iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Commenting on today's NHS performance data, @timgardnerthf.bsky.social highlights how this summer's extreme heat has added pressure to an already stretched health service. Read the response⬇️ bit.ly/4yyyf5q

Quote card: 'While NHS waiting lists often rise at this time of year, the lack of sustained progress towards ending hospital backlogs is concerning. Tim Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at the Health Foundation.'

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Paul Mainwood @paulmainwood.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It’s “Super flu” again this year, so the NHS must be happy with how this “cry wolf” strategy worked the first couple of times. And while they didn’t read all the way to the end of the story, surely there can’t be anything too bad there. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Super flu vaccine ready as NHS regroups from busiest summer ever

This year's jab has a few tweaks, including changes to better combat the Super-K strain.

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Clare Griffiths @statsgeekclare.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Do you use Health trends in England fingertips.phe.org.uk/static-repor...? We are looking to replace it with a new integrated service for public health data and we're running a survey with users at the moment to understand what they currently use it for. forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

fingertips.phe.org.uk

Health trends in England

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

In this month's member blog, Dr Victor Joseph, Consultant in Public Health for @mydoncaster.bsky.social, reflects on his journey from training in preventative & curative medicine to leading on health protection in Doncaster. Read the full blog here➡️ bit.ly/4b54pfV

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Dan Lewer @danlewer.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Pop this on 1.5 speed and you can spend 38 minutes listening to me talking about natural experiments youtu.be/3pxudE0GNAo?...

youtu.be

What is a natural experiment? How can we use them to evaluate health interventions and policies?

YouTube video by NIHR Research Support Service (RSS)

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Emma Monk @monkemma.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

As misleading headlines go, that has to be up there with some of the worst! As is the claim that "Immigration is fuelling mass unemployment among under-25s." The "shocking new study" does NOT show that at all 🙄 🧵 1/21

Express Headline:

Twenty-seven young foreign workers hired for every one Brit as immigration fuels unemployment crisis.
Immigration is fuelling mass unemployment among under-25s, according to a shocking new study.

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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 18/05/2026

The NHS has met its interim target for 65% of patients to be seen within 18 weeks of referral, after a huge push from staff and a short-term funding boost over recent months. But how is the NHS performing overall? Explore our #QualityWatch performance dashboard for the latest. 👉 buff.ly/AThibSB

Our NHS performance dashboard provides an instant overview of the most widely recognised A&E, access and waiting time statistics. Follow the link in our post to explore the dashboard.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The Tobacco & Vapes Bill is now law.🎉 Today’s Royal Assent reflects the hard work of Directors of Public Health & partners in ending smoking harm. 👀 Read more of our member's reflections on our website ➡️ bit.ly/TobaccoAndVa... @felly500.bsky.social @wisemanalice.bsky.social

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

The King's Fund @thekingsfund.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Saddening findings from the NHS Staff Survey revealed 1 in 5 ethnic minority staff report experiencing discrimination from patients or the public. Activate, our anti-racism leadership programme, starts this September. Designed to support leaders to reflect, challenge and act. bit.ly/4u7tPQv

The image has a dark teal background with text stating, "One in five Black and minority ethnic staff report facing discrimination from patients or the public, compared with just 5% of white staff." A prominent "1 in 5" is highlighted at the bottom in large pink and white letters.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 20/04/2026

The 2020-2023 initiative to recruit 50,000 more NHS nurses had uneven effects across England. The North East and Yorkshire saw one of the smallest relative increases, despite its nursing workforce having shrunk in the years prior. Read more analysis of the recruitment programme: 👉 buff.ly/aJMAOzC

This chart shows the percentage change in the number of nurses working in hospital and community services by regions of England, prior to the introduction of the 50,000 target and during the period where the 50,000 target was applicable.

Summary of trend:
Regions within England show differences in the growth of the NHS nursing workforce over time. The South East of England saw the highest relative increase during the 50,000 nurses programme (15.7%, equivalent to a 7,145 net increase), following a period of no net growth to its workforce. In contrast, the number of nurses in the North East and Yorkshire fell by 1.3% prior to the introduction of the 50,000 target and had one of the smallest relative increases (10.2%, or 5,894 nurses) when the target was in place.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Kathryn Ingold FFPH @kathryningold.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Opportunity to work in childrens public health in Leeds. Please share. ce0992li.webitrent.com/ce0992li_web...

ce0992li.webitrent.com

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

🆕 You might have seen news stories reporting 3 confirmed cases of meningitis (MenB) in Dorset. 💊 All have received treatment and are recovering well. Close contacts of the cases have already been offered antibiotics as a precaution. ℹ️ This strain is not linked to the recent outbreak in Kent

An image of a teenage holding a phone, the overlaid text reads: Meningitis cases in Dorset: What you need to know

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

📝 New data by Office for National Statistics highlight people living in the most deprived areas across England & Wales spend around 15-20% less of their lives in good health compared to those in the least deprived areas. This often means living almost two decades with poor health. bit.ly/4cQ1bg7

bit.ly

Healthy life expectancy by national area deprivation, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics

Life expectancy and years expected to live in "good" health by deprivation level in England and Wales. Includes estimates of life expectancy between 2011 to 2013 and 2022 to 2024.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Anna Brook @ph-anna.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

See our placement for public health registers

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Child Poverty Action Group @cpaguk.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Today the two-child limit is gone. Parents have told us what this will mean for their kids: - A first-ever birthday party for a 10-year-old - Better quality food - Clothes that aren't completely worn out - Going on the school trip without getting into debt - A new mattress - Swimming lessons

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Dr. Skylar Grayson @skylargrayson.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

NASA just dropped this image of Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch looking back at us. The first woman to ever see our planet in its entirety. I’m not crying you’re crying 🥹🔭🧪 📸: NASA

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Dan Lewer @danlewer.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

If you'd like to hear about our planned trial of social media limitations among young people ("The IRL Trial"), please feel free to sign up for one of our webinars - we have one specifically for researchers, and one for stakeholders working in policy / services, etc: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

linkedin.com

#mentalhealth #adolescentwellbeing #trials | Born In Bradford

📢 We're hosting two webinars to introduce the IRL Trial — the world-first study exploring the impact of reduced social media on young people. Choose the right session for you: 1️⃣ Researchers and ...

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

The Productivity Institute @productivity.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

New Productivity Puzzles episode: What does it take to improve NHS productivity? Featuring @healthfoundation.bsky.social's report: From diagnosis to delivery: www.health.org.uk/reports-and-... As @teraallas.bsky.social notes, the NHS is undermanaged. Listen to the ep.: podfollow.com/productivity...

Tera Allas: “The NHS is undermanaged. Only about 2% of the workforce is management versus 9.5% in other sectors.”

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Dave West @ HSJ @davewwest.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Don’t blame the government – NHS ‘conservatism’ is holding back change stark piece on HSJ today from @joemcmanners.bsky.social - about the stalling of 'neighbourhood health' & associated agenda to shift power and resource to the community www.hsj.co.uk/service-rede...

hsj.co.uk

Don’t blame the government – NHS ‘conservatism’ is holding back change

Neighbourhood health has momentum and support, but without structural reform to funding and authority, the NHS risks slow implementation

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Dr Richard Ma PhD 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🍉🕺⚕️🩺🎓 @richard-ma.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Looking for: nurses /HCAs, working in general practice/HIV clinics, in Sheffield / Bristol /Brighton for focus groups discussions on care of older people living with HIV. Last recruitment round! Info/register here: forms.office.com/e/hY7bLrPgkQ #HIVSky #GPSky #NurseSky #NursingSky

forms.office.com

Microsoft Forms

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 24/02/2026

We've responded to the announcement of a new GP contract for 2026/27 in England. Read the statement from our Director of Research and Policy, Dr @becksfisher.bsky.social 👇

nuffieldtrust.org.uk

Nuffield Trust response to GP contract for 2026/27

Becks Fisher responds to the government's press release announcing the new English GP contract for 2026/27.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

What first attracted a man accused of using a highly offensive racial slur aimed at black people & making a derogatory remark about Jewish women to a party led by Nigel Farage? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Reform UK by-election campaign boss suspended over tweets

Reform UK's Gorton and Denton by-election interim campaign boss Adam Mitula made the posts on X.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Responding to government's new GP contract, @luisaptg.bsky.social says, while it includes welcome commitments, it does not represent the shift in resources needed to deliver 10-Year Health Plan or address challenges around access and continuity of care. Full response ⬇️ bit.ly/4tYmwM0

Person with curly hair wearing a white shirt beside the text 'Once inflation is accounted for, the investment is modest given the scale of the task ahead and does not represent the shift in resources needed to deliver the government’s 10-Year Health Plan or the deep-rooted challenges around access.'

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Earlier today, ADPH President @felly500.bsky.social, gave evidence on vaccinations to the Health and Social Care Committee. Coming just weeks after the UK lost its measles elimination status, Greg explained why people don't always take up the offer of vaccines. 👀 Watch in full ➡️ bit.ly/3MsaFVn

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Pippa Crerar @pippacrerar.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

EXCL: Chris Wormald, the most senior civil servant in Downing Street, is negotiating his exit as part of a wider shakeup of Keir Starmer’s operation after dramatic day - @kiranstacey.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in days

Exclusive: Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald is expected to follow Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan out the door

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

DHSC published its impact statement for the 10 Year Health Plan this week (yes, that is 6 months after it published the plan) It's more measured and clear-eyed than the original document and quite a contrast to some of the effusive optimism in the plan Some of the things that caught my eye 👇

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Paul Mainwood @paulmainwood.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

I wonder if there'll be any consequences for NHS leadership on the hyping of flu this year? Bullshit from people like Sir Jim Mackey ("5000-8000 beds") and Professor Meghana Pandit ("unprecedented wave of superflu") means NHS statements can only be treated as spin, not factual. Which is dangerous.

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 16/12/2025

Two years on from a landmark Nuffield Trust report on the near-terminal decline of NHS dentistry, our Chief Executive @theasrstein.bsky.social responds to today's government proposals to improve urgent dental care. Read the statement 👇

nuffieldtrust.org.uk

Nuffield Trust response to proposals to improve dental care for those with most urgent needs

Thea Stein responds to the government’s proposals to improve dental care for people with the most urgent needs.

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Dave West @ HSJ @davewwest.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Some more assessment of this from over on LinkedIn

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UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Dr Suzanna McDonald is back with #UKHSAVirusWatch in 60 seconds. ⏱️ Now is your very last chance to get your flu vaccine in order to protect yourself ahead of the festive period. If you're eligible, book now through your GP practice or online. 🔗 nhs.uk/fluvaccine

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Stuart McDonald @actuarybyday.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Sensible measured messaging from UKHSA. In sharp contrast to what we’ve seen elsewhere.

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Stuart McDonald @actuarybyday.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

"A challenge unlike any since the pandemic" - really? Have we all forgotten about December 2022? Ambulance response times for category 2 emergencies like heart attacks and strokes hit 92 minutes on average! The target is 18 mins. Yesterday's data says 32 minutes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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Nick Davies @njdavies.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Given the govt's comittment to a) shift care from treatment to prevention and b) shift spending away from hospitals, its hard to justify the decision to keep spending on public health flat for the next three years when the NHS will see real terms spending growth

hsj.co.uk

Prevention shift ‘left behind’ as budgets are held flat

Public health allocations are due to be held flat in real terms for three years, despite the government's intended "shift from treatment to prevention".

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Stuart McDonald @actuarybyday.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

I've got to say, I'm not sure why this has become such a big media story. I might be wrong but my current view is that it's overblown. Flu arrived early, which is why it's breaking 'time of year' records, but it's only in the medium threshold and could peak lower than last year, let alone 2022-23.

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James Hay @jameshay.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Great take. We looked at the data a few weeks ago and concluded that other than starting early, this year's dynamics are comparable to previous bad seasons. Our scenario models suggest a peak in infections (not hospitalisations which lag 1/2 weeks) in early/mid December. zenodo.org/records/1770...

zenodo.org

Evaluation of the epidemiological outlook of the influenza A/H3N2 clade K in England during the 2025-26 season

Key findings England is currently experiencing a high growth rate of infections caused by the influenza A/H3N2 K clade. Antigenic change from the previously dominant clade, a rapid selective sweep evi...

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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

🧵How much should the NHS worry about this winter's flu wave? You may have seen this alarming headline on the BBC website today... I think it's too early to make this claim and the data does not support it. I think it will be a bad flu season but no evidence to think worse than previous yrs 1/8

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Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

The government is set to publish the Men's Health Strategy on Wednesday @politicshome.bsky.social understands it is expected to include new measures to tackle gambling-related harms, as pressure grows for ministers to treat gambling addiction as a major public health threat

politicshome.com

Men’s Health Strategy Expected To Include New Measures On Gambling Addiction

The government’s Men’s Health Strategy is expected to include new measures to tackle gambling-related harm, as pressure grows for ministers to trea...

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Stefan Serban @stefanserban.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Looking for a GDC-registered dentist with a genuine interest in teaching and dental public health to join our team at the University of Glasgow. Teaching-focused role with real-world impact. If this sounds like you, please get in touch or share: lnkd.in/esVjHEig #DentalEducation #DentalPublicHealth

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Faculty of Public Health @fphuk.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The Faculty of Public Health proudly represents a multi-disciplinary specialty, and strongly supports opening the availability of NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship posts to all Public Health Specialty Registrars regardless of professional background. www.fph.org.uk/news/stateme...

fph.org.uk

Statement on Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs)

As the professional membership body representing a proudly multi-disciplinary specialty, the Faculty of Public Health strongly supports opening the availability of NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship (A...

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Reposted by Dr Kev Smith FFPH

Eastern England SDE @easternsde.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Learn more about NHS England's Ethnicity Recording Improvement Plan, a significant step forward in tackling health inequalities and building trust between patients and the healthcare system. england.nhs.uk/long-read/et...

england.nhs.uk

NHS England » Ethnicity Recording Improvement Plan

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

The RSV pre-fusion vaccine Abrysvo is really effective in the real world. In this new study effectiveness in the first season post-licensure, the vaccine was 92% effective in preventing severe infection defined as an ER visit or hospitalization requiring oxygen. academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...

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Andrea Mazzella @andmazzella.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Annual epi update on bloodstream infections and C. difficile infections in England. Continuing worrying trend of increasing rates of most of these infections, especially for community-onset cases

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Greg Fell @felly500.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes... MMWR During the 2025 Southern Hemisphere influenza season, seasonal influenza vaccination reduced influenza-associated outpatient visits by 50.4% and hospitalization by 49.7%.

cdc.gov

Interim Effectiveness Estimates of 2025 Southern ...

This report describes flu vaccine effectiveness in the Southern Hemisphere during the 2025 flu season.

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Ever since I learned about this study enrolling I have been eagerly awaiting the results. Researchers in Uganda took a centuries-old cultural practice mothers carrying babies on their backs in cloth wraps and turned it into a public health tool. You got to love it! www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

nejm.org

Permethrin-Treated Baby Wraps for the Prevention of Malaria | NEJM

Malaria remains a major cause of childhood death in sub-Saharan Africa. We leveraged the traditional practice of mothers carrying children on their backs in cloth wraps to assess whether treating t...

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Colin Angus @victimofmaths.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

We've got a shiny new report (full of lovely graphs) all about the no/low alcohol drinks market in Great Britain. How big is the market compared to for standard alcohol and how has it grown recently, how do prices compare, who drinks these products etc. We've got answers to all these questions:

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Prof Jim McManus, OCDS, D.Sc,FFPH,FBPsS, @jimmcmanusph.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Statement from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency "MHRA confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children" www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

MHRA confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children

Paracetamol should be taken as directed in the patient information leaflet

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Deb Cohen @debscohen.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

New book klaxon: I finally piss EVERYONE off! What happens when you put health on platforms geared for shopping, PR & entertainment? What's medicine and what's marketing? And what impact is it having on health? (In public health lingo -it's commercial meets digital determinants of health)

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Dr Kev Smith FFPH @smithkjj.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

A story about a man I was honoured to meet. Rest in peace sir.

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