Coronavirus has often been called an “invisible threat”. But the damage it’s caused has been visible on our NHS heroes’ faces for months.
We’ve all seen the pictures of nurses and doctors staring directly into the camera after spending a dozen hours with PPE pressed onto their skin.
Tired eyes. Bruised cheeks. Thick, red rectangular imprints across the bridge of their nose.
By the end of their shifts, healthcare workers can look and feel like they’ve gone ten rounds with the virus.
After seeing these images of the exhausted key workers go viral, SKIN HQ saw a perfect opportunity to help. They elected to offer hydrating facials that soothe damaged skin.
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And, by way of thanks for all their hard work, NHS staff won’t be charged a penny.
Demand has been enormous, and thousands have already signed up to book an appointment at one of SKIN HQ’s five clinics across the UK.
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Founder Haroon Danis said: “When we went into lockdown, we wanted to do something to help the NHS heroes and key workers.
“We started to notice images of nurses and doctors with damaged skin from constant use of the PPE, and we knew what we could do.
“By offering free hydrating facials, we’re helping these workers get rid of all the dry skin and repair some of the damage left behind by PPE – which can be caused after working long hours in sweaty, humid conditions.
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“Our treatments help to ease some of the bruising and make people feel better both physically and mentally.”
More than 23,000 people have rushed to reserve a facial since the campaign was launched back in April.
“We’ve had such a really positive response,” Haroon tells us.
“It’s been really amazing for us to be honest, and all the team are really proud to be part of it.”
Over £1,380,000 worth of free SKIN HQ sessions have been allocated to NHS members so far – giving nurses and doctors the chance to recuperate from endless hours of brave work on the frontline.
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And Haroon has confirmed the offer is not stopping any time soon.
“We’re not taking it down; we’re not ending the campaign,” he tells us.
“If any NHS heroes want to join up, they can at any time. We just want to keep it going until this situation is all over.
“All you need to do is go to our website and it’s right there on the homepage. Fill in your details and we will call you back to arrange a time.”
SKIN HQ
The very first SKIN HQ was set up right here in Manchester on St John Street, and the clinic has gone from strength to strength ever since – having expanded nationwide (to London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Bradford).
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Interest in their franchising scheme has also surged during lockdown – with inquiries flooding in from both medical professionals and those in sectors affected by the financial crisis.
To learn more about the amazing work SKIN HQ are doing, head over to their website.
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NHS says it’s battling with ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide
Emily Sergeant
Flu hospitalisations have surged by more than half in just one week, plunging the NHS into the ‘worst case scenario’.
Shocking new figures have revealed that an nn average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, which is the highest-ever for this time of year and up 55% up on last week – which, when put into perspective, means there are enough flu patients each day to fill more than three whole hospital trusts.
NHS bosses have warned that the total has already increased sharply since the week covered by the data, and at this time, there is thought to be no ‘peak’ in sight.
These new figures come as demand for A&Es and ambulance services are already soaring.
The number of patients in hospital with flu has risen by over 50% in the last week, reaching a record number for this time of year – and numbers continue to grow.
New monthly figures showed that A&E attendances were a record for November at 2.35 million and more than 30,000 higher than November 2024, while there were 48,814 more ambulance incidents compared to last year.
The record-breaking demand also comes just ahead of thousands of resident doctors going on strike this week from 17-22 December – with ‘major disruption’ expected for patients ahead of Christmas.
The public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes, unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them, during the industrial action.
NHS says it’s battling with the ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide / Credit: Pxhere
The public should use 111 online as their first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs, while patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.
“With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients,” commented Professor Meghana Pandit, who is the NHS National Medical Director.
“Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.
“We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the flu surge as a ‘tidal wave’.
“We are working with the NHS to make sure it is able to cope with this as best as possible,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Erling Haaland dresses up as Santa and hands out Christmas presents in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has doubled as Father Christmas in his latest YouTube stunt, dressing up as Santa and handing out presents to local kids in the new episode.
We’re starting to think he might be one of the most likeable footballers on the planet right now.
The Norwegian footballer recently surpassed Alan Shearer’s ‘fastest to 100 goals record’ in the Premier League and has been well and truly back to his best as Man City continue to rediscover their form, but the big blonde number nine has been delighting both on and off the pitch of late.
For starters, even before any of the season’s givings began, we got the giggle just from our first glimpse of the thumbnail.
Yes, Haaland definitely has a habit of leaning into the humorous side of his celebrity status, having already dressed up as the Joker for Halloween in one of the first episodes published on his still relatively new YouTube channel.
However, the 25-year-old got up to some more heartwarming activities this time around, swapping the face paint, green wig and stripey suit for a red coat, hat, some little glasses and a big white beard.
With the video itself showing him getting into character and loading his car with a sack full of presents, he then goes on to visit multiple houses to dish out the surprise gifts.
While the title and description state that he drove around the streets of 0161, it’s hard to tell where exactly he went, but we’d guess it was more around Alderley Edge and/or the Cheshire side of the Greater Manchester borders.
One particular interaction between the disguised Blue and a young Red certainly produced a harmless little bit of comedy…
Either way, on the whole, this particular instalment was more wholesome than it was funny, and it’s always nice to see sports personalities and famous people spreading kindness.
Obviously, not everyone can afford to be as generous as a Premier League and world-famous international athlete, but it’s nevertheless a nice touch.
The Manc -
23rd June 2020 
