Study examines depression in the last year of life

Depression impacts quality of life at all life stages, but little is known about the factors related to depression in the last year of life. A recent study found that 59.3% of individuals had depression in the last month before death. Read ScienceDaily article here

Fab Change week – A bag to remember

My words – Only just a few months ago as a hospital Chaplain I was called out to Carlton Coleby ward at Lincoln County hospital to the death of a young Mum.

This lady had a young son who was 13 years of age and as you can imagine he was devastated. Later that week when I went to the ward for a debrief I quickly picked up from the staff that it was so difficult to have a young boy there whose Mum had died suddenly and find, that words seemed few and “What do you say or do” at a time like this was prevalent. Click here to see the blog and idea

Death, Dying and Devolution

This report, from the The University of Bath Institute for Policy Research, reviews policy areas associated with death, dying and bereavement within the context of devolution. It focuses on the national and regional delegation of power, resources and authority across the UK and the implications of this for those who are dying, dead, or bereaved as well as those tasked with organising and running the services that support these groups of people.

The grief can damage your mental health

Survivors say the pain of bereavement can easily push people into mental illness without proper support. Read more here about bereavement survivor groups and coping strategies.

Patient death reveals 'no coordination' between mental health services

A coroner has raised concerns about the lack of coordination in mental health services for young people in Birmingham, after a patient under NHS care was found hanged. Read more HERE (subscription to HSJ required)

Health matters: preventing drug misuse deaths

This professional resource outlines how providers and commissioners can prevent deaths from drug abuse.

The top 10 causes of death

Of the 56.4 million deaths worldwide in 2015, more than half (54%) were due to the top 10 causes. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are the world’s biggest killers, accounting for a combined 15 million deaths in 2015. These diseases have remained the leading causes of death globally in the last 15 years.

World Health Organization

Reducing sepsis and saving lives

NHS Improvement spoke to Joan Pons Laplana, Transformation Nurse at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to find out how he has helped to reduce the incidents of death caused by sepsis at the trust by putting some simple and low-cost new measures in place.

Saving Babies’ Lives: A care bundle for reducing stillbirth

NHS England’s National Clinical Director for the Maternity Review and Women’s Health evaluates the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle for reducing stillbirths.

Guidelines on autopsy practice: Sudden death with likely cardiac pathology

Guidelines on autopsy practice:Sudden death with likely cardiac pathology has been updated by the Royal College of Pathologists.

Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death 2016

MBRRACE-UK is pleased to announce the publication of the findings of the third MBRRACE-UK confidential enquiry into maternal deaths

Burden of Disease Study for England

Estimates by Public Health England of the main causes of death and disability, attributable risk factors and the effect of deprivation, modelled for England and its regions.

CQC - Our review of how NHS trusts investigate and learn from deaths

We're looking at how NHS acute, community healthcare and mental health trusts investigate deaths and learn from their investigations. We also want to assess whether opportunities to prevent deaths have been missed.

Receive an alert when this report is published.

We aim to publish our findings in December. 

Death in childbirth is rare but women with pre-existing health problems are at greater risk

Pregnant women with pre-existing mental health problems or medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, muscular or autoimmune conditions, are at increased risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications like blood clots, high blood pressure or haemorrhage.

From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

Help improve how the NHS learns from unexpected deaths

When someone dies unexpectedly while under NHS care, it is important that the correct processes are in place to find out why. 

The Care Quality Commission is looking at this issue and wants to hear your views.

Cardiovascular implanted electronic devices in people towards the end of life, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and after death

New guidance from the Resuscitation Council (UK), British Cardiovascular Society and National Council for Palliative Care on cardiovascular implanted electronic devices in people towards the end of life, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and after death.