Connection with Nature Important for Health

Emerging research suggests reconnecting with nature could be key to improving individual health. Investigators report that individuals who visit natural spaces weekly and feel psychologically connected to them report better physical and mental well-being. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Slow growing mycobacteria: procedure for testing heater cooler units

This protocol provides guidance on how best to perform and process environmental water and air sampling, from heater-cooler units and environments where these units are in operation, in order to recover slow growing mycobacterial species.


The environmental samples referred to in this document are:

• water samples from heater-cooler units (used in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery)
• air samples in environments where heater cooler units are in operation (in support of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery)

From Public Health England

Environment May Play Major Role in Psychosis

A new study finds that rates of psychosis can be close to eight times higher in some regions compared to others. The findings suggest that environmental factors, in addition to genetics influence the development of psychosis. Click here for PsychCentral article

Psychosocial pathways and health outcomes

This report highlights the current evidence that exists about the relationships between social determinants, psychosocial factors and health outcomes.

It also provides a conceptual framework that focuses on the psychosocial pathways between factors associated with social, economic and environmental conditions, psychological and psychobiological processes, health behaviours and mental and physical health outcomes.

Latest patient-led assessments reveal quality of healthcare premises

NHS Digital has published annual patient-led assessments of non-clinical elements of care such as food and waiting areas.

This assessment focuses particularly on issues of access such as wheelchairs, mobility and signage, as well as provision of visual/audible appointment alert systems and hearing loops.

Green Spaces May Benefit Aging Brain

Walking between busy urban environments and green spaces triggers changes in levels of excitement, engagement and frustration in the brain, according to a new study of older people. It is the latest study to document the psychological benefits of natural environments.

Researchers at the Universities of York and Edinburgh in the U.K. say the findings have important implications for architects, planners and health professionals as we deal with an ageing population.

Climate change's toll on mental health

When people think about climate change, they probably think first about its effects on the environment, and possibly on their physical health. But climate change also takes a significant toll on mental health, according to a new report released by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica entitled Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance.

Young people need to be met where they're at by services, says new Centre for Mental Health briefing

Young people involved in gangs or at risk of offending can benefit from a radical approach to offering mental health support developed by the charity MAC-UK in three pioneering projects in London, according to a briefing published today by Centre for Mental Health.

Meeting us where we’re at, by Graham Durcan, Sally Zlotowitz and Jessica Stubbs, brings together evidence from three projects that worked with young men in Camden and Southwark using the INTEGRATE approach.

Guidance on decontamination of buildings, infrastructure and open environment

This guide has been produced by the Cabinet Office for those in the public and private sector responsible for contingency planning. It gives basic information on the decontamination and remediation that may be required following a deliberate or accidental release of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) materials.

Sustainable Development In The Health And Care System: Health Check 2017

This report is the first in a series of annual publications from the Sustainable Development Unit looking at progress of sustainable development across the health and care system. It finds that overall organisations are cutting their carbon footprint and saving money through reducing energy use, but having less success in addressing water use and the increased costs from waste disposal.

Sustainable development in the health and care sector - annual performance maps

These interactive online maps outline how the health and care system is doing on sustainable development. They show how the system across England’s is performing by regions - which can be shown either by NHS or PHE area boundaries.

The NHS if...

A collection of essays exploring hypothetical scenarios for the future of health and care:

The NHS and Society

• What if Beveridge were reporting today?
• What if the NHS were to go carbon neutral?
• What if ‘assisted dying’ were legalised?
• What if there were community services for older people 24/7?

Medicine, Data and Technology

• What if antibiotics were to stop working?
• What if every patient were to have their genome mapped?
• What if everyone over 55 was offered a pill to prevent heart attacks and strokes?
• What if people controlled their own health data?

How the NHS Works

• What if people had to pay £10 to see a GP?

PLACE assessments published

Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) have for the first time the assessments have considered how well healthcare environments support the provision of care for those with a disability. The first PLACE Disability assessment focuses on issues of access including wheelchair, mobility (e.g. handrails), signage and provision of visual/ audible appointment alert systems, hearing loops, and aspects relating to food and food service.

PLACE assessments also evaluate the quality of the patient environment and provide information on non-clinical services such as food, hydration, the extent to which the provision of hospital care with privacy and dignity is supported and whether the premises are equipped to meet the needs of people with dementia against a specified range of criteria.  

These assessments have been published by NHS Digital.

Securing health returns: realising the financial value of sustainable development

This research from the NHS Sustainable Development Unit has calculated that the NHS and wider health sector could save up to £414m and cut one million tonnes of carbon emissions every year by 2020. The analysis selected 35 areas and calculated their financial and environmental benefits. This report outlines areas that offer potential cash savings and environmental benefits.