The Heathrow COVID testing surveillance programme delivered by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will end. The programme was first introduced as a temporary measure in January 2023 to improve COVID surveillance of travellers arriving from China to Heathrow. The aim was to help strengthen the UK’s ability to rapidly detect potential new variants circulating in China. Throughout the programme an average of 99 people per flight were tested, a total of 3,374 total to date. Over this time, 14 positive cases were identified, none of which were variants of concern. In addition, passengers flying directly or indirectly from mainland…
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An initial investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found UnitedHealth’s £1.2bn deal to buy EMIS could reduce competition leading to worse outcomes for the NHS and ultimately patients and UK taxpayers. The NHS is increasingly seeking digital and data-driven solutions to help improve the delivery of healthcare in the UK. EMIS is a large and established supplier of data management systems to the NHS. This includes supplying the electronic patient record system used by the majority of NHS GPs in the UK. Optum, part of the US healthcare giant UnitedHealth, currently supplies software used by GPs when…
More than 1 million NHS staff in England will receive an additional pay rise as part of an offer made following talks between the government and Agenda for Change unions. In the last 2 weeks, the government has been holding formal negotiations with unions representing staff including nurses, paramedics, 999 call handlers, midwives, security guards and cleaners, to find a fair and reasonable way forward on pay. All parties committed to finding a fair deal for hardworking NHS staff, and a deal that also acknowledged the wider economic pressures facing the UK that would ensure we can deliver the Prime…
Residents of all ages and abilities are invited to get active as a new game gets underway in parts of Walsall. Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives by rewarding teams with points and prizes the further they walk, cycle and roll. The game launched on Wednesday 15 March at Bloxwich Active Living Centre, where attendees from supporting organisations heard from Dr William Bird MBE (CEO and founder of Beat the Street), followed by a demonstration of the game. Residents in Bentley, Birchills, Darlaston, Leamore…
Parents, over-50s, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions will have opportunities arising from changes announced in the Budget set to be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions. Overall, DWP measures at Budget represent an investment of £3.5 billion over five years to boost workforce participation and grow the economy. That includes: £2 billion investment in support for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. £900 million investment in support for parents on Universal Credit. £70 million investment in support for over-50s. £485 million investment in support for unemployed people and people who are on Universal Credit and…
Residents of all ages and abilities are invited to get active as a new game gets underway in parts of Walsall. Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives by rewarding teams with points and prizes the further they walk, cycle and roll. The game launched on Wednesday 15 March at Bloxwich Active Living Centre, where attendees from supporting organisations heard from Dr William Bird MBE (CEO and founder of Beat the Street), followed by a demonstration of the game. Residents in Bentley, Birchills, Darlaston, Leamore…
Twelve years of conflict, and the recent deadly earthquakes, have left millions of children in Syria at heightened risk of malnutrition, UNICEF warned today. As the conflict in Syria enters its 13th year on 15 March, hostilities continue unabated in several parts of the country, particularly in the northwest. Grave violations of children’s rights persist. Since the beginning of the conflict, close to 13,000 children in Syria have been killed or injured, according to UN data. Children continue to live in fear of attacks, displacement and malnutrition levels are on the rise. According to estimates, more than 609,900 children, under the age…
On 24 November 2022 the Economy and Environment Scrutiny and Overview Committee discussed off-road vehicles being a significant cause of anti-social behaviour in Walsall causing fear, alarm and distress to communities, noise nuisance and a risk of serious injury for pedestrians and the drivers themselves. As a consequence of the issues raised, the Leader of the Council gave a commitment to working in partnership with the Police to ensure this issue was tackled using drone technology and other resources such as education and physical security measures to stop illegal access. The first drone operation was conducted on Sunday 29 January…
Residents will be able to return borrowed titles without a fine before 1 October 2023, no matter how long they have been overdue. Items can be returned to any of Walsall’s seven libraries or the Mobile Library. Although fines will be reintroduced from 1 October, it’s never been easier to renew books, with options to renew in-person, by telephone, by email or online. “ We understand that many library goers may have been reluctant or unable to visit their local library to return borrowed books over the last few years and may now be uncertain about returning them due to…
Eleven countries in eastern and southern Africa are experiencing an extremely worrying cholera outbreak, with 67,822 cases and 1,788 estimated deaths. However, actual figures are likely higher as limitations in surveillance systems, underreporting, and stigma hampers monitoring. Two of the countries with the heaviest burden — Malawi and Mozambique — have a combined total of more than 5.4 million people in need of support, including more than 2.8 million children. “We thought this region won’t see a cholera outbreak this widespread and this deadly in this day and age,” said Lieke van de Wiel, UNICEF Deputy Regional Director, attending an…