or contacting the practice nurse here at the GP practice.” The MMR vaccine has been updated to also protect against chicken pox. The outbreak comes after recent UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures showed that not a single childhood vaccine in England last year met the target needed to ensure diseases cannot spread among youngsters. Read full story Source: The Independent, 15 February 2026
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Content ArticleSix years ago, the Director-General of the World Health Organization sounded the highest global alarm available under international law at the time, declaring the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease (later known as COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). While the PHEIC was declared over in May 2023, the impact of COVID-19 remains etched in our collective memory – and continues to be felt worldwide. As we cross this six-year mark, WHO asks countries and partners, just as we ask ourselves: Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic?
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Content ArticleDavid is a health and safety consultant and member of the Covid Airborne Transmission Alliance (CATA). The Safer Healthcare Biosafety Network (SHBN) is an independent forum focused on improving healthcare worker and patient safety. It is made up of clinicians, professional associations, trades unions and employers, patient organisations, industry, and government agencies with the shared objective to prevent occupational and patient safety incidents and improve occupational health and safety and patient safety in healthcare. It includes representatives from the UK-Health Security Agency, NHS, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Care Quality Commission (CQC), Public Health, Royal College of Nursing (RCN), British Medical Association (BMA) and many others. You can watch the recording of David’s presentation to the Network below. This took place the day after Baroness Hallett published her report for module 2 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. David was speaking on behalf of CATA, the COVID Airborne Transmission Alliance, a core participant in module 3 (impact on healthcare). Summary of presentation David reminded the Network that Baroness Hallett, in her module 1 report (July 2024), had already confirmed that the primary routes of transmission for coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2) are “airborne and respiratory”. This was based on expert evidence presented to the Inquiry. David felt it was discourteous to Baroness Hallett for anybody to claim that COVID-19 is not an airborne disease, yet that is exactly what ministers (Andrew Gwynne and his successor Ashley Dalton) have been repeatedly saying in their correspondence with CATA. In her module 2 report, Baroness Hallett mentioned that “policy makers paid insufficient attention to … airborne transmission”. She went on to commend Professor Cath Noakes for the evidence she provided, praising her for raising her concerns and highlighted a comment that there could have been “significant public concern” (i.e. panic) if the disease was declared to be airborne. David shared evidence of this in the form of a WhatsApp message from Matt Hancock sharing concerns that if mainstream media published stories about the advisability of wearing masks, there would be a “loo roll type rush” on them. The Inquiry report had included comments that Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam had made to the Inquiry during his oral evidence that “If we knew then what we know now, there may have been less emphasis on contact transmission and more emphasis on airborne transmission and ventilation”. David rejected this statement outright, maintaining that, right from the start of the pandemic, it was known to be airborne. He presented proof of this via a statement by the the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to its inspectors in April 2020 confirming that the risk of aerosol transmission was at its greatest within a metre of the infectious person—exactly the setting where most care is given to patients. CATA UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry and related issues_21 Nov2025_small.mp4
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News Article
Norovirus hospital admissions soar by 45% as winter bug peaks
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The number of patients in hospital in England with norovirus has jumped 45% to reach a new high for this winter. An average of 823 hospital beds were filled each day last week by people with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.T This is up sharply from the previous week’s average of 567 patients.It is also higher than the figure at this point last year, which was 784 patients. The data has been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of hospitals in England this winter. Read full story Source: The Independent, 22 January 2026 -
News ArticleFour NHS hospital trusts in south east England have declared a “critical incident” as they struggle to cope with a surge in admissions due to flu and norovirus. Three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent said the escalations have come after a “surge in complex attendances to A&E departments” driven in part by soaring numbers of patients with winter illnesses. Health secretary Wes Streeting has warned the NHS is “not out of the woods yet”, as flu cases spiked once again last week, following two weeks where admissions had fallen after high numbers of cases were seen before Christmas. In a statement on Monday, NHS Surrey Heartlands added the situation had been “exacerbated by increases in flu and norovirus cases and an increase in staff sickness” as well as the impact of the recent cold snap on more frail patients. The three Surrey trusts affected are Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust ,and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) also declared a critical incident due to what it called “sustained pressures” at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. It said its hospitals are experiencing “exceptionally high demand, driven by a continued high admission rate and a large number of patients with winter illnesses and respiratory viruses”. NHS Surrey Heartlands urged patients to ensure they are using services “appropriately” and only attending A&E in an emergency. Read full story Source: The Independent, 13 January 2025
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News Article
Face masks ‘inadequate’ and should be swapped for respirators, WHO is advised
Mark Hughes posted a news article in News
Surgical face masks provide inadequate protection against flu-like illnesses including Covid, and should be replaced by respirator-level masks – worn every time doctors and nurses are face to face with a patient, according to a group of experts urging changes to World Health Organization guidelines. There is “no rational justification remaining for prioritising or using” the surgical masks that are ubiquitous in hospitals and clinics globally, given their “inadequate protection against airborne pathogens”, they said in a letter to WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “There is even less justification for allowing healthcare workers to wear no face covering at all,” they said. At the height of the Covid pandemic an estimated 129bn disposable face masks were being used around the world every month, by the public and healthcare workers, with surgical masks the most widely available and recommended by most health authorities. Respirators designed to filter tiny particles – such as masks meeting FFP2/3 standards in the UK or N95 in the US – should instead be standard practice for medical interactions, they said. Read full article. Source: The Guardian, 9 January 2026 Related reading Open Letter to WHO: A Call for the Universal use of Respirators in Healthcare (7 January 2025) -
Content ArticleThis open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO), signed and endorsed by a group of global health experts, makes the case that surgical masks provide inadequate protection against airborne pathogens. It calls on the WHO to take a lead in establishing respirators as the universal default for all healthcare encounters. The letter includes a seven-step plan outlining how the WHO should implement this change. The signatories urge the WHO to act now to address the threat of airborne transmission, and take the following steps: Update IPC Guidelines to recommend respirators (e.g., N95, FFP2/3, elastomeric) in all healthcare settings — not just during outbreaks or high-risk procedures, but as a baseline occupational safety standard. The Guidelines could recommend locally-determined off-ramps based on precautionary interpretations of current local and establishment-specific conditions. Revisit prior statements about how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted, and unambiguously inform the public that it spreads via airborne respiratory particles (a term subsuming both “aerosols” as well as “droplets”). Restoring public trust begins with transparency and accountability. To close the knowledge gap, provide comprehensive training and education on risk reduction for airborne hazards. Leverage WHO’s partnerships and procurement infrastructure to support equitable access to certified respirators globally — particularly for healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. Over time, surgical masks should be produced in progressively smaller quantities, as safer, more effective respirators have been and remain readily available. Launch global campaigns normalizing the use of respirators as a basic tool of infection prevention — not as emergency gear, but as modern personal protective equipment. Integrate universal respiratory protection into pandemic preparedness frameworks, including the forthcoming WHO Pandemic Accord. Respirators must no longer be treated as optional, nor as luxury items. Convene multidisciplinary experts, including industrial hygienists, aerosol scientists, social scientists, healthcare workers, disease transmission modelers, and patient advocates, as well as infectious disease modelers, to advise on implementation and adherence. Clearly, publicly, and regularly reinforce the message that while WHO had stopped referring to SARS-CoV-2 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2023, the pandemic is still ongoing. This will make countries accountable for mitigating the ongoing risks or covering the ongoing costs of inaction.
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News ArticleA coalition of leading charities, advocates and MPs has backed a letter from the editor-in-chief of The Independent, Geordie Greig, urging Sir Keir Starmer to protect UK funding for the global HIV response – or risk missing “the incredible opportunity to end the Aids pandemic within the next few years”. In 2024, the world was on track to end the pandemic by 2030, but devastating aid cuts from rich countries this year, including the UK and the US, have thrown this prospect into doubt. The Elton John Aids Foundation, the National Aids Trust, Medecins Sans Frontieres and the STOPAids coalition are among the groups backing The Independent’s call for funding to be protected. Read full story Source: Independent, 22 December 2025
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Content ArticleOn 28 November 2025, the Covid-19 Airborne Transmission Alliance (CATA) sent an open letter to Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of Covid-19 Public Inquiry. The letter outlines a number of concerns regarding the response of State bodies to the findings and recommendations contained in the Module 1 Report. You can read the letter here: 2025-11-29 Open Letter - CATA to Baroness Hallett (3).pdf Find out more about CATA and the Covid-19 Inquiry in the following blogs and presentations on the hub: Respiratory protective equipment: An unequal solution for healthcare workers? A blog by David Osborn Healthcare workers with Long Covid: Group litigation – a blog from David Osborn Covid-19 : A risk assessment too far? A blog by David Osborn CATA and the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry: Presentation from David Osborn
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News Article
Our daughter died from meningitis after starting uni - a jab would have saved her
Patient_Safety_Learning posted a news article in News
A popular and sporty teenager who made a "big impression" at her new university died within weeks of starting, after contracting meningitis. Meg Draper was 18 and had joined swimming and netball teams, but died in October from meningococcal type B meningitis, external (MenB) while studying physiotherapy in Bournemouth. Her parents, from Pontypool, Torfaen, and the National Union of Students UK, external are now calling for a vaccine, or booster, to be made available to young adults on the NHS. Read full story Source: BBC News, 1 December 2025 -
News Article
Leading doctors issue warning amid ‘bad’ flu season
Patient_Safety_Learning posted a news article in News
Leading children’s doctors are urging parents to get their children the flu nasal spray, amid fears of a particularly severe flu season. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) stressed that even healthy children can become seriously ill. This advice comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirms this year’s flu vaccine provides "strong protection". Read full story Source: Independent, 12 November 2025 -
News Article
New HIV protection jab approved for use in Northern Ireland
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
An injection to prevent HIV which is being offered in Great Britain will also be rolled out in Northern Ireland, it has been confirmed. The long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) jab, which is administered every two months, is an alternative to HIV prevention pills, known as PrEP, which is used daily. It was announced last month that the injection had been approved for England and Wales, bringing it into line with Scotland. Campaigners had called for Northern Ireland health authorities to follow suit - with the Department of Health (DoH) now saying the treatment will be rolled-out, a prominent LGBT charity has described the move as "a game-changer". The Rainbow Project's chief executive Scott Cuthbertson said it "could make HIV prevention much more widely accessible". Known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the treatment is taken by HIV-negative people to reduce the risk of getting HIV. It was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2018. It is taken as a pill and is effective, but they are not always easy for some to take. It can be hard to access, unpractical or feel embarrassing if people are worried about the possibility of parents or housemates finding the medication. Other factors such as homelessness can make it difficult to take oral PrEP every day. However, cabotegravir is given as jab, usually six times a year or every other month, making it potentially more convenient and discreet. Read full story Source: BBC News, 9 November 2025 -
News Article
‘It’s like the NHS would rather pay a hospital bill over a cheap jab’
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Independent readers expressed frustration and disbelief over the government’s decision to restrict free Covid booster jabs to a smaller group of people, describing the move as “a national scandal”. Many shared stories of being denied the vaccine despite chronic or respiratory illnesses, saying the policy risks leaving vulnerable people like Ella Halpern-Matthews – who has caught Covid three times since losing eligibility – without adequate protection. Several said they had been forced to pay privately for the jab, effectively creating what they saw as a two-tier health system. One reader remarked that it felt “as if the NHS would rather pay the hospital bill than for a cheap jab”, while others highlighted the inconsistency of vaccinating care home residents but not staff, and the false economy of cutting the rollout. Some questioned why countries such as France and Germany continue to offer free or low-cost boosters to wider groups, while the UK “quietly withdrew” access. Overall, readers urged the government to review eligibility urgently – calling for clearer communication, fairer access, and stronger protection for those still at risk. Read full story Source: The Independent, 3 November 2025 -
News Article
‘Gamechanging’ HIV prevention jab to be approved for England and Wales
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A “gamechanging” injection to prevent HIV is to be approved for use in England and Wales. The long-acting jab, administered every two months, will offer an alternative to the daily pills used to protect against the virus. This form of HIV prevention therapy, known as Prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis), is typically taken by HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of infection. In draft guidance published on Friday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for adults and young people at risk of HIV who are unable to take oral Prep. The injection is already available on the NHS in Scotland. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, said the approval of the injection was “gamechanging”. “For vulnerable people who are unable to take other methods of HIV prevention, this represents hope,” he said. “We’re making real progress on HIV, with Prep use up by 8% this year, and our ambition goes even further. England will be the first country to end HIV transmissions by 2030, and this breakthrough treatment is another powerful tool in our arsenal to reach that crucial goal.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 17 October 2025 -
Content ArticleAn update attached on the COVID-19 Airborne Transmission Alliance (CATA) involvement in the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry and their plans for the future.
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Content ArticleThis opinion paper addresses the role of nurses and the relevance of models and theories, both nursing and infection prevention and control (IPC), to visitor restrictions that were widely enforced in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on person-centredness.
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Content ArticleMost hospitals have stopped testing all patients for Covid-19 when they are admitted and no longer require masking. Ten hospitals in the Mass General Brigham hospital system ended both these precautions simultaneously in May 2023 but restarted masking for health care workers in January 2024 during a winter respiratory viral surge. This study in JAMA Network Open looked at the association of these changes with the relative incidence of hospital-onset Covid-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study showed that stopping universal masking and Covid-19 testing was associated with a significant increase in hospital-onset respiratory viral infections relative to community infections. Restarting the masking of health care workers was associated with a significant decrease.
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Content ArticleAround 5–10% of people with Covid infections go on to experience Long Covid, with symptoms lasting three months or more. Researchers have proposed several biological mechanisms to explain Long Covid. However, in a perspective article published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia, the authors argue that much, if not all, Long Covid appears to be driven by the virus itself persisting in the body. Since relatively early in the pandemic, there has been a recognition that in some people, SARS-CoV-2 – or at least remnants of the virus – could stay in various tissues and organs for extended periods. This theory is known as “viral persistence”. While the long-term presence of residual viral fragments in some people’s bodies is now well established, what remains less certain is whether live virus itself, not just old bits of virus, is lingering – and if so, whether this is what causes long COVID. This distinction is crucial because live virus can be targeted by specific antiviral approaches in ways that “dead” viral fragments cannot. Viral persistence has two significant implications: when it occurs in some highly immunocompromised people, it is thought to be the source of new and substantially different-looking variants, such as JN.1 it has the potential to continue to cause symptoms in many people in the wider population long beyond the acute illness. In other words, long COVID could be caused by a long infection.
