Following the Government’s call to accelerate the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, Devon’s GP practices have, at very short notice, reallocated much of their workforce to delivering Covid-19 vaccines over the next two weeks.
This means that GP practices will focus on urgent clinical need and vaccines, and some non-urgent appointments may be postponed until the New Year.
The Prime Minister, together with the NHS, has launched an urgent national appeal calling for people to get jabbed. It comes as the UK Chief Medical Officers have increased the UK Covid Alert Level...
Local GPs and healthcare professionals have begun enrolling participants across Cornwall to a first-of-its-kind clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of new oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 - which can be safely taken at home.
People from across other areas of the South West, including Devon and Somerset, will be invited to take part in the coming weeks.
The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC) trial will rapidly assess a range of purpose-designed antiviral treatments which could help...
Poor sleep in the over 50s is linked to more negative perceptions of ageing, which in turn can impact physical, mental and cognitive health, new research has revealed.
A study led by the University of Exeter and found that people who rated their sleep the worst also felt older, and perceived their own physical and mental ageing more negatively.
Lead author Serena Sabatini, of the University of Exeter, said: “As we age, we all experience both positive and negative changes in many areas of our lives. However, some people perceive more negative changes than others. As we...
The healthcare workers who we clapped on our doorsteps last year say they are increasingly being abused by the people they work so hard to care for.
Most patients continue to be polite towards staff. However, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and support teams have reported rising levels of swearing and abusive language; threatening and aggressive behaviour; and damage to property – and are asking for patience and kindness.
The NHS does not tolerate intentionally abusive behaviour, to protect the wellbeing of staff. Too often, staff across the service are being...
More than half of UK adults are unaware of many of the factors that can increase their risk of liver cancer, the British Liver Trust has revealed. Primary liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the fastest growing cause of cancer death in the UK and due to late diagnosis, only 13%3 with the disease will survive for more than five years – 87% of people surveyed thought the figure was much higher than this.
Alarmingly, 9 in 10 people do not realise that gender is a risk factor despite men being twice as likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer in their...
The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 has almost doubled in the first three weeks of October and is expected to continue rising as cases in the community increase.
This adds to the severe pressures that already exist in the local health and care system, leading health and care partners to remind people in Devon they can play a key role in keeping case numbers down.
The increasing rates of Covid in the community also impact on staffing. Currently 810 NHS staff in Devon are off work due to Covid. This accounts for almost 1 in 3 NHS staff absences, up...
Devon’s health and social care system is under extreme pressure due to high demand for services, sustained demand for Covid beds, pressure on staffing and the need for social care exceeding the available capacity.
Pressures are being seen across the system, in mental health care, primary care (GPs) and adult social care as well as our acute hospital trusts.
Dr Paul Johnson, Chair of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We really need you to support us. Please ask yourself whether you have a genuine life-threatening emergency before attending an Emergency...
People across Devon are being warned about six subtle signs that show their ears and eyes are telling them something serious about their health.
Just as simple headaches and sudden weight fluctuations can reveal deeper health concerns, eyes and ears can also give some clues that a potential health concern is happening in the body.
To help Devon people look out for the tell-tale signs, Giles Edmonds, Specsavers clinical services director, and chief audiologist, Gordon Harrison, are sharing the top six ‘watch-outs’ that could denote a problem.
Exeter Leisure, which is part of Exeter City Council, has launched a number of innovative ways to get people in Exeter fitter than ever before.
The flexible membership option has been launched just in time for the reopening of Riverside Leisure Centre on 24 July, and the brand-new St Sidwell’s Point, which will open to the public later this year.
And the council has embraced technology with the development of a dedicated app and wearable tech, in the form of a wristband which provides access to facilities and allows the user to make payments.
The long awaited and much talked-about Euro 2020 tournament - yes, 2020 - starts today ( 11 June).
The games that keep their 2020 badge and title, have been postponed until this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
51 matches over 31 days at 11 venues including London and Glasgow with football betting odds available too. The games that keep their 2020 badge and title, have been postponed until this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And yet amid the excitement, we're still very much in the midst of that same pandemic, with case numbers across the...
