Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 January 2023.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 5 January 2023.

• Record numbers of doctors, nurses and staff are working in the NHS, latest data shows
• Government on track to deliver on commitment for 50,000 more nurses by 2024, with over 36,000 more nurses compared to September 2019

A record number of doctors and nurses are working in the NHS in England, delivering extra appointments, speeding up diagnoses and helping to tackle the Covid backlog to ease pressure on the NHS this winter.

There are over 1.25 million full-time equivalent staff working in NHS trusts and commissioning bodies in England – over 42,000 more people compared to a year ago, up by 3.5%.

The latest data published by NHS Digital up to October 2022 shows there are almost 4,700 more doctors and over 10,500 more nurses working in the NHS compared to October 2021.

Since 2010, there are now over 35,300 more doctors and over 47,100 more nurses working in the NHS.

Minister for Health, Will Quince, said:

Growing the workforce is one of my immediate priorities and we are making significant progress in training and recruiting a record number of staff – with over 42,000 more people working in the NHS compared to a year ago – and we are well on track to deliver on our commitment to recruit 50,000 more nurses.

Thanks to these dedicated staff we’re building a stronger, healthier NHS for the long-term and we will publish a workforce plan this year to recruit and retain more staff and make the NHS the best place to work.

The government remains on track to deliver on its commitment to recruit 50,000 more nurses by 2024, with over 36,000 more nurses in October 2022 compared with September 2019.

In the Autumn Statement the government committed to publishing a comprehensive workforce strategy this year to help recruit and retain more staff, with independently verified forecasts for the number of doctors, nurses and other professionals that will be needed in 5, 10 and 15 years’ time.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 2 January 2023.

• People encouraged to make the new year a healthy one by downloading the app and enjoying the health benefits of running
• Free app downloaded 6.5million times since it launched in 2016 and is an alternative for people unable to afford gym or sports membership

More than six million runs were completed using the Couch to 5k app across the UK in 2022, helping people to get fit for free.

The app – a free running plan for beginners provided by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in partnership with the BBC – helped people to complete 6.46 million runs between 1 January and 29 December 2022.

More people were active over Christmas in 2022 than in 2021 with 8,600 people using the app to run on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2022, up from 8,000 (7.5%) in 2021.

As we move into the new year, people are being encouraged to download the app and join the hundreds of thousands of people who got last year off to a healthy start. 937,724 runs were completed in January 2022, with 12,500 people using the app to run on New Year’s Day itself.

Regular running has been shown to reduce the risk of long-term illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, as well as helping to maintain a healthier weight and improve your mood.

A recent YouGov poll found that 10 per cent of adults in Great Britain have either cancelled or are considering cancelling a gym or other sports or exercise membership due to the rising cost of living, with the Couch to 5k app a great alternative for people struggling to pay for gym or sports memberships.

Public Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

“The start of a new year is a great time to make healthy lifestyle changes and the free NHS Couch to 5K app is a brilliant way to get fit and healthy for free, as people look to exercise for less due to the rising cost of living.

“Keeping fit can have a positive impact on our health, preventing risks of developing serious illness such as heart disease and diabetes – helping to reduce pressure on the NHS.

“I hope people will be inspired by the progress of hundreds of thousands of others and will give the app a try – it costs nothing and could be the best resolution you make this year.”

860,000 people used the app to do at least one run between 1 January and 29 December 2022. Designed for people who have done little or no running, the app provides guided commentary from a celebrity coach of their choosing and helps users to easily track their progress by doing three runs per week.

Runners are spurred on by one of many celebrity coaches including Reece Parkinson, Yasmin Evans, Jo Whiley, Denise Lewis, Sanjeev Kohli and Sarah Millican, as well as Mum Laura – the original programme trainer – who returned to the app by popular demand.

As each running challenge is completed, users receive celebration videos and summaries of their progress. ‘Discover’ and ‘Support’ sections help people to overcome setbacks with helpful articles and videos. Buddy Runs are also available where users can invite others on the app to run together – either in person or virtually.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer and joint lead for OHID Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy said:

“It’s brilliant to see so many people have kept active through using the NHS Couch to 5K app in 2022 and I hope the trend continues into 2023.

“With over 6 million runs completed this year, every run represents someone taking a small step towards improving their health, getting a bit of me-time and progressing to that 5-kilometre goal. If you do one thing this New Year, get moving and download the Couch to 5K app.

OHID (formerly Public Health England) teamed up with BBC to create the Couch to 5K mobile app in 2016, and since then they have been working together to help more people access the app.

Director of Sport at the BBC Barbara Slater said:

“Since our partnership began, the Couch to 5k app has helped millions of people across the UK to get fitter and more active. We’re proud it’s helping people to take positive steps to improve their health.”

The app has been downloaded 6.5 million times since it launched in May 2016, with 2.36 million downloads during the height of the pandemic (March 2020 to July 2021) by people seeking to get more active during lockdown.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 31 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 30 December 2022.

• From 5 January, people flying from mainland China to England will be asked to take a pre-departure test. In addition, a sample of arrivals will be tested for Covid to enhance existing measures to monitor for new variants
• Best defence against the virus remains the vaccine – over 152 million jabs have been given across the UK since December 2020 – with jabs available in walk-in sites and appointments bookable online

The government has announced a series of precautionary and temporary measures to further improve the UK’s ability to detect potential new variants of Covid from China, following an increase in cases there and the easing of their border measures next week.

Passengers arriving from China to England from 5 January will need to show a negative Covid-19 pre-departure test (PDT) taken no more than two days prior to departure. Although there are no direct flights from China to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, we are working with devolved nations to ensure this is implemented UK-wide as soon as possible.

The decision has been taken to introduce these measures specifically for China arrivals due to a lack of comprehensive health information shared by China. The situation remains under review and the UK is working with China on next steps. If there are improvements in information sharing and greater transparency then temporary measures will be reviewed.

The volume of passengers from China remains low – however, as a precautionary measure, following the re-opening of Chinese borders in January, the government has announced that:

• People travelling from mainland China on direct flights to England from Thursday 5 January will be asked to take a pre-departure Covid test. The government is working with international partners at pace to determine scope and will announce further details in due course.
• In addition, the UK Health Security Agency is launching surveillance from Sunday 8 January which will see a sample of passengers arriving in England from mainland China tested for Covid at the point of their arrival.

Airlines will be required to check all passengers from China have negative pre-departure tests, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result.

Passengers at Heathrow will be invited to take part in the study and all positive samples will be sent for sequencing. This will further enhance the UK’s ability to identify any new variants which may be circulating in China that could evade the immune response of those already vaccinated or which have the potential to successfully outcompete other variants and spread internationally.

England joins a growing list of countries across the world including US, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Malaysia and India in announcing measures which will help to detect and assess any new Covid variants.

The available genomes from China and from other countries where testing has occurred suggest that the variants circulating in China are the same as seen in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The UK has a number of surveillance systems in place to detect the prevalence and spread of new variants and the UK’s sequencing data is shared rapidly to help support global awareness and health security.

Whilst there is currently no data to suggest there are previously unknown or potentially harmful variants circulating, the new surveillance measures will help detect them if they do arise.

The best form of defence against the virus remains the vaccine. Eligible people who are most at risk of serious outcomes from the virus can book their jab via the NHS app, or the National Booking Service, or they can just turn up at of the thousands of walk-in centres across the country.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay said:

As Covid cases in China rise ahead of them reopening their borders next week, it is right for us to take a balanced and precautionary approach by announcing these temporary measures while we assess the data.

This allows our world leading scientists at the UK Health Security Agency to gain rapid insight into potential new variants circulating in China.

The best defence against the virus, however, remains the vaccine. NHS staff have done an incredible job delivering over 150 million jabs across the UK.

It isn’t too late to come forward, for your first, second, third, or autumn booster – it’s quick and easy and you can book online, on the NHS app, or just turn up at one of the many walk-in centres across the UK.

The government recognises the impact that temporary health measures have on the travel and aviation industry. These testing requirements for travellers arriving from mainland China will be kept under regular review.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA said:

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to closely monitor the prevalence and spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and keep available international data under review.  The evidence suggests the recent rise in cases in China is due to low natural immunity and lower vaccine uptake including boosters rather than the emergence of new Covid-19 variants – unlike in the UK where vaccines are maintaining high population protection. But in order to improve our intelligence, we are enhancing our surveillance, in addition to our current routine testing protocol.

COVID-19 cases continue to rise at home too and it remains important to try to stay at home if you are unwell, wash your hands regularly, try to keep rooms well ventilated and remember the best protection is to get your booster jab if eligible.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 December 2022.

• £1 million fund will increase defibrillators in the community by an estimated 1,000
• Organisations will be invited to bid to place defibrillators in areas most in need
• Successful bidders will be asked to match funding, potentially doubling the number of new defibrillators

The public will have faster access to life-saving defibrillators as the government announces a new £1 million fund to increase the number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in communities most in need – providing an estimated 1,000 new defibrillators in community spaces across England.

The Department of Health and Social Care will invest the funding through an independent partner in the new year who will manage grant applications from bidding organisations. Those selected will be asked to match the funding they receive fully or partially, potentially doubling the number of new defibrillators created by the fund.

Applicants will also be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as places with high footfall, vulnerable people, rural areas, or due to the nature of activity at the site.

Examples could include town halls, community centres, local shops, post offices and local parks, to ensure that defibrillators are evenly spread throughout communities and easily accessible if someone is experiencing an unexpected cardiac arrest.

The independent partner managing the fund will be announced in due course and will work with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that new defibrillators in the community are accessible on a 24/7 basis and are equally accessible across England to all social groups.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said:

I’ve heard extraordinary stories of ordinary people being kept alive thanks to the swift use of a defibrillator on the football pitch, at the gym or in their local community.

We must make sure these life-saving devices are more accessible, with our new £1 million fund expected to place around 1,000 new defibrillators in communities across England.

Minister of State for Care, Helen Whately, said:

We want people to have the best chance of survival from cardiac arrest, and public access to defibrillators is critical to achieving this.

This fund will help us make sure there are more of these incredible devices in our communities and we save more lives.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation said:

For every minute without CPR or defibrillation, a person’s chances of survival from an out of hospital cardiac arrest decreases by 10%, so we welcome this move to improve access to defibrillators in communities across England.

We urge anyone who looks after a defibrillator in their community, workplace or sports club to ensure that it is registered on The Circuit so that the ambulance services will know where it is in an emergency.

NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said:

It is essential that people are equipped with the knowledge, skills and equipment they need to be able to save a life, and access to a defibrillator, along with initial recognition of symptoms, early CPR and post resuscitation care can mean the difference between life and death for a person who is going into cardiac arrest.

The NHS is proud to be working with local community partners to champion the importance of learning how to recognise and respond to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest – including working with St John Ambulance to recruit a national network of community advocates to encourage more people to learn CPR and lifesaving skills.

The funding is part of the government’s commitment to support the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease and improving access to emergency treatment across England.

Organisations and individuals that acquire defibrillators, or already own them, are urged to register them on The Circuit, a national defibrillator database for ambulance services to quickly identify the nearest device.

The press release issued by the Department for Health and Social Care on 27 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 23 December 2022.

More than £3.6 million of government funding awarded to the National Academy of Social Prescribing to support mental health and wellbeing, including impacts of loneliness.

• Social prescribing helps improve mental health by connecting people to community services, reducing pressure on GPs and overprescribing
• Additional funding builds on previous success which supported 36 projects, helping more than 10,000 people

Thousands of people will continue to access innovative types of mental health support, proven to improve healthy living, reduce overprescribing and save capacity for GPs, following £3.6 million of government funding for the National Academy of Social Prescribing (NASP).

Social prescribing can help those experiencing grief, addiction, dementia and loneliness through a wide range of community-led social activities, services and opportunities that have proven benefits to people’s health and wellbeing.

This could include gardening clubs for people to socialise and learn new skills, new exercise classes to build confidence and become healthier, as well as financial advice for people with money worries, among many other initiatives.

The grant will support NASP to build on its previous successes such as the Thriving Communities Fund, which has established 36 projects helping more than 10,000 people and championed local community and voluntary groups.

It has also introduced an academic collaboration to develop a robust evidence base for social prescribing and the benefits it can bring to the nation’s health. It will continue to build innovative partnerships between the health system and the voluntary sector to ensure that social prescribing reaches those most in need.

With Christmas approaching and many people feeling the negative impacts of loneliness over the festive period, social prescribing provides people with the tools to help manage their mental health and meet others in their community.

Minister of State for Care Helen Whatley said:

“Social prescribing is an unsung hero in getting thousands of people the support they need to get through hard times – whether it be low self-esteem, dementia or loneliness.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve agreed new funding for the National Academy of Social Prescribing, so it can continue the valuable work it does day in and day out to support the health of the country.”

Mental Health Minister Maria Caulfield said:

“With many people struggling with their mental health and loneliness, particularly over the festive period, social prescribing offers a proven innovative approach to support their wellbeing.

“Mental health is a priority and it’s vital people have access to the tools and support they need – this funding will provide much-needed help to people with a wide range of needs, as well as easing pressure on GPs and freeing up appointments.”

In 2019, the government set out a manifesto commitment to extend social prescribing and expand the NASP.

Examples of the opportunities which could be bolstered by the funding include:

• Supporting NASP to continue driving forward the recommendations from the Power of Music report, using musical activities to help people with dementia;
• The delivery of Social Prescribing Day 2024 internationally, bringing together people across local, national and global platforms to share learning and promote successes within social prescribing;
• the creation of products – such as podcasts – to showcase the benefits of a connected social prescribing system;
• launching new social prescribing evidence reviews, which will be published in spring.

Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, said:

“We are delighted to have continued support from the Department for Health and Social Care, in recognition of the positive impact that social prescribing is having on the health and wellbeing of our communities. As a frontline GP, I know that if someone comes to me because they are lonely or isolated, social prescribing is likely to be the best support I can offer.

“I’m incredibly proud of what NASP has achieved since it’s conception. Over the last couple of years, despite the limitations of the pandemic, we have funded remarkable social prescribing projects, published compelling evidence summaries and have signed up 25 countries to develop social prescribing services across the world. With this funding, we are thrilled to be able to continue this work to achieve our ultimate goal: to help people live the best lives they can.”

Minister for Loneliness Stuart Andrew said:

“The festive period can be a particularly lonely time for many people given the greater emphasis on spending time with friends and family.
“Through social prescribing healthcare professionals are able to connect those in need to a range of community-led services, helping to improve mental wellbeing, build networks and reduce loneliness.

“This additional £3.6 million funding for the National Academy of Social Prescribing will provide an even greater level of support for those who need it most.”

James Sanderson, Director for Personalised Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:

“Giving people more choice and control over their own health and care was an important part of the NHS Long Term Plan, and we have already far exceeded our ambitions, providing personalised care including social prescriptions to millions of people.

“This funding should put even more options and evidence into the hands of local NHS teams, to help them better support the record number of people experiencing mental health issues since the start of the pandemic.”

Case study

Social prescribing can help people with a wide range of issues, including grief, and support those battling addiction.

Dale, who lives in North London recently joined the Men’s Woodwork Group, run by St Margaret’s House – who also received a grant from the Thriving Communities fund. After leaving rehab, where he received treatment to help with alcohol and drug addiction, the group gives Dale a space to connect and be creative.

He said:

“There’s a famous saying: ‘the opposite of addiction is connection’. For me, creative endeavour is key. Before I was consumed by addiction, I was a head singer in a choir but I let a lot of that lapse. I just want to engage again, have some sort of semblance of a life.

“I think social prescribing is integral to what people need. You need contact with people who are different from you. Every different type of person you come across is a lesson.”

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 December 2022.

Moderna to invest in mRNA research and development (R&D) in the UK, and build a state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing centre with the ability to produce up to 250 million vaccines a year.

• NHS patients will have access to a UK-made supply of Covid jabs as well as cutting-edge vaccines developed for other respiratory diseases, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Partnership will create more than 150 jobs and further future-proof the UK against potential pandemics, with patients to benefit from speedy access to the latest advancements in vaccine technology

Patients in the UK will be protected against potential future global health threats, including potential pandemics, thanks to a deal struck between the government and Moderna.

The investment means NHS patients will be able to receive UK-manufactured mRNA vaccines, as the UK cements its status as a life sciences superpower.

The partnership with Moderna will see a new Innovation and Technology Centre in the UK, which will create more than 150 highly skilled jobs and have the capacity to produce up to 250 million vaccines per year in the event of a pandemic.

The deal is also a major boost for UK health research and will see the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) working with Moderna to ensure early vaccine development, supporting the G7 mission to get from variant to vaccine in 100 days.

The centre will offer NHS patients access to Moderna’s Covid vaccines that can protect against multiple variants. It will also have the potential to develop vaccines targeting a range of other illnesses, such as flu and RSV, pending the usual process of the regulatory assessments and licencing.

Developing vaccines on UK shores means it will be able to scale up production rapidly in the event of a health emergency, significantly boosting our ability to respond to future pandemics.

This is the finalisation of the partnership, led by the Vaccine Taskforce, that was announced earlier this year in June.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

This time two years ago, the UK was the first country in the world to administer a Covid vaccine outside of a clinical trial. Since then, countless lives have been saved across the world and more than 150 million doses have been given in the UK alone.

It is vital we invest in fighting future variants of this disease as well as other deadly viruses that are circulating, such as seasonal flu and RSV, and this partnership with Moderna will also strengthen our ability to respond to any future pandemics.

By boosting our onshore vaccine manufacturing capability, we are a step closer to becoming the leading global hub for life sciences. This partnership will support our crucial mission to protect the people of the UK and across the world through the development of revolutionary vaccines and research.

Moderna worked closely with the Vaccine Taskforce during the pandemic, supplying Covid vaccines used throughout the rollout, including in the ongoing autumn booster campaign. The Vaccine Taskforce and Moderna have worked tirelessly to develop this deal to provide onshore capability and supply resilience.

The company has now committed to invest substantial funding in UK-based R&D activities over a 10-year period. This will include running a significant number of clinical trials in the UK and it has also pledged to fund grants for UK universities, including PhD places and research programmes.

mRNA technology has proven to be one of the fastest routes to develop highly effective vaccines during the pandemic and has been pivotal in protecting people. It has the potential to be a transformative breakthrough technology in a number of disease areas, including cancer, respiratory illnesses and heart disease. mRNA vaccines also have the potential to treat multiple pathogens in a single shot. The new research centre will look to unlock this potential by developing revolutionary treatments in the UK, which will benefit NHS patients and people worldwide.

Construction is expected to commence in early 2023, with the first mRNA vaccine expected to be produced in the UK in 2025.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

I’m delighted that staff in the UKHSA’s Covid Vaccine Unit played such a major role in bringing this exciting partnership with Moderna to fruition. UKHSA will now be taking this forward as a vital part of our preparedness against future respiratory virus threats, including COVID-19.

Our scientists have been monitoring the evolution of the virus throughout the pandemic, and assuring continued protection for the population. This partnership will take the winning ways of working with industry and build the nation’s resilience, giving us rapid access to vaccines. We look forward to working closely with Moderna and playing a key role in supporting the government’s ambitious life sciences strategy.

Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, said:

Our new state-of-the-art facility will bring mRNA manufacturing to UK shores, providing the UK public with access to pandemic response capabilities through Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and future respiratory virus vaccine candidates.

We look forward to being part of the UK’s world-renowned science and innovation community, contributing to the UK health ecosystem through significant investments in R&D activities and expanding our clinical trial footprint across the country.

The partnership will be taken forward by the Covid Vaccine Unit – part of UKHSA – which continues to work to strengthen the UK’s response to COVID-19 and long-term responsiveness to possible future health emergency events.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 December 2022.

• Guidance for social care has been updated to give local providers more autonomy over universal face mask use and outbreak management.
• Providers can now conduct risk assessments to make decisions about the use masks across adult social care and on measures in the event of a Covid outbreaks in care homes.
• Outbreak testing has also been streamlined for small care homes in line with public health advice.

Guidance on the use of face masks in all care settings and on outbreaks in care homes has been updated to give settings the flexibility to ensure ongoing Covid measures are proportionate.

Previous guidance stated that face masks in care settings should be worn at all times and that care homes should seek advice from a local health protection team in the event of Covid outbreak, but this pre-Christmas change enables providers to further utilise their own skills and knowledge on appropriate measures.

From Thursday 15 December, providers can make risk-based decisions on when face masks are used, and care homes can initiate their own outbreak risk assessments to make decisions about which outbreak measures make sense for their individual settings. Decisions around masks will be based on factors like the risk to specific individuals, if the setting is in an outbreak or the preferences of the individual receiving care. Support remains available from health protection teams and other local partners for care homes when needed.

Testing guidance has also been streamlined for small care homes to reduce the number of tests staff and residents need to take in the event of an outbreak. This, alongside new flexibility for rapid response testing in these settings, is in line with the latest public health advice.

Social care settings will continue to be equipped with free PPE to keep staff and people receiving care safe over winter and protected against Covid where necessary.

Minister of State for Care Helen Whately said:

The darkest days of the pandemic are thankfully behind us. But it doesn’t feel like that for people living in care homes or being cared for at home, when many of the people they see are still behind a mask.

So much of what we communicate is through our expressions, our faces, and our smiles – especially for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Many rely on lip reading, and face masks don’t make the job any easier for care workers either.

That’s why we’re making this change. We want care agencies and residential homes to decide what’s best for the people they look after. I hope this means thousands of people who are looked after by care workers will get to see a smile this Christmas.

Care providers are now able to adopt a risk-based approach with decisions on the use of face masks balanced with the risk of infections spreading and considering any risks or benefits that arise from their use. Care homes can make use of new flexibility in the updated guidance on outbreak management and in all circumstances, should ensure visits between loved ones are supported, with each resident able to have at least one visitor even in an outbreak. Outbreak measures should only be implemented if at least two of the cases of Covid are linked and should be proportionate to factors specific to the care home such as if it’s well ventilated, easy to keep some parts isolated and how vulnerable people in the home are to Covid.

Providers should continue to ensure adherence to guidance and be able to evidence this to the Care Quality Commission when asked.

People receiving care can ask for staff to wear face masks, and staff should, of course, work in whatever way will make the person they are caring for most comfortable.

Vaccination remains the best defence against flu and Covid, and with both viruses circulating this winter, it is vital that all those eligible – including care workers – come forward to top up their immunity and protect themselves and those they care for.

Excellent progress has been made with nearly 45 million people jabbed this year, including 16.7 million Autumn booster jabs. It is important that care workers and care recipients are protected against illness so that staffing and visitation levels can be maintained, and care services can be kept safe this winter – this is why the government has supported care workers to get vaccinated by enabling them to be eligible at the same time as people receiving care. Social care workers and others eligible this winter can book their appointments for both a Covid Autumn booster and flu vaccine via the National Booking Service or by contacting their GP.

The government continues to encourage staff and care recipients to take sensible precautions to protect against infection this winter.