Use of talking therapy outdoors

Read British Psychological Society guidance here

COVID-19: Psychological assessment undertaken remotely, BPS

These guidelines apply to UK practitioner psychologists conducting psychological assessments of individuals under the specific restrictions in practice which are in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read guidelines

Adaptations to psychological practice: Interim guidance during Covid-19 pandemic

Read The British Psychologist Society guidance here

The NHS needs a chief psychological professions officer

Dr Nick Waggett and Sarb Bajwa join leaders representing 12 psychological professional groups and service users of psychological services to call for a new role of chief psychological professions officer. Click here to read HSJ article - any problems accessing the full text please contact the library 01905 760601

Primary care mental health service improves health and saves NHS money, finds new report

A psychological treatment service working in GP surgeries in Nottingham offers hope to people other services can’t help and has already saved more money than its staffing costs in its first year, according to research published today by Centre for Mental Health with the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network. Read news item here

Psychological Perspectives On Obesity: Addressing Policy, Practice And Research Priorities

This report calls for government to ensure every initiative aimed at promoting a healthy weight is informed by psychological evidence. It says weight management services are best delivered by multidisciplinary teams that include psychologists. Click here to read King's Fund blog

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.

Constipation in children and young people: diagnosis and management

Updated NICE clinical guidance on constipation in children. This guideline covers diagnosing and managing constipation in children and young people up to 18. It provides strategies to support the early identification and timely, effective treatment of constipation which will help improve outcomes for patients. It does not cover constipation caused by a specific condition.

This guideline includes recommendations on:

• history-taking and physical examination
• digital rectal examination
• clinical investigations and management
• diet and lifestyle
• psychological interventions
• antegrade colonic enema procedure
• information and support

Coping after a traumatic event

RCPYSCH are signposting guidance on coping after a traumatic event in light of recent attacks.

Psychology should be valid second science for medical students, psychiatrists say

Psychology should be offered as an alternative to a secondscience by all medical schools, the Royal College of Psychiatristssays in its General Election manifesto launched today.

Currently only one medical school, Sheffield, offers psychology as an alternative to a second science or mathematics.

It means many students interested in mental health may be put off from applying to study medicine because they think their interest in psychology will rule them out.

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.

Health psychologists now treating functional heartburn, Crohn's Disease, IBS and other GI disorders

Health psychologists have begun treating gastrointestinal disorders that are strongly affected by stress, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, functional heartburn, functional dyspepsia and ulcerative colitis. Read more HERE.

Predictors of satisfaction and quality of life following post‐mastectomy breast reconstruction

Psycho-Oncology, March 6, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.4397

Objective Breast reconstruction is associated with multiple psychological benefits. However, few studies have identified clinical and psychological factors associated with improved satisfaction and quality of life. This study examined factors, which predict satisfaction with breast appearance, outcome satisfaction and quality of life following post‐mastectomy breast reconstruction.

UHCW Research:  Park, Alan ^, Skillman, Jo and McCarthy, Kate 

Older people are losing out on Psychological Therapy

Depression in older people is common, underdiagnosed, undertreated and attracts therapeutic nihilism.

One in five older people have clinical depression and, contrary to some popular and professional opinion, it is eminently treatable.

Depression is associated with personal suffering, more physical health problems, social isolation, suicide and increased health and social care costs.  It is a heterogeneous condition, can sometimes be the portent for dementia and treatment resistant depression can be associated with cerebrovascular disease.

Older people with depression can have similar and recurrent symptoms to younger people, less related to work stress but more commonly associated with a caring role or physical illness and frailty. It is often expressed through physical complaints (somatisation) causing fruitless physical investigations.

Improving access to psychological therapy services

NHS Improvement and NHS England have published Developing an outcomes-based payment approach for IAPT services (pdf). This guidance supports providers and commissioners to develop and implement an outcomes-based payment approach for improving access to psychological therapy services. For 2017/19, NHS Improvement has changed the local pricing rules to require commissioners and providers of IAPT services to adopt an outcomes-based payment approach from April 2018.