Health
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
Government 'failed to prepare' on PPE, say MPs
The Government has failed to ensure there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a second wave of coronavirus, a watchdog warned today.
Sharing lessons from managing a COVID-19 factory outbreak
Rachel Spencer-Henshall says the response to an outbreak of COVID-19 at a meat processing factory in Kirklees was ‘partnership working at its best’.
Public health boss hits out at lack of workplace data on COVID-19
A director of public health has criticised the absence of place of work or school and college details of those who test positive for COVID-19 from the individual level data shared with councils.
NHS chief calls for social care reforms within a year
Sir Simon Stevens has called for a solution to properly fund adult social care to be brought forward within the next year.
Getting ahead of the curve
How can COVID-19 testing and tracing best harness the experience and expertise of councils, and how ready is local government for the next phase of easing lockdown? Ann McGauran reports.
Council urges residents to stick to two metre rule
Luton BC has urged its residents to continue to stick to socially distancing by two metres despite the Government easing the rule.
England’s first community COVID-19 testing site opens in one of the worst hit areas
Brent is the first place in the country to open a local testing site designed around the needs of the community. Dr Melanie Smith explains why the location in the heart of Harlesden was so key.
Unequal chances: the poverty trap in Brent
Brent has one of the highest death rates from COVID-19. Cllr Eleanor Southwood hopes the work of the Poverty Commission will help improve lives.
Hand health powers to elected mayors, says report
Health powers should be handed to elected mayors as part of a ‘rejuvenated and fortified wave of devolution,’ a think-tank report has suggested.
Health chiefs deny care home 'recklessness'
Health chiefs have rejected allegations that discharging elderly NHS patients into care homes at the height of the pandemic in April was ‘reckless.’
LGA calls for plan as shielding is lifted
A plan will need to be put in place to protect those who have been receiving food parcels, and will struggle to pay for supermarket delivery slots, the Local Government Association has warned.
Councils call for clarity on local lockdowns
Councils this week called for clarity on the legal powers they will have if they are forced to implement local coronavirus lockdowns.
Mental health plummets amid COVID crisis
Mental health has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, research by the Institute of Fiscal Studies has revealed.
An equal footing for ethnic health
Birmingham City Council and Lewisham LBC have launched a partnership to dive deeper into the reasons for ethnic inequalities in health. Dr Justin Varney says the aim is to use the review to achieve impact at scale.
The crisis has proved again that local action works
The District Councils' Network has set out a five-point Manifesto for Recovery outlining how we can advance the health and wealth of the nation. Cllr John Fuller outlines its five offers and five asks.
Making our rough sleeping project part of the 'new normal'
Somerset West and Taunton Council pulled together with partners to provide both accommodation and a support programme for rough sleepers. A powerful case is being made to government to keep the project going, says Federica Smith-Roberts.
Leaving gig economy without self-isolation income will 'increase deaths'
Leaving the UK’s 2.8m gig economy workers without income if they have to self-isolate suddenly will make society’s recovery from COVID-19 more prolonged, says a director of public health.
In the dark over local lockdowns
Local areas remain in the dark about whether they will be handed any additional powers to impose coronavirus lockdowns.
Listen to the experts on the front line
Heather Jameson says that if the Government’s mantra is that it will take the evidence over opinion and listen to reason, it should be listening to local government – those on the front line who have to deal with everyday issues.
