Prevention concordat for better mental health

Describes the consensus statement of the prevention concordat for better mental health and lists the signatories. Click here to see the policy paper

Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Our Vision To Help You Live Well For Longer

The document sets out the government’s vision for stopping health problems from arising in the first place and supporting people to manage their health problems when they do arise. Read King's Fund blog here

PHE publishes independent expert e-cigarettes evidence review

A new Public Health England (PHE) e-cigarette evidence review, undertaken by leading independent tobacco experts, provides an update on PHE’s 2015 review.  The main findings of PHE’s evidence review are that:

• vaping poses only a small fraction of the risks of smoking and switching completely from smoking to vaping conveys substantial health benefits
• e-cigarettes could be contributing to at least 20,000 successful new quits per year and possibly many more
• e-cigarette use is associated with improved quit success rates over the last year and an accelerated drop in smoking rates across the country
• many thousands of smokers incorrectly believe that vaping is as harmful as smoking; around 40% of smokers have not even tried an e-cigarette
• there is much public misunderstanding about nicotine (less than 10% of adults understand that most of the harms to health from smoking are not caused by nicotine)
• the use of e-cigarettes in the UK has plateaued over the last few years at just under 3 million
• the evidence does not support the concern that e-cigarettes are a route into smoking among young people (youth smoking rates in the UK continue to decline, regular use is rare and is almost entirely confined to those who have smoked)

First stroke estimates in England: 2007 to 2016

These reports from Public Health England use general practice data to estimate the incidence of first-ever strokes in England.

While the majority (59%) of strokes occur in the older generation, PHE’s figures also found that over a third (38%) of first time strokes happen in middle-aged adults (between the ages of 40 to 69). More first-time strokes are now occurring at an earlier age compared to a decade ago. The average age for males having a stroke fell from 71 to 68 years and for females, 75 to 73 years between 2007 and 2016.

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

State of child health: one year on

This report from the RCPCH warns that the current fragmented approach to child health poses risks to the long-term health of the nation.

Whilst the report acknowledges progress in some areas, such as the digital child health strategy and the implementation of the sugar tax, it argues that there has been a lack of improvement in several fundamental areas. It highlights the public health cuts as a particular area for concern and argues that the cuts are disproportionately affecting children's services.

UK flu levels continue to increase according to PHE statistics

Seasonal flu levels have continued to increase in the last week across the UK, with flu hospitalisations up 50% according to Public Health England figures.  

The statistics show over the last week there has been a 78% increase in the GP consultation rate with flu like illness, a 50% increase in the flu hospitalisation rate, and a 65% increase in the flu intensive care admission rate. The main strains circulating continue to be flu A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and Flu B.

Preventing emergency hospital admissions for children and young people

A briefing from Nuffield Trust looks at the relationship between deprivation and the use of emergency hospital care by children and young people in England.

It describes areas of inequality and explores how they have changed over time. As well as looking at the overall patterns of emergency hospital use, it focuses in particular on three common conditions – asthma, diabetes and epilepsy – where more timely and effective primary, community or outpatient care could prevent admissions.

State of the Nation: an overview of older people and malnutrition in the UK

The Malnutrition Task Force has launched its ‘State of the Nation’ report which aims to shine a light on the scale and challenges of malnutrition in later life in the UK today.

It has brought together information, statistics and evidence from across the health and social care system to provide a unique snapshot of what is happening to older people who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition in England.

New rules on blood donation

Changes to the rules on blood donation in England came into force on 28 November. The new rules will allow more people to donate blood, without affecting the safety of the blood supply.

Before every donation, all donors must complete a Donor Health Check and have a private health screening where they may be asked confidential questions based on their completed form.

Subject to meeting the other donation rules, the following groups will now be able to donate after 3 months have passed since the last sexual activity:

• men who have had sex with another man
• commercial sex workers
• people who have had sex with a partner at high risk of having a sexually transmitted infection

Current, future and avoidable costs of stroke in the UK

Briefing from the Stroke Association about the societal costs of stroke in the next 20 years andpotential returns from increased spending on research.

Report shows prevalence of key conditions across England

Figures released by NHS Digital provide information on the prevalence of 21 conditions, including asthma, hypertension, dementia, diabetes, and depression.

The annual report, Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) - Prevalence, Achievements and Exceptions Report, England 2016-17 also identifies how the prevalence of these conditions has changed since the previous year.

Literature review: the economic costs of lung disease and the cost effectiveness of policy and service interventions

This report, conducted by York Health Economics Consortium on behalf of the British Lung Foundation and British Thoracic Society, identifies published evidence on the economic costs of lung disease and the cost-effectiveness of different NHS activities, programmes and campaigns to combat lung problems.

New materials on prevention and diagnosis of FASD

The National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome-UK (NOFAS-UK) has launched new materials designed to increase awareness about the risk of prenatal exposure to alcohol. The new materials include posters and a pre-release version of a booklet, which explains how to identify possible cases of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

NHS targets super-sized chocolate bars in battle against obesity, diabetes and tooth-decay

Hospitals have been ordered to take super-size chocolate bars and “grab bags” of sugary snacks off the shelves in the latest step of the NHS plan to fight obesity, diabetes and tooth-decay.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has announced a 250 calorie limit on confectionery sold in hospital canteens, stores, vending machines and other outlets.

Hospital chiefs will have to ensure that four out of five items purchased on their premises do not bust the limit, which is an eighth of a woman’s and a tenth of a man’s recommended daily intake, or lose out on funding ring-fenced for improving the health of staff, patients and their visitors.

Unhealthy sandwiches and drinks are also being targeted as the NHS, Europe’s largest employer, takes a lead in tackling the availability of unhealthy food and drinks that are fuelling an obesity crisis.

Influenza: treatment and prophylaxis using anti-viral agents

Updated guidance from Public Health England on how to manage influenza (flu) using anti-viral agents.

NHS leaders unveil action to boost flu vaccination and manage winter pressures

NHS England, Public Health England, the Department of Health and NHS Improvement have unveiled measures to boost the uptake of flu vaccinations along with package of new contingency actions to respond to pressures on frontline services this winter. 

Intensified preparations include:

• Providing free flu vaccines for hundreds of thousands of care home staff at a cost of up to £10m as well as increasing the number of jabs for young children in schools and vulnerable people
• Directing NHS trusts to ensure they make vaccines readily available to staff and record why those who choose to opt out of the programme do so
• Writing to doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers reminding them of their professional duty to protect patients by being vaccinated
• Setting up a new National Emergency Pressure Panel to provide independent clinical advice on system risk and an appropriate regional and national response
• The biggest expansion in training for A&E consultants ever with hundreds more doctors over the next four years and other healthcare staff

Noncommunicable Diseases Progress Monitor 2017

This WHO report outlines progress made by WHO member states against globally agreed targets to control long-term conditions and chronic diseases. It finds that whilst the United Kingdom has fully achieved on many targets in relation to smoking and unhealthy diets, there is still progress to be made on reduction measures on harmful use of alcohol.

PHE highlights 8 ways for local areas to prevent mental ill health

Public Health England has launched a new tool to help local public health teams identify the most cost-effective mental health programmes. The eight highlighted programmes are all proven to reduce the incidence and/or risk of mental health problems at all stages of life. Click for further details.

Sexual health, reproductive health and HIV: a review of commissioning

This report from Public Health England outlines the findings of a 2016 survey, carried out jointly with the Association of Directors of Public Health, which aimed to gain a clear picture of the commissioning arrangements for sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services. The survey found that whilst there has been progress in improving services and the development of collaborative approaches there is also evidence of structural concerns which have the potential to impede effective commissioning. Key findings from the survey highlight the fragmentation of commissioning, barriers to access for those at greatest risk, increasing financial pressures and patient demand, and workforce concerns.