Health & Wellbeing

In a new guide just published in the journal Anaesthesia, a leading group of professional medical organisations, are calling for the NHS to use new standards to manage surgical patients who have previously had COVID.

The guidance produced by the Centre for Perioperative Care, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Association of Anaesthetists and the Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations advises patients to wait or risk higher mortality rates. An estimated 15-20% of UK adults have contracted COVID during the pandemic. As the NHS begins to tackle the backlog of surgery, this guide will help inform the decisions of those patients who need an operation in the near to medium-term future.

With some studies suggesting a 10-fold increase in death for adults having an operation around the time of getting an active COVID infection, compared with non-COVID patients. It is vital that this group of patients receives surgery that is as safe as possible and appropriate for them.

The guidance is informed by academic studies and the latest data from the COVIDSurg group.

Key Guidance points:

1.    Emergency surgery, even for a patient without a PCR positive test should proceed with full COVID precautions.

2.    For elective or planned surgery, a delay of seven weeks after infection is recommended, including for people who are otherwise asymptomatic (but have had a positive test).

3.    There should be an individual assessment and longer preparation time for COVID patients who have recently been treated with steroids or who have had on-going or previously severe COVID symptoms.

4.    Timing of surgery following a COVID infection should involve shared decision-making between the patient and their healthcare team – this includes discussions about the risks and benefits of operating, alternatives to surgery, and doing nothing. This is particularly important as the health of many patients may have deteriorated during the pandemic

5.    All patients should use the time before their surgery to better prepare for their procedure, e.g. by gradually improving their fitness or by stopping smoking, as this greatly reduces complications after operations, especially if they have other medical problems. It is important that we change the patient’s perception, so they see this period not as waiting time but preparation time.  

Mrs Scarlett McNally, Deputy Director of the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) and Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon said: “This guidance is invaluable for the teams trying to plan care. One in ten patients with COVID will need specialised input and the guide is clear on who this affects. For all patients, we need to move towards a model where ‘waiting lists’ for surgery become ‘preparation lists’ – where patients use this time to get as fit as possible for their surgery. 

“Evidence shows that simple interventions such as a daily walk, practicing sit-to-stand exercises and having medication reviewed can reduce complications by between 30%-80%.  Patients who have had COVID have been through enough – we now need to help empower them through shared-decision making and making best use of their waiting period to have the best possible outcome following their surgery.”

Consultant Anaesthetist and lead clinician for the guidance, Dr Kariem El-Boghdadly, commented: “We have a growing number of patients that need surgical care and a growing number of patients who have had COVID-19. What we wanted to do is ensure that these patients receive the safest surgical care possible in the face of previous COVID-19 infection. We need to get through the NHS waiting lists as safely as we can and we hope this new guidance will help us achieve that for all our patients.” 

Renovation work has begun at Bradley Community Resource Centre.

The remodelling and redecoration of the facility in Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands, will ensure the reablement service can continue supporting people to regain their mobility and independence before returning home from a hospital stay.

Some £75,000 is being invested to improve access within the Lord Street facility, as well as replacing flooring, installing new hygiene facilities and redecorating the building.

Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Bradley Community Resource Centre plays a really important role in helping people make a successful transition from hospital to home, helping them regain skills and independence they may have lost while they were in hospital.

"The staff there have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to ensure the centre has remained operational throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and their energy and commitment towards the elderly and vulnerable people who needed their help has been absolutely amazing.

"I am pleased that we are now able to proceed with this renovation work which will improve the experience for everyone who uses the building, whether they are staff or service users."

The centre will continue to provide reablement services while the improvement work is carried out.

People aged over 50 in England are now being invited to book their appointment for a Covid vaccine.

This is the final group on the priority list which covers 99% of those at high risk of dying from Covid-19. Everyone in the top nine priority groups should be offered a second dose by mid-July, up to 12 weeks after the first.

Nearly half of the UK adult population has had a jab - more than 24 million people. Around 1.6 million people have also had a second dose.

In Northern Ireland and some areas of Scotland, the over-50s are already being offered a Covid vaccine. Parts of England may already have started offering it to this age group too. It is 100 days since Margaret Keenan became the first person in the UK to be vaccinated against Covid outside of clinical trials.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I'm determined no-one should miss out on the chance to protect themselves and urge everyone who is eligible to come forward." Two million text messages are being sent out to those aged 50-54 in England with a link allowing people to book an appointment through the national booking service website. People who cannot go online can call the service on 119.

The expansion of the Covid vaccine rollout comes after the government reassured people the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine - one of two being given to people in the UK - was safe, after 13 countries paused their use of it. The EU's regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), release the findings of its investigation into a small number of cases of blood clots in vaccinated people.

The UK medicines regulator, the MHRA, and Downing Street has said there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine is linked to the clots. Mr Hancock urged people to listen to the regulators and to "get the jab" as soon as they got the opportunity.

Returning to the workplace is as important to furloughed workers’ mental health as having a job¹, according to new research by the world’s largest job site Indeed.

A YouGov survey of UK employers and employees for Indeed analysed how the pandemic has affected their mental health a year on from the first lockdown, with full results outlined in its ‘Working on Wellbeing’ report. 

The findings suggest the 2021 lockdown has been more difficult than last year’s, with 44% of all employees saying their mental health is worse now than when restrictions were in place last spring. Only 15% of workers said their mental health is better than it was this time last year. 

This is especially the case for women, 50% of whom say their mental health is worse now than last year, compared to 38% of men. The findings align with data released by the ONS which showed women’s well-being was more negatively affected than men’s during the first year of the pandemic, with women more likely to be furloughed, spend more time on unpaid household work and childcare, and less time working from home². 

Furloughed workers are struggling marginally more than those still in work. 51% of full-time furloughed workers say their mental health is worse than it was during the first lockdown, along with 57% of workers who are furloughed on a part-time basis. 

Nearly two in five (38%) furloughed employees say returning to the workplace will improve their mental health, with the same proportion feeling their mental wellbeing would be boosted if they had greater certainty about their employment. 

Overall, 41% of all workers expect their mental health will improve in the next three to six months, with the easing of lockdown restrictions helping the most. 

Joe Wicks, often referred to as The Body Coach, has contributed his top tips for mental wellbeing to Indeed’s mental health report, and suggests talking with family, friends and work colleagues about how you are feeling can help. This may be particularly important in the coming months, as people who have been working from home all year start to return to the workplace. 

The pandemic has accelerated working from home and flexible working trends - but employees and bosses alike are largely in agreement that while the workplace may change to adopt some of these habits, they mostly want things to return to normal. 

Almost a third of workers (31%) said they eventually want their worklife to return to exactly how it was before the pandemic, while an additional 44% want their worklife to return largely to the way it was.

Employees’ expectations are broadly in line with those of their employers, with almost half of bosses (47%) saying their workplace will mostly go back to normal, but there will still be some changes. 

Bill Richards, UK managing director at global job site Indeed, comments: “The most recent lockdown has taken its toll on many employees’ mental health, with 44% saying they’re doing worse now than when restrictions came into force a year ago.

“The good news is that many are also feeling optimistic that their mental health will soon improve, thanks to the easing of restrictions and the prospect of a return to the workplace. For furloughed workers, the prospect of getting back into the routine of work looks set to have an uplifting effect on their wellbeing. 

“During the pandemic, flexible working has been highly valued by employees who have been able to work from home or adjust their working hours, and we know such flexibility can help to improve people’s mental health and boost productivity.  It is therefore essential that as people return to the workplace, employers continue to communicate with the employees about mental health and build a culture where workers feel supported and are comfortable finding out if their company offers flexible working options which could help them.” 

Fitness coach Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, comments: “One thing I think is more important than ever right now is communicating how you feel with friends and family or work colleagues. 

“A lot of people are suffering with feelings of anxiety and depression and bottling up a lot of emotion. It’s essential for your mental health to know you are not alone and to communicate your feelings. Staying connected with friends or family and letting it out will really help you realise that you are not feeling it alone.” 

Joe Wicks’ top tips for improving mental health and wellbeing:

1.    Sleep is your best friend - “It’s so easy to get into a routine of having little sleep and we just try to push on but sleep really is essential especially for our mental health. Studies have shown the importance of sleep for our stress levels and a link between lack of sleep and depression. If you struggle with getting a good night’s sleep and know it could be better, this should be your number one priority.”

2.    You’ll never regret a workout - “I’m a big believer in the power of a morning workout to set you up for a positive and energised day but the truth is exercise is good for you any time of the day, so I suggest exercising at the time you feel most energised.”

3.    Prep like a boss - “Since the very start of my journey on social media I’ve been highlighting the importance of meal prepping like a boss to get lean and healthy. Batch cooking big meals like homemade chilli, Bolognese, risotto or soups and stews means you are literally setting yourself up for success.”

4.    Hydrate for the win - “Many people do not hydrate enough. Everything in the body functions better when we are properly hydrated. It helps with feelings of hunger but also helps with your energy, focus and concentration.” 

5.    Stay connected and keep talking - “I had a cry on a live Instagram one night in front of 5000 people and I felt absolutely fantastic after. It’s okay to feel emotional and to let that show. Having a good cry or a talk will release that energy and you’ll always feel better afterwards.” 

A recent High Court case which decided who should inherit the estates of a married couple who died within months of each other, has brought into focus the importance of drafting a fully comprehensive will which covers various eventualities.

The case shows what can happen when a deceased spouse leaves everything to their partner with no provision for what happens to their estate if their partner has already died.

Specialist private client lawyers say a good will should deal with various ‘what if’ scenarios including what would happen if the spouse does not survive.

Carol Cummins, private wealth team leader at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, said: “This case is the perfect illustration of how a will should make your wishes explicitly clear, rather than your surviving family having to second guess the deceased’s wishes. It consequently reduces the likelihood of disputes. The family in this case appears to be a close one but they still end up having to have their disagreements settled by the court.”

The case decided on the distribution of the estates of a married couple Margaret and Alan, who each died within months of each other at the age of 71 in 2019. The couple had no children and each left behind a will appointing the other as the sole executor and sole beneficiary.

When Margaret died of cancer in February 2019, Alan visited his solicitor to make a new will but did not execute it before he died of a heart attack in May 2019. This meant that Alan’s estate, including that which he inherited from his wife, passed under the laws of intestacy to his next of kin, namely his brother, sister and nephews.

The dispute arose when Margaret’s brother and sister claimed the couple made “deathbed” gifts to them before they died, but Judge Jarman QC ruled that the purported gifts did not meet the definition of deathbed gifts. As Alan had not updated his will following his wife’s death, his entire estate was distributed according to the law of intestacy because his will did not provide for what should happen if he died after his wife.

Carol continued: “A good will should deal with any number of ‘what if’ scenarios. The likelihood of the sole beneficiary, whether that be a spouse or otherwise, also dying at the same time or shortly after is a big consideration.

“It is really important to deal with this in the will rather than relying on the surviving spouse to make a new will as they might not get around to it quickly enough, as here, or they might lose mental capacity and be unable to make a will.”

Clarke Willmott has recently launched its #GoodWill campaign which aims to encourage people to take steps to safeguard their family’s future wealth by pledging that they will make a will this year. The firm has developed a free, online ‘Which Will?’ tool to help people that prompts the user to think about what is important to them when making a will and recommends which will best meets their needs.   

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.   

Haringey have expanded its rapid Lateral Flow Device (LTD) testing capacity, for those not showing any signs of having the virus, with the addition of a new site in Tottenham Green Leisure Centre. 

Residents across the borough have worked so hard to contain the spread of the virus and the addition of this new testing centre will only help as we look to contain the number of positive cases.

The new facility, at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, is open between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, bringing the total number of rapid testing centres across the borough to four and improves access to rapid testing for residents living in the east of the borough.

Opening hours for the four lateral flow test centres will be as follows:

Tottenham Green Leisure Centre: Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wood Green: Monday – Friday, 11am to 7pm
Tottenham Community Sports Centre: Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm
Alexandra Palace: Saturday – Wednesday 10am to 6pm

The new centre opens as schools return to face-to-face teaching tomorrow.

In line with this, the Government is expanding twice-weekly LTD testing, to all households with primary, secondary and college age children and young people, including childcare and support bubbles. This is to help find more Covid-19 cases and break chains of transmission.  

Twice-weekly testing will also be offered to adults working in the wider school community, including bus drivers and after school club leaders.  As with student testing, this is encouraged but not mandatory.  

About one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on to others. Regular testing can help stop this transmission. Hundreds of positive COVID-19 cases have already been detected using lateral flow testing in Haringey.  

The tests are free, no appointment is needed, and you get a result 30 minutes after taking the test.

The government has recommended that NHS staff in England should receive a 1% pay increase this year. Many other public-sector workers will have their pay frozen, with the government warning that the country's finances are under "huge pressure" because of the pandemic.

Health unions have criticised the 1% pay proposal and one - representing nurses - is calling for a 12.5% increase instead. Around half of all public-sector workers, including NHS staff, police officers and teachers, have their salaries negotiated by independent pay-review bodies. These pay bodies - made up of individuals not directly attached to the relevant department but with experience in economics and employee relations - work with government departments, unions and other groups to come up with a recommendation on how pay should change each year.

This recommendation is non-binding.

In November, the government announced that public-sector workers would have their pay frozen in 2021-22. The exception was for those on salaries under £24,000 and NHS staff.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) gave its evidence to the NHS pay-review body. This particular body looks at almost 1.5 million people, including nurses, midwives and health assistants, working for the NHS across the UK. They do not include doctors, dentists and some senior staff, who have their own pay bodies or agreements.

Effectively, this evidence - laid out in a 115-page document - outlines what the government thinks would be a suitable pay increase for the coming year. It recommends a 1% pay rise across the board for 2021-22, citing the "uncertain" financial situation and current low inflation.

Inflation is under 1% but the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that it will rise to 1.5% this year, which would make the 1% increase a real-terms cut. The pay-review body will now take evidence from other groups, including unions and NHS bodies, and do its own calculations before making its recommendation around May. It could recommend a larger pay increase, but the DHSC has said anything more than 1% would require "reprioritisation" of the NHS budget.

Speaking at Friday's Downing Street briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the pay award reflected the difficult financial circumstances the country is in.

He said: "One of the challenges we've faced as a country is in terms of the financial consequences of the pandemic. We've proposed what we think is affordable to make sure in the NHS people do get a pay rise."

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) called the recommended 1% pay rise "pitiful", arguing that its members should get 12.5% instead.

Any increase in salaries is expensive because of the huge number of staff working in the health service. Currently almost half the NHS's budget goes on staffing costs - a total of £56.1bn. So a 1% pay increase across the board would equate to more than £500m a year.

In theory, the pay-review bodies make recommendations for all staff across the UK.

However, it is up to the individual UK nations to decide whether to accept them. In Scotland, health and social care staff have already received a one-off "Covid" payment of up to £500. They also received a 1% "interim" pay increase for this year, a placeholder until a final decision is made. The Welsh government said it has "tried not to set a ceiling" on its recommendation to the pay-review body.

In 2010-11, it was decided that pay would be frozen for all public-sector workers as part of government austerity measures. Strict pay freezes or pay caps were implemented until 2018-19, when the government removed these limits and a three-year pay agreement was implemented for NHS staff in England.

But the impact of inflation means that over the whole period some salaries are worth less than they were a decade ago. For example, a newly qualified nurse starting in 2020-21 would be earning about 3% less than one who started in 2010-11, once we account for inflation and the impact of pay freezes and caps.

Nurses are just one part of the NHS workforce and the pay agreement implemented in 2018-19 affected different staff members in different ways. For example, the agreement meant the wages of those in the very lowest pay band, such as housekeeping or security staff, increased by almost 30% over the past three years.

Staff at the top of their pay bands would have had a smaller pay increase. And it's important to point out that the pay of many NHS staff increases automatically each year anyway, as their experience grows and they move up within pay bands.

As in Scotland, the NHS in Wales and Northern Ireland is run by the devolved administrations.

Diabetes UK, in partnership with Sport England, have launched an initiative to encourage and support people living with diabetes across the region get more active.

Moving more when you have diabetes is an important way of managing your condition and making a few small changes in your daily life can give your health a real boost. Some of the many benefits of physical activity include helping the body use insulin better, helping to look after your blood pressure as high blood pressure increases your risk of diabetes complications, and helping you lose weight if you need to.

Despite this, we know many people can find it difficult to start moving more, worrying that it can be too tiring or cause hypos. That’s why Diabetes UK have partnered with Sport England to help build confidence and provide support.

Peter Shorrick DMS, MBA, Midlands and East Regional Head at Diabetes UK, said: “With more than 670,000 people living with a diabetes diagnosis in the Midlands it’s crucial they find a way to include activity to help live a healthier life.

“I really hope people take up this opportunity to learn more about the benefits of moving more and start making small changes to how much activity they do. Many of us have felt anxious, worried and unable to keep active during the coronavirus pandemic, it really has never been more important to introduce activity for both a healthy body and a healthy mind.”

Taking those first steps to a healthier life can be tough, but we at Diabetes UK understand that and have introduced support to make the journey easier.

A University of Wolverhampton student will be shining the spotlight on mental health at a national conference later this year. 

Rianne Soleil, 27 from Lichfield, is studying for a Master’s degree in Adult Nursing and is in the final year of a two year accelerated programme of study.  She will share her experience at the conference to give an understanding of the challenges faced by students continuing their academic studies during a pandemic, focusing on how they have adapted to new working conditions and facing the pandemic on the frontline as well as exploring the broader impact on student life in particular access to resources as well as social interaction. 

The event, which reaches a wide-ranging national audience of Higher Education staff and providers, will explore the impact lockdown and isolation has had on student wellbeing and the transition to online learning.  It will explore the positives and negatives, the systems in place to support staff, the importance of building inclusive online communities and focus on ensuring at-risk students are supported. 

Rianne said: “Probably without exception this year has been extremely challenging for everyone; the pandemic has caused a shift in the delivery of higher education and together we have been challenged to adapt.  With the help of lecturing staff, my position as course representative has allowed me to support my colleagues as we find ways to best navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic. I look forward to the opportunity to share some of the unique experiences and perspectives that my colleagues and I have had following our university course during these times.” 

Clare Dickens, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and University of Wolverhampton Health and Wellbeing Academic Lead and Independent Chair of Wolverhampton’s Suicide Prevention Stakeholder’s Forum, said: “I’m delighted that Rianne has been given the opportunity to present the student voice at this national conference. 

“Rianne has worked diligently as a course representative with our Students’ Union and has managed this intelligently and collaboratively, as well as being a considerable force for the enhancement of mental health support for students. 

“The Conference aim is to explore mental health in Higher Education in the midst of and beyond Covid-19, and as Chair for the day, I wanted attendees to hear directly from students – it's really important that we focus on what their view of educational excellence is and what good mental health support looks and feels like.” 

A panel of expert speakers will offer insight during the day long conference as follows: 

·         Kathryn Mitchell, Vice Chancellor, University of Derby 

·         Ross Renton, Principal, ARU Peterborough 

·         Dr Anna Matthews, Chair, UMHAN 

·         Professor Keith McLay, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Derby 

·         Hannah Robinson, Academic Registrar, University of Derby 

·         Jonathan Rhodes, Educational Developer, University of Wolverhampton 

·         Robyn Guillaume-Smith, Senior Programme Officer - Mentally Healthy Universities, Mind 

·         Clare Dickens, Academic Lead Mental Health, University of Wolverhampton 

·         Leigh Spanner, Sector Improvement Lead, Student Minds 

·         Christopher Tucker, Director of Residence Life, University of Edinburgh 

·         Dr Dominique Thompson, Author and Consultant, Buzz Consulting 

·         Lesley O'Keeffe, Registrar, Brunel University London 

·         Mette Westander, Founding Director, Disabled Students UK

·         Jon Rhodes, Educational Developer (CoLT ).  University of Wolverhampton   

The Mental Health in Higher Education Conference will take place virtually and will be broadcast live on Monday April 26. 

Only 46% of those working from home are sitting at a desk, risking severe back issues alongside other health problems caused by working from home, according to a survey carried out by B2B furniture ecommerce site Furniture At Work.

The research, which surveyed 2,000 office-based workers who’d been forced into home working, found that men (55%) are more likely to have a desk for working from home than women (41%), whereas nearly one-in-five (18%) 16 to 24-year-olds said they regularly worked from their bed. It’s not just our working environments that could be affecting our health when working from home.

There’s also been a change to eating habits, with only 26% saying they’d managed to improve their diet when working at home and 37% saying they’d eaten more unhealthy food. When it came to physical activity and fitness, 37% of respondents said they were doing less exercise when working from home, added to the lack of a commute for employees and almost four-in-ten people have become much less physically active since they started working from home.

The survey also found a difference between males and females when it came to their health. Men were finding more time to do exercise, with 27% managing over half an hour a day, compared to just 19% of women. Some of this may be explained by the disproportionate amount of time spent on household tasks, women were much more likely to spend time doing laundry (60% of women to 42% of men), cleaning the house (44% compared to 35%) and washing dishes (53% to 42%).

Furniture At Work have commented on the findings: “Working from home was forced upon a large percentage of the UK’s population last year, with many of us feeling unprepared to turn our homes into an office. Unfortunately, this means that over half of the usually office-based population have been left working from kitchen tables, sofas and even their beds, leading to serious concerns about how this could affect the physical health of workers.

“Add to this the fact that only 22% of workers are managing over 30 minutes exercise a day and we can see that the health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could be much further reaching than first thought. It’s up to employers to help support their teams and ensure their workspace is suitable and safe”.

A new mobile testing unit has hit the road to make rapid Covid-19 testing even more accessible to people in Wolverhampton. Anyone without symptoms of Covid-19 is invited to get tested at the mobile unit which is in the car park of Bantock Park until Sunday 7 March. It will move to another location in the city next week.

Following a pilot this afternoon, rapid testing will be available at Bantock Park from 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm each day until Sunday. Testing is free and people don't need to book in advance. Results will be received within an hour.

Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health John Denley said: “As many as one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms, but they could still be infectious to others and that's why regular testing is so important.

"We have worked hard to make testing as accessible as possible. We have already set up public rapid test centres at six locations around Wolverhampton and supported local businesses to introduce rapid testing on site. The deployment of this mobile test unit, which is at Bantock Park for the next few days and will move to another part of the city next week, will mean that more people can get tested closer to home.

"Regular testing is a key component of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown and I would urge anyone without symptoms of Covid-19 to come along to the mobile test centre at Bantock Park, or indeed to any of our other test sites, and get a free test. Chances are you won't have Covid-19, but if you do you will be able to self-isolate and prevent the spread of the virus to others. Ultimately, you will also be playing your part in helping to get the country out of lockdown."

As well as Bantock Park, free rapid testing for people without symptoms of Covid-19 is available at:

·         The Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm

·         The Jamia Masjid Bilal, Newhampton Road West, 10am-6.30pm daily

·         Pendeford Library, Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm

·         The Hub at Ashmore Park, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-6pm

·         St Joseph’s Church, Willenhall Road, Monday-Friday, 2pm-6pm

·         Bilston Community Centre, Prouds Lane, Thursday, Friday and Monday, 8am-4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm.

People who are classed as 'critical workers' and are unable to work from home have priority access to rapid testing at the Civic Centre between 8am and 9am, Monday to Friday; Pendeford Library from 7am-10am and 4pm-6pm, Monday to Friday; and Bilston Community Centre between 8am and 9am Monday, Thursday and Friday. Workers are asked to bring a form of ID to prove eligibility.

John added: "Please remember that, even if you have had the vaccination, it's important to get tested regularly – and that you must continue to follow Government restrictions and guidance. Keep your distance from others, wear a face covering and wash your hands or use hand sanitiser so that we can defeat this virus." Over 60,000 rapid tests have been completed in Wolverhampton, with nearly 2,000 positive cases being found. These individuals have self-isolated, preventing the spread of the virus to others.

A new poll commissioned by Bowel Cancer UK reveals that two thirds of adults living in the West Midlands (66%) are not aware regular exercise could help to reduce the risk of bowel cancer – the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Every year more than 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in the UK.  Research shows that taking part in regular physical activity - at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week - can lower your risk of bowel cancer by up to 50%. However, on average only six out of ten adults are reaching this target.

Today Bowel Cancer UK has published findings of its new poll of more than 4,000 UK adults to launch the charity’s latest fundraising challenge, Step up for 30, and is encouraging people from the West Midlands to take up regular exercise to reduce their risk of bowel cancer. It’s really simple, just get sponsored to be active every day in April, as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Bowel Cancer UK’s newest patron and the host of BBC’s You, Me and the Big C podcast Deborah James (@Bowelbabe) is supporting Step up for 30. She says: “Being active is really important and helps me to recover from treatment more quickly, boosts my mood and I sleep better. It’s great for my mental health too. I’m a keen runner but if that isn’t for you then a brisk walk, an online yoga or dance class, or bike ride are brilliant ways to be more active.

As a Bowel Cancer UK patron, I’m proud to support this campaign and encourage everyone to sign up to the challenge.” Personal trainer to Hollywood stars like Matt Le Blanc, Fabrice Le Physique (@Fabricelephysique) is lending his support to the campaign: “Staying motivated for a whole month can be a real challenge, but having a goal can help you stay focused.

“Trying new ways of being active will keep it fun and interesting, like an online barre class, hoola-hooping or skipping in a local green space. I’ll be providing online workouts for mixed abilities throughout April for Step up for 30, which will help you stay motivated too.”

A staggering 3,800 people with dementia are estimated to have died from coronavirus in the West Midlands since the pandemic hit the UK in full force in March 2020. They are among more than 34,000 with the condition to have died in England and Wales from Covid-19, making people with dementia the worst hit by coronavirus.

In addition, new calculations from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that deaths of care home residents, where at least 70% of people have dementia, are 30% higher than previously thought. There have been almost 12,000 (11,624) deaths since January 2021, which includes care home residents who have died in hospitals or elsewhere.

A coalition of dementia organisations including Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, John’s Campaign and TIDE (together in dementia everyday), have come together to say never again will those affected face such hardship and loss. Alzheimer’s Society’s investigation has shown the pandemic’s toll goes even further than deaths from the virus.

In a survey of 1,001 people who care for a family member, partner or someone close to them with dementia, an overwhelming 92% said the pandemic had accelerated their loved one’s dementia symptoms; 28% of family carers said they’d seen an ‘unmanageable decline’ in their health, while Alzheimer’s Society’s support services have been used over 3.6 million times since the pandemic began. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect support line has been flooded with calls from relatives revealing how quickly their loved ones are going downhill, losing their abilities to talk or feed themselves.

Nearly a third (32%) of those who lost a loved one during the pandemic thought that isolation/lack of social contact was a significant factor in that loss. People with dementia in care homes have been cut off from their loved ones for almost a year, contributing to a massive deterioration in their health.

A third (31%) reported a more rapid increase in loved ones’ difficulty speaking and holding a conversation, and quarter (25%) in eating by themselves. Only 13% of people surveyed have been able to go inside their loved one’s care home since the pandemic began. Almost a quarter (24%) haven’t been able to see their loved one at all for over six months. Alzheimer’s Society is calling for meaningful – close contact, indoor – visits to be the default position without delay from 8 March.

Jules Walton, from Stratford Upon Avon in Warwickshire, West Midlands, has not been able to hold her mother, Ann, since February 2020 when her care home imposed strict lockdown rules to protect residents from coronavirus. Ann, 78, who is a resident at a care home in Worcestershire, has required 24-7 care since being diagnosed with dementia in March 2018.

Jules said: “Mum first began showing signs of dementia eight years ago. She forgot her parents had died and was asking to ‘go home’ when she was at home. After suffering a mini-stroke in March 2018, mum was offered a place in the nursing home.

“It was a distressing time for all of us, fighting for a diagnosis, knowing what a tough road we had ahead of us. The pressure her dementia put on everyone was crushing, including our dad, who really struggled at first. When we were told in mid-February 2020 that the home was barring all visitors, of course it made sense for them to put the wellbeing of their residents first. Not seeing mum was like a knife in our hearts, but we knew this was for her benefit, and the benefit of all the residents. We can do window visits to the home and video calls, but you just don’t know whether this will cause any upset or confusion, not to mention how this leaves you feeling personally.”

Dementia organisations, including this coalition, joined forces as One Dementia Voice in July 2020 to call for designated family carers to be given key worker status to enable care home visits to loved ones. Family carers are integral to the care system, and to the people for whom they care - it’s they who know how to get their loved ones to eat, drink, take medicine - and are often the first to know when something is wrong.

While the Government recently announced that indoor visits will restart for one family member from 8 March, the coalition emphasises that this must be the default position and that blanket bans on visitors (where there is no coronavirus outbreak) are unacceptable. The pandemic has not just hit those in care homes.

With 470,000 people with dementia living in the community, many are reliant on unpaid family carers for support. 42% of these carers say lockdown has caused a rapid increase in feelings of depression in their loved one, while over half (54%) say they’ve seen a rapid loss of memory. Carers themselves have been hugely affected – seven out of ten (73%) say that the last year has negatively impacted their mental and physical health with anxiety (42%) and exhaustion (34%) the most cited symptoms. Over half (54%) saying that the pandemic has left them feeling less able to care for their loved one.

Janice Le Tellier, Area Manager for Midlands Central at Alzheimer’s Society said: “Covid has shattered the lives of so many people with dementia, worst hit by the pandemic - lives taken by the virus itself, and many more prematurely taken due to increased dementia symptoms and, in part, loneliness. Each one leaves behind a grieving family.

“Family carers, too, have been buckling under the strain. We urge the Government to support people affected by dementia whose lives have been upended, putting recovery plans in place, but also making the legacy of Covid-19 a social care system that cares for the most vulnerable when they need it.”

Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, John’s Campaign and TIDE (together in dementia everyday) are calling for:

·         A Recovery Plan with the needs of people affected by dementia at their heart.

·         Meaningful – close contact, indoor – visits to be the default position without delay from 8 March.

·         An end to blanket bans on care home visits where there is no active outbreak.

·         A recognition that family carers are integral to the care system.

·         Family carers to register their carer status with GP surgeries to ensure they get vaccination priority, and call on NHS England to ensure all surgeries enable this

·         Universal social care that we can all be proud of, free at point of use, like the NHS, like education – and providing quality care for every person with dementia who needs it.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect Support line is available seven days a week, providing information and practical support for people affected by dementia.

The average British parent loses two whole weeks of sleep per year because their baby won’t settle down at night, according to new research.

Mums and dads spend 2.5 full days discussing their little one’s bedtime habits every year, the poll by Silentnight Safe Nights reveals.

Hearing that a baby sleeps well is the subject that makes British parents most envious of other people’s children, even outranking major milestones such as walking, according to the research.

Data from the survey shows the average parent spends hours chatting about their baby’s sleep at a time, with 3 in 10 discussing it several times per day. The average parent spends a total of two and a half full days chatting about baby bedtimes during their child’s first year alone.

Lucy Shrimpton, professional children’s sleep consultant and founder of The Sleep Nanny®, said: “Getting your baby into a regular sleep pattern where they sleep through the night is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges that new parents face.

“If a baby has a continual period of poor nights’ sleep, this will have a huge impact on the mental wellbeing of the whole family so it’s hugely important for parents to seek help when they need and invest in simple, soothing products, such as the Silentnight Safe nights collection, that will make a difference and help provide optimum comfort and cafe.”  

Sleep isn’t just a frequently discussed topic; it’s also a subject that can strike envy in the hearts of mums and dads nationwide.

Silentnight’s Safe Nights’ research identified what makes parents most jealous of other people’s babies  - ‘they never wake in the night’ (41%), ‘they sleep for a long time’ (37%) and ‘they nap during the day’ (25%) all create the most parental envy.

Sleep issues even outranked some of life’s major baby milestones in importance among parents -  including ‘they learnt to walk easily’ (21 per cent), ‘they’re not fussy eaters’ (34 per cent), ‘they’re rarely sick’ (24 per cent) and ‘they started talking’ (25 per cent).

Silentnight Safe Nights found that frustration at a baby struggling to sleep is leading some parents to despair - a quarter of mothers and fathers (24 per cent) cry at least once a week because baby can’t be settled into slumber.

And that means the average mum or dad loses 6.2 hours sleep per week due to their baby not nodding off. That’s a whopping two-weeks-worth of sleep missed each year!

Silentnight’s Safe Night’s collection features a full suite of products including pregnancy and nursing pillows, sleep bags, swaddle wraps, hooded bath towels and fitted sheets that are each designed to support healthy, happy sleep for babies – as well as to make parents’ lives easier by helping their little one head to the land of nod safely and without stress.

The Silentnight Safe Nights collection also researched the nation’s favourite lullabies. While classics like Rocka Bye Baby and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star retain their popularity, a quarter of parents now opt for Beyoncé or Ed Sheeran while serenading their baby to sleep.

Lucy Shrimpton added: “Gentle, soothing lullabies can certainly help calm a baby into sleep but my biggest piece of advice would be to get into a consistent bedtime routine with products that support you and your baby and stick to it.

“Don’t be tempted to put them to sleep later as this will only lead to over tiredness which is the root of all sleep problems.

“Helping your baby settle to sleep without doing it entirely for them is a great way to support their development of healthy sleep for the long term. Keep nap times consistent during the day and continue these naps until they are around three to four years old.

“Keep positive and don’t beat yourself up by comparing yourself to other parents; remember every child is different and needs their own unique sleep solution, for instance a sleep bag or a swaddle wraps, to help them get a great night’s sleep.”

For more information on Silentnight’s Safe Nights collection, please click here.

The collection has also partnered with Netmums and Lucy Shrimpton to provide a sleep bible for parents seeking advice on all things baby sleep. Please click here for further information.

Top 10 Most Discussed Parental Topics

1.    Children’s bedtime

2.    The amount of and quality of baby’s sleep

3.    Children’s diet

4.    Weaning and feeding

5.    Breastfeeding

6.    Napping schedules

7.    Walking and crawling

8.    Developmental milestones

9.    Mum and dad’s lack of sleep

10. Vaccinations

The Top 10 Bedtime Lullabies

1.    Twinkle twinkle little star

2.    Rocka Bye Baby

3.    Hush Little Baby

4.    Baa baa black sleep

5.    You Are My Sunshine

6.    Row, Row, Row Your Boat

7.    A pop song by Beyonce Or Ed Sheeran

8.    Over The Rainbow

9.    Brahm’s Lullaby

10. Frere Jacque

China has denied that it required US diplomats to undergo anal swab tests for coronavirus.

US media reported that diplomats had complained after being made to undergo the procedure. Some Chinese cities have introduced anal swabs, with experts there claiming they can "increase the detection rate of infected people".

The country has largely brought the virus under control.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian denied the claims on Thursday, telling a press conference that "China has never required US diplomatic staff stationed in China to conduct anal swab tests".

It was recently reported that some workers had told the US state department that they had been subjected to the tests. Anal swabs involve inserting a cotton swab 3-5cm (1.2-2.0 inches) into the anus and gently rotating it. It is not known how many US diplomats may have had the test.

A state department spokesperson said: "The State Department never agreed to this kind of testing and protested directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when we learned that some staff were subject to it,"

The state department added that it was told by Beijing that the test was given "in error".

China introduced anal swabs in January. Li Tongzeng, a respiratory and infectious disease doctor in Beijing told state media that anal tests can avoid missing infections as virus traces are detectable for a longer time than the more common Covid tests used in the mouth and nose.

He did, however, emphasise that these tests were only needed for certain people such as those under quarantine.

Baggies legend Graham Williams has encouraged people to get the lifesaving Covid-19 vaccine. The West Bromwich Albion 1968 FA Cup winning captain, now aged 81, has received his vaccination.

He said: “It was absolutely nothing, there isn’t even a mark. Make sure you get your jab as soon as you are invited. It’s really easy and painless – and it’s our only way out of this terrible virus.” Graham's call comes as the government urges people aged 70 or over or clinically extremely vulnerable to book their vaccination if they haven't already received a jab or got an appointment.

Deputy Council Leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “It’s wonderful to have a local legend like Graham advocating the vaccine and he’s absolutely right – do make sure you take the opportunity when your turn comes.” The importance of getting vaccinated was echoed by medical professionals in Sandwell. Getting vaccinated reduces your chances of becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid-19.

Dr Simon Mitchell, Rowley Regis GP, said: "As a local GP, I would urge everyone in Sandwell to take up the opportunity of having the vaccine as soon as it is offered. The process is simple and safe. This is the single most important thing you can do now to protect yourself and we are here to help you."

And Lisa Tyler, Clinical Education Sister and vaccinator with Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: "I’m so proud to be involved in vaccinating our most vulnerable people, carers and NHS staff against the virus. It’s so important that everyone who is offered an appointment takes it and helps us end the pandemic and get our lives back to normal as soon as possible."

·        NHS reports are that uptake of the vaccine is very high – but we need everyone to have the vaccine when they are offered it. All approved vaccines have gone through clinical trials and rigorous safety checks by experts.

·        If you have had the vaccination, you must continue to follow government restrictions and guidance. Keep your distance from others, wear a face covering and wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly.

·        Be aware of scams relating to Covid-19 vaccinations. Your vaccination is FREE. The NHS will never ask for payment or for your bank details.

·        If you have Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature, a continuous cough, a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell – get tested immediately.

·        If you or anyone in your household have Covid-19 symptoms, you must self-isolate. If you test positive for Covid-19, you must self-isolate. If you are told to self-isolate, you must stay at home for at least 10 days. This means you should not go to work or exercise outside of your home.

Sandwell's director of public health, Dr Lisa McNally, said: "We're pleased to report that vaccination uptake is high in Sandwell. Older adults in particular have been enthusiastic  in their response. Having vaccine gives us back some control over what this awful virus can do to our health. The sooner we get everyone fully vaccinated with both doses the better.