Kamis, 10 Desember 2020

COVID-19: London now has highest infection rate in England - Sky News

Coronavirus rates in England are now highest in London, but infections have plateaued nationwide, the latest figures show.

The capital had the highest average infection rate in the country - 191.8 per 100,000 people - for the week of 30 November to 6 December, according to the weekly surveillance survey by Public Health England.

This is up from 158.1 per 100,00 in the previous week.

Case rates have fallen the most in the West Midlands, there the figure is 158.4 per 100,000, down from 196.8 the previous week.

It comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned people in the city they risk moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3 restrictions amid the surge in cases. The tiered system in England is due to be reviewed on 16 December.

Public Health England's latest data shows that cases have increased in 24 of London's 32 boroughs.

Havering, east of the capital, had the highest rate for the week ending 3 December - 346 per 100,000 people.

More from Covid-19

Across the country, PHE data shows case rates remained "at a similar level" for the week ending 6 December to what they were the week before.

Across England, infections were highest among people aged between 40 and 49 and hospital admissions were highest in the North East.

Case numbers fell across Yorkshire and the Humber, but rose in the East and South East of England, according to the figures.

Overall, both acute respiratory infections as a result of the virus and hospital admissions dropped.

The age group admitted to hospital the most frequently was those aged 85 and over.

Commenting on the figures, medical director at Public Health England Dr Yvonne Doyle said: "Everyone's sacrifices over the past few weeks means cases have reduced significantly in many parts of the country.

"However, the decline has started to stall and overall, infection rates remain high so we must all stay vigilant."

According to the latest Test and Trace figures for England, 96,415 people tested positive at least once in the week to December 2.

A total of 91,578 people were put into the system - with 86% reached and asked to provide contacts. This is largely unchanged on 86.1% in the previous week.

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2020-12-10 14:48:45Z
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Brexit: Trade talks 'unlikely' to go beyond Sunday, says Dominic Raab - BBC News

UK-EU talks to reach a post-Brexit trade deal are "unlikely" to continue after Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said.

His comments come after a meeting between Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen aimed at breaking the Brexit trade deadlock.

Mrs von der Leyen said she had a "good conversation but it is difficult".

The EU has set out the measures it would take in the event of a no-deal scenario with the UK.

The plans aim to ensure that UK and EU air and road connections still run after the UK stops following EU trading rules on 31 December.

They also allow the possibility of fishing access to each other's waters for up to a year, or until an agreement is reached.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We would never accept arrangements and access to UK fishing waters which are incompatible with our status as an independent coastal state."

Talks between the UK's chief negotiator Lord Frost and the EU's Michel Barnier are due to resume in Brussels.

The main obstacles continue to be access to fishing waters, rules about subsidising businesses and how any new deal would be policed.

2px presentational grey line

Brexit - The basics

  • Brexit happened but rules didn't change at once: The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020, but leaders needed time to negotiate a deal for life afterwards - they got 11 months.
  • Talks are happening: The UK and the EU have until 31 December 2020 to agree a trade deal as well as other things, such as fishing rights.
  • If there is no deal: Border checks and taxes will be introduced for goods travelling between the UK and the EU. But deal or no deal, we will still see changes.
2px presentational grey line

Speaking in the House of Commons, minister Penny Mordaunt insisted that the UK would "leave no stone unturned" and will "carry on negotiating until there is no hope".

In response, Labour's Rachel Reeves said businesses "desperately trying to plan need to know what on earth is going on".

She urged the government to "do the responsible thing... and bring back the deal."

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "deeply and increasingly concerned" about a "lack of clarity" on what arrangements will apply after 31 December.

'Gloomy'

Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Mrs von der Leyen said: "We are willing to grant access to the single market to our British friends - the largest single market in the world - but the conditions have to be fair and they have to be fair for our workers and our companies."

"This fine balance of fairness has not been achieved so far," she said, adding that negotiators were still working and that a decision would be taken on Sunday.

The Irish PM, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said that no one understated the challenges that lie ahead.

"But it's important for the citizens of Europe that we do everything we can to get an agreement here," he said.

Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said he was more "gloomy" about the trade talks following Wednesday night's meeting.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Raab said: "We are rapidly approaching the point where we need some finality."

And asked if talks would go beyond Sunday, he said it was "unlikely" but added "never quite say never when you are negotiating with the EU".

Responding to a warning from the Tesco chair that food prices could rise were a deal not to be agreed, Mr Raab acknowledged there could be "some bumps along the road" but said he was "not concerned about either supermarket cupboards running bare or food prices".

The EU statement, published on Thursday morning, outlines some of the plans in place if there is no deal, and it says some sectors would be more affected than others.

Provision for air travel, allowing aviation safety certificates, connectivity for road freight and passenger transport for six months, and reciprocal fishing access are included in the document.

After 31 December, many things will change regardless of whether or not a deal is reached.

UK travellers could be barred from entering the EU from 1 January as travel rules associated with being part of the EU expire and Covid restrictions block entry.

In the event of a no-deal scenario, prices of goods could go up - that's because the UK and EU are likely to impose import taxes (known as tariffs) on products crossing the border.

There could also be delays at the border as, without an agreement on food standards, freight is more likely to be stopped for checks.

A Downing Street spokesman said that the government had put "extensive preparations" in place for the end of the transition period to secure supply chains.

Asked whether families should ensure their fridges were well stocked at the end of December, the spokesman said: "We have a resilient supply chain, that will continue to be the case after the transition period ends, whether that's with a free-trade agreement or otherwise."

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How will Brexit affect you? Do you have any questions about the trade deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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2020-12-10 13:45:00Z
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Brexit: Trade talks 'unlikely' to go beyond Sunday, says Dominic Raab - BBC News

UK-EU talks to reach a post-Brexit trade deal are "unlikely" to continue after Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said.

His comments come after a meeting between Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen aimed at breaking the Brexit trade deadlock.

Mrs von der Leyen said she had a "good conversation but it is difficult".

The EU has set out the measures it would take in the event of a no-deal scenario with the UK.

The plans aim to ensure that UK and EU air and road connections still run after the UK stops following EU trading rules on 31 December.

They also allow the possibility of fishing access to each other's waters for up to a year, or until an agreement is reached.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We would never accept arrangements and access to UK fishing waters which are incompatible with our status as an independent coastal state."

Talks between the UK's chief negotiator Lord Frost and the EU's Michel Barnier are due to resume in Brussels.

The main obstacles continue to be access to fishing waters, rules about subsidising businesses and how any new deal would be policed.

2px presentational grey line

Brexit - The basics

  • Brexit happened but rules didn't change at once: The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020, but leaders needed time to negotiate a deal for life afterwards - they got 11 months.
  • Talks are happening: The UK and the EU have until 31 December 2020 to agree a trade deal as well as other things, such as fishing rights.
  • If there is no deal: Border checks and taxes will be introduced for goods travelling between the UK and the EU. But deal or no deal, we will still see changes.
2px presentational grey line

Speaking in the House of Commons, minister Penny Mordaunt insisted that the UK would "leave no stone unturned" and will "carry on negotiating until there is no hope".

In response, Labour's Rachel Reeves said businesses "desperately trying to plan need to know what on earth is going on".

She urged the government to "do the responsible thing... and bring back the deal."

'Gloomy'

Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Mrs von der Leyen said: "We are willing to grant access to the single market to our British friends - the largest single market in the world - but the conditions have to be fair and they have to be fair for our workers and our companies."

"This fine balance of fairness has not been achieved so far," she said, adding that negotiators were still working and that a decision would be taken on Sunday.

The Irish PM, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said that no one understated the challenges that lie ahead.

"But it's important for the citizens of Europe that we do everything we can to get an agreement here," he said.

Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said he was more "gloomy" about the trade talks following Wednesday night's meeting.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Raab said: "We are rapidly approaching the point where we need some finality."

And asked if talks would go beyond Sunday, he said it was "unlikely" but added "never quite say never when you are negotiating with the EU".

Responding to a warning from the Tesco chair that food prices could rise were a deal not to be agreed, Mr Raab acknowledged there could be "some bumps along the road" but said he was "not concerned about either supermarket cupboards running bare or food prices".

The EU statement, published on Thursday morning, outlines some of the plans in place if there is no deal, and it says some sectors would be more affected than others.

Provision for air travel, allowing aviation safety certificates, connectivity for road freight and passenger transport for six months, and reciprocal fishing access are included in the document.

After 31 December, many things will change regardless of whether or not a deal is reached.

UK travellers could be barred from entering the EU from 1 January as travel rules associated with being part of the EU expire and Covid restrictions block entry.

In the event of a no-deal scenario, prices of goods could go up - that's because the UK and EU are likely to impose import taxes (known as tariffs) on products crossing the border.

There could also be delays at the border as, without an agreement on food standards, freight is more likely to be stopped for checks.

A Downing Street spokesman said that the government had put "extensive preparations" in place for the end of the transition period to secure supply chains.

Asked whether families should ensure their fridges were well stocked at the end of December, the spokesman said: "We have a resilient supply chain, that will continue to be the case after the transition period ends, whether that's with a free-trade agreement or otherwise."

Brexit box banner
Brexit box Bottom line
Banner saying 'Get in touch'

How will Brexit affect you? Do you have any questions about the trade deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

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2020-12-10 13:10:00Z
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Shropshire hospital 'blamed' mothers for babies' deaths - BBC News

Kate Stanton-Davies with her mother Rhiannon
Richard Stanton

Mothers were blamed for their babies' deaths and a large number of women died in labour at a scandal-hit maternity unit, a review has found.

The inquiry into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS (SaTH) trust found deaths were often not investigated and an induction drug was repeatedly misused.

Rhiannon Davies said she never doubted what happened with her daughter Kate.

Seven "immediate and essential" actions have been made for all maternity services across England.

The chief executive of SaTH said they "commit to implementing all of the report's actions".

The review began in 2018 following campaigns led by two families. Richard Stanton and Ms Davies' daughter Kate died hours after her birth in March 2009, while Kayleigh and Colin Griffiths' daughter Pippa died from a Group B Streptococcus infection.

The report lists numerous traumatic birth experiences including the deaths of babies due to excessive force of forceps and stillbirths that could have been avoided.

Others recount repeated failures by staff to recognise mothers and babies in deteriorating conditions, including one mother whose baby died because staff were "too busy" to monitor her during labour.

It found letters and records "which often focused on blaming the mothers" rather than considering whether the trust's systems were at fault. This was exacerbated by the attitude of staff, the report said.

It said: "One of the most disappointing and deeply worrying themes that has emerged is the reported lack of kindness and compassion from some members of the maternity team.

"The fact that this was found to be lacking… is unacceptable and deeply concerning."

In June police launched an investigation to examine if there was evidence to support a criminal case against the trust or any individuals involved.

Following the publication of the report, Geoff Wessell, Assistant Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, said their investigation has been running concurrently with the review and remains ongoing.

Donna Ockenden

The inquiry - the largest ever of NHS maternity care - is being led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden and is looking into 1,862 cases and initially examined 250 cases.

It looked at a selection of cases between 2000 and 2018 and found there were 13 maternal deaths, a rate that is disproportionately high.

While the report said the women were often correctly identified as being "high risk" due to existing medical conditions, little concrete action appeared to follow with junior doctors conducting assessments and no team working to ensure best care.

After each death "in some cases, no investigation was initiated" whilst in others "no learning appears to have been identified."

'Want the truth'

The report said "inappropriate language had been used at times causing distress," and there were cases "where women were blamed for their loss and this further compounded their grief."

Ms Davies' daughter Kate was born "pale and floppy" at Ludlow Community Hospital and died after delays in transferring her from Ludlow to a doctor-led maternity unit.

She has fought for a review for 11 years and said: "I may sound arrogant but I've never doubted my surety of what happened with Kate.

"I knew I was right. The interim findings will hopefully bring this essential change, critically required change, change this trust has not been able to see it needs to embed and that will hopefully ensure patient safety improves and that is the only reason we've continued."

Pippa
Kayleigh & Colin Griffiths

Her husband Richard said: "I think it's really important that the interim findings go someway to imposing emergency recommendations which are clearly needed at this point to improve maternity care, no family should have to go through what me and Rhiannon and all the others have gone through.

"We just wanted to get to the truth."

The reports lists 27 actions the trust must immediately carry out.

Ms Ockenden said: "Today we are explaining in this first report local actions for learning and immediate and essential actions which we believe will improve maternity care, not only at this trust but across England so that the experiences women and families have described to us are not replicated elsewhere.

The work that follows "owes its origins to Kate Stanton-Davies and her parents", Ms Ockenden said.

She added Kate and Pippa's parents have shown "an unrelenting commitment in ensuring their daughter's short lives made a difference to the safety of maternity care".

Mrs Griffiths, Pippa's mother said: "It's not acceptable... you have to pick those failures up, you have to own them and you have to make improvements."

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Analysis box by Michael Buchanan, social affairs correspondent

This is not a dry report - its pages scream with the voices of the families who have been needlessly harmed.

I've heard many of these stories over the years, having spoken to dozens of families, but to read it in black and white, was still a sobering moment.

The review's publication also draws a firm line under the pretence that successive poor, weak leaders of the organisation maintained until recently, namely that the trust was no worse than others. They are worse, much worse, and have been for years.

The alphabet soup of NHS organisations that were meant to protect these families - the inspectors, the regulators, the commissioners - have a lot of questions to answer too.

Their repeated refusal to see what was happening, despite being told of the problems, is just as shaming as the trust's stance. Their moment of reckoning will come next year, when the final report is published.

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Conservative MP for Telford Lucy Allan said the findings of the review were "deeply harrowing".

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who ordered an inquiry in 2017, tweeted: "This is a tragic day for families across Shropshire who've had it confirmed in black & white that hundreds of babies died needlessly."

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
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Louise Barnett, the trust's chief executive, said: "I want to say how very sorry we are for the pain and distress that has been caused to mothers and their families due to poor maternity care at our trust.

"We commit to implementing all of the actions in this report and I can assure the women and families who use our service that if they raise any concerns about their care they will be listened to and action will be taken."

The seven actions outlined for maternity services across England include: Enhanced safety, listening to women and families, staff training and working together, managing complex pregnancy, risk assessment throughout pregnancy and Monitoring fetal wellbeing.

As part of those seven actions, it said there must be twice daily consultant-led ward rounds, seven days a week, in the day and at night.

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Timeline of events

Princess Royal Hospital sign
  • April 2017 - An investigation is launched into a cluster of baby deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
  • August 2018 - Scope of inquiry expanded to look at 40 cases between 1998 and 2017, then later to 100
  • November 2018 - The trust is placed into special measures after receiving its third CQC warning over staffing and safety concerns in four months
  • November 2019 - A report leaked to the Independent says babies and mothers died amid a "toxic" culture at a hospital trust stretching back 40 years
  • June 2020 - West Mercia Police said it was investigating whether there was "evidence to support a criminal case either against the trust or any individuals involved"
  • July 2020 - It is revealed the review is now examining more than 1,800 cases
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2020-12-10 12:46:00Z
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