Parental Conflict Can Cause Lasting Emotional Damage to Kids

Children who regularly witness parental conflict may be sustaining lasting harm to their emotional processing abilities, potentially becoming overvigilant, anxious and vulnerable to misreading even neutral human interactions, according to a new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.  Click here for further details.

New online resources for older adults struggling with mental illness - The British Psychological Society

MindEd for Older People is a new online educational resource that explains a range of mental illnesses commonly experienced by older people, and offers practical advice for dealing with them.  Click here for further details.

Wide variation uncovered in how NHS and local authorities work together when applying the Mental Health Act - CQC

People might not be getting the specialist mental healthcare they need and when they need it most because of disparity in how approved mental health professional services are provided across the country.  Click here for further details.

Six ways we can improve services for people with autism

More than 1 in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. Find out what people with autism have told Healthwatch about the health and care support they’ve received, and what could be improved.  Click here for further details.

RCPsych publishes statement on Transgender people and mental health

Today (Wed Mar 28) the RCPsych publishes a statement on Transgender people and mental health.  Click here for further details.

Maintaining momentum: driving improvements in mental health care

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman - This report highlights failings that have occurred in specialist mental health services in England, and the toll this takes on patients and their families.  Click here for access to the full report.

Service specification: integrated mental health service for prisons in England

NHS England - 
This service specification describes a prison based integrated mental health service and replaces the earlier specification published in 2013.  Click here to read specification.

Younger aged children with symptoms of ADHD have reduced brain size

Children as young as four years old with symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) showed reduced brain volumes in regions essential for behavioral control, according to a new study.  Click here for news item.

Calorie Restriction May Help Prevent Age-Related Diseases

A new study published in the journal Cell Metabolism shows that cutting caloric intake by just 15 percent for two years has the ability to slow aging and metabolism and protect against age-related diseases.  Click here for news item.

Biometric technology could be the future of autism care

Wristband sensors can monitor tiny physiological signs and alert support workers and clinicians to an individual’s growing anxiet.  Click here for news item.

Dementia Care – CarePilot – ideas from Australia

The Academy of Fabulous Stuff. Care pilot was founded by Dr T Rosenfeld in Sydney. The service, provided by a team of experts helps families navigate the complexity of care services. Care managers have delivered over 70,000 hours of support through trusted services. Care managers guide people through the maze of options, greatly reducing stress on family and carers.

OTs in Primary Care

There is a growing need to be creative and proactive in the delivery of service in primary care.
An opportunity arose to develop a service looking at the role that Occupational Therapist in keeping the Frail Elderly well. Click here to read article

College response to the NHS Providers survey of CCG Mental Health spend

Sir Simon Wessely, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists response - click here for article

Health professions calling for greater leadership and action to tackle early deaths of people living with severe mental illness

A joint report published today by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges sets out essential actions to improve the physical health of adults with severe mental illness across the NHS. Click here to read rcpsych report

Stopping exercise can increase symptoms of depression

Stopping exercise can result in increased depressive symptoms, according to new mental health research from the University of Adelaide. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Exercise Before Psychosis Drug Prevents High Blood Sugar in Mice

Canadian researchers have found that mice who engage in a single bout of intense exercise right before taking a dose of the antipsychotic drug olanzapine (Zyprexa) do not experience a drug-induced increase in blood sugar, a common side effect of the medication. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Patients abused and dying in NHS mental health care

Mental health patients are being failed by “appalling” care daily, the NHS ombudsman has said. For click to newspaper article click here

Living Abroad Tied to Clearer Sense of Self

A new study reveals that living abroad can help clarify one’s sense of self. According to the findings, living in other parts of the world encourages us to reflect on the various cultural values and norms that we encounter both at home and in the host cultures. To read PsychCentral article click here

Jeremy Hunt's speech on social care reform - RCOT response

Responding to Jeremy Hunt’s speech outlining seven key principles for reforming social care, Julia Scott, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists says... to find out click here

The Government’s Mandate To NHS England For 2018-19

The government’s mandate to NHS England sets its objectives and budget, and helps to ensure that the NHS is accountable to Parliament and the public. Building on the multi-year approach taken to setting the mandate since 2016, it continues to set objectives and goals to 2020, as well as some specific things that NHS England should be seeking to deliver in the financial year 2018 to 2019. Click here to read Kings Fund blog

NIHR Signal Short-duration dual antiplatelet treatment is possible for older people receiving drug-coated stents

NIHR Signal Short-duration dual antiplatelet treatment is possible for older people receiving drug-coated stents


Drug-eluting stents are more effective than bare-metal stents for preventing repeat procedures to open narrowed heart arteries in older adults with coronary heart disease. In this trial both types of stents were used alongside short courses of dual antiplatelet medication, outcomes for those receiving drug-eluting stents were improved with no difference in bleeding complications or rates of in-stent clots.
Published on 7 March 2018
Read full document at https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000966/short-duration-dual-antiplatelet-treatment-is-possible-for-older-people-receiving-drug-coated-stents

NIHR Signal Statins are of no benefit in acute respiratory distress syndrome

NIHR Signal Statins are of no benefit in acute respiratory distress syndrome


Giving statins to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome made no difference to the number of days they spent on a ventilator. It also had no effect on mortality or the length of time spent in intensive care or in hospital compared with placebo.
Published on 13 March 2018
Read full document at https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000971/statins-are-of-no-benefit-in-acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome

NIHR Signal Imaging is the only way to diagnose blood clots in pregnancy

NIHR Signal Imaging is the only way to diagnose blood clots in pregnancy


No blood test can accurately tell if a pregnant or recently pregnant woman has a blood clot. All pregnant women with a suspected clot should continue to have imaging investigations as per current UK guidelines.
Published on 13 March 2018
read full document at https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000969/imaging-is-the-only-way-to-diagnose-blood-clots-in-pregnancy

NIHR Signal Hypertonic saline as effective as normal saline for trauma patients

NIHR Signal Hypertonic saline as effective as normal saline for trauma patients


Solutions more concentrated than normal, such as hypertonic saline, are as good as those more usually given to trauma patients with severe blood loss. Survival to hospital discharge was the same in patients treated before arrival at the hospital with either type of fluid.
Published on 13 March 2018
Read full document at https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000968/hypertonic-saline-as-effective-as-normal-saline-for-trauma-patients

NIHR Signal Common osteoporosis drugs may prevent breast cancer spreading to bone

NIHR Signal Common osteoporosis drugs may prevent breast cancer spreading to bone
          
Drugs commonly prescribed to prevent bone thinning probably help prevent the spread of early breast cancer to the bones in a few women, when taken in addition to standard cancer therapies. However, the overall benefits may be small, for example preventing spread to bone or death in about one extra woman in every 100 treated for about five years. This is a complex area because many of the treatments for breast cancer are known to worsen bone thinning, but there are other bone strengthening benefits to these drugs.
Published on 13 March 2018
Read full document at https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000967/common-osteoporosis-drugs-may-prevent-breast-cancer-spreading-to-bone

NEW NICE Technology appraisal guidance TA513: Obinutuzumab for untreated advanced follicular lymphoma

Obinutuzumab for untreated advanced follicular lymphoma.


Evidence-based recommendations on obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro) for untreated advanced follicular lymphoma in adults.


Published: March 2018
Next review: March 2021


Full guidance available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta513

New NICE Technology appraisal guidance TA512: Tivozanib for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Tivozanib for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma.


Evidence-based recommendations on tivozanib (Fotivda) for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma in adults.


Published: March 2018
Next review: March 2021


Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta512

New NICE Technology appraisal guidance TA511: Brodalumab for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Brodalumab for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.


Brodalumab is recommended as an option for treating plaque psoriasis in adults, only if:

the disease is severe, as defined by a total Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 10 or more and a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) of more than 10 and

the disease has not responded to other systemic therapies, including ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet A radiation), or these options are contraindicated or not tolerated and

the company provides the drug with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.

Published March 2018

Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA511/chapter/1-Recommendations

New NICE Technology appraisal guidance TA510: Daratumumab monotherapy for treating relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

Daratumumab monotherapy for treating relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

Evidence-based recommendations on daratumumab (Darzalex) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in adults.

Published March 2018
Next review: The guidance will be updated when the data collection period has ended (expected to be November 2020). Daratumumab will continue to be available through the Cancer Drugs Fund while the guidance is being updated, as part of the managed access agreement.


Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta510

NICE Guidance Technology appraisal guidance TA509: Pertuzumab with trastuzumab and docetaxel for treating HER2-positive breast cancer

Pertuzumab with trastuzumab and docetaxel for treating HER2-positive breast cancer.

Evidence-based recommendations on pertuzumab (Perjeta) for treating HER2‑positive, locally recurrent or metastatic (secondary) breast cancer that has not been treated with chemotherapy or targeted HER‑2 therapy before, in adults.

Published March 2018
Next review: September 2022


Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta509

NIHR Signal Enriched food and snacks can increase nutritional intake in older people in hospital

NIHR Signal Enriched food and snacks can increase nutritional intake in older people in hospital


Enriching hospital food with energy or protein may improve nutrition in older people in hospital.
Studies assessed in a systematic review showed consistent effects of enriched or fortified foods compared with usual nutrition. The extent of increased consumption varied depending on the amount and type of foods added.


Published on 20 March 2018
full document available at: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000973/enriched-food-and-snacks-can-increase-nutritional-intake-in-older-people-in-hospital

NIHR Signal Hospital admission rates and costs increase in line with BMI

NIHR Signal Hospital admission rates and costs increase in line with BMI


Each 2kg/m² rise in body mass index (BMI) above the normal-weight threshold in women aged 55-79 leads to a 5% rise in annual hospital admissions and 7% rise in healthcare costs. In England, £662 million of the annual hospital admission costs in 2013 could be attributed to overweight or obesity in women of this age group. 


Published on 20 March 2018 
Full document available at: https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000975/hospital-admission-rates-and-costs-increase-in-line-with-bmi

New NICE Technology appraisal guidance TA508: Autologous chondrocyte implantation using chondrosphere for treating symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee

Autologous chondrocyte implantation using chondrosphere for treating symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee.

Evidence-based recommendations on autologous chondrocyte implantation using chondrosphere (Spherox) for treating symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee in adults.Guidance development process.

Published March 2018
Next review March 2021


Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta508

New NICE: Medical technologies guidance MTG37 Thopaz+ portable digital system for managing chest drains

Thopaz+ portable digital system for managing chest drains


Evidence-based recommendations on Thopaz+ for managing chest drains
Published March 2018
Next review: 2021


Full guidance available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg37

New NICE guideline NG89: Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism


This guideline covers assessing and reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE or blood clots) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in people aged 16 and over in hospital. It aims to help healthcare professionals identify people most at risk and describes treatments and interventions that can be used to reduce the risk of VTE.


Published  March 2018
Next Review 2020


Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89

New NICE Medical technologies guidance MTG36: Peristeen transanal irrigation system for managing bowel dysfunction

Peristeen transanal irrigation system for managing bowel dysfunction


Evidence-based recommendations on the Peristeen transanal irrigation system for managing bowel dysfunction.
Published February 2018
Next review 2021


Full guidance available at : https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg36

New NICE guideline NG88: Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management

Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management

This guideline covers assessing and managing heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). It aims to help healthcare professionals investigate the cause of heavy periods that are affecting a woman’s quality of life and to offer the right treatments, taking into account the woman’s priorities and preferences.

Published March: 2018
Next Review:2020


Full guidance found at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng88

New NICE Interventional procedures guidance IPG608: Laparoscopic mesh pectopexy for apical prolapse of the uterus or vagina

Laparoscopic mesh pectopexy for apical prolapse of the uterus or vagina


Evidence-based recommendations on laparoscopic mesh pectopexy for apical prolapse of the uterus or vagina. This involves inserting mesh to hold the uterus or the top of the vagina in place.
Published March 2018
Next review: March 2021


Full guidance available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg608

New NICE Interventional procedures guidance IPG607: Mosaicplasty for symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee

Mosaicplasty for symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee


Evidence-based recommendations on mosaicplasty in people with symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee. This involves taking healthy cartilage from the edge of the joint and inserting it into drilled tunnels in the damaged site.

This guidance replaces NICE interventional procedures guidance on mosaicplasty for knee cartilage defects (IPG162).
Published March 2018
Next review: this guidance will be reviewed if there is new evidence or safety concerns.


Full guidance available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg607

New NICE Interventional procedures guidance IPG605: Ab interno supraciliary microstent insertion with phacoemulsification for primary open-angle glaucoma

Ab interno supraciliary microstent insertion with phacoemulsification for primary open-angle glaucoma



Evidence-based recommendations on ab interno supraciliary microstent insertion with phacoemulsification for primary open-angle glaucoma in adults. This involves inserting a tiny tube just below the surface of the eye to create a drainage channel.
Published February 2018
Next review: this guidance will be reviewed if there is new evidence or safety concerns.


Full guidance available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg605

New NICE Interventional procedures guidance IPG604: Aortic valve reconstruction with processed bovine pericardium

NICE Interventional procedures guidance IPG604: Aortic valve reconstruction with processed bovine pericardium


Evidence-based recommendations on aortic valve reconstruction with processed bovine pericardium. This involves replacing a damaged aortic valve with a new valve made from chemically treated cow pericardium. Published February 2018. Next review: February 2021


Read full guidance at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg604

Assessing people with dementia: what social workers should know

Assessment starts with recognising that the person's views, wishes and opinions matter. Click here to read CommunityCare article

New GMC survey questions ask doctors about burnout

New GMC survey questions ask doctors about burnout


The General Medical Council (GMC) is to ask doctors about the impact of burnout and exhaustion on their medical education and training.


Read more at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/31459.asp

A just culture guide

A just culture guide


This guide encourages managers to treat staff involved in a patient safety incident in a consistent, constructive and fair way. It supports a conversation about whether a staff member involved in a patient safety incident requires specific individual support or intervention to work safely.


See the guide at: https://improvement.nhs.uk/resources/just-culture-guide/

Consultation outcome: Protecting whistleblowers seeking jobs in the NHS

Consultation outcome: Protecting whistleblowers seeking jobs in the NHS


Details of the consultation outcome can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protecting-whistleblowers-seeking-jobs-in-the-nhs

Responsibility for prescribing between primary and secondary/tertiary care

Responsibility for prescribing between primary and secondary/tertiary care


NHS England guidance aims to provide clarity on the responsibilities of all professionals involved in commissioning and prescribing across primary, secondary and tertiary care, and to provide support in developing shared care agreements and in the transfer of care.
Read the guidance at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/responsibility-for-prescribing-between-primary-and-secondary-tertiary-care/

Suicide risk for youth sharply higher in the months after self-harm

A recent study revealed that young Americans had a sharply higher risk of suicide in the months after surviving a deliberate self-harm attempt. The authors say the findings underscore the need to direct clinical interventions toward youth who survive such attempts during this critical period. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Which skills will help patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex psychological condition, and those who suffer from it experience severe reduction in their quality of life. A new study now shows that OCD sufferers need to adopt adaptive coping skills rather than the maladaptive strategies often used such as repetitive, compulsive actions or creating emotional distance from a situation, in order to effectively manage their condition. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Strong leadership essential to delivering improvement in mental health hospital care

Today we publish a report that explores how seven NHS mental health trusts have been able to make significant improvements in the quality of care and improve their CQC rating. Click here for CQC report

Emotional suppression reduces memory of negative events

By peering at the brains of study subjects prompted to suppress negative emotions, scientists have gained new insights into how emotional regulation influences negative feelings and memories. The researchers hope the findings will lead to new methods to combat depression. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Our Invisible Addicts

This report highlights the need for clinical services to focus more on the needs of older people as growing numbers of baby-boomers seek help for substance misuse. It makes a series of recommendations including the need to enhance training at all levels – such as training more addictions psychiatrists and old age psychiatrists to manage the specific needs to older substance misusers. Click here for Kings Fund blog

Hoarding and mental capacity: key points for social workers

Working with a person who hoards is likely to raise issues of whether they lack mental capacity to make particular decisions. Click here to see Community Care article

Childhood trauma link offers treatment hope for people with schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia may now benefit from more effective, tailored treatments and greater self-empowerment, thanks to research establishing a link between childhood trauma and some of schizophrenia's most common symptoms. Click here for ScienceDaily article

Messy way to help mental health

VALE residents are being invited to get messy to help raise awareness of mental health issues as part of challenge being led by a tireless Evesham campaigner.
Tom Mills hopes his #messy4mind challenge will emulate the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 which saw people across the globe soak themselves with ice cold water in videos to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. Click here for local newspaper article

Emotional Support Is Vital for Stroke Patients and Families

A new Scottish study suggests that physicians of severe stroke patients need to take into account their patients’ mental health needs and better prepare their families for the possibility that their loved one may not recover. Click here for PsychCentral article

Exposure to childhood violence linked to psychiatric disorders

Investing in diminishing socioeconomic status inequalities and in preventing violent events during childhood may improve the mental health of youths from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. The results showed that having experienced any traumatic event and low socioeconomic status were associated with an internalizing disorder such as depression and anxiety and an externalizing disorder including attention-deficit hyperactivity. read ScienceDaily article here

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2016/17

This annual report uses data from monitoring and inspection visits undertaken during 2016/17 and finds limited or no improvement in the key concerns that have been raised in previous years. It concludes that mental health services are not doing enough to ensure that people whose liberty has been restricted under the Mental Health Act are able to exercise their rights and that this situation is not improving. Click here to see Current Awareness Site for Health website

NHS Staff Survey 2017

NHS Staff Survey 2017


Approximately 1.1 million NHS employees in England were invited to participate in the 2017 NHS Staff Survey between September 2017 and November 2017. The response rate was 45 per cent. Summary of the results: 31 per cent of staff were satisfied with their level of pay; 68 per cent say their immediate manager takes an interest in their health and wellbeing; 58 per cent of staff worked additional unpaid hours; staff are reporting lower satisfaction with the quality of work and care they are able to deliver; 38 per cent of staff reported feeling unwell due to work related stress in the last 12 months; and 87 per cent of staff reported having an appraisal in the last 12 months.


See the national briefing: http://www.nhsstaffsurveys.com/Caches/Files/P3088_ST17_National%20briefing_v5.0.pdf


See the full survey results http://www.nhsstaffsurveys.com/Page/1064/Latest-Results/2017-Results/

Vascular surgery: GIRFT Programme National Specialty Report.

Vascular surgery: GIRFT Programme National Specialty Report.

This report provides a detailed picture of vascular procedures and how they are delivered. It is intended to enable clinicians and managers to consider how best to configure their vascular services as part of a 'hub and spoke' model for the benefit of their patients.

Get full details and the report at http://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/vascular-surgery-report/

Mental Health Rehabilitation Inpatient Services

This briefing looks at mental health rehabilitation inpatient services, including ward types, bed numbers and use by clinical commissioning groups and NHS trusts. It voices concerns about the high number of beds situated a long way from the patient’s home. Click here to see King's Fund blog

Academy of the Medical Royal Colleges on the impact on healthcare after Brexit

The impact on healthcare after Brexit - a statement from the Academy of the Medical Royal Colleges.

The challenges faced by the healthcare sector in relation to the regulation and continued supply of life-saving medicines and medical devices after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union are of great concern to those who are responsible for patient care.

Read the statement at http://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TMBrexitspeech_060318-3.pdf

UHCW publication: Haemodialysis acutely deteriorates left and right diastolic function and myocardial performance: an effect related to high ultrafiltration volumes?

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2017 Aug 1;32(8):1402-1409. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfw345.
Haemodialysis acutely deteriorates left and right diastolic function and myocardial performance: an effect related to high ultrafiltration volumes?
Sarafidis PA, Kamperidis V, Loutradis C, Tsilonis K, Mpoutsiouki F, Saratzis A, Giannakoulas G2, Sianos G, Karvounis H.
Read PubMed abstract at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27738230

CQC: Introduction of combined trust-level quality and use of resources ratings

Introduction of combined trust-level quality and use of resources ratings


Following feedback from members of the public, healthcare providers and other stakeholders The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has updated its guidance.


Read more at http://www.cqc.org.uk/news/stories/introduction-combined-trust-level-quality-use-resources-ratings

Why discounting exercise as a mental health aid is short-sighted

When you take that difficult first step and tell your GP that you’re struggling with your own brain, you’ll likely come away with one or all of the following things. There might be a prescription for meds, there’ll probably be a referral to a therapist, and there’ll almost definitely be an NHS leaflet about ‘depression and low mood’. Read newspaper article here

Mental health patients treated far from home 'less likely to recover'

Thousands of people with serious mental health problems are being locked up in treatment units far away from their homes, and left isolated and less likely to recover, the NHS’s care watchdog has warned. Read newspaper article here

Lithium treatment for bipolar disorder linked to lowest risk of rehospitalization

Individuals with bipolar disorder have the lowest risk of rehospitalization if treated with lithium, according to a new study. Long-acting injections of antipsychotics were also effective, reducing the risk of rehospitalization by 30 per cent compared with their oral counterparts.Read ScienceDaily article here