Regional coronavirus figures published in interactive dashboard

NHS Digital has published an interactive dashboard showing regional coronavirus test results and triage figures.

Progression Dashboard can be used to show trends at each Upper Tier Local Authority and region in England.

It shows the number of people with coronavirus identified through testing at an NHS lab or from commercial swab testing.

The dashboard also has data on triage of coronavirus symptoms through NHS Pathways – calls to NHS 111 and 999 and through NHS 111 online. 

It is updated every day, with data available from 18 March 2020 to three days before the current calendar date.

NHS Digital

Coronavirus: preparing for challenges this winter

The Academy of Medical Sciences has launched a rapid review exploring potential challenges the UK might face when coronavirus and other seasonal diseases are present this winter. 

It calls for urgent action, saying the window for preparation lasts from now until the end of summer.

The academy says preparations must be based on the best quality scientific advice and developed through active engagement with patients, carers, the public and healthcare professionals. 

It outlines four key areas of focus:

  • Minimising the transmission and impact of COVID-19 in the community
  • Organising health and social care settings to maximise infection control and ensure COVID-19 and routine care can take place in parallel
  • Improving public health surveillance for COVID-19, influenza and other winter diseases
  • Minimising influenza transmission and impact

Academy of Medical Sciences

Easy read guidance for young carers

Public Health England has published an easy read version of its advice for people under the age of 25 who are providing care for someone during the coronavirus outbreak.

The guidance contains general information about coronavirus, as well as specific advice for young people on how to protect themselves and the person they care for.

It also includes tips on mental and physical wellbeing and information on available support.

The booklet is suitable for both young carers, those under 18 who look after someone in their family, and young adult carers, those aged 16 to 25 who look after someone.

It is available to download by clicking on the link below.

Public Health England

Webinar: Introducing health inequalities

NHS Reset is hosting a free webinar discussing the potential impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities.

Speakers will discuss the geographic, socio-economic and socio-demographic inequalities in health cast into the spotlight by the COVID-19 pandemic and how these can be addressed. 

The webinar is from 12.30pm to 2pm on Monday 20 July. Click on the link below to register.

NHS Reset

The impact of COVID-19 on organ transplantation

This letter to the editor of Public Health, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on organ transplantation in the UK.

The authors estimate there could be 904 fewer transplant surgeries in the three-month period from March to May compared to the previous year.

They also warn an increase in wait times for kidney transplantation could disproportionately affect Asian and black communities which already have a higher median time to transplant.

Science Direct

Preparing for virtual healthcare appointments

PIF member the Psoriasis Association has developed a new tips resource to help people prepare for virtual healthcare appointments.

The resource was developed because, for many people, relying on technology instead of face-to-face appointments can be disconcerting.

Tips are divided into two sections – what to bear in mind before an appointment and what to consider during the appointment itself.

They can be used for appointments with a GP, nurse, dermatologist or rheumatologist.

Psoriasis Association

Helping children understand coronavirus

A list of resources to help children understand coronavirus has been published by East London Health & Care Partnership.

Its internal resources, aimed primarily at parents, include topics such as medicines management and visiting hospital.

The partnership has also provided links to two stories aimed at children or people with additional needs.

One is a free story explaining social distancing to young children.

The other is a book by Prof. Sheila Hollins explaining coronavirus for people with learning disabilities or who find pictures easier to understand than words.

East London Health and Care Partnership

Applying digital health to systemic healthcare challenges

In this article, Dr Javier Garcia Palacios discusses how the current de-prioritisation of face-to-face interactions between patients and healthcare professionals can be an opportunity to question behaviours that have been taken for granted.

He says a key factor is creating a more sustainable healthcare system – one that can react to acute needs while also reinforcing the importance of the prevention and reduction of risk factors.

The article also emphasises the importance of integrated care to bring together a 'dislocated spectrum of services'.

pharmaphorum

Webinar: The Doctor Will Zoom You Now

A free webinar on getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience will be held from 11am to midday on Friday 24 July.

The webinar is being hosted by National Voices in partnership with Traverse, Healthwatch England and PPL.

Speakers will discuss findings and insight from National Voices' recent research about people's experiences of remote and virtual consultations and appointments.

For more information and to book your place, click on the link below.

National Voices

Co-production resources published

Several new co-production resources have been released by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

The resources, published to mark Co-production Week 2020, include:

SCIE

Engaging children and young people in digital mental health interventions

A systematic review has highlighted the features children and young people prefer in digital mental health interventions.

This review aimed to identify modes of delivery, explore influencing factors to usage and implementation, and investigate ways in which interventions have been evaluated and whether children and young people engage.

Literature highlighted that children and young people prefer interventions with features including video, limited text, the ability to personalise or connect with others and options to receive text message reminders.

Findings from the review also suggest a high average retention rate of 79% in studies involving various digital mental health interventions.

JMIR

Self Management Awards 2020

The Self Management Awards, celebrating examples of good practice and promoting innovation in a range of self management practices in Scotland, are now open for nominations.

The awards are hosted by PIF member ALLIANCE.

There are seven different categories in this year's awards, including Self Management Project of the Year, Self Management Resource of the Year and Digital Innovator Self Management Award.

For more information and to enter, click on the link below.

ALLIANCE