Monday 15 September 2014

St Andrew’s Hospital in Northampton given go-ahead to build £45m mental health facility

St Andrew’s Hospital in Northampton given go-ahead to build £45m mental health facility

The largest mental health facility in Europe for young people will be built in Northampton after St Andrew’s Hospital was given planning permission for the new building. Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Prostate cancer genes discovered that raise risk six fold

Prostate cancer genes discovered that raise risk six fold

Up to 100 genes identified that when combined raise the risk of prostate cancer six fold. Telegraph

Walking or cycling 'wellbeing boost'

Walking or cycling 'wellbeing boost'

Switching from driving a car to walking or cycling to work improves the wellbeing of commuters, a study suggests. BBC News

Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Commissioning for Compliance Guide

Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Commissioning for Compliance Guide

It comes after the House of Lords decided too many people were denied their legal rights after identifying significant issues with the implementation of the Act across health and social care. The MCA empowers and protects people who may not be able to make some decisions for themselves. More..... NHS Networks

Healthcare funds distribution unfair, audit finds

Healthcare funds distribution unfair, audit finds

Report says some areas are struggling because of an unfair Whitehall system to allocate £79n in resources

Some local healthcare services in England have been underfunded because of an unfair Whitehall system to allocate £79bn in resources, a report by the government's auditors has concluded.

The government is making slow progress towards a proper and accurate distribution of money to local commissioners of healthcare, the National Audit Office said. Many decisions are being made on individual civil servants' judgments instead of being based on evidence, the report found. Guardian
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Plymouth to trial e-coaching

Plymouth to trial e-coaching

Researchers at Plymouth University will launch a randomised control trial on an e-coaching exercise referral scheme for patients with long-term conditions. EHI News

A blood test could be developed for depression

A blood test could be developed for depression

A blood test to diagnose depression may be possible, scientists have said. Telegraph

Policy paper: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): government response

Policy paper: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): government response

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published it’s recommendations to improve antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on 7 July 2014. The government’s response to the Committee’s report addresses each of the Committee’s recommendations, including:
identifying areas where further action is needed to combat human and environmental aspects of AMR
outlining existing projects to improve AMR that have been gaining international support

The report also contains details about the independent review of AMR that the Prime Ministerannounced on 2 July 2014. The review is working to improve surveillance data and build an international consensus on stimulating the antibiotic market. The independent review has already produced significant progress, including the adoption of a new World Health Assembly Resolution on AMR with a commitment to a Global Action Plan by May 2015.

This response will contribute to the development of the government’s action plan on AMR, which will be published in November 2014. Department of Health

Policy paper: Response to Health Select Committee’s report on long term conditions

Policy paper: Response to Health Select Committee’s report on long term conditions

The government’s response to the Health Select Committee’s report explains the measures in place to improve the care, support and treatment of those with long term conditions, including:
improving personalised care and support, mainly through the house of care (HOC) approach
guidance and tools for commissioners to implement and monitor HOC approach
system changes to improve efficiency and patient outcomes

The response was produced by the government working alongside NHS England, Health Education England, Monitor and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Department of Health

Everybody active, every day

Everybody active, every day

These draft physical activity implementation document set out the case for change, evidence base for implementation and the options for action and highlights 4 key domains for action at national and local level. Views on the draft documents are currently being sought and comments will be accepted up until 25 September 2014. Public Health England (PHE)
Consultation document
Implementation and evidence
PHE consultations

Carers at breaking point

Carers at breaking point

This report examines the experiences of carers who have been pushed to breaking point by caring without the right support. Based on the experiences of over 5,000 carers, this analysis examines the causes of carer breakdown, the impact of crisis and what support can prevent carers mental and physical health breaking down. Carers UK
Report
Press release

Nationwide preparations begin as flu fighter urges NHS staff to get vaccinated

Nationwide preparations begin as flu fighter urges NHS staff to get vaccinated

The roll-out of annual staff NHS flu vaccinations is now under way at hospitals, community health and ambulance services and other NHS organisations in England and Wales. NHS Employers News

Nicotine device 'medically approved'

Nicotine device 'medically approved'

A nicotine inhaler which closely resembles a cigarette is the first product of its kind to be licensed as a medicine in the UK. BBC News

Brain continues to be active while we sleep

Brain continues to be active while we sleep

Scientists find people are still able to classify words during their sleep.Writing in the journal Current Biology, the research team studied the brain's behaviour while awake and while asleep. A word test was introduced while the participants were awake and the researchers found they continued to respond correctly while asleep.Further research will now focus on how to take advantage of sleeping ...Healthcare Today

Wound healing research centre opens in Wales

Wound healing research centre opens in Wales

Innovation Centre to tackle problem that costs 5% of UK health budget. OnMedica News