News
NHS rushes to increase oxygen supply as virus cases surge
Several NHS trusts in London will get engineering support to increase their oxygen supplies, amid concerns that hospitals are running short of medical gases.
Exclusive: Children ‘may have died’ due to coronavirus fears
Children may have died from non-coronavirus illnesses because they are not coming to hospital quickly enough, amid concerns NHS 111 may be giving flawed advice to stay away, according to senior paediatricians.
NHS needs a third fewer ventilators than forecast says Hancock
Matt Hancock has revealed the NHS is now aiming to have 18,000 ventilators to meet a “worst case scenario” - a reduction of more than a third from previous estimates.
Learning disabilities patients told they may be “too frail” for mechanical ventilation if they get covid-19
People with learning disabilities have been told by GP surgeries they are unlikely to be prioritised for hospital care if they contract covid-19, because they could be too “frail”.
UPDATED: Trust tells public to stay away after problems with oxygen equipment
A hospital trust has told the public not to attend one of its emergency department because of a “technical issue” with its oxygen equipment.
Coronavirus deaths mapped: North East and Yorkshire fatalities up more than a fifth
HSJ’s unique analysis shows the spread of hospital deaths confirmed as coronavirus cases to date, by trust and area, as well as the regional growth trends.
Coronavirus hospital plans paused over potential lack of demand
NHS England has paused a decision on a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients in the north east due to concerns over lack of projected demand, HSJ understands.
Exclusive: Covid app launched for those with ‘medium severity’ symptoms
Royal Wolverhampton Trust has become the first provider to sign a deal with Babylon Health for citywide coverage of a new covid-19 app, HSJ has learned.
Trusts told to create ‘covid-free hubs’ for cancer patients
Trusts have been told to urgently reconfigure surgical cancer services into “covid-free hubs” to minimise the number of procedures being postponed.
Covid-19 crisis causes year-long delay for ‘40 new hospitals’ framework
The government’s flagship “40 new hospitals” programme has experienced a setback after health chiefs delayed the implementation of its new construction framework for a year due to covid-19.
Exclusive: Region sets out leaders and care model for Manchester ‘field hospital’
The executive team for Manchester’s new “field hospital” will be run by a community health chief with a significantly different clinical model to its London counterpart, HSJ has learned.
London hospital bosses: Ventilator supply ‘still quite tight but fingers crossed’
London hospital bosses have told HSJ the supply of ventilators has stayed “just” ahead of demand.
Exclusive: NHS trusts suspend life-saving organ transplants
Major transplant centres have stopped performing many of their procedures due to the coronavirus pandemic, while the national coordinating body says a complete cessation “may only be days away”.
Exclusive: Details of Nightingale’s clinical model revealed
Extensive details of the clinical model for the new Nightingale Hospital in east London have been seen by HSJ — including the criteria for admitting patients and expected difficulties in transferring patients from other acute sites.
Government 'writes off' £13bn debts and pledges to review annual charges
The government has announced a “write-off” of £13.4bn of historic debt across the NHS, in what amounts to an expansion of a policy which has been planned for months.
Data ‘black hole’ hampering covid-19 preparations, chiefs warn
A “black hole” of vital critical care data, which is being collected by NHS England but not widely distributed, is hampering trusts’ ability to prepare for the coronavirus outbreak, chiefs have warned.
Unions push for enhanced death in service cover
Several trade unions have urged the government to enhance death in service cover for all NHS staff who are tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
GPs contacting patients about ‘do not resuscitate’ forms
GPs are having end of life conversations with their patients because of concerns over a lack of intensive care beds during the coronavirus crisis.
Major acute tells staff to work despite isolation guidance
A major hospital trust has told staff they should attend work even if a household member is showing covid-19 symptoms, contrary to national guidance.
Medics threaten to limit services to ‘bare minimum’ without correct PPE
Emergency department doctors at an acute trust have threatened to reduce their services “to the bare minimum” unless they are provided with the correct personal protective equipment.