Health News

A long term supporter of national charity Heart Research UK, Ric Cipriani, from Cheltenham, is hosting a live Facebook concert to raise funds for the charity.

will be grabbing his guitar and singing his heart out from 19:00 – 20:00 on Wednesday the 8th April, live on Facebook.

Ric first became involved with Heart Research UK six years ago, after his grandfather sadly passed away due to heart disease.

Since then, he has raised over £15,000 for the charity, running marathons, dressing us as Santa, and playing charity gigs.

An increasing number of bogus medical products being sold through unauthorised websites claiming to treat or prevent COVID-19 are being investigated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

These include self-testing kits, ‘miracle cures’, ‘antiviral misting sprays’, and unlicensed medicines.

At this time, there are currently no medicines licensed specifically for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 and there are no CE marked self-testing kits approved for home use

A new Coronavirus Status Checker that will help the NHS coordinate its response and build up additional data on the COVID-19 outbreak has been launched today by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock.

People with potential coronavirus symptoms are now being asked to complete the status checker and answer a short series of questions which will tell the NHS about their experience.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has posted on its website to thank the community for the offers of donations to its hospitals.

Adding that it is comforting to know that the staff is in the local community’s thoughts at this challenging period.

It said that it is “truly overwhelmed” with the numerous offers of donations. However, while this is very much appreciated the Trust has to ensure that it is following national guidance at all times, encouraging people to #stayhome.

Today (2 April) local councils in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes and the NHS are joining together to thank our #EveryDayHeroes who are supporting communities during this national crisis.

The social media campaign is to recognise all the unsung workers, helpers and volunteers doing their part during the fight against COVID-19.

GP practices across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) are moving to protect their patients and staff against coronavirus by reducing visits into surgeries and switching to telephone and video appointments wherever they can.

Patients with concerns about coronavirus are being asked to follow government advice, rather than contact their GP practice. If you, or anyone in your household, have a high temperature or a new and continuous cough, however mild, stay at home and go to nhs.uk to check symptoms and follow the specialist medical advice.

You can also contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. Only call 111 if you cannot get online or if your symptoms worsen.

From today, Wednesday 1 April 2020, the new Foundation Trust caring for a population of around 620,000 people in and around Bedfordshire has come into operation, following the merger of Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for managing services at both Bedford and Luton with each individual hospital retaining its name and proud heritage.

The new integrated Trust will bring together a combined workforce of approximately 8,000 staff and will be the largest NHS employer in Bedfordshire.

Essex-based charity, Dementia Adventure is offering free online support to the thousands of dementia carers and families across the UK who may feel isolated and unsupported during the coming weeks.

The charity’s free dementia support sessions aim to provide practical hints and tips to help carers remain occupied and stay connected during isolation.

The first food boxes have been delivered to those vulnerable people being shielded from coronavirus as the Government moved to support those most in need, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (Sunday 29 March).

The first 2,000 food parcels have already been delivered this weekend to those who cannot leave their homes because severe health conditions leave them most vulnerable to the virus.

More parcels are expected to go out next week from wholesalers across the country, bringing the first set of deliveries to more than 50,000.

The government’s priority is to save lives and the best way to protect yourself and others from illness is to stay at home.

However, exercise is still important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing. So the government has said people can leave their homes for exercise once a day.