Vaccination saves lives. Protect yourself against Flu

The Health Secretary has announced that the most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in UK history will be rolled out this winter, as the government works to protect vulnerable people and support the NHS through the coming months.

While we continue to get coronavirus increasingly under control and cautiously reopen many parts of society, we must not be complacent about the potential risks ahead.   As part of govenment plans to ensure the NHS is ready for the winter months, a significant new group will be eligible for the free flu vaccine as people aged 50 to 64 will be invited later in the season for a vaccination. It will also be available to people who are on the shielded patient list and members of their household, all school year groups up to Year 7, pregnant women and those with pre-existing conditions. In total, more than 30 million people will be eligible to receive the flu jab.   We will begin by vaccinating the most at-risk groups, and once this is well underway, we will work with clinicians to decide when to open the programme to invite people aged 50 to 64. This comes alongside the £3 billion announced by the Prime Minister last week to prepare the NHS to handle winter pressures.   While we hope for the best, we will plan for the worst to ensure that we are able to protect people against a possible second wave of coronavirus, ease winter pressures on the NHS and keep the public safe.

Don't take a risk with your health, your children's health, or the NHS. If you are in one of the groups above, get vaccinated.

As Professor Chris Whitty said,

"Flu can have serious consequences and vulnerable people can die of it. Having a vaccine will protect you and others. This winter more than ever, with COVID-19 circulating, we need to reduce all avoidable risks. If you're eligible please get the vaccine when it's available."

GP Recruitment up

One of the biggest problems facing the NHS in Cumbria is the shortage of doctors in general and the shortage of GPs is a particularly critical part of that problem. So I was delighted to learn that figures released by Health Education England today show a third record-breaking year for GP trainee recruitment in England – ensuring a pipeline of talent for the future.

The number of doctors entering training is up a record 15 per cent compared to this same point last year, meaning the NHS is on track to beat this year's target of recruiting 3,500 doctors in training to general practice.    The government has committed to grow the workforce by 6,000 more doctors, as well as thousands more physiotherapists, pharmacists and other highly skilled practitioners, to deliver an extra 50 million appointments a year. They have also committed at least an additional £1.5 billion in cash terms for general practice over the next 4 years to boost these efforts.    Boosting the workforce will mean bigger teams of medical staff providing a wider range of care options for patients, free up more time to focus on those with more complex needs and ensure patients get the best quality care.

"Thank You NHS" events tomorrow

Tomorrow is the 72nd birthday of the NHS. 

It will be marked by a once off return - proposed to become annual - of "Clap for carers" plus a minute's break in transmission by the major broadcasters, and everyone is encouraged to put a candle or light in their window to mark those who have died from COVID-19.

The original Clap for Carers began at the start of lockdown with members of the public applauding from their doorsteps and windows every Thursday at 8pm to honour NHS staff, supermarket workers, teachers and other frontline employees who were instrumental in the fight against Covid-19.

Annemarie Plas, the founder of Clap for Carers, eventually called for the event to come to a close after its 10th consecutive week, saying it should end while “at its peak” and it finished with a particularly well supported tenth round.

Now, in celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the NHS, it is making a comeback. which it has been suggested should become an annual event on the birthday of our health service.

To mark the occasion, members of the public are being asked to come out of their homes and join a nationwide clap at 5pm (even if you have a hangover from the pubs reopening today).

Broadcasters will also reportedly suspend transmission for a minute as a sign of respect for the NHS.

Public buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall, Blackpool Tower, the Shard and the Wembley Arch will also be lit up in blue to mark the occasion.

Instead of Clap for Carers the event is being called the "Thank You NHS" clap.

After the clap, people are being encouraged to share a (socially distanced) cup of tea or food with their friends and neighbours.

People have also been asked to put a candle or a torch in their window in memory of all those who have died from coronavirus.

The open letter which proposed this event said that

“We all owe a debt of gratitude to the nurses, doctors, physios, porters, cleaners, and countless others who have delivered for patients and their families along with all those in the care sector.”

The letter also emphasised the key role the NHS has played throughout its 72-year history, “treating everyone regardless of the ability to pay”.

It has been suggested that the should become an annual tradition in the UK, with the nation marking 5th July by applauding the NHS