London Omicron wave could push NHS absences to 40 per cent of workforce December 28, 2021 The latest Covid-19 wave in the capital could see as much as 40 per cent of its NHS workforce off sick, a London University professor has warned. It would be a “worst case scenario”, chair of healthcare and workforce modelling at London Southbank University, Professor Alison Leary told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme [...]
Government may have left it ‘too late’ to protect the NHS against Omicron wave, says nursing chief December 24, 2021 The head of the Royal College of Nursing warned this morning that the government may have left it “too late” to protect the NHS against the Omicron wave unless it heeds the advice of scientific experts on tighter restrictions. Pat Cullen told BBC Breakfast that ministers would find it easier to make decisions on how [...]
Ex-TSB chief Richard Meddings frontrunner: City banker emerges as preferred candidate for NHS England chairman role December 24, 2021 In a bid to make NHS England more “accountable” for its funding, a City banker is set to become the body’s new chairman. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed former TSB chairman Richard Meddings is the Government’s preferred candidate for the role on Thursday. The Telegraph reported that ministers wanted Mr Meddings to [...]
Barts NHS Trust warns ‘some or much’ of its January operations will be cancelled as Omicron surges December 21, 2021 Barts Health NHS Trust has written to doctors this morning warning that it may have to cancel "some or much" of its planned operations in January because of rising Omicron rates.
NHS staff absentee rate doubles in a week December 19, 2021 The number of NHS staff off sick in London has more than doubled in the past week, as the new variant sweeps the capital.
British residents vaccinated abroad can now use NHS Covid Pass December 10, 2021 UK residents who have received vaccinations abroad, or in Northern Ireland, will be able to use the NHS Covid Pass as long as they have had two doses of an approved jabs. They will also be able to organise a booster jab for themselves in England as a result of the new rule. The changes [...]
Pandemic exodus: More than 40,000 staff quit social care sector in last six months alone December 1, 2021 Analysis of Government figures shows this morning that more than 40,000 social care staff have left the sector over the last six months, amid what a think tank is calling a “toxic mix of workforce challenges”. The Nuffield Trust said there is a “deepening crisis” in social care staffing ahead of a very challenging winter. [...]
NHS first: Hackney man to get world’s first 3D printed prosthetic eye at Moorfields hospital in London today November 25, 2021 Steve Varze, from Hackney, will today become the first person in the world to get a 3D printed prosthetic eye. The Londoner will receive the eye later today at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Currently, patients undergo a two-hour session to mould their eye socket, before the prosthesis is fitted and then painted. This process takes six [...]
Tory backbench rebellion grows as crucial vote on social care plan approaches November 22, 2021 Anger from MPs that the least well-off may still have to sell their homes to pay for their care under the latest government plans is fuelling a backbench rebellion. MPs will consider on Monday whether to accept changes to the Government’s proposed social care reforms. But Red Wall Tory Christian Wakeford had warned that it [...]
New vaccine policy comes into force: Tens of thousands of care home staff unable to work from today November 11, 2021 As the government’s jab policy kicks in from today, tens of thousands of care home staff who have not had both coronavirus vaccine doses will be unable to legally work in care homes. Staff working in registered care homes in England must have had both jabs to continue in their role from Thursday, unless they [...]