Office for National Statistics Covid 19.

[Who2]

Our household has been selected to help the University of Oxford,
find the best way to manage the Covid 10 pandemic in the UK.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/surveys/informat ... nsurveycis

So doing our patriotic duty we have decided to become a statistic.
To be continued.....

[Who2]

A very efficient phone call to register, to be informed that a 'study worker will call us in 2 days..

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having a major impact across the UK.

This study is trying work out how many people have already had COVID-19, even if they do not realise they have had it. We do this by asking questions, taking a swab from your nose and throat, and possibly taking a blood sample. One way the body fights infections like COVID-19 is by making small particles in the blood called “antibodies”. Scientists will measure levels of the COVID-19 virus in a nose and throat swab and levels of these antibodies in blood to work out who has COVID-19 now (with or without symptoms) and who has had it in the past. We will measure levels of the virus in a nose and throat swab once in everyone who joins the study. Only some of these people will be asked to give blood as well.

This is a 12 months study, forgot to say, they pay us as well.....
Ps: Time to look for a bigger fridge/freezer for the next lock down..

[garfield4]

only in england

[Who2]

After 3 phone calls and 4 emails finally 2 to the boss, Professor Anne Sarah Walker we got a reply.
Mind you, I also 'slagged them off a bit on their FB site, as well...
This after we registered back in early September.

Tom arrived today, who works for somebody who has something to do with Oxford Uni.
Nice efficient guy, who incidentally reckons he does this 7 times a day.

Form filling, throat and nose swabs and blood samples.
He said 'we will be contacted by Wed, if we are positive! If ?...

Ps: They do this to us monthly for their statistics...
I'll keep in touch,err..
'If not I'm in the new Nightingale covid isolation ward, they have just built one round in St Bartholomew's.

[newcastle]

'If not I'm in the new Nightingale covid isolation ward, they have just built one round in St Bartholomew's.

Any preference for grapes?

Red/ green/ white?....seedless?

[crewmeal]

Talking of Nightingale wards, I'll never understand why covid patients are filling up hospitals when most if not all Nightingale wards around the country stand empty. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[newcastle]

Talking of Nightingale wards, I'll never understand why covid patients are filling up hospitals when most if not all Nightingale wards around the country stand empty. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I though that hospital admissions dropped off earlier this year and, when the Nightingales were ready , they weren’t needed. No point in staffing and equipping a big hospital when there’s space elsewhere.

Now that there’s been a resurge in cases, and some hospitals are reaching capacity, they may open some of the Nightingales.

[carrie]

I thought it was because there wasn't enough staff to open them.

[crewmeal]

No point in staffing and equipping a big hospital when there’s space elsewhere.

Agreed but when covid patients take priority over cancer patients plus thousands of routine operations are cancelled as we've heard on the news many times then the Nightingales should be put into good use, after all millions were spent on developing them.

I thought it was because there wasn't enough staff to open them.

You're probably right but I remember when Madam May was Home Secretary she deported and refused Doctors and Nursing staff visas to work in the UK presumably to keep the numbers down. What a dreadful mistake that woman made.

[newcastle]

As Carrie mentioned, inability to staff the Nightingales is one factor. And you can’t just “magic up” doctors and nurses...they take years to train.

It also explains the inevitable knock-on effect of a pandemic....the cancellation of non-urgent operations. Having beds, operating theatres and equipment available is no use if you haven’t doctors and nurses!

I’d lay the blame at the foot of Tory austerity ( and attitude to immigration) over a decade.

At least they seem to be getting to grips with the issue of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Early access to scans and biopsies is essential....as is ongoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery for those affected. There’s been some anecdotal evidence that the NHS were falling behind in this area although I wonder whether, in some cases, it was a reluctance on the part of the patient to visit hospital or press their doctor/consultant in the midst of the pandemic.

[Major Thom]

If they put COVID patients into the Nightingale Hospitals only and used Military Medics it may aid infection and free up room for those that have other serious conditions. Just a suggestion...

[HEPZIBAH]

Unfortunately Covid-19 has highlighted, and made worse, a problem that already existed. The NHS was all ready stretched to limits and it was not unusual for delays in getting to see a consultant, even longer delays in getting hospital treatment, and operations being cancelled - even on the day.
That being said we still have a wonderful health service. The workforce deserve full credit, often for doing what they do in very difficult circumstances. Management, and funding, at the highest levels appear to be the downfall, and one that those that should be sorting out don't seem capeable of.

[newcastle]

There was talk, when the pandemic first hit, of recruiting retired medics, service medics etc, to assist the NHS. I doubt this is contemplated now that we know so much more about th3 virus and with a vaccine available soon.

Long waiting lists and operations cancelled at the last moment are, as Hepzibah notes, hardly a new phenomenon. A few years ago I was taken into hospital twice for the removal of a malignant tumour...only to have the op cancelled as there was no spare bed in intensive care.

The consultant surgeon was so p*ssed off after the second cancellation that he got onto the NHS and suggested he carry out the surgery (which was for a life threatening condition) in his Harley Street clinic....which he did 2 days later.

The op and subsequent recovery (10 days of luxury!) cost the NHS a small fortune

[carrie]

A friends daughter, a nurse, caught corona. She is now fully recovered and back at work.
The number of NHS staff who have been sick and unable to work just exacerbates the problem.

[crewmeal]

I’d lay the blame at the foot of Tory austerity ( and attitude to immigration) over a decade.

I couldn't agree more. We've seen the Tories screw up so many times not only with the NHS but their ideas on Transport (remember the non existant ferries)

[Who2]

A continuum....um..

2nd visit by the team, this time a Polish young lady..
PPED to the max, no entry all done on the landing.
Very efficient using her phone & ipad, but they had left off Simona.

She, Sim then went into a 'strop sounding off in polish (she speaks & can 'swear in 4 languages)
Moaning on about "taking her blood and all, 'ruddy cheek them transylvanians..
Our intrepid 'study worker (with nice eyes) using her phone & ipad sorted it all out.
They are now best of mates..

During all this Amazon arrived with my Stilton..'yeh!
I'm now feeding it, with Nick's leftover birthday present. A Fonseca 2004 Vintage Port.
By Xmas it will be drunk, the cheese that is.....

Ps: Cheese & marmite scones mmmm....