Finally, training to build UK care workers' skills, but no money to pay for it | Justine Cawley
The UK's ageing population will need 1 million care workers, so effective professional development and the funding to deliver it must start now
Tomorrow sees the Kingsmill review publish its report into working conditions in the care sector. Like last month's Panorama investigation of abuse of older people in care homes, it will highlight the urgent need for well-trained, professional and compassionate social care staff. Older people's care needs are diverse and increasingly complex, ranging from acute and chronic illness to dementia and palliative care, in addition to mobility issues and mental health problems.
But the specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills required in social care remain seriously underdeveloped. Care-home staff are the forgotten workforce and are often considered to be the lowest of the low by their counterparts in the NHS. As today's residential homes have replaced NHS long-stay hospitals, it's essential that staff have the range of knowledge, skills and practice to cope. The Guardian
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Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Anxiety is bad for health
Anxiety is bad for health
The report, Living with Anxiety, is part of a campaign to raise awareness and understanding of anxiety and its potentially debilitating effect on the nation’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Although anxiety is a natural human emotion, the more anxiety that people feel, the more they are likely to be tipped over in to diagnosable anxiety disorders, such as panic, phobias and obsessive behaviours, and to experience poor emotional wellbeing and personal distress. NHS Networks
The report, Living with Anxiety, is part of a campaign to raise awareness and understanding of anxiety and its potentially debilitating effect on the nation’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Although anxiety is a natural human emotion, the more anxiety that people feel, the more they are likely to be tipped over in to diagnosable anxiety disorders, such as panic, phobias and obsessive behaviours, and to experience poor emotional wellbeing and personal distress. NHS Networks
The importance of promoting mental health in children and young people from black and minority ethnic communities
The importance of promoting mental health in children and young people from black and minority ethnic communities
This briefing looks at the policy framework for mental health service provision and provides examples of existing practice which promote mental health for BME children and young people. It also highlights the impact of poor or incomplete data on commissioning and provision of mental health services for BME children and young people. It looks at specific factors that put children and young people from BME communities at risk of developing mental health problems as well as protective factors that can help build resilience. Health Management
Briefing
Race Equality Foundation publications
This briefing looks at the policy framework for mental health service provision and provides examples of existing practice which promote mental health for BME children and young people. It also highlights the impact of poor or incomplete data on commissioning and provision of mental health services for BME children and young people. It looks at specific factors that put children and young people from BME communities at risk of developing mental health problems as well as protective factors that can help build resilience. Health Management
Briefing
Race Equality Foundation publications
Relationship between clinical quality and patient experience: analysis of data from the english quality and outcomes framework and the...
Relationship between clinical quality and patient experience: analysis of data from the english quality and outcomes framework and the...
Relationship between clinical quality and patient experience: analysis of data from the english quality and outcomes framework and the National GP Patient Survey.
Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):467-72
Authors: Llanwarne NR, Abel GA, Elliott MN, Paddison CA, Lyratzopoulos G, Campbell JL, Roland M
Abstract
PURPOSE: Clinical quality and patient experience are both widely used to evaluate the quality of health care, but the relationship between these 2 domains remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine this relationship using data from 2 established measures of quality in primary care in England. METHODS: Practice-level analyses (N = 7,759 practices in England) were conducted on measures of patient experience from the national General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS), and measures of clinical quality from the national pay-for-performance scheme (Quality and Outcomes Framework). Spearman's rank correlation and multiple linear regression were used on practice-level estimates. RESULTS: Although all the correlations between clinical quality summary scores and patient survey scores are positive, and most are statistically significant, the strength of the associations was weak, with the highest correlation coefficient reaching 0.18, and more than one-half were 0.11 or less. Correlations with clinical quality were highest for patient-reported access scores (telephone access 0.16, availability of urgent appointments 0.15, ability to book ahead 0.18, ability to see preferred doctor 0.17) and overall satisfaction (0.15). CONCLUSION: Although there are associations between clinical quality and measures of patient experience, the 2 domains of care quality remain predominantly distinct. The strongest correlations are observed between practice clinical quality and practice access, with very low correlations between clinical quality and interpersonal aspects of care. The quality of clinical care and the quality of interpersonal care should be considered separately to give an overall assessment of medical care.
PMID: 24019279 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Relationship between clinical quality and patient experience: analysis of data from the english quality and outcomes framework and the National GP Patient Survey.
Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):467-72
Authors: Llanwarne NR, Abel GA, Elliott MN, Paddison CA, Lyratzopoulos G, Campbell JL, Roland M
Abstract
PURPOSE: Clinical quality and patient experience are both widely used to evaluate the quality of health care, but the relationship between these 2 domains remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine this relationship using data from 2 established measures of quality in primary care in England. METHODS: Practice-level analyses (N = 7,759 practices in England) were conducted on measures of patient experience from the national General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS), and measures of clinical quality from the national pay-for-performance scheme (Quality and Outcomes Framework). Spearman's rank correlation and multiple linear regression were used on practice-level estimates. RESULTS: Although all the correlations between clinical quality summary scores and patient survey scores are positive, and most are statistically significant, the strength of the associations was weak, with the highest correlation coefficient reaching 0.18, and more than one-half were 0.11 or less. Correlations with clinical quality were highest for patient-reported access scores (telephone access 0.16, availability of urgent appointments 0.15, ability to book ahead 0.18, ability to see preferred doctor 0.17) and overall satisfaction (0.15). CONCLUSION: Although there are associations between clinical quality and measures of patient experience, the 2 domains of care quality remain predominantly distinct. The strongest correlations are observed between practice clinical quality and practice access, with very low correlations between clinical quality and interpersonal aspects of care. The quality of clinical care and the quality of interpersonal care should be considered separately to give an overall assessment of medical care.
PMID: 24019279 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Cutting hospital beds is a false economy | Zara Aziz
Cutting hospital beds is a false economy | Zara Aziz
Unless community-based services replace lost NHS beds discharged older patients are likely to be readmitted
A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found the UK had the second lowest number of hospital beds per capita in Europe. There are 2.95 beds in the UK per 1,000 people, and we are seeing more and more beds being cut as smaller hospitals amalgamate into larger trusts. The only country that has fewer beds is Sweden, but it has different patient demographics and invests more in community health services, such as for disease prevention and management of long-term conditions.
It is symptomatic of the challenge facing the NHS. Commissioning groups and hospital trusts are asked to deliver ever more: reduce A&E attendance, unplanned admissions and outpatient waiting times, while simultaneously coping with a workforce crisis and catastrophic budget cuts. The Guardian
Continue reading...
Unless community-based services replace lost NHS beds discharged older patients are likely to be readmitted
A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found the UK had the second lowest number of hospital beds per capita in Europe. There are 2.95 beds in the UK per 1,000 people, and we are seeing more and more beds being cut as smaller hospitals amalgamate into larger trusts. The only country that has fewer beds is Sweden, but it has different patient demographics and invests more in community health services, such as for disease prevention and management of long-term conditions.
It is symptomatic of the challenge facing the NHS. Commissioning groups and hospital trusts are asked to deliver ever more: reduce A&E attendance, unplanned admissions and outpatient waiting times, while simultaneously coping with a workforce crisis and catastrophic budget cuts. The Guardian
Continue reading...
New advice encourages more home births
New advice encourages more home births
"More women should give birth at home, advice suggests," reports The Guardian after draft guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended that women with a low risk of complications in childbirth should be encouraged to either give birth at home or at a midwife-led unit.
The guidance has been revised after new evidence has become available since its original publication in 2007.
As part of the new guidance, NICE proposes revising its recommendations on the most appropriate place for women to give birth if they are at a low risk of complications. It is this aspect of the recommendations that has received the most media attention.
These draft guidelines about the care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth are open to consultation.
"More women should give birth at home, advice suggests," reports The Guardian after draft guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended that women with a low risk of complications in childbirth should be encouraged to either give birth at home or at a midwife-led unit.
The guidance has been revised after new evidence has become available since its original publication in 2007.
As part of the new guidance, NICE proposes revising its recommendations on the most appropriate place for women to give birth if they are at a low risk of complications. It is this aspect of the recommendations that has received the most media attention.
These draft guidelines about the care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth are open to consultation.
Resveratrol's health benefits ‘overstated’
Resveratrol's health benefits ‘overstated’
“Red wine health benefits 'overhyped',” BBC News reports. The headline follows a study researching the chemical resveratrol, which is found in red wine and chocolate.
Reveratrol has been reported to have long-term health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. There has been speculation that it may be responsible for the “French paradox”: the puzzling fact that rates of heart disease are low in France, despite citizens enjoying a rich diet.
This study involved almost 800 people from the Chianti region of Italy. The researchers wanted to see if resveratrol had any links with cancer, cardiovascular disease and death rates.
The study found that the risk of death during the nine-year follow-up period was no different for people with the highest levels of metabolites (breakdown products) of resveratrol in their urine, compared to people with the lowest levels. There was also no difference in the risk of developing cancer or cardiovascular disease.
However, red wine and chocolate contain more than just resveratrol. They may still be good for you (in moderation), but this study suggests that resveratrol may not be the reason why.
“Red wine health benefits 'overhyped',” BBC News reports. The headline follows a study researching the chemical resveratrol, which is found in red wine and chocolate.
Reveratrol has been reported to have long-term health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. There has been speculation that it may be responsible for the “French paradox”: the puzzling fact that rates of heart disease are low in France, despite citizens enjoying a rich diet.
This study involved almost 800 people from the Chianti region of Italy. The researchers wanted to see if resveratrol had any links with cancer, cardiovascular disease and death rates.
The study found that the risk of death during the nine-year follow-up period was no different for people with the highest levels of metabolites (breakdown products) of resveratrol in their urine, compared to people with the lowest levels. There was also no difference in the risk of developing cancer or cardiovascular disease.
However, red wine and chocolate contain more than just resveratrol. They may still be good for you (in moderation), but this study suggests that resveratrol may not be the reason why.
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