Number of Northamptonshire primary school pupils referred for mental health treatment rockets

Number of Northamptonshire primary school pupils referred for mental health treatment rockets There has been a 10-fold increase in the number of young people being referred by Northamptonshire schools for mental health treatment in the past four years, with more than half of referrals made concerning primary school children. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Addressing inequalities in mental health care: are we there yet?

Addressing inequalities in mental health care: are we there yet? It is clear that certain communities in our society suffer disproportionally in relation to outcomes in health, education, housing and access to opportunities and career progression because of their ethnicity. The King's Fund

NHS at 70: public attitudes to the health and care system

NHS at 70: public attitudes to the health and care system NHS Providers, NHS Clinical Commissioners, the Royal College of Physicians and National Voices commissioned Ipsos MORI to carry out a survey with the general public in England about their views towards funding of the NHS, and their priorities when receiving care. The findings show rising public concern for the future of the NHS and social care and also support for increasing taxation to maintain the NHS. Ipsos MORI

Voices from the social care crisis: An opportunity to end a broken system, once and for all

Voices from the social care crisis: An opportunity to end a broken system, once and for all This report outlines the findings of nearly 4000 social care users and carers and it finds that a widespread absence of care is making many people feel unwell, unsafe and unfed. It calls for government action to create a more sustainable social care system and draws attention to the urgent need for funding in the meantime. Care and Support Alliance 

'Fighting talk' can leave cancer patients unable to talk about death and dying

Cancer patients urged to discuss 'end of life' plans Vital conversations about cancer patients' end of life wishes are often not had until it is too late, according to a new report.

Almost two thirds of patients (63%) who took part in a Macmillan Cancer Support study saw themselves as "fighters".

However, the charity said this could result in many patients not discussing end of life plans as they tried to remain positive.

It wants more research done into how end of life care can be improved. BBC News

See also:

• 'Fighting talk' can leave cancer patients unable to talk about death and dying Macmillan Cancer Support

Nurse: 'I've been hit, head-butted and taken hostage'

Nurse: 'I've been hit, head-butted and taken hostage' Shelley Pearce could tell immediately that the patient she had been asked to care for didn't like her.

The woman had been admitted to hospital as part of a detox programme.

"She wanted to leave and when I said no, she smashed a piece of plastic and put the sharp piece to my neck. It was terrifying."

The patient marched Shelley to the lifts. It was only because she was able to press the alarm button in the lift that she was able to alert security.

The situation was defused, but it could have been so different. BBC News

'Spice epidemic in jails risk to nurses'

'Spice epidemic in jails risk to nurses' An epidemic of a laboratory-created cannabis substitute in UK prisons is putting nurses called in to treat inmates at risk, union leaders say.

The Royal College of Nursing said it had members who had been left unwell after treating prisoners who had taken the illegal drug, known as "spice".

One lost consciousness after inhaling the fumes and had to be taken to an accident and emergency unit.

And in some places 50 inmates were being treated each week, the RCN said. BBC News

See also:

• Prison Spice epidemic putting nursing staff at risk Royal College of Nursing

Unprecedented level of joint working is transforming lives of older people

Unprecedented level of joint working is transforming lives of older people An alliance involving Croydon’s council, NHS and charities is to develop its work after demonstrating early benefits.

Robert spent the best part of 11 months in hospital after suffering shortness of breath and rapid weight loss. He lost his wife during that time and the outlook for the 77-year-old seemed bleak. But now he is living independently with help to maintain his home and garden, advice on benefits and tips on healthy living. Continue reading... The Guardian

Introduce mental health checks for new mothers, ministers told

Introduce mental health checks for new mothers, ministers told Six-week checkup would help the 50% of UK mothers with mental health problems

New mothers should receive a mental health checkup six weeks after giving birth to help tackle possible postnatal depression and other problems related to having a baby, ministers have been told.

A cross-party group of 60 MPs and peers have written to Steve Brine, the minister for public health and primary care, demanding that all mothers in England have an assessment of their emotional and mental health carried out by a GP, practice nurse or health visitor.

The maternal check is often either not done at all or is done in a hurry at the end of the baby check appointment Continue reading... The Guardian

Watchdog chief resigns ahead of damning Morecambe Bay scandal report

Watchdog chief resigns ahead of damning Morecambe Bay scandal report The head of the watchdog for nurses and midwives has resigned ahead of a damning report into the regulator’s handling of the Morecambe Bay scandal.

Jackie Smith announced her departure as chief executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) on Monday, as it was braced for heavy criticism about a succession of failures.

The watchdog has already come under fire for allowing midwives at the heart of the scandal – where 11 babies died, following failings in care – to work for years, after concerns were raised. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Jackie Smith to step down as NMC Chief Executive Nursing and Midwifery Council 

Elderly people in care homes will be kept company by robots

Elderly people in care homes will be kept company by robots Elderly people in UK care homes will soon be looked after by robots that 'learn and tailor their conversations' to who they are with.

The £2.5 million ($3.4m) EU-funded trial scheme, starting in September, is designed help to take the strain off over-burdened carers, family and friends.

The four-foot (1.2-metre) tall humanoid companions have been programmed to recognise the needs of residents, according to the firm behind the pilot.

However, advocates for residents and their relatives have argued that it risks treating old people like commodities and losing the much needed 'human touch'. The Daily Mail

World Health Organisation vows to eliminate trans fats from diets globally

World Health Organisation vows to eliminate trans fats from diets globally The World Health Organization has released its plan to rid the world of trans fats, which contribute to bad cholesterol and heart disease, in just five years, the agency revealed in a statement today. The Daily Mail

See also:

• WHO plan to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from global food supply World Health Organization
• Countries urged to wipe out killer trans fats from foods The Daily Telegraph