A cash injection of over £7.5m has been used to try and support the rollout of digital shift technology for nurses across the whole of England. It has been confirmed that this is going to give support to those who need it the most. Minister Helen Whately has stated that the new funds are going to be used by over 40 trusts and that this is being done to try and help people with the e-rostering system. Out of those, there are going to be five trusts who can use the software so that they can schedule any appointments they need. If you work in the industry of private nursing or even in homecare, then you will know how important this is for the nursing movement.

In the House of Commons, it would seem that Boris Johnson told those who were members of parliament that there has been a pay rise that is above inflation. This is referring to public sector workers as well as nurses. At the end of the day, it would seem that the pay rate is over 12.8% pay rise over the last few years and that this is going to be more than enough to cover any rising inflation in the country. This is not really true and those who work in homecare or even private nursing, will know this more than anyone. The RCN have written to Boris Johnson so that the facts about the nursing pay can be clarified. In the RCN executive Donna Kinnair has told the Prime Minister that there needs to be more clarification and that more needs to be done to try and give support to those who truly need it. To those who are working brutal shifts today, it would seem that this kind of message is somewhat demoralising, and that people need to try and face against this new variant along with rising pressure from the sector.

Leaders who work in Scotland and Wales have stated that they are not going to be asking those who are in their final year as a nurse to come back to clinical placements. We are at a very crucial stage in the coronavirus pandemic and it would seem that those who work in homecare or even in private nursing know this first-hand. This situation is being kept under a very close review by the devolved governments in various countries. The top priority for people right now is to make sure that the final year students can graduate. They want to ensure that students are able to retain their supernumerary status if possible.

Some nursing practices in England have been denied sick pay for any employer coronavirus-based cases. This happened in the first few stages of the pandemic. A grim survey has revealed this information and this is good news to say the least. Of course, the Queens’ Nursing Group have been asked by the NHS England to see if they can capture the general experiences of those who nursed during the Spring. There are a lot of GPNs who have been let down and they have not been respected at all. The survey was done in the year 2000 and they have also received responses from over 3,100 nurses. In a report which has been published, it would seem that the QNI is very clear in the fact that COVID has exaggerated any issues that lie around remuneration and it has also shown issues for working conditions. This is especially the case for homecare and even those who work in private nursing. Of course, the lack of sick pay was mentioned by the survey on a basis of 15 times. One nurse has told the QNI that the practice does not pay out for sick pay and this has caused a huge range of difficulties. This is especially when it comes to staff who follow the guidelines on things such as self-isolation. They have also added that if they had any standardised terms or conditions then this would not be an issue at all. If they agreed that they would have to self-isolate and be paid if they became ill, then this would really work in the favour of those who are putting in the hours. Their aim right now is to try and make sure that they are having more equitable treatment for those who work in the nursing sector.

A brand-new survey has been done and it launched to try and help people to understand the nursing industry and how people are now experiencing more racism than ever before. This is before and after the pandemic. The research is being carried out and it is all part of a project which is running in a full partnership with a top film company. The film company is Migrant Media and it is being launched shortly. They are trying to seek out how they can learn about the different forms of discrimination and they are also doing their best to try and fight inequality as well. They are trying to fight and do their bit to give healthcare professionals the support that they need, and they are also trying to make sure that they showcase the findings.

Of course, the findings are going to be published with the movie and it is going to be released next year. The movie is also going to feature a written report as well and this is going to really help the industry to face the problem at hand. If you work in private nursing or homecare then you will know what a serious issue this is, and you will also understand that sometimes things need to be done in order to give people the support that they need when dealing with their day to day lives. Only time will tell if this documentary is going to make a difference or not, but right now it looks as though every effort is being made to ensure the health and safety of those who work in a variety of industries, but of course, the primary focus is on racism and nursing, as it should be.

A matron from a University Hospital made history by administering the very first vaccine. They have done this under the UK campaign. After 6:30am, May Parsons chose to give Margaret Keenan the jab and this was all done at the University Hospital in Coventry. They have all stated that it is an absolute huge honour to be the very first person in the country to deliver the vaccine to a patient. If you work in homecare or if you have experience in private nursing, then you will know how much work has gone into this programme.

May herself has come out to say that she is honoured to give the jab herself and that she believes that this is a step forward for the entire world. She has stated that she is happy to have played a part in this very historic day. The last couple of months might have been tough for everyone in the NHS but right now they feel as though there is in fact a light at the end of the tunnel.

Ms Keenan who happens to turn 91 next week has said that getting the vaccine is easily the best birthday present that she could have hoped to receive. She has stated that the birthday present is happily received as it means that she may be able to spend time with her family once more. She has come out to say that she cannot thank May and even the NHS staff enough who have looked after her so far and that she is truly over the moon at how far the country has come. Of course, two doses of the vaccine need to be given and they need to be administered 21 days apart, so she will be given another jab soon.

Nurses who have an ambition to try and transform cancer care are now being given the opportunity to try and bring their own ideas to life, thanks to a very special leadership program. If you work in the business of homecare or if you are currently seeking a job in private nursing, then you will certainly know what a fantastic opportunity this is. This is the first scheme of its kind and it is being launched by Prostate Cancer UK. The overall aim is to try and make sure that they are developing clinical champions of their own inventions. The clinical champions programme is essentially going to support those who want to drive meaningful change for both men and their families.

Over the entire course of the programme, participants are going to receive training that will help them with their formal leadership, and it is also going to give them peer support too. The charity are working hard to try and make sure that they hire experienced clinicians who come from a wide variety of professionals to see if they would be open to joining the scheme. Amy Rylance is the head of the Prostate Cancer UK charity and she has come out to say that this is a brilliant opportunity to say the least. She has stated that she wants to try and support those who have a keen interest in helping those who have prostate cancer and that it is going to work wonders for the community. Ms Rylance has stated that a lot of men are facing a postcode lottery when it comes to diagnosis, or the general amount of treatment and support that they are offered. The additional strain on resources that has been caused by the pandemic is not good either.

The government have made a pledge to try and make sure that there are 50,000 more nurses in the UK by 2025. The problem is that this is nowhere near enough to meet the demand that is required. This is especially the case when you take into account the fact that we are in the coronavirus pandemic. Those who work in the industry of homecare or even private nursing will know more than anyone how much of a demand there has been on the healthcare sector right now, but at the end of the day, more still needs to be done to ensure that nurses are getting the help that they need.

Daily coronavirus tests will be offered to close contacts of people who have tested positive in England, as a way to reduce the current 14-day quarantine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people will be offered tests every day for a week - and they will not need to isolate unless they test positive.

He also said rapid tests will allow every care home resident to have up to two visitors tested twice a week.

Labour welcomed increased testing but raised concerns over test-and-trace.

The chairman of the Independent Care Group which represents independent care homes, Mike Padgham, said the government was being "rather ambitious".

Vaccine: Oxford jab shows 70% protection
Who can get a coronavirus test?
Announcing the government's Covid-19 winter plan, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said repeat testing will be expanded for people in England whose close contact has tested positive for Covid-19, in a bid to cut the 14-day quarantine.

Currently those deemed to have been in contact with a Covid-positive person are required to isolate for 14 days.

But, under the new plan, people will be offered the opportunity to be tested every day for a week and, as long they test negative, will be able to go about their normal life.

The prime minister said it will begin in Liverpool this week.

"If successful this approach will be extended across the health system next month and to the whole of England from January," he added.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55040992

People have been urged to be cautious of the risk of spreading coronavirus when rules are relaxed over Christmas.

Up to three households will be allowed to stay together and form a "Christmas bubble" from 23 to 27 December, as agreed by all four UK nations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told people to use "personal judgement" on whether to visit elderly relatives.

A scientific adviser to the government said the relaxation of rules amounted to "throwing fuel on the Covid fire".

The measures will see travel restrictions across the four nations, and between tiers and levels, lifted to allow people to visit families in other parts of the UK.

Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 and 28 December, but otherwise travel to and from bubbles should be done between the 23 and 27.

People will not be able to get together with others from more than two other households, and once a bubble is formed, it must not be changed or be extended further.

The guidance says a bubble of three households would be able to stay overnight at each other's home but would not be able to visit hospitality, theatres or retail settings.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55068769