New plan to help people live in their own communities
Almost 400 people with learning disabilities and complex support needs will benefit from £20 million of funding to implement the Coming Home Action Plan, which sets out measures to ensure tailored support and housing close to home, family and friends.
This will fund bespoke support, home adaptations, equipment and technology to enable people to return to their communities rather than spending longer periods in hospital than necessary or living in supported accommodation far from home.
Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said: “Every day spent unnecessarily in hospital is time away from someone’s community, family and friends. We cannot allow people to spend longer in hospital than they need to or to stay far from home just because they have more intensive support needs.
“We are beginning to see progress. The latest data shows that fewer people are delayed in hospital or placed in care settings far from home – but there is more to do.
“I am pleased to see this £20 million funding bringing total investment in delivering the Coming Home agenda to £40 million since 2021. I thank Dr Anne MacDonald and partners for their commitment. Real change is delivered locally and this Action Plan, alongside additional investment, provides a strong framework for that.”
Cllr Paul Kelly, COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: “We recognise the vital importance of ensuring that people with learning disabilities and complex needs spend no more time away from home than is absolutely necessary. COSLA remains fully committed to delivering the Coming Home Action Plan and to improving outcomes for the individuals and families we all serve.
“We have worked closely with the Scottish Government, Local Government, Integration Authorities, the NHS and Third Sector partners to develop the Action Plan and set out how we will jointly address these long standing issues. I am grateful for the significant commitment and time that all partners have invested in producing the Plan, which is published today. We now need to maintain that drive and collective focus as we move into delivery.
“Sustained, additional investment across the whole system will be crucial to ensuring that people with learning disabilities and complex needs can return home as quickly as possible.”
Dr Anne MacDonald, Chair of the Coming Home Short Life Working Group, said: “I’d like to thank colleagues across the sector for all their input to developing this Action Plan, which we hope will make a real difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and complex support needs.
“The Action Plan is focused on changes that will support people to live well in their local communities, to have choice and control about where they live, and to have their human rights upheld.”
Inquiry publishes third report and 10 recommendations, examining ‘The impact of Covid-19 on healthcare systems’
The Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has today published her third report which concludes that the UK’s healthcare systems “came close to collapse”. Ultimately it “coped, but only just”.
Module 3, the third of the Inquiry’s 10 investigations, has examined the impact of Covid-19 on healthcare systems across the four nations. It investigated how governments and society responded to the pandemic, the capacity of healthcare systems to adapt and the impact on patients, their loved ones and healthcare workers.
Today’s new report, ‘The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare systems of the United Kingdom’ (Module 3), finds that the UK entered the pandemic ill-prepared. Healthcare systems were already overstretched and in a precarious state. This fragility had profound consequences once the crisis hit, especially when the numbers of people seeking treatment for Covid-19 started to increase dramatically.
Healthcare systems were overwhelmed and came close to collapse. Despite the best efforts of healthcare workers, many Covid patients did not receive the care they would otherwise receive and non Covid patients had their diagnoses and treatment delayed. For some this meant their condition became inoperable. Healthcare workers put their lives at risk and the pandemic had a significant and long-lasting impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
In hospitals, visiting restrictions meant some vulnerable patients were left without vital support. Some people died alone. This continues to have a devastating impact on the bereaved.
Baroness Hallett calls for the prompt and thorough implementation of 10 key recommendations. These are necessary to prevent healthcare systems being overwhelmed in the next pandemic.
“This third UK Covid-19 Inquiry report concerns the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s healthcare systems. I can summarise that impact as: we coped, but only just.
“The healthcare systems came close to collapse. Healthcare workers carried the burden of caring for the sick in unprecedented numbers. It came at a huge cost to them, their families, their patients and the loved ones of patients. Collapse was only narrowly avoided thanks to the extraordinary efforts of all those working in healthcare across the UK.
“Despite those efforts, some patients did not get the level of care they would usually receive. The enormous strain placed upon the healthcare systems was unprecedented. Those working within it were obliged to work under intolerable pressure for months on end.
“We cannot know when, but there will be another pandemic. My recommendations, taken as a whole, should mean that the UK is better prepared for that pandemic. In doing so, we shall avoid some of the terrible human cost of Covid-19.
“I urge governments across the UK to work individually and collectively to implement these recommendations, in full and in a timely manner.”
A four-page brief summary of the report can be found on the Inquiry’s website and is available in a variety of languages and accessible formats.
In total, 95 witnesses gave oral evidence during Module 3 public hearings held in London in autumn 2024. The Inquiry heard from healthcare professionals, policy-makers, relevant experts, groups representing those most at risk from contracting Covid-19 and those who developed Long Covid as a result of catching the virus.
The Inquiry also heard from serving and former senior politicians, leading scientists, key medical professionals and civil servants.
Some of Baroness Hallett’s conclusions are as follows:
While health ministers maintained that the UK never reached a state of overwhelm, “there was clearly overwhelm”. Lower levels of care were provided to patients and patients did not always get the care they needed, notwithstanding the efforts of healthcare workers.
The pressure was, at times, intolerable and this continued for wave after wave of the virus. Healthcare systems entered the pandemic with low numbers of hospital beds, high bed occupancy, high numbers of staff vacancies and of sickness absences, meaning systems were in a precarious position from the outset.
Initial infection prevention and control guidance was flawed because it assumed that Covid-19 was spread by contact transmission and failed to consider the extent to which the virus was also spread by aerosol transmission.
Supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were particularly constrained at the start of the pandemic, causing healthcare workers sometimes to work in inadequate and unsuitable PPE and put themselves and their families at risk to care for patients.
111 services were not able to cope with the level of demand. Call demand for advice and information about Covid-19 increased dramatically, particularly in the early stages of the pandemic.
Waiting times for emergency ambulances grew. Waiting times for even the most life-threatening calls grew, with some ambulance services resorting to military aid to ensure there was not a significant risk to life.
Visiting restrictions meant that many patients died without the comfort of being surrounded by their loved ones, while vulnerable patients such as those with dementia or a learning disability and children in mental health inpatient units, as well as women accessing maternity services were left without vital support.
The public messaging “Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives” may have, inadvertently, sent the message that healthcare was closed, contributing to a decline in attendances even for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attacks.
The mental health of healthcare staff was severely impacted, with many exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, while burn-out was common.
The Chair considers that all Module 3 recommendations should be implemented in full and in a timely manner.
The Inquiry will monitor the implementation of the recommendations during its lifetime. In summary, the Inquiry recommends:
increasing capacity in urgent and emergency care and ensuring that hospitals have the ability to implement surge capacity;
strengthening the body responsible for infection prevention and control guidance, broadening its membership to enhance its decision-making and improving the guidance itself;
improving data collection, enabling individuals at highest risk of harm from infection to be more easily identified and recording deaths of healthcare workers more accurately;
promoting a standardised process and documentation for advance care planning, recording patients’ preferences for future care and treatment;
increasing support for healthcare workers, improving retention and increasing resilience; and
publishing guidance to assist decision-makers, providing clear criteria for clinical decisions if critical care resources become completely exhausted.
A full list of the Inquiry’s recommendations can be found in thefull report.
The Inquiry has published recommendations for Module 1 and Module 2. Baroness Hallett welcomes the action taken by the four governments of the UK to date and trusts that all remaining recommendations will be implemented promptly and in full. Progress on the implementation of recommendations can be tracked on the Monitoring of Inquiry Recommendations page on the Inquiry’s website. The Inquiry expects to receive the next progress update in May 2026.
Module 3 was the first to publish a recordof the Inquiry’s listening exercise, Every Story Matters, which brought together the contributions of more than 32,000 people. The Healthcare Record sets out the personal impact of the pandemic in stark and often distressing terms.
The Inquiry’s next report – focusing on the development of Covid-19 vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme (Module 4) will be published next month, 16th April 2026. A further four reports will follow covering Modules 5 to 9, with the final report, Module 10, scheduled to be published no later than Summer 2027.
The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill, which regulates higher-risk cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers, has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill requires procedures to be performed by, or alongside, certain healthcare professionals in a registered setting, bringing consistent regulation to the industry. The Bill also ensures non-surgical cosmetic procedures cannot be performed on under 18s.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland will be able to inspect premises where there are reasonable grounds to believe an offence is being committed.
The Scottish Government will support businesses to adapt to the new requirements. Businesses will have at least until September 2027 to make necessary changes.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are increasingly popular, and when not carried out safely they can cause serious and lasting harm.
“This legislation is designed to ensure that higher-risk procedures take place in appropriate settings with a healthcare professional present, and that under-18s are properly protected. These are meaningful, proportionate changes that put public safety first.
“I also recognise the importance of ensuring businesses are supported to adapt to new requirements and we have listened closely to the sector. The offences in the Bill cannot come into force before September 2027 giving an extended period of time for businesses to respond to these changes. The Bill is designed to be responsive to changes in the industry, and the procedures will be kept under review to ensure the list remains effective and proportionate.
“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who campaigned so passionately on this issue – their determination has helped shape stronger legislation.
“I am also grateful to colleagues across the Parliament who worked together constructively to pass this Bill.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is continuing to investigate an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent with 13 cases notified since 13 March. Sadly, this includes 2 people who are known to have died.
Investigations have confirmed some of the cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 to 7 March prior to becoming unwell. UKHSA’s health protection team is working closely with the nightclub and partners including the University of Kent to limit the spread.
UKHSA is now advising anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5 March, 6 March or 7 March to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure. This can be collected from the following sites:
Senate Building at University of Kent, CT2 7NZ – open until 8pm on Monday 16 March (queue closes 7.15pm) and from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday 17 March.
Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG – open until 8pm on Monday 16 March and planned to open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March.
Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT. Planned to be open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March.
Carey Building, Thanet Hub, Margate Northwood Rd, Westwood, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA. Planned to be open from 8.30am to 7.30 pm on Tuesday 17 March.
Advice has been issued to 16,000 staff and students at the University of Kent, where antibiotics are also being offered to those who need them.
Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly. Signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting, and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.
Early symptoms can often be confused with other illnesses such as a cold, flu or hangover, and students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs. If you or anyone you know develops any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately by contacting a GP, calling NHS 111 or dialling 999 in an emergency. Knowing the signs and taking early treatment can be lifesaving.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, said: Our thoughts remain with the friends and family involved and we understand that many people in the university and wider community will be affected by this sad news.
“Our investigations have identified that some cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury and it is important that anyone who visited the club between 5 and 7 March now comes forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precaution, as well as those offered antibiotics at the university – these students are being contacted directly through the university.
“If you think you may have symptoms of meningitis, do not hesitate to seek medical help by contacting your GP or calling NHS 111.”
Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is an uncommon but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. Very occasionally, the meningococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can rapidly lead to sepsis.
The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital.
Early symptoms, which may not always be present, include:
a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass
sudden onset of high fever
severe and worsening headache
stiff neck
vomiting and diarrhoea
joint and muscle pain
dislike of bright lights
very cold hands and feet
seizures
confusion/delirium
extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking
Young people going on to university or college for the first time are particularly at risk of meningitis because they newly mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.
There are numerous strains of the meningococcal infection. The MenACWY vaccination gives good protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY. It is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10. However, this vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningococcal infection.
Other strains such as MenB can circulate in young adults, which is why it’s important to know how to spot the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia as early detection and treatment can save lives.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths following the reported outbreak of meningitis in Kent. Our heartfelt thoughts are with their families, friends and the surrounding communities at this incredibly difficult time.
We urge students, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis, which can include a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, cold hands and feet, limb pain, and, in some cases, a rash that does not fade under pressure.
Symptoms can appear suddenly and be easily mistaken for flu, a heavy cold or even a hangover, so it is vital that anyone who is concerned seeks urgent medical help immediately.
At Meningitis Now, we are here for anyone who needs information, guidance or someone to talk to during what can be a frightening and uncertain time.
You can find more information from https://bit.ly/4rAHm1x or by calling our nurse-led Helpline on 0808 80 10 388, open Monday to Friday.
Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of Meningitis Now says:“We are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of two young people following the reported outbreak of meningitis linked to the University of Kent and schools local to Canterbury. Our heartfelt thoughts are with their families, friends and the entire community at this incredibly difficult time.
“Meningitis can progress very quickly and its impact is devastating, particularly for young people and their loved ones. University students and young adults are among the groups at increased risk because they are more likely to carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis, and because bacteria can spread more easily in settings where students and young people live, study and socialise closely together.
“We urge students, young people, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis, which can include a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, cold hands and feet, limb pain, and, in some cases, a rash that does not fade under pressure.
“Symptoms can appear suddenly and can easily be mistaken for flu, a heavy cold or even the after-effects of a night out, so it is vital that anyone who is concerned seeks urgent medical help immediately.
We welcome the swift response from the UK Health Security Agency to identify close contacts and provide precautionary antibiotics where needed. Rapid public health action is crucial in helping to reduce the risk of further cases. We are offering our support and resources to the university, schools and wider community to help in any way we can.
“At Meningitis Now we are here to support anyone affected by meningitis, whether they are directly affected themselves, supporting a loved one, or dealing with the aftermath of the disease. Our support services are available to anyone who needs information, guidance or someone to talk to during what can be a frightening and uncertain time. You can find our more information from www.meningitisnow.org or by calling our nurse-led Helpline on 0808 80 10 388, open Monday to Friday.
“Meningitis can affect anyone, but it is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Vaccination is the only way of preventing certain types of meningitis, and many students will have had the MenACWY vaccination at school. However, it is important for teenagers and young adults to be aware that they are unlikely to have been vaccinated against one of the most common causes of meningitis in this age group, which is MenB. We encourage everyone to check that they and their families are up to date with the vaccines available to them and to be aware of the signs and symptoms too.
“This tragic situation is a stark reminder of why our “No Plan B for MenB” campaign is calling for greater protection against meningococcal group B, or MenB, disease. MenB is one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in the UK and can strike suddenly with life-changing consequences.
“Since 2015 only infants have been vaccinated against MenB and we believe all teenagers and young adults should be protected by this vaccine on the NHS. Currently the vaccine is only available privately through high-street and supermarket pharmacies.
“If anyone is worried about symptoms, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical help. Acting quickly can save lives.”
Specsavers is launching its first ever graduate development programme for recently qualified audiologists and hearing aid dispensers.
Applications are now open for the Specsavers Audiology Graduate Programme, a brand-new opportunity open to qualified audiologists with HCPC registration or those on track to qualify and be registered by September 2026. Applications are welcomed from local final year students and graduates of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Specsavers is currently the only major UK audiology employer offering a clearly defined, national, structured audiology graduate programme offering a guaranteed salary alongside structured clinical, leadership, and business development. Graduates will also benefit from ongoing support from experienced partners and central support teams and clear progression routes into permanent roles and/or business ownership.
Successful applicants will be based within a Specsavers hearing care practice – which can be either in a store or with a home visits service – for 18-months where they will complete a training programme to providing strong foundations for early career audiologists. Graduates will be able to build and develop clinical, leadership and business skills – learning how to drive clinical excellence and deliver exceptional patient care and customer experience.
Laura Monaghan, Head of Careers for Specsavers Hearing Care, said: :‘Our first audiology graduate programme provides an excellent springboard into a fulfilling and rewarding clinical career.
“We’re looking for people who care about doing the right thing for patients, enjoy keeping quality and service standards high and are wanting to combine their clinical skills with experience in leadership and business operations.
“We’ll give successful applicants structured early-career support, with help from our expert office teams and store partners, so they have everything they need to succeed.
‘Specsavers is a family business, and each practice is owned and run by its clinical and retail directors. We have been certified as a Great Place to Work for the last three years in the UK and Ireland and are ranked number 12 in 2025’s World’s Best Workplaces™.
‘Unlike many graduate opportunities, this is not just a job vacancy, but a nationally-supported graduate pathway with consistent training and a variety of avenues for progression. If you are a passionate, ambitious, and hard-working Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser that is ready to learn how to lead and grow in audiology, we’re waiting to hear from you and look forward to giving your audiology career an excellent launch pad.’
Alongside having HCPC registration as an Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser – or currently studying for an audiology degree and due to qualify and register by September 2026 – applicants will also need a full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK.
You might wonder – what’s that got to do with mental health?
Well, a lot, actually.
Money’s harder to manage if you have a mental health problem. And being in debt makes it harder to look after your mental health.
That’s why it can feel really difficult to get out of a debt – mental health cycle.
Thankfully, if this is something you recognise, there are organisations out there ready to help you. Check out these organisations or our website for more help and support.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and its second biggest cancer killer. We know that one of the ways we can reduce our risk of developing bowel cancer is by taking part in regular exercise.
This April, for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer UK are encouraging people to do something active every day as part of our ActiveApril campaign.
Whether your readers would like to challenge themselves to reach a fitness goal or get active in their own way, every movement they make in ActiveApril will bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.
Successful initiative to be rolled out across the country
A programme giving dedicated support to cancer patients throughout their treatment will be rolled out nationwide.
Following the success of 12 pilot projects, which received over £5 million in funding between 2022 and March 2025, an additional £1 million will be provided annually to expand the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) programme, reaching more people with cancer than ever before. An assessment by Healthcare Improvement Scotland found that over a 12-month period, SPOC services had more than 30,000 interactions with people affected by cancer.
The SPOC makes life easier for patients with cancer, providing easy access to clinical teams providing information and advice about appointments, tests and results, and explaining what clinical and non-clinical support is available for them and their family.
Patient feedback from the pilots highlighted reduced stress around appointments, quicker access to blood results, more time for questions, and greater emotional support. Staff reported improved wellbeing and more time for professional development and clinical care.
Announcing the expansion at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, where the SPOC navigation team has supported patients since early 2023, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am very pleased to roll-out this invaluable initiative which gives people with cancer a consistent contact throughout their treatment, enabling specialist staff to focus on complex clinical care.
“The Single Point of Contact service ensures cancer patients know exactly who they can turn to when they need advice about their diagnosis or care. The expansion of this programme means more people can benefit from this type of one-to-one support which is truly making a difference.”
NHS Forth Valley Deputy Medical Director Professor Karen Adamson said: “Digital follow-up for patients with prostate cancer is transforming how we support people after diagnosis. It offers a convenient and efficient way for patients to receive their results and ongoing follow-up, without the need for unnecessary hospital visits.
“In 2024–25, 391 patients received their results and follow-up digitally, releasing the equivalent of 26 Clinical Nurse Specialist clinics so more patients can be seen and supported. Feedback shows patients value the service, describing it as quick, convenient and reassuring.
“This approach reflects our commitment to value-based health and care – improving patient experience and outcomes while making the best possible use of specialist clinical time.”
