Health & Wellbeing

With the Government proposing to limit access to some venues and events later in the year to people who are fully vaccinated, young people across Wolverhampton are being urged to step forward and get their Covid-19 jabs as soon as possible.

Public Health England (PHE) has launched the latest ‘Better Health’ campaign to encourage adults across the nation to lose excess weight, eat more healthily and get active this summer. 

The new campaign offers free evidence-based support and guidance to those working towards a healthier weight. There are a variety of NHS endorsed apps which will help people to introduce changes that will help them eat better and get active this summer, including the newly updated NHS Weight Loss Plan app.

New research, due to be published shortly by Public Health England, suggests that those who used and followed the NHS Weight Loss Plan app over 12 weeks, reported a loss on average of almost a stone (5.8kg). The move follows a nationwide survey of over 5,000 adults which has revealed that over four in ten (41 per cent) in West Midlands say they have put on weight since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Almost 9.5lb (4.3 kg) was gained on average by adults who put on weight, with one in five (19 per cent) reporting putting on a stone or more (6.1kg-9kg). In adults aged 35-65 years old, the average weight gain rises to over 10lbs (4.6kg) nationally.

The new insights show the extent that lockdowns have impacted people’s eating and physical activity habits. Unhealthy eating habits, like snacking and comfort eating, were seen as the main contributor to weight gain during the pandemic for almost half (44 per cent) of those who reported gaining weight.

A high proportion (89 per cent) of adults in the West Midlands who said they gained weight since March 2020 said it was important for them to introduce new healthy habits this summer, with more than half (54 per cent) saying they would like to have a healthier diet¹. Half (51 per cent), feel optimistic about making the changes they desire, and a majority (59 per cent) would welcome more advice on eating more healthily, 57 per cent would like ideas for doing so on a budget and 55 per cent want ideas for exercise routines.

Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said: “The pandemic has been hugely challenging for everyone and it has upended our daily routines. As we build back better in the months ahead, we want to make it easier for people to adopt a healthier lifestyle that works for them.

“The brilliant Better Health campaign returns today and provides a wide range of tools – including an easy to use phone app - to support people, whether that’s losing weight, sharing healthier recipes or motivating people to be more active. Our new Office for Health Promotion is going to keep building on the success of this campaign, helping people to make lifestyle choices that improves both their mental and physical health.”

David Elliott, West Midlands Health & Wellbeing Programme Manager for Healthy Weight said: "With four in ten people in the West Midlands putting on weight and a fifth putting on a stone or more since the start of lockdown, the impact on people’s eating and physical activity habits has been considerable.

"We also know that many people in the region are looking for advice and help that works for them to eat more healthily and be more active. PHE’s Better Health has a proven range of tools and resources that offer free support and guidance to help them do just that."

As part of the campaign, Linda Robson, has talked about her experience with weight gain and unhealthy habits over lockdown. Having gained some weight since the start of the pandemic, Linda is looking to eat more healthily with the help of the Better Health apps.

TV presenter and actress, Linda Robson, said: “I can definitely relate to having slipped a bit during lockdowns - in fact I actually gained over a stone myself! People shouldn’t feel guilty for having put on weight, especially after the year we’ve had – we've all had to just try and get through it the best we can.

“However, this summer I want to get my health on track and look to lose some weight. I know it can feel hard, but the Better Health apps are a great place to start, I’ve started eating some of the Better Health recipes – they are dead easy to do and taste great!”

Better Health is also working in partnership with a number of weight management and physical activity partners who are providing both free and exclusive discounted offers. Public Health England is also working with local authorities to provide weight management support to those who need it.

The upcoming launch of the new Office for Health Promotion in Autumn will lead national efforts to level up the health of the nation by continuing to support people living with obesity, supporting mental health and promoting physical activity. Search ‘Better Health’ or visit nhs.uk/betterhealth for free tools and support to start leading a healthier lifestyle today.

The latest figures show over 130,000 people in Wolverhampton have now had both doses of their Covid-19 vaccination and so have the best protection from serious illness caused by the virus.

In total 294,602 life-saving injections have been administered to date across the city, with 163,931 people having had their first dose, and 130,671 having completed their vaccination with two doses for the best protection.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “For the last few weeks, we’ve been running around 30 walk-in vaccination clinics each week, at locations all around the city where people can walk-in and get their vaccinations at a time or place that it is convenient to them, without needing to book ahead.

“Together with pre-bookable appointments at vaccination sites and pharmacies, these clinics are making it easier for a large number of people to get protected, with over 130,000 people in our city now having had both doses of the vaccine, and almost 164,000 people receiving their first doses.

“This is great uptake, but there are still people over the age of 18 who have not yet had a Covid-19 vaccination. With social restrictions now eased and the number of positive coronavirus cases continuing to rise locally and nationally, it is crucial that as many people as possible have their jabs, as soon as possible.”

To encourage vaccine uptake and make it easier for people to get their second doses, walk-in vaccination clinics are open across the city, with more planned for coming weeks. Full information including clinic locations, times and dates plus vaccine type available, can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/localvaccine

Vaccinations can also be booked online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling NHS 119.

Latest figures show there were 465.5 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last seven days. That means 1,224 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.

Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the RCEM (Royal College of Emergency Medicine) has stated that it is absolutely essential that patients and visitors in Emergency Departments continue to protect themselves and others with face masks, hand washing and social distancing.

She said: “While restrictions have been eased, it is absolutely essential that we continue to keep everyone safe in hospital settings and in Emergency Departments. Patients and visitors must therefore expect to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

“Emergency Departments regularly see vulnerable patients. We must do all we can to keep those patients safe, but also to ensure that these patients feel safe coming to the hospital and the Emergency Department if, and when, they need help.

“We ask patients and visitors to kindly respect and co-operate with this guidance and help to keep everyone safe. Staff will not tolerate any abuse whatsoever.

“They absolutely do not deserve it, but it is a sad reality that we are already hearing and seeing abusive behaviour towards staff. It is clear these measures will help protect the most vulnerable patients, so it is right that all patients and visitors follow them. Staff will request all patients and visitors to put a mask on when in an Emergency Department and they will not be engaging in any debate on the guidance.

“It is a matter of public health and infection prevention control to keep all our patients safe.”

Eighty years ago, in July 1941, a group of young men who had sustained severe burns in aircraft crashes during the Second World War came together to form The Guinea Pig Club. They took this name in honour of the ground-breaking techniques of pioneering plastic surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe.

Upon leaving hospital following their lengthy treatments, members established new careers, married and raised families, challenging the opinions of those who questioned their abilities. These young men quickly became a beacon of hope and their perseverance and tenacity continues to inspire burns survivors today.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is proud to have supported The Guinea Pig Club since its formation 80 years ago and has provided assistance to many of its members over the years. However, just six members of the Guinea Pig Club remain, so the Fund is taking this important anniversary to highlight the inspiring story of the Guinea Pig Club to ensure its legacy lives on.

people are now being urged to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed their lives during the Second World War by visiting: rafbf.dedicationpage.org/gpc80 where they can share memories, photographs, and thanks.

Yours sincerely,

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot

Chief Executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund

A leading charity has partnered with property investor and developer, Sam Ginda, in a bid to improve mental ill health in Sandwell.

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group will be working with Mr Ginda and his new company, Future High Street Living, to offer further support to people in West Bromwich who need help with their mental health and wellbeing.

Mr Ginda kickstarted the partnership with a £5,000 donation to the charity with plans for fundraising activities and workshops currently underway.

The partnership was announced following news that Mr Ginda aims to invest in town centres, helping to revive them with new retail and residential developments, starting with Queens Square Shopping Centre in West Bromwich.

With just 40 per cent currently occupied, his investment in the shopping centre would see the retail provision consolidated into one area, alongside a residential development including 84 new houses and more than 200 residential apartments, plus improvements to the surroundings to make the area a more pleasant place to visit.

Chief Executive of Kaleidoscope, Monica Shafaq said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sam and the Future High Street Living Team. We have seen the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had both on people’s mental health and on the retail industry and urgent action is needed in both these areas.

“At Kaleidoscope, we are passionate about promoting positive mental health and providing high quality services to people who need them in our local community and, having grown up in West Brom, Sam also feels passionate about doing his part to help. Together I think we can do some really great work to support people even more.”

Mr Ginda is joint chief executive of property development and investment firm, Taylor Grange. His new initiative will focus on locations such as commuter belt towns and smaller cities, aiming to support high streets in need of regeneration by bringing forward new schemes that will help boost footfall and create jobs.

He said: "Building stronger communities is an important focus for Future High Street Living and we recognise the important role that the Kaleidoscope Plus Group plays in supporting the mental wellbeing of the local community here in West Bromwich. We see a natural synergy between our work and theirs and are delighted to have the opportunity to work together in this way."

The British healthcare and testing company that provides rapid PCR testing for airline passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, in partnership with Test Assurance Group (TAG) and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, has today warned that a ‘no mask’ policy for air travel could ignite a ‘set-back’ for the airline and travel industry to the start of the pandemic. 

Salutaris People warned that it was too early for airline passengers to be able to travel mask-free while the UK was still in the height of its vaccination programme, with a further 23 million people still not vaccinated. It added that the airlines and governments were ‘setting a very dangerous precedent by allowing passengers not to wear masks for air travel’. 
It is well documented that the initial spread of Covid-19 from an epidemic to global pandemic was fuelled by international air travel, with the virus mutating and infecting a large number of people in close proximity on aircraft and then spreading exponentially.

MD of AKEA Life, the clinical testing partner to Salutaris People, Ben Paglia, said: “Until we have a UK and global programme of vaccination in full flow, whereby a person has had two doses of a vaccination, then airline passengers should be advised to wear a mask during their transit and flight. It is a very dangerous and reckless precedent to allow a plane full of passengers to travel without face masks or coverings.

“Despite the amazing success of the vaccine, we do know that you can still catch Covid and infect other people. As there are still around 23 million people in the UK to be vaccinated, this presents a continued major health problem in the UK, as it affects the younger population. We also don’t know the longer-term effectiveness of the vaccines yet and how long vaccine immunity could provide protection for. Allowing passengers to travel without wearing masks could potentially set us back to the start of the pandemic when all air travel was banned.

“It would be sensible to allow people to not wear face masks in certain settings, but where you have public transport and air travel, or confined spaces and large gatherings it is wise to help reduce infections and transmission of the virus.”

Covid infections continue to rise on a daily basis along with increased hospital admissions, as 27, 334 people tested positive for Covid on Monday of this week (5^th July). The Delta variant continues to dominate infection rates, with infections doubling in cities and counties across the UK. Newcastle Upon Tyne, Dundee, Suffolk and Essex have all reported significant increases in their infection rates. It is predicted that infection rates could increase to as much as 50,000 by the 19^th July. 

The concern is that if all airline passengers are allowed to travel mask-free then there is the very real possibility that infection rates could accelerate and reverse all of the preventative measures put in place by the Government – and effectively lead to another shutdown on international air travel. 

Salutaris People advocates that the safest way to continue lifting of restrictions is to increase the vaccine rollout, increase PCR testing, continue to maintain face masks on public transport, air travel, in confined spaces and in large-scale gatherings.  

Dr Brendan Payne, Consultant Virologist & Infectious Diseases Physician to AKEA Life, said: “I think the 'personal choice' concept of wearing a face mask makes no sense from a public health perspective. Standard face masks mainly protect other people from the wearer, rather than the wearer from other people. Therefore, you are actually asking that people make a personal choice on behalf of other people! 

“I certainly think it is wise for airline passengers to continue wearing masks for air travel for the foreseeable future until we have a fully effective global vaccination programme covered. Not only would this be for their own safety and peace of mind, but also for being considerate to other passengers.  When you have several hundred people on an aircraft, closely seated in confined spaces, some of whom have been vaccinated and others not, it is entirely sensible to maintain a cautious approach by wearing masks. 

“Personally, I would have liked to see guidance from the UK Government that at least you continue to wear a mask until you've had two doses of vaccine. This is similar to what the CDC (Centre For Disease Control) are stating in the US. It is impossible to enforce, but would have been a sensible message.”

Salutaris People is on the UK Government’s approved list of Covid-19 test providers. The company will have five testing clinics operating by early August as air travel restrictions are lifted under the traffic light system.  Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Wilmslow in Cheshire are operational, while Newcastle Upon Tyne, Stockton-On-Tees and Sunderland will be launching in August. Both the Liverpool and Wilmslow sites provide Covid-19 testing for airline passengers wishing to fly from Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

More than 2,000 National Care Group colleagues united in celebrations across England and Wales as part of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day on Monday 5 July.

As one of the UK’s leading providers of care and support services to vulnerable adults, National Care Group used the day as an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the commitment and hard work of its own colleagues after an incredibly challenging year for the sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The heroic efforts of health and social care workers throughout the country during the pandemic is what has brought about the inception of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day. The day, which was held for the first time on 5 July as a tribute to the date the NHS was established 73 years prior, included a raising of the flag, two-minute silence, a national toast and national clap.

However, National Care Group went a step further by arranging themed ‘Big Garden Parties’, involving events at 78 of its services. Activities included a ’Big Garden Party Bake-Off' competition, which had a love heart theme to reflect the tone of the day, and a toast to the workforce broadcast live over Facebook by the executive team.

Each participating service was also sent a Big Garden Party pack bursting with bunting, balloons, cups and plates to decorate and enhance their celebrations.

Karen Lewis, chief operating officer at National Care Group who led the initiative on behalf of the company, said “We wanted to use Frontline Workers’ Day as a way of honouring our colleagues for the commitment they have shown to the people we support following such an unprecedented year. It’s provided us with the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on everyone’s hard work and it’s been fantastic to see so many of our services really getting into the spirit of the day and celebrating together.”

A total of 78 individual parties were held at services across England and Wales, with each venue putting its own spin on the day’s events. At Endurance Care in Worcestershire, registered manager Kelly Smith booked a DJ and ice cream van for party guests, while Regent College based in Stoke-on-Trent brought together more than 100 attendees at their event.

Meanwhile, at Abbeyvale Care Centre in Hartlepool the people they support, many of whom are former textile factory workers, were involved in creating teddy bears made from old blankets. Registered manager Julie Shields, who recently received two accolades at National Care Group’s annual awards, organised a ‘teddy bear factory production line’ prior to the party and the bears were then raffled off at their celebrations to raise money for charity on the day.

Karen added: “We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the number of colleagues and services that got involved in organising garden parties and it’s been wonderful hearing about all the different activities and celebrations that have taken place. At National Care Group, we’re passionate about ensuring that those who work with us, and those who access our services, are able to unlock their potential and feel proud about what they do, which is why days like this are so important as it gives us the opportunity to champion their work and show our appreciation.”

Fully vaccinated people in England will not have to self-isolate if a close contact tests positive for Covid from August 16, the Health Secretary says. Sajid Javid told MPs that the same policy would also apply to anyone under the age of 18 from that date. The government, he added, would give more details this week on self-isolation rules for international travel.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced the end of "bubbles" in schools from 19 July. This system has led to large numbers of pupils being sent home if a single child has a positive test.

Covid-related pupil absence in England has hit a new high since all students returned to school in March - with 640,000 pupils in England not in school due to Covid last week. This follows Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, confirming that he intended to scrap most of the remaining restrictions in England on July 19, including the laws on mask wearing and rules on social distancing.

A further 28,773 cases were reported across the UK yesterday, with another 37 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. In a statement to the House of Commons, Javid said: "From 16 August when even more people will have the protection of both doses, and when modelling suggests the risks from the virus will be even lower, anyone who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate if they have been fully vaccinated.

"If someone gets their second dose just before or just after August 16, they'll need to wait for two weeks, after which their second jab can then take effect and give them these new freedoms." As under-18s are not routinely jabbed, he said a similar exemption from self-isolation rules would be extended to them.

He (Javid) said adults who had been in close contact with a positive case would be advised to get a PCR test as soon as possible to make sure they had not been infected, while for children it would be dependent on their age. People identified as close contacts of a confirmed Covid case are currently required to self-isolate for up to 10 full days when contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

He added that "of course" anyone that tested positive would have to self-isolate whether they have had the jab or not. The Department of Health and Social Care said the date for the changes was chosen to allow more people to become double jabbed and with rising case numbers it makes sense to keep protective measures in place until mid-August.

It said if fully-vaccinated users of the NHS Covid-19 app are notified that a contact has tested positive after 16 August, they will be able to tell it they have had both jabs.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said Mr Javid had justified allowing infections to climb by pointing to the UK "building a protective wall" of vaccines. However, Mr Ashworth said that data from Israel suggested that the infectious Delta variant could be transmitted through fully vaccinated people.

He said that he understood the rationale for Mr Javid's announcement but believed that the biggest barrier to an effective isolation policy was a lack of financial incentive to stay at home. He also called for a U-turn on the decision to make mask-wearing voluntary, saying: “'s have freedom but not a high-risk free-for-all - keep masks for now, fix sick pay, and let's unlock in a safe and sustainable way.” The Scottish government has said it may continue to require masks in certain settings even after August 9, when it is hoped the final curbs will end.

Ahead of a review on July 15 in Wales, ministers said people would need to learn to live with Covid. Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the prime minister's approach to ending coronavirus restrictions in England was reckless.

She said Northern Ireland, which is due to review its rules on 8 July, would make its own decisions but would not be following that model. Meanwhile, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, called England's plan too risky and warned if things went wrong there would be a spill-over effect into neighbouring countries.

The 73rd anniversary of the NHS was celebrated with the award of the George Cross and a cathedral service. In a personal message, the Queen said NHS staff across the UK had worked "with courage, compassion and dedication" for more than 70 years.

The Duke of Cambridge joined NHS staff at a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in London before later hosting a Buckingham Palace tea party to thank NHS workers. The Duchess of Cambridge was due to join him for the events, but is now self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for Covid.

The George Cross, instituted by King George VI in 1940 during the height of the Blitz in World War Two, is awarded for "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger".

In her handwritten message, the Queen wrote: "It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.

"This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.

“Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service. You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation."

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said the award recognised the skill and fortitude of NHS staff, who had responded to. "The worst pandemic in a century and the greatest challenge this country has faced since World War Two", he said.

Prof Stephen Powis, NHS England medical director, said he was prouder and more humbled by the work of his medical colleagues, adding that the reward recognised the contribution of the NHS since inception as well as over the last 18 months. The awarding of the George Cross by the Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the prime minister.

This latest award is only the third time the George Cross has been given to a collective body, country or organisation, rather than an individual. In 1942, the George Cross was conferred on Malta by George VI, in recognition of the heroism displayed by the island's inhabitants during enemy bombardments in World War Two and in 1999, the Queen awarded the George Cross to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland, in recognition of the force's bravery.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Council Chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) which represents doctors, said: “The award would be a welcome recognition for many who feel exhausted - physically and mentally - after the gruelling challenge of the last year".

But he added: "It is also vital to ensure that healthcare professionals work in an environment where there is an adequate workforce and resources, including enough hospitals beds and facilities in general practice. This will be vital if we are to be able to tackle the enormous backlog of over five million patients waiting for treatment as a result of the pandemic".

It comes days after Dr Nagpaul warned that senior doctors in England would be consulted on taking industrial action if the government's 1% pay rise offer was not improved.

Pat Cullen, acting General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing - which has also warned of potential industrial action over pay - said: "Nursing staff led the foundation of the NHS and today they continue to lead the response to the pandemic.

"Along with all of their colleagues they should hold their heads high today to be recognised in this way." The duke welcomed NHS workers, including respiratory ward nurses, counsellors and care workers, as well as catering managers and housekeeping coordinators, to the Buckingham Palace gardens for the NHS Big Tea.

The NHS Big Tea is organised by NHS Charities Together - which the duke and duchess have been patrons of since December 2020. The event was one of thousands of Big Teas happening in homes, hospitals, schools and community spaces across the UK yesterday.

Retail trade union Usdaw is urging the Government not to lift safety measures in stores as part of the release of Covid restrictions due on 19 July.

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Retail staff are working with the public every day and are deeply worried about catching Covid-19. This is not the right time to water down safety in stores and the Government should not be removing the requirements of face coverings and distancing in busy public areas like shops.

“To speak about the wearing of face coverings in these settings in terms of personal responsibility, ignores the reality that public facing workers have no option but to interact with large numbers of people as a part of their job. The main purpose of face coverings is to protect others and the Government must send out a clear message on this. 

“Usdaw is urging the shopping public to continue to wear face coverings, along necessary hand sanitisation and maintaining social distancing to help make shops safer and limit the spread of Covid-19. We also continue to call on employers to maintain appropriate safety measures and ensure that they are being followed consistently, in every store. 

“Many retail workers are at a greater risk of catching the virus and bringing it home to their families. Supermarket workers and delivery drivers have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country supplied with essentials. These key workers must be valued, respected and protected.”

The situation with Covid will get worse before it gets better with cases "rising dramatically", medical leaders have warned.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges said people should remain cautious, taking measures such as wearing face coverings in crowded indoor spaces. It has warned that the NHS is under unprecedented pressure.

The government is expected to confirm whether the easing of measures in England will go ahead on 19 July. The UK is experiencing a marked increase in cases according to the Office for National Statistics, while Health Secretary Sajid Javid has previously said he would expect numbers of infections to reach about 50,000 new cases a day by that date.

The latest government figures showed an increase of 35,707 Covid cases across the UK - the highest daily figure since 22 January. Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said the academy was cautious about issuing dire warnings but she had become profoundly concerned over the last couple of weeks about the idea of removing all restrictions on July 19.

"There seems to be a misapprehension that life will return to normal from then and that we can throw away all the precautions and, frankly, that would be dangerous," she said. In a statement the academy, which represents 23 medical bodies responsible for training and development in various specialties, said it was essential that people took a responsible approach when restrictions were formally lifted.

It warned that there was little doubt that things will get worse before they get better. The academy said there were reports of routine care being postponed due to healthcare professionals isolating amid mounting pressure as people who had stayed away from the NHS during the pandemic now sought treatment.

It added that the growth of long Covid, as well as the backlog of elective work which had built up during the crisis, meant that it is like the worst of a bad winter in July. "There is no doubt that we will get to a position when this dangerous and erratic disease is largely under control for the population as a whole and we can 'learn to live with' Covid-19.

"However, we are not in that position yet and sadly, we have to expect things to get worse again."

An independent British healthcare company which provides a UK wide GP service has reported a 500% surge in calls and access to its services seeking help on mental health issues.

Cheshire based AKEA Life - which provides an award winning 5-star concierge GP and health service – has seen a large increase in requests from its existing client base as well as new enquiries from clients signing up to its GP and healthcare service for families.  

AKEA Life – which is a CQC registered company - confirmed that around 90% of those calls seeking help on mental health issues were doing so as a result of the pandemic and the compounded effect on the NHS.  

The company also reported that it was seeing a very high percentage (around 65%) of those mental health issues coming from younger children and adolescents struggling with the re-integration back into the school. 

Ben Paglia MD of AKEA Life said: “We are absolutely staggered at the amount of calls we are taking specifically on mental health issues relating to the effects of Covid and lockdown restrictions.

“Rather worryingly is the number of cases involving school children that are suffering with a wide range of issues including agoraphobia, anxiety about returning to school, fear and withdrawal symptoms. Clearly the impact of the pandemic is having a significant impact on the mental well-being of many school children and its serious.

“We have all seen how truly amazing the NHS is and the pressure that the doctors, nurses and healthcare staff have been under tackling Covid. But it is clear to see that the system is desperately underfunded, under resourced and has been at breaking point for many years, Covid has been the last straw. 

“It’s no coincidence that both mental health cases and also suicide rates are at an all-time high. The physiological and psychological toll of the pandemic has pushed frontline services to breaking point and put many families into crisis.” 

AKEA Life has seen a huge growth in corporate clients and families joining over the last few months as access to the NHS waiting list for specialist mental health care and therapy can be anything from 6-12 months on average. The company warned that due to the huge waiting list for NHS referrals and therapy that it could lead to an increase in people self-medicating or being put straight onto anti-depressants and left without the proper support or review for years. 

The local GP service across the UK is buckling under the pressure. Doctors and nurses are themselves suffering with stress and anxiety, increased workloads and the pressures that Covid has bought.

Patient consultation has been reduced to a box ticking exercise with around 8 minutes per patient. GPs cannot properly assess a person’s underlying health issues in this time or look at providing any other form of preventative health interventions. 

Ben Paglia MD of AKEA Life added: “Traditionally private healthcare was seen as the preserve of the wealthy, now it is seen as an essential service that many of our clients are taking out as a ‘top-up’ to their existing NHS health care services and their local GP.  

“Effectively we are providing another access point that can speed up that process of accessing specialist healthcare and treatment. We provide very affordable healthcare for families which means they can get a same day private patient consultation and GP visit to their home or office and immediate referral and treatment for £30 per month.

“This puts the ownership and control of healthcare and well-being firmly back in the hands of the public. Our clients don’t have to wait days and weeks for an appointment they get same day consultations and referral for immediate treatment. 

“We are seeing a sea change and a dynamic shift in healthcare provision in the same way that dentistry went through exactly the same shift from NHS dental services to the private sector opening up private practices. For someone who is suffering from mental health issues, they simply cannot wait 6 months for a referral to therapy and counselling.

“The same for children who are suffering with mental health issues. Left unchecked and without specialist treatment, a person’s mental health can deteriorate and become a ticking time bomb leading to many more complex issues.” 

This is echoed by Chartered Clinical Psychologist Peter Dragan; “Some psychologists have predicted a post-COVID mental health pandemic, particularly due to many people largely not being able to access support for a prolonged period, or enduring levels of stress and trauma that are either still ongoing, or only very recently beginning to change. Particularly this can come with traumatic bereavement, chronic health problems such as long- COVID, job losses and significant life changes.

“Other psychologists have disagreed with this prediction. But what we do know with some confidence, is that there are a number of groups who have been significantly negatively impacted by the pandemic, including those who continue to experience long-term health consequences from the virus; those who experienced bereavement; people who were already relatively socially isolated; those who have experienced job or financial losses; those experiencing housing insecurity; those working in a front-line service; people who lost important coping mechanisms and / or experience reduced access to health services during a time of illness.”

Akea Life provides quick, convenient access to quality healthcare for families and businesses. Patients can get all of the medical advice they need, when and where they need it. The company provides access to a network of 100 GPs, 7 days-a-week as well as health care staff, counsellors, therapists and clinicians.

The company also has its own at home pharmacy supplier. The service provides quick and efficient access to healthcare

The patient calls Akea Life. A doctor is then rostered to speak to the patient and assess symptoms. 

If the symptoms require, a doctor can be sent to the patient’s home, office or location same day. Diagnosis and immediate referral follow. 
Ultimately this means a person doesn’t have to visit their local GP surgery, have time off work or waiting to book an appointment days or weeks in advance.     

The NHS urgently needs a rapid increase in bed numbers if it is to meet potential demand this winter according to new analysis from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

The College’s new briefing document ‘RCEM Explains: Hospital Beds’ looks at how bed numbers have declined in the past decade, the impact of covid, and the potential number of beds needed this winter, based on previous levels of demand.

The briefing uses the ratio of emergency admissions to beds to model the numbers of beds that will likely be needed, based on the levels of demand seen each winter prior to the pandemic. In the last five years in England this figure has fluctuated between 11.07 admissions per bed (winter 2015/16) and 12.50 (winter 2018/19). Excluding the most recent winters (both of which saw demand and capacity fall due to the pandemic), there was an average of 11.77 admissions per bed.

If the NHS is to achieve a similar ratio this winter, and there are a similar number of admissions as in the winter of 2017/18, the NHS will need just over 7,500 additional beds. If demand is similar to 2018/19, then this figure rises to 15,788 extra beds.

 President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Katherine Henderson said: “We are currently seeing record levels of attendances at Emergency Departments and if this continues into winter – an extremely likely situation – the NHS will have too few beds to be able to cope.

“The consequences of having too few beds could be dire. If we do not have the capacity to admit patients into hospitals, then A&E waiting times will go up, patients will end up being treated in corridors – a very real threat to their safety before the pandemic, but now with the added risk of hospital acquired infection – and the elective backlog will grow further as beds earmarked for surgeries will be used for emergency patients.”

The briefing also makes clear the relationship between high bed occupancy and an increased rate of cancelled elective operations.

Dr Henderson said: “Too few beds means higher rates of occupancy, which in itself puts patient safety at risk, but it is clear that this has a huge knock-on effect on elective care. Lack of beds is one of the top reasons for cancellation of surgeries and if we do not address the shortage now, before winter, the elective recovery will fail.

“We know that access to services is an issue throughout the NHS at the moment with resources short all-round, but Emergency Departments act as the safety net for the NHS – if they cannot function properly the entire system stalls – so it is vital that the new Secretary of State does all he can to enable the NHS to expand hospital capacity.

“The safe restoration of bed capacity to pre-pandemic levels is no easy fix though – as we’ve seen with the Nightingale initiative, capacity cannot be expanded if we do not have enough doctors, nurses, and clinicians.

“The capacity and staffing issues we face now have been over a decade in the making. Social care is still unfixed. Waiting lists are growing. Structural reconfiguration is in progress. Covid is less of an immediate threat but is unlikely to disappear. The Secretary of State has much to do, but he must start by making the beds.”

More than one in 10 older people in Wolverhampton have still not had their life-saving Covid-19 jab, putting themselves at risk of severe illness from the deadly virus.

Vaccines are now available to all adults in England – and latest figures show that almost 87% of people aged 50 and over in Wolverhampton have received at least one jab.

But that means around 12,500 people have not yet been vaccinated and, with infection rates rising once more, they remain at greater risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and even death.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The World Health Organization says that older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness from Covid-19.

“It is great news that the vaccine is now available to all adults in the city, and we want to make sure that older people do not get left behind.

“Around 85,500 residents aged 50-plus have now received the life-saving vaccine – but more than 12,500 people haven’t come forward yet.

“With older people being more vulnerable to Covid-19, it is vital that they get the protection they need by having their vaccination.

“So, if you’ve not had your jab yet, now is the time. Not only will the vaccination help to protect you from severe illness, hospitalisation or even death, it will help to protect others around you too by reducing the chance of passing the virus on.” Anyone over the age of 18 can book their vaccinations online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling the NHS on 119.

Health education service Menopause Experts launches today, offering free training and resources to women — and men!

The company offers comprehensive, trustworthy and up-to-date information to help women understand and manage often debilitating symptoms like forgetfulness, hot flushes, headaches, itchy skin, night sweats, brain fog and low or non-existent sex drive.

Menopause Experts training is completely free, making vital information available to all people whatever their ability to pay. In comparison, private consultations with some menopause doctors cost around £275 for an initial consultation.

It’s also the first menopause service to provide advice and tips to men, recognising the importance of including husbands, partners and workmates in the conversation.

Free training includes information on the biology of the female body and the effects that declining hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone have on women’s health. It examines the pros and cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and looks at alternative ways to manage symptoms through diet and lifestyle.

Former chief officer of doctors’ union the British Medical Association Dr Helena McKeown is joining the board of directors to help educate GPs and other clinicians about menopause.

Menopause Experts offers free podcasts, with recent subjects including Sex and the menopause. Free blogs discuss subjects like Hair loss (every woman's nightmare) and also Psychological Issues relating to menopause. 

The digital magazine Menopause Life is free and includes recipes, articles on exercise and foods that can alleviate unwanted symptoms. There is even a light-hearted look at menopause, a regular column written by comedian Mel Byron.

Dee Murray, founder and CEO at Menopause Experts, said: “Menopause is one of the last taboos in women’s health, and it’s about time we were all talking about it - women and men. Until now we were all seen as mad old women, that is about to change!

“We’re on a mission to offer the best advice and tips available, working with our panel of experts to dispel myths and outdated fears that make life harder for women in the workplace and at home. Though half of the population will never have to deal with menopause themselves, nearly every man will know someone who is going through it, or has gone through it, though they may not yet recognise it as menopause symptoms.

“Teaching husbands, partners and co-workers about menopause is vital if we are going to remove the stigma surrounding what is a big part of a woman's life. Understanding menopause and the impact, may save a career, marriage or even a life! The menopause revolution starts here.

“If you’re going through menopause, know someone who might be, or just want to learn more, have a look at our free podcasts, blogs and advice.”