Health Policy Related News
COVID-19 vaccine added to damages scheme in case of severe disability
The UK has taken the precautionary measure of adding COVID-19 to its Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme so people will be able to access financial...
Increased risk of dying for rare autoimmune patients during COVID-19
A new study has shown that people living with rare autoimmune diseases are at heightened risk of dying during COVID-19, a finding that can...
“Staying safe from COVID-19 during winter”: the European Commission adopts new strategy
The European Commission has adopted a “staying safe from COVID-19 during winter” strategy for managing the pandemic over the coming winter months.
The health implications of climate change in the age of COVID-19
A new report has highlighted that no country is immune from the health impacts of climate change, and that the COVID-19 pandemic is an...
Families to be reunited with care home residents by Christmas
A million new COVID-19 tests are to be sent out to care providers over the next month, which will allow for families to be...
New COVID-19 infection control approach is needed to keep schools open
Governments are being urged rethink policies on COVID-19 infection control if primary schools are to be kept open this winter.
Schools across the country have...
Free vitamin D supplements for at-risk groups this winter
The government’s Department of Health and Social Care announces plan to offer free vitamin D supplements to 2.7 million vulnerable individuals in England.
Establishing a Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe
The European Commission has adopted a Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe which aims to ensure access to medicines and support innovation and sustainability in the...
Millions at risk if adult social care is not prioritised
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has warned millions of people are at risk if adult social care is not prioritised...
Empowering frontline healthcare workers by reducing bureaucracy
The UK Government has announced a new drive to empower frontline health and care staff by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
The drive, announced by Health and...
Supporting people and communities through social prescribing
A new report has been launched today that reveals how the NHS can make small changes to better support local communities’ health and wellbeing.
NHS...
Call for UK Government to protect rehabilitation services during COVID-19
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has called on the Government to protect staff working in rehabilitation services from redeployment and to provide...
Over 50s in UK to receive free flu vaccine
The UK Government has announced that citizens over 50 in the UK will be able to receive a free flu vaccine from 1 December...
Care homes to be tested for COVID-19 immune response
Thousands of care home staff and residents in the UK are to have their immune response to COVID-19 tested as part of an expansion...
COVID-19 care home deaths in UK ‘hugely underestimated’
An early draft of a recent study has shown that up to 10,000 more people may have died in care homes from COVID-19 than...
First meeting of EU COVID-19 national scientific advice platform
The European Commission has held the first meeting of the EU COVID-19 national scientific advice platform.
Member States were welcomed to the first meeting of...
WHO, COVID-19, and winter preparations
World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge, highlights concerns over a winter wave of COVID-19.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of ministers...
Can cannabis provide an alternative to opioid painkillers in the UK?
The past few years have seen a rise in the use of opioids as pain killers, but these medicines are highly addictive. Medical cannabis...
