Source: The King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert
This report of an independent review finds that the government’s Covid-19 infection control guidelines, which are used across the UK, are in need of updating. It calls for all NHS staff to be given a higher level of personal protective equipment as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of a review.
For more information click here.
Source: NHS Confederation; 2021.
This briefing was developed jointly by the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network and PCN Network and provides examples of three models of partnership working that are currently underway in primary care to support mental health at place level.
Key points include:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination statistics, plans and documentation.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); 2021.
(This page brings together COVID-19 vaccination programme-related documents published by DHSC, and vaccination statistics published by other bodies within the UK.)
Second quarterly report on progress to address Covid-19 health inequalities Race Disparity Unit, Cabinet Office; February 2021
(The first report on progress to address Covid-19 health inequalities was published in October 2020. It concluded that a range of socio-economic and geographical factors coupled with pre-existing health conditions were contributing to the higher infection and mortality rates for ethnic minority groups. This second report now looks at those causes in more detail and sets out some of the work being undertaken to fill the gaps in our understanding and to mitigate the risks of Covid-19 infection. It sets out the progress made under the terms of reference and in implementing the recommendations from the first report.)
The other pandemic: the impact of Covid-19 on Britain’s mental health Public First
(In February 2021 Public First polled 4,000 people and held 12 in-depth focus groups with people from across Britain. The findings, published in this report, show that coronavirus has taken a toll on mental health in all parts of society – but especially women, the less well-off and young people.)
New WHO expert group to identify gaps and solutions to the mental health impacts of COVID-19.
World Health Organization (WHO); 2021.
(The group, tasked with reviewing evidence, identifying gaps and exploring solutions, will inform and support countries’ efforts in addressing mental health needs within and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.)
COVID-19: ventilation of indoor spaces to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.
(Guidance, advice and information on how ventilation of indoor spaces can help to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), including how to increase ventilation at home and in other settings.)
Earthquakes and COVID-19
Orlu FN. British Journal of Psychiatry 2021;218(3):172.
(Mental health services at all levels, including psychological services in primary care, bereavement services and secondary mental health services need to start preparing for post-lockdown demand for care by making arrangements for how they will manage increased demands for services. Mental health promotion should be launched now and after the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent an overloading of the National Health Service via the mental health services’ route.)
COVID-19 and Obesity: The 2021 Atlas. The cost of not addressing the global obesity crisis.
World Obesity; 2021.
(Through detailed analyses of the latest peer-reviewed data, we demonstrate how overweight is a highly significant predictor of developing complications from COVID-19, including the need for hospitalisation, for intensive care and for mechanical ventilation. Overweight is also a predictor of death from COVID-19.)
Remote engagement: removing barriers to inclusion in the context of COVID-19.
Centre for Ageing Better; 2021.
(This short paper outlines approaches and techniques to carrying out user engagement and coproduction activities where traditional face to face methods aren’t possible. It includes case studies of good practice from initiatives including Trailblazer projects Business Health Matters and Blackwood Neighbourhoods for Independent Living. )
Source: The King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert
This report enables organisations to compare their performance with others in their region and those providing similar services, with the aim of encouraging improvement by learning and sharing good practice. The report hopes to provide a national picture of WRES in practice, to colleagues, organisations and the public on the developments in the workforce race equality agenda.
The impact of Covid-19 on the lives of Latin American migrants IRMO Research Report; Feb 2021
(This report reveals the intersecting crises of rising unemployment, abusive employment practices, inadequate housing and increasing food poverty facing the Latin American community. This is compounded by digital exclusion and the language barrier, meaning that many find it difficult to access mainstream support. The lack of access to basic health care raises concerns about the rollout of the vaccine among the community.)
(Community asymptomatic testing helps identify and isolate individuals who have coronavirus (COVID-19) but do not have symptoms.)
COVID-19: migrant health guide – GOV.UK
(Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients.)
Protecting and supporting the clinically extremely vulnerable during lockdown.
National Audit Office (NAO); 2021.
(Report looks at how effectively government identified and met the needs of clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people. It found there was impressive initial support offered to many people, but it took time for people to be identified as CEV, and therefore access formal support.)
Source: NHS Digital
QCovid® is an evidence-based risk prediction model that estimates a person’s combined risk of catching coronavirus and being admitted to hospital or catching coronavirus and dying.
To find out more click here.
Source: KnowledgeShare
NHS England and NHS Digital have published the latest data on key activity and performance measures for December of last year and January of this year. Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports were also published for the first week of February, giving a more up-to-date analysis of how the NHS is coping this winter. They show some of these statistics and how they compare with previous trends.
Read the summary here.
A blog from Public Health England (PHE) discusses the new variants that we are
seeing in the UK and what we know about them.
This White Paper sets out legislative proposals for a Health and Care Bill. The proposals are designed to support the health and care system to work together to provide high-quality health and care, so people can live longer, healthier, active and more independent lives.
Source: The King’s Fund; Health Management and Policy Alert
This guide, funded by the British Medical Association and posted on the Mental Health at Work website, aims to provide practical advice, hints and tips to help NHS leaders and line managers to create mentally healthy cultures and support better mental health. It includes information about mental health stigmas, and how to break them down. It is the first of a series of resources aimed at NHS leaders, managers and champions.
For more resources to support mental health at work visit Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk
