No images? Click here Issue: 119 Date: 27 August 2021 FeaturedEveryone aged 16 or over urged to get the life-saving COVID-19 vaccineThanks to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers more than half a million young people aged 16 and 17 have had their first dose as teams across the country have worked tirelessly to get their communities protected. No appointment is necessary and anyone aged 16 and 17 can find their nearest centre through the ‘grab a jab’ NHS online walk-in finder. Pop-up vaccination clinics are on site at Reading and Leeds festivals this bank holiday weekend, with people encouraged to add the ‘vaccine tent’ to their itinerary if they have not already been vaccinated. Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, has urged young people to have the jab as figures show those aged 18 to 34 make up more than one in five people admitted to hospital with the virus. Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable to COVID or who live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are also being contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine. The National Booking Service is currently open to anyone aged 18 or over, and to people within three months of their 18th birthday. If you cannot book online, call 119 free of charge, any time between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week. You can also get vaccinated at your nearest walk-in centre. Most pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 have not been vaccinated. Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer, has encouraged expectant mums to get the vaccine to keep themselves and their babies safe. Latest newsHelp Us, Help YouThe latest Help Us, Help You campaign urges you to contact your GP if you are concerned about cancer. It raises awareness of symptoms of cancers in the abdominal area, urological cancers and lung cancer, such as prolonged discomfort in the tummy area or a persistent cough. If you have any of these symptoms, it's probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable. Watch this video to find out more about the signs of cancer. Students urged to join the NHSAmanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, has encouraged students who have been “inspired by the incredible work of NHS staff” to “make the best and most rewarding decision” and sign up for a career in the health service. With more than 350 different roles to choose from, including healthcare support workers, podiatrists, porters, or midwives, there really is something for everyone. We are recruiting now. Search 'NHS careers' to find out more. Mental health support for the Armed Forces communityMental health problems are common and can affect anyone, including veterans, service leavers, serving personnel, reservists and their families. It is important to get help and support if you or someone you know has mental health problems. Op COURAGE is a specialist NHS mental health service for the Armed Forces community. Available across England, you can contact the service yourself or ask your GP, a charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to do this for you. Visit nhs.uk for further information on dedicated health services for the Armed Forces community and follow @NHSArmedForces World-first NHS test for pregnant womenA same-day life-saving test to rule out pre-eclampsia in pregnant women is being rolled out across the NHS. Known as placental growth factor testing, the new blood test is the first of its kind in the world to diagnose the potentially life-threatening condition, and it has already helped thousands of expectant mothers. Lifesaving hepatitis C treatment for children on the NHSChildren in England are set to be the first in the world to be offered a cure for hepatitis C, as part of NHS plans to eradicate the disease entirely. More than 100 children have been identified for treatment, with hundreds more benefiting in the coming months and years. Those aged three to 18 will be given life-saving antiviral tablets to treat and cure the condition. Mum gives birth to baby one year on from ’miracle’ NHS treatmentThousands of cystic fibrosis patients in England have had their health drastically improved by a ’miracle’ treatment since the NHS made it available. Laura, now 30, started the treatment a year ago. Her health drastically improved and she has since had a baby boy called Louis. In the past 12 months, NHS patients benefited from one of the fastest rollouts in the world of the cystic fibrosis triple-therapy, Kaftrio, alongside treating hundreds of thousands of seriously unwell patients with COVID. Nationwide rollout of NHS high street heart checks to save thousands of livesThousands of lives will be saved thanks to more blood pressure checks in high street pharmacies. Every NHS pharmacy in England will be able to provide the life-saving checks to people aged 40 and over from October, thanks to a new deal between pharmacies and the NHS. Over the next five years estimates show that 3,700 strokes and 2,500 heart attacks could be prevented as a result of the tests and around 2,000 lives could be saved. Patient groups welcome additional NHS support to cover cost of hospital travelEvery patient who needs kidney dialysis will benefit from free transport to and from vital hospital appointments. The new arrangements will also make it simpler for other patients to get free transport, including those with long-term conditions and mobility problems. Find out more about how we are improving non-emergency patient transport services. Baby Edward receives potentially life-saving drug ZolgensmaThe drug Zolgensma, which can help babies with spinal muscular atrophy breathe without a ventilator and crawl and walk, was made available on the NHS earlier this year. Edward recently received the one-off gene therapy. Watch this video to find out how one single infusion has transformed his life. Get involvedYoung people encouraged to volunteer in healthcareRuth May, Chief Nursing Officer, has called on young people to become NHS Cadets. The programme helps teenagers to develop the skills needed for an NHS career by volunteering in vaccine centres, supporting elderly people in the community and undertaking first aid training. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the first group of teenagers to complete the programme, Ruth said they would be “welcomed with open arms” if they decide to pursue a career in healthcare. If you would like to find out more, email NHSCadets@sja.org.uk Patient or carer representative needed to help improve cancer servicesThames Valley Cancer Alliance (TVCA) is recruiting a patient or carer representative to join its executive board, to ensure the voices of those affected by cancer are listened to, influence change and improve cancer services. The successful candidate will also chair the TVCA patient partnership group. More information about the role and the application process is on our Involvement Hub. The closing date for applications is Friday 17 September and interviews will take place in October. News from our partnersSpeak up and help beat COVID-19The Department of Health and Social Care is looking for volunteers to take part in a study exploring how algorithms can use voice data, including cough recordings, to detect COVID-19. Please take five minutes to submit your voice sounds and contribute to COVID-19 research. |