The government has pledged to improve mental health support as part of their plans for “unleashing our nation’s full potential” as the UK recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. Boris Johnson’s legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session was outlined in the Queen’s Speech yesterday (Tuesday 11th May 2021). In an event that was pared...
Mental Health Awareness Week highlights benefits of nature
Taking place from 10th-16th May, Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 will focus on the role nature can play in boosting our mental wellbeing. Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the annual awareness week will encourage people to connect with the natural world around them to help support their psychological and emotional health. The theme...
Worcestershire businesses face strengthened fire safety inspections
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are training up operational staff to enable them to strengthen their fire safety checks and support for local businesses. Speaking to Worcester News, Group Commander George Marshall explained that they were currently upskilling operational staff to enable them to carry out fire safety inspections. He said: “The...
Skills for Care renews and expands its endorsement of First Response Training
National workplace training provider, First Response Training (FRT), has had its endorsement by Skills for Care renewed and expanded to also cover its e-learning and webinar training programmes. The independent charity, Skills for Care, is a delivery partner for the Department for Health and Social Care and supports employers to develop best practice in...
Landmark mental health study reveals rise in loneliness
A landmark mental health study reveals a mixed picture for the UK one year after the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, with more adults experiencing loneliness. The Mental Health in the Pandemic study, which began shortly before the first national lockdown in March 2020 and has asked questions of the UK public at 10 intervals...
Occupational safety and health leads Covid recovery
The Director of Professional Services at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has commented on how the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession is leading the way in the recovery from Covid-19. In a commentary featured in the Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide 2021, Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher spoke of how OSH...
HSE Chair reflects on 12 months of Covid
The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Sarah Newton, has shared her reflections on the past year, which saw Britain and its workplaces battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Launching the HSE’s new regular website blog, Ms. Newton, who became Chair of Britain’s health and safety watchdog in August last year, explained that...
Covid-19 shielding ends for millions
Today (Wednesday 31st March 2021) marks the final day that millions of the most clinically vulnerable people in England and Wales are advised to shield. Letters have been sent out to around 4 million clinically extremely vulnerable people over the last few weeks, advising them that they no longer need to shield at home....
Skills for Care helps develop new leading centre for social care
Skills for Care have announced that they will be partnering with the University of Birmingham to develop a new centre for adult social care. The aim of the new IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together) centre, which will be the first of its kind in the UK, is to put evidence into practice in order...
CQC finds ‘inconsistent and concerning’ DNACPR decisions
A new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has called for improved oversight in relation to do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions after it found “worrying variations” in people’s experiences during the pandemic. The care watchdog for England said that, although there were examples of good practice, they also found that many...
More parents facing mental health issues due to pandemic
The NSPCC has reported that the number of people contacting them about parental mental health concerns has risen by 44% since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The national children’s charity says that, between April 2020 and January 2021, its confidential helpline received 3,608 contacts from adults worried about parental mental health, representing a...
Public support strict laws to protect children online
A survey commissioned by the NSPCC has found that 90% of adults support the introduction of tougher laws to protect children from online abuse. The YouGov poll questioned more than 2,000 adults and found that the vast majority backed new laws aimed at keeping children safe on social media, with 9 in 10 agreeing...
Survey reveals impact of coronavirus on UK children
A new survey capturing the experiences of children and young people during the pandemic has revealed many have faced mental health challenges over the past year. Conducted by Survation for Newsround, the survey asked over 2,000 6–16-year-olds from all across the UK about their experiences during 2020-21, questioning them about a range of issues,...
HSE guidance for reopened schools
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued guidance for schools on ensuring they remain Covid-secure as they reopen for the Spring term. England’s health and safety watchdog has reminded schools that they must have mitigating measures in place to control the risks from Covid-19, as well as “arrangements in place to ensure effective...
IOSH partners with WHO to protect lives and livelihoods
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has partnered with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide free online learning to help businesses and workers develop their knowledge around Covid-19. The two organisations have developed a new course which teaches people about preventing transmission of Covid-19 and managing the risks of returning to...