Inquiry into the support available for young people who self-harm

This inquiry explored the experiences of young people who self-harm in accessing support services.  Click here for further details.  

We Need To Pay Better Attention To Loved Ones' Mental Health

Demi Lovato's latest words are a reminder that just telling a loved one to reach out for help isn't enough. Click here to read HuffPost article

Peer Support for Mental Illness Shown to Reduce Acute Care Readmission

A new study shows that care and support from peers who have also experienced mental health problems reduces readmission rates for people who have recently left acute mental health care.
Published in The Lancet, the randomized controlled trial of 400 people in England found that fewer people who received this type of support were readmitted to acute care a year after the study began, compared to people who only received a workbook.
Click here for the PsychCentral article
Click here for the Lancet article

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.

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.

HEE launches supported return to training strategy

Health Education England has launched a strategy and investment plan which details ten commitments to ensure that trainees are supported on their return to training pathway.

There are more than 50,000 doctors undertaking postgraduate training in England. At least 10 per cent of these will need to take time out of their programme for a variety of reasons such as parental leave, sickness or bereavement, to gain additional experience or training outside of the postgraduate training programme, to conduct academic research, or to take a career break.

Monitoring noncommunicable disease commitments in Europe: progress monitor indicators

This report from Macmillan argues that the health and care system is failing to support recovering cancer patients with the physical and emotional trauma following treatment. It argues that the lack of appropriate aftercare is also placing pressure on the NHS with as cancer patients have 60 per cent more A&E attendances and 50 per cent more contact with GPs, 15 months after diagnosis.

NHS Wales awards Torfaen falls initiative

Torfaen’s falls service is the only one in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board to run exercise classes in which other organisations offer advice, said physiotherapist Karen Minton.

Integrated working is a key aspect of the falls service, not only with the ambulance service, but the fire service, meals on wheels, providers of assistive technology and charities, such as the National Osteoporosis Society.

The aims are twofold. First, representatives from these organisations are invited to speak at exercises classes to help people be aware of anything which may help them. Fire safety, is just one example.

A pool of NHS trusts prepared to offer trial employment to whistleblowers is being created by NHS Improvement.

It is part of a new support scheme to help whistleblowing staff to return to work in the health service.
The pilot is designed to offer help to existing and former staff who have made protected disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosure Act to maintain their careers and is part of the regulator’s response to Sir Robert Francis QC’s Freedom to Speak Up report, which exposed the victimisation of whistleblowers in the NHS and called for them to be given help to get back to work

To obtain this article please contactlibraryw@uhcw.nhs.uk

Health Secretary challenges NHS to deliver digital services nationwide

By the end of 2018 – the 70th birthday year of the NHS – the Health Secretary said he expects every patient in England to be able to do the following online through an app:

• access NHS 111
• access their healthcare record
• book a GP appointment
• order repeat prescriptions
• express their organ donation preferences
• express their data sharing preferences
• access support for managing a long term condition

New case study - how you can support carers in the workplace

In this new case study, published by NHS Employers, you can find out how Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust created their Colleagues as Carers forum.

This forum provides support for carers and gives them a chance to talk about and share their caring responsibilities.

Call for mental health 'champions' to help 999 workers

Calls have been made for more emergency service workers to take on a role offering mental health support to colleagues.

Mental health charity Mind Cymru is reaching out to staff to become "Blue Light champions".
More than 50 people have signed up to the role since the launch of the initiative in April.

Emergency services said they are increasing the different types of mental health support available. The most recent figures from Mind Cymru showed about 90% of emergency workers have experienced stress while 25% have contemplated suicide.

Dementia: applying All Our Health

Evidence and guidance from Public Health England to help healthcare professionals maximise their contribution to supporting the health, wellbeing and independence of people with dementia.

15 year old leads campaign to improve mental health services in Worcestershire

Darian found that his friends and peers were struggling with their mental health and didn't know where to go for support. Concerned, he decided to do something about it.

Along with the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet he chaired, Darian developed a campaign to find out more about people’s experiences of mental health and how health and care services can improve to meet people's needs.

The C word: how we react to cancer today

This report from Macmillan argues that with cancer diagnoses becoming more common than marriage in the UK, there is a greater need for the public to be better informed about the reality of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The report explores people's experiences when receiving a cancer diagnosis and how best to support patients following diagnosis.

Hub of Hope - launch of mental health website which says where to get help

A unique mental health database has been launched to offer support and guidance for people in need of help.

Hub of Hope is the brainchild of Jake Mills, a comedian and mental health campaigner from Liverpool who appeared on Granada Reports earlier this year to urge men to open up about their feelings.

Liverpool’s pulmonary rehab patients can breathe easier with digital access to instant physio advice

Patients attending Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital’s Breathe, its pulmonary rehabilitation programme, can now access instant advice about how to manage flare-ups using their mobile devices.

The resource was developed in a move to embrace digital technology and make the programme’s advice and support services more accessible.

It uses augmented-reality videos of physios demonstrating breathing control and chest clearance techniques, along with interactive 3D images, which are available on smartphones and tablets.

The future of renal patient support is bright

An estimated 15 million patients in England have at least one long-term condition or chronic illness... It is also estimated that 30% of the UK population with long-term or chronic illnesses account for about 70% of NHS spending (de Silva, 2011).

With a growing older population, CKD prevalence is a general concern. The RPSG will look to focus on contributing evidence-based care/practices and integrating of knowledge in a wider sense.

UHCW Research: Andrew Morris

Requests for help with mental health problems on rise, says footballers’ union

The number of footballers seeking help for mental health problems is rising, the Professional Footballers’ Association has said.

Aaron Lennon continues to receive treatment for a stress-related illness after the Everton winger was detained under the Mental Health Act on Sunday after Greater Manchester police became concerned for his welfare on a busy road in Salford. Lennon, who has won 21 England caps, was taken to hospital and is continuing to receive care with the support of his club.

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.