Tuesday 1 September 2015

Thousands of pounds of NHS funds 'spent on treats for patients'

Thousands of pounds of NHS funds 'spent on treats for patients' Thousands of pounds of NHS (including Nene and Corby CCGs) cash is being spent on treats for patients, including holidays, aromatherapy, new clothes and a summer house, according to an investigation.

Personal health budgets are being spent on activities such as horse riding, art classes, massage and personal trainers, Pulse magazine found. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Goth teens 'at increased risk of depression and self-harm'

Goth teens 'at increased risk of depression and self-harm'"Goths are three times more likely to be depressed than other teenagers, with 37% admitting to self-harming," the Daily Mail reports.

A new study looked at mental health outcomes in young people who said they identified with the goth sub-culture. Goths favour black clothes, stark make-up, gloomy music and an interest in the darker side of life.

The study involved 2,000 teens and looked at whether self-identification as a goth at age 15 is linked to depression and self-harm at 18.

After full adjustment for prior mental health and behavioural problems in the child, the study found goths were around a quarter more likely to have depression by 18 and a third more likely to report self-harming.

The obvious question is, does being a goth make you prone to depression, or are people already prone to depression more likely to identify with goth culture?

It's likely the relationship between mental health and self-identity is a complex one that cannot be boiled down to a simple "X leads to Y" statement. NHS Choices

Meningitis jabs start for UK babies

Meningitis jabs start for UK babies Meningitis B vaccination for all newborn babies starts to take place across the UK. BBC  News

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'Pre-suicide behaviour' identified

'Pre-suicide behaviour' identified Depressed people who display "risky behaviour", agitation and impulsivity are at least 50% more likely to attempt suicide, a study finds. BBC News

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British mental health is in crisis

British mental health is in crisis The headlines about "parity of esteem" between mental and physical health remain just that, warns Benedict Cooper. New Statesman

Number of A&E consultants in hospital halves at weekends, according to report

Number of A&E consultants in hospital halves at weekends, according to report The number of senior doctors on duty at weekends in hospital A&E departments is about half the level of cover during the week, according to a report. The Independent

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Four Seasons funding crisis: thousands of elderly care home residents face uncertainty

Four Seasons funding crisis: thousands of elderly care home residents face uncertainty Frail elderly residents could be rehoused as Britain's biggest operator begins an urgent review of its finances. The Daily Telegraph

Every hospital patient will be given a barcode as part of plan to create a 'paper free' NHS

Every hospital patient will be given a barcode as part of plan to create a 'paper free' NHS Every patient in hospital will be given an individual barcode to ensure they are given the correct drugs and treatment, as part of plans to make the NHS “paper free” by the end of the decade. The Independent