Labour Party leader Keir Starmer leader has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time, a spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday (January 5).
Starmer had been due to face prime minister Boris Johnson at a question and answer session in parliament later today. His deputy, Angela Rayner, will take his place, the spokesperson added.
Starmer had tested positive for Covid-19 last October and self-isolated four times after coming into contact with other positive cases on several occasions.
Antibiotic supply rate was 72.7% under England’s Acute Sore Throat Pharmacy First compared to just 29.9% under Wales’ Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) scheme in six months.
A new study has highlighted significant differences in antibiotic use for sore throat treatment between pharmacies in England and Wales, suggesting that incorporating throat swabs to confirm bacterial infections could help reduce “unnecessary antibiotic supply.”
The study, published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and first reported by The Independent, found that pharmacies in England were twice as likely to prescribe antibiotics for sore throats compared to those in Wales.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Cardiff University analysed consultations under England’s Acute Sore Throat Pharmacy First (ASTPF) service and Wales’ Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) scheme.
Pharmacy First, introduced in England last year, allows community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals, without requiring a GP consultation.
Under ASTPF, patients are assessed using the FeverPain scoring system, with those scoring four or five potentially receiving antibiotics.
In contrast, the STTT scheme, implemented in Wales since 2018, enables pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for FeverPain scores of two or three—but only if a throat swab confirms the presence of bacteria.
The analysis of the electronic pharmacy records from February to July 2024 found that the antibiotic supply rate was 72.7% under STPF, compared to just 29.9% under STTT.
Dr. Ayodeji Matuluko, the study's first author and a research fellow at LSHTM, emphasised the importance of ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotics to mitigate the potential public health threat posed by bacterial resistance.
Dr Rebecca Glover, assistant professor in antimicrobial resistance at LSHTM, suggested that the presence of a diagnostic test for patients in Wales could be a reason for the difference in antibiotic supply rates between the two nations.
However, she cautioned that introducing throat swabs may not be the answer for England, stating, “Diagnostic tests can add additional expense to an already-burdened healthcare system, and the tests themselves often vary in quality.”
Dr. Glover also noted that while the services in England and Wales share similarities, they are not directly comparable since the data were collected differently across the two nations.
She revealed that they will investigate the “uptake, antibiotic use, safety and impact of the English Pharmacy First service” as a whole in much greater detail, as part of a three-year evaluation commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, already contributing to an estimated 35,200 deaths annually in the UK.
Despite the government's recognition of AMR as one of 26 chronic national risks, resistant infections continue to rise.
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO), published in February, revealed that the UK remains "a long way" from achieving its vision of containing AMR.
Of the five domestic targets set in 2019, only one—reducing antibiotic use in food-producing animals—has been met, according to the report.
Notably, drug-resistant infections in humans have increased by 13% since 2018, despite a target to reduce them by 10%.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, recognised that addressing antimicrobial resistance is a “multifaceted challenge”.
“Government is responding but, so far, the results have been limited and the country needs to become more resilient to this long-term risk,” he said.
“Government needs to consider whether its existing commitments and other efforts across the public sector will be enough to achieve its 20-year vision to contain and control AMR."
The report also highlighted that the new AMR National Action Plan for 2024-2029 sets more achievable targets than its predecessor. However, it remains unclear whether meeting these targets will effectively reduce the burden of AMR in the UK.
Meanwhile, the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) has called on the government to invest in NHS infrastructure, which the report warns has “deteriorated in recent years” making it harder to keep buildings clean and isolate infectious patients.
BSAC also stressed the urgent need to establish an independent body to oversee implementation of the UK’s AMR National Action Plan, alongside the appointment of a dedicated minister responsible for AMR.
Furthermore, BSAC urged the government to invest in the infection workforce by prioritising education and improving diagnostics - key interventions that can reduce the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, the primary drivers of AMR worldwide.
Kym Marsh speaking about her journey to quitting smoking as part of the NHS No Smoking Day campaign.
TV star, singer, and actor Kym Marsh has teamed up with the NHS for a powerful new campaign, urging the UK’s six million smokers to make a quit attempt this No Smoking Day (12 March).
In a touching new film, the former Coronation Street star opens up about her journey to breaking free from smoking—an addiction that once dictated her daily routine.
“Quitting smoking is not simply about breaking a habit; it’s about reclaiming control over your life, health and the future you share with your loved ones,” said Kym, who started smoking as a teenager but successfully quit several years ago.
Encouraging others to kick the habit for good, she said: “The decision to quit is one of the most empowering choices you can make.”
“It's not an easy journey but knowing that your decision benefits both your own well-being and the health of those around you, particularly your family, makes it all the more worthwhile”
The campaign also features other ex-smokers, including cancer survivor Sue Mountain, who delivers a heartfelt plea to smokers.
“Don’t wait for a wake-up call - make today the day you quit for good. I don’t want one person going through what I did.”
“You can’t ever stop trying to quit because smoking will catch up with you sooner or later. You’ve got to keep trying to stop. It’s worth it!” she added.
The campaign coincides with the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament. The world-leading bill includes measures to create the first smokefree generation, phasing out the sale of tobacco products across the UK to those aged 16 and under this year.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
Ashley Dalton, minister for public health and prevention, highlighted that smoking remains the UK's biggest preventable cause of death, claiming around 80,000 lives every year - equivalent to 220 people every day.
Dalton, who quit smoking after receiving a cancer diagnosis, shared her personal experience:“I know firsthand how challenging it can be to break free from nicotine addiction.”
“But I also know that it's possible, and the health benefits begin from day one - adding years to your life and putting money back in your pocket.”
Dalton assured smokers that no matter how long they’ve been smoking—whether for days or decades, “it's never too late to quit and transform your health.”
As part of the ‘No Smoking Day’ campaign, new NHS research reveals that 43% of smokers think the addiction prevents them from fully embracing life.
The main reasons cited include spending too much money on smoking (39%); feeling less fit (31%) and being self-conscious due to smelling of smoke (29%).
Just under half (43%) of smokers admit they’ve missed out on time with friends and family due to smoking.
Additionally, 77% of smokers admit their physical health has taken a serious hit, a sentiment shared by 73% of ex-smokers.
Not only quitting smoking can save your life, but it also offers significant financial benefits.
Health improvements begin almost immediately after quitting:
NHS estimates that the average smoker can save approximately £48 per week by quitting smoking —amounting to nearly £2,500 annually
In the NHS study, 65% of ex-smokers said quitting helped them save money while 50% reported having more disposable income.
Those who quit smoking also reported feeling proud of themselves (49%) and improved sense of taste and smell (40%).
NHS offers various services to help smokers quit, including the NHS Quit Smoking app and a Personal Quit Plan.
To further support smokers, the government has pledged an additional £70 million for stop-smoking services in England for 2025 and 2026.
Additionally, the Swap to Stop scheme provides free vapes to help smokers quit, though the NHS advises that vapes should only be used as a cessation aid for adults—not by children or non-smokers.
NHS doctor and TV personality Dr Emeka Okorocha, warned that smoking causes one in four of all cancer deaths in England.
“It’s never too late to quit smoking and there’s help available for those looking to stop smoking,” she said, urging smokers to take the decision today.
Jeremy Miles
Welsh health secretary Jeremy Miles has recognised the need to transform health services and bring healthcare closer to home.
Speaking at the recent Welsh Local Medical Committees Conference, he emphasised that strengthening the role of GPs would be crucial in improving patient healthcare and tackling NHS waiting lists.
He noted that GPs will play a more prominent role in managing waiting lists to reduce delays and improve patient flow through the health system. This includes expanding diagnostic testing in communities.
Miles said: “It is vital we work together to address the pressures in our NHS by improving access patients have to the care they need, and the flow through our system.
“The role of GPs is fundamental to being able to bring the system back into balance.”
However, he clarified that this transformation is not about overburdening general medical services but rather about commissioning more services in a primary setting and local communities at a “viable and sustainable” scale.
Acknowledging that GPs are crucial in their communities, Miles said that he would work with them to develop “a primary and community care offer that values the skills and expertise of general practice and gives GPs the tools to thrive and delivers the care patients need closer to home.”
He also announced a new initiative to support GPs in providing continuity of care, starting with identifying the most vulnerable patients who would benefit from seeing the same health professional at each appointment.
This approach is expected to improve outcomes for people with chronic conditions and keep them well at home.
Miles agreed that as more diagnostic and other procedures move out of hospitals and into community settings, resources must follow.
“Health boards will be required to declare and increase primary care spending to support this change,” he added.
Pharmacy bodies call for transparency on the funding gap amid ongoing contract negotiations.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA) have jointly written to NHS England, demanding the immediate release of the independent economic analysis of pharmacy finances commissioned last autumn.
An open letter, signed by the owners of 3,034 pharmacies in England, calls for transparency on the funding gap amid ongoing contract negotiations.
The associations argued that withholding this analysis conceals the true extent of the sector’s financial plight from contractors and parliamentarians.
“We believe publishing this analysis now will help Ministers, the NHS and pharmacies chart a way to securing the stable and sustainable pharmacy network that our patients so desperately need,” they wrote.
IPA Chief Executive, Leyla Hannbeck, emphasised that the Independent Economic Review by Frontier Economics was commissioned to show “the true financial state of community pharmacy in England.”
“The Government officials now know the full picture of debt and suffering that years of underfunding and poor policies have imposed on these caring professionals,” she said, warning that the sector faces “collapse and ruin” as that debt is predicted to escalate.
She urged NHSE to reveal the truth by publishing the review’s findings, and staying true to the government’s promises to “stop this culling for pharmacy and patients alike.”
NPA Chair Nick Kaye echoed these concerns, stating that the analysis would expose “the true and devastating extent to which funding for community pharmacy falls short.”
“The hundreds of pharmacy owners signing the open letter agree with us that pharmacies, patients and the public’s representatives in parliament should be allowed to see this vital information without further delay.
“There is no justification for the public to be kept in the dark on an issue of such national significance,” he added.
Kaye highlighted millions of people rely on a sustainable pharmacy network for life-saving medication and convenient clinical care, and that “they should not be denied the full facts of this dire situation.”
“Ultimately, the aim is to ensure that pharmacies are protected in the interests of patients, and that we move forward with Wes Streeting’s vision of a health system with care focused in the community.
“To do that everyone needs to be honest about the scale of the problem we face so we can solve it together,” he added.
The associations insisted that there is “no justification” for delaying publication of this report, whether or not consultations on funding are under way.
The signatures were collected in just five days, between 5 and 10 March.
Read the joint letter here...
Ethnic minority groups had worse experiences in their communication with their GP practice and felt taken less seriously
A recent survey by the NHS Race and Health Observatory has highlighted a worrying lack of trust in NHS primary care services among Black, Asian, and ethnic minority patients, who reported experiencing “racial or ethnic discrimination.”
Out of 2,680 survey respondents, only 55% reported trusting primary care providers to meet their health needs most or all of the time
Patient trust was impacted by their past experiences, particularly how healthcare professionals behaved towards and communicated with them.
Alarmingly, 51% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, with 38% of Asian respondents and 49% of Black respondents reporting that primary care providers treated them differently due to their ethnicity.
The survey also found that compared to white British patients, ethnic minority groups had worse experiences in their communication with their GP practice and felt taken less seriously.
Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, stressed the urgency of NHS reform: “We cannot have a two-tier NHS based upon patient ethnicity, background or circumstances.”
“This report reflects the clear need to bring speed and urgency to reform the NHS, so that patients do not face discrimination and systemic barriers when seeking healthcare,” he added.
Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, an Observatory Board Member and general practitioner, emphasised that trust is “the bedrock of the relationship between a healthcare professional and the patient” and even more vital in primary care.
He urged the primary care sector to use these insights to improve communication and health care delivery for the diverse population of patients.
Many patients from ethnic minority communities reported high rates of not feeling listened to by midwives and raised concerns about Islamophobia and religious bias in healthcare settings.
The survey also highlighted lack of medical competence, cultural awareness and resources regarding health conditions that disproportionately affect ethnic minority communities, including sickle cell disorder, lupus, and diabetes.
To address these disparities, the report made several recommendations, including development of a framework to “assess, evaluate and hold healthcare providers accountable for addressing ethnic health disparities.”
The report suggested that Integrated Care Systems should work with local communities to improve levels of trust in accessing primary care services in local communities.
Furthermore, it stressed the importance of raising awareness amongst healthcare professionals about racial and ethnic disparities in patient experience of primary care, and its impact on health outcomes.
Acknowledging the report’s concerning findings, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, noted “Patients must be able to access care without facing discrimination.”
“This report makes for very difficult reading - it is disheartening to see the number of patients who report negative experiences in primary care.”
She reaffirmed that addressing health inequalities remains a major priority for the Royal College of GPs, assuring that they will continue working hard to ensure all patients can access “safe, trustworthy and inclusive care.”
A recent paper from the independent health organisation has underscored how racism not only impacts people’s health and well-being but also puts “an unnecessary financial burden on the NHS and a cost to the economy.”
The study proposed adopting an economic approach to estimating the cost of racism similar to 'Cost of Illness' and 'Burden of Disease' analyses to quantify the monetary value to individuals, the NHS, and society.
The review highlighted existing institutional discrimination and racial health inequities across the NHS in England, including poorer maternal and mental health outcomes for ethnic minority patients, late diagnoses of cancer and other diseases, unequal access to healthcare including medical trials and personalised medicine, and wider disparities in the quality of healthcare treatment.
The Labour government has positioned economic growth at the heart of its policy agenda.
However, the report noted that achieving this vision requires confronting a significant barrier – the effect of racism on the health and wellbeing of the population.
“We know the human cost of the impact racial discrimination in society and in healthcare is having on all patients, communities and the workforce. What we don’t know are the less obvious economic costs to society and the NHS of such discrimination,” said Professor Naqvi.
“Exploring the exact scale of the broader economic costs of racial discrimination on the NHS, and on taxpayers, is a crucial next step in our understanding of the burden of racism,” he added.
