Hybrid immunity in older adults is associated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 infections following BNT162b2 COVID-19 immunisation.

Background: Older adults, particularly in long-term care facilities (LTCF), remain at considerable risk from SARS-CoV-2. Data on the protective effect and mechanisms of hybrid immunity are skewed towards young adults precluding targeted vaccination strategies.

Methods: A single-centre longitudinal seroprevalence vaccine response study was conducted with 280 LCTF participants (median 82 yrs, IQR 76-88 yrs; 95.

Step up to the mark, leaders.

These are challenging times for all of us. Reconfiguration, redundancy and redeployment abound and uncertainty is often the only certainty. The pressure on individuals can feel immense but this is not the era for the faint hearted.

Reinvent, reorganise and reform.

The OCTOBER spending review set out the government's plans for the country in the coming years. The review is one of the most challenging we have seen and will affect us all. This, along with the proposals in the white paper on NhS reform and efficiency and public sector job losses, paints a difficult picture of uncertainty.

A literature review of interprofessional working and intermediate care in the UK.

Aims And Objectives: This systematic literature review aimed at addressing two questions: first, what evidence exists regarding intermediate care in the UK; and what interventions have been used to develop interprofessional working in intermediate care in the UK? A systematic review of the literature from 2000-2006 resulted in a total of 104 full-text articles describing research into intermediate care in the UK.

Background: The review was the first stage of a large, national project evaluating and developing interprofessional working among health and social care staff, particularly in relation to the intermediate care of older people.

Design: Systematic literature review.

Work smarter.

A new government brings with it a sense of uncertainty for us all as we consider how its policies will affect the work that we do in the future. What is certain is that the number of older people in the population will continue to increase and their needs will have to be met.

Policy in practice.

The National Dementia Strategy published in February 2009 set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform and development of dementia care in England. This has set in train work on the strategy's 17 objectives. Nurses have a pivotal role to play in the delivery of the change which people with dementia and their carers want to see.

Expert support for dementia.

The National Dementia strategy published in February 2009 set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform and development of dementia care in england. This has set in train work on the strategy's 17 objectives. Nurses have a pivotal role to play in the delivery of the change which people with dementia and their carers want to see.

Shared knowledge.

Hospitals are streamlined organisations. They provide care that has to be adapted for all ages, conditions and individual expectations. While the majority of people using general hospital services are older people, the NHS seems to struggle with the fact that its core business is delivering care to this group.

Policy in practice accentuate the positive.

I was at an event recently run by the charity Counsel and Care, which focused on older people in the media. It provided an opportunity to reflect on how society thinks about older people and how powerful the media are in shaping public opinion. The media have the potential for positive and negative portrayals in print and online and to influence how we all think.

Ensuring smooth transitions.

We often pay attention to the trauma of hospital admission with its consequent anxiety and loss of autonomy and control. I am less convinced that we apply the same sensitivities to the transfer of care or discharge from hospital.

Change in direction on abuse.

The Department of Health (DH) consultation on proposed changes to the No Secrets (DH 2000) guidance to protect vulnerable adults from abuse has closed. The task now is to analyse responses and consider the proposals and changes suggested. The complexity of the issue and the number of interested parties from health and social care, the judiciary and police, and housing and care providers, present a real challenge in ensuring the right balance between autonomy, choice, and social and potential legal responsibility.

Deprivation, liberty and dignity.

The Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards came into force in April for all hospitals and care homes. This important legislation sets in place clear expectations for organisations about individuals in their care who cannot make decisions about that care and/or treatment because they lack mental capacity, and need to be protected from harm in their best interests. This could mean depriving individuals of their their liberty.

A stronger voice for older people.

I often hear the question 'How are we going to involve older people?' This is guaranteed to make my hackles rise, not because we shouldn't ask it but because we still have to. As we embrace a future where older people are the majority group in society, we need to move from thinking 'how do we' to making this involvement implicit.

Assume nothing for me.

I have encountered a number of people recently who have used paternalistic language when referring to older people. It has made me consider how society views older people and how outdated views of ageing still dominate individual thinking. The image conjured up is of pleasant, passive and compliant older people waiting to be 'done too', in awe that someone in a uniform will make the right decision for them and pronounce their fate.

One chance to get it right.

Recently I chaired a conference hosted by the National Council for Palliative Care focusing on the issues of comorbidity and dying with dignity. Being a conference chair is one sure way of concentrating your mind and thoughts on speaker presentations because you have to pick up the threads, link speakers together and summarise the conference.