Work experience student makes cystic fibrosis breakthrough
A medical student on work experience has made a breakthrough in cystic fibrosis research that will improve treatment and could extend sufferers’ life expectancy. Independent
Friday, 27 June 2014
Health and wellbeing metrics and demographics
Health and wellbeing metrics and demographics
We’ve added new information, case studies and useful links to the health and wellbeing section of our website on using metrics and demographics.
We’ve added new information, case studies and useful links to the health and wellbeing section of our website on using metrics and demographics.
NHS Employers
Hunt calls for shared records and data
Hunt calls for shared records and data
The NHS will not reach its full potential without sharing of electronic patient records across health and social care, Jeremy Hunt has said. EHI News
The NHS will not reach its full potential without sharing of electronic patient records across health and social care, Jeremy Hunt has said. EHI News
Shine like a star: inspirational improvement innovations
Shine like a star: inspirational improvement innovations
Across the country teams are often developing and implementing ideas to improve safety, efficiency and person-centred care, but it's less common for teams to have the space and time to build the initial evidence needed to get wider interest and adoption. The Shine programme aims to help teams to do just that, says Jo Bibby.
Across the country teams are often developing and implementing ideas to improve safety, efficiency and person-centred care, but it's less common for teams to have the space and time to build the initial evidence needed to get wider interest and adoption. The Shine programme aims to help teams to do just that, says Jo Bibby.
Health Foundation
The impact of the older generation on England's healthcare system
The impact of the older generation on England's healthcare system
The government has produced a report looking at the impact people aged over 65 have on the NHS. We look at the figures
The proportion of England aged over 65 has increased dramatically over the past 50 years and looks set to grow even more in the coming decades
In 1951, 11% of people were aged 65 and less than 1% were over 85. In 2011, those proportions had increased to 16% and 2% respectively. Government projections suggest that by 2051, one in four will be over 65 while 7% of the population will be 85 and over. Guardian
Continue reading...
The government has produced a report looking at the impact people aged over 65 have on the NHS. We look at the figures
The proportion of England aged over 65 has increased dramatically over the past 50 years and looks set to grow even more in the coming decades
In 1951, 11% of people were aged 65 and less than 1% were over 85. In 2011, those proportions had increased to 16% and 2% respectively. Government projections suggest that by 2051, one in four will be over 65 while 7% of the population will be 85 and over. Guardian
Continue reading...
Call to halve target for added sugar
Call to halve target for added sugar
People need to more than halve their intake of added sugar to tackle the obesity crisis, according to scientific advice for the government in England. BBC News
People need to more than halve their intake of added sugar to tackle the obesity crisis, according to scientific advice for the government in England. BBC News
Juice could no longer count towards 'five a day'
Juice could no longer count towards 'five a day'
Health officials are considering changes so fruit juice no longer counts towards 'five a day' amid concerns that it is fuelling Britain's obesity epidemic. Daily Telegraph
Health officials are considering changes so fruit juice no longer counts towards 'five a day' amid concerns that it is fuelling Britain's obesity epidemic. Daily Telegraph
Plain cigarette packaging regulations to be announced by ministers
Plain cigarette packaging regulations to be announced by ministers
Department of Health confirms it is bringing forward moves on plain packets, delighting doctors and health charities
Plain packaging for cigarettes will come a step closer when ministers announce regulations to enact the historic move on Thursday. Guardian
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Department of Health confirms it is bringing forward moves on plain packets, delighting doctors and health charities
Plain packaging for cigarettes will come a step closer when ministers announce regulations to enact the historic move on Thursday. Guardian
Continue reading...
Vitamin D deficiency linked to high blood pressure
Vitamin D deficiency linked to high blood pressure
"Vitamin D supplements could help high blood pressure," The Independent reports. The paper reports on new research into genetic variations associated with low vitamin D levels and their relationship with blood pressure.
Researchers pooled 35 studies of nearly 100,000 people with a European background. They found that the lower the vitamin D levels, the higher blood pressure was.
But they did not look at whether vitamin D supplements or exposure to sunlight would lower blood pressure. And, similarly, they also did not look at whether a lowering of blood pressure improves health outcomes.
These findings are also limited by the fact the study only included people with a European background. It is therefore unclear whether a similar association would be found in other ethnicities.
"Vitamin D supplements could help high blood pressure," The Independent reports. The paper reports on new research into genetic variations associated with low vitamin D levels and their relationship with blood pressure.
Researchers pooled 35 studies of nearly 100,000 people with a European background. They found that the lower the vitamin D levels, the higher blood pressure was.
But they did not look at whether vitamin D supplements or exposure to sunlight would lower blood pressure. And, similarly, they also did not look at whether a lowering of blood pressure improves health outcomes.
These findings are also limited by the fact the study only included people with a European background. It is therefore unclear whether a similar association would be found in other ethnicities.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Challenge to walk 20 million steps in a weekend as county is revealed to be ‘fifth fattest’ in UK
Challenge to walk 20 million steps in a weekend as county is revealed to be ‘fifth fattest’ in UK
A campaign to get people walking in Northamptonshire has been launched after it was revealed the county was the fifth fattest in the country. Chronicle & Echo
A campaign to get people walking in Northamptonshire has been launched after it was revealed the county was the fifth fattest in the country. Chronicle & Echo
Sustaining and assuring the quality of student nurse mentorship: what are the challenges?
Sustaining and assuring the quality of student nurse mentorship: what are the challenges?
This briefing focuses on sustaining and assuring the quality of mentorship within a difficult economic climate and at a time of debate about its future direction. National Nursing Research Unit (NNRU)
Briefing
NNRU - publications
This briefing focuses on sustaining and assuring the quality of mentorship within a difficult economic climate and at a time of debate about its future direction. National Nursing Research Unit (NNRU)
Briefing
NNRU - publications
Interactive map reveals stark differences in mortality rates across UK
Interactive map reveals stark differences in mortality rates across UK
People living in Blackpool, Manchester and Middlesbrough are twice as likely to die as other parts of the country, according to the Office for National Statistics. Daily Mail
People living in Blackpool, Manchester and Middlesbrough are twice as likely to die as other parts of the country, according to the Office for National Statistics. Daily Mail
NICE approves canagliflozin as new type 2 diabetes treatment option
NICE approves canagliflozin as new type 2 diabetes treatment option
NICE has approved the use of canagliflozin in combination with other anti-diabetic drugs to treat people with type 2 diabetes, widening available treatment options for GPs. GP online
NICE has approved the use of canagliflozin in combination with other anti-diabetic drugs to treat people with type 2 diabetes, widening available treatment options for GPs. GP online
NICK BOYLE: How the NHS wastes billions over everything from drugs to surgical gloves... by a top consultant surgeon
NICK BOYLE: How the NHS wastes billions over everything from drugs to surgical gloves... by a top consultant surgeon
The organisation is filled with dedicated people, but they have to work in a bureaucratic, sluggish system, writes consultant surgeon NICK BOYLE. Daily Mail
The organisation is filled with dedicated people, but they have to work in a bureaucratic, sluggish system, writes consultant surgeon NICK BOYLE. Daily Mail
NHS must earn trust on data - Manning
NHS must earn trust on data - Manning
The NHS needs to earn back the trust of patients in the way that it handles data, the chair of the Health and Social Care Information Centre has said. EHI News
The NHS needs to earn back the trust of patients in the way that it handles data, the chair of the Health and Social Care Information Centre has said. EHI News
BMA votes for care.data opt-in
BMA votes for care.data opt-in
The British Medical Association has voted in favour of making care.data an opt-in system rather than an opt-out one. EHI News
The British Medical Association has voted in favour of making care.data an opt-in system rather than an opt-out one. EHI News
Lamb supports tech for integrated care
Lamb supports tech for integrated care
Technological innovation is "critical and central" to integrating care and addressing the financial pressures facing the NHS, care secretary Norman Lamb has said. EHI News
Technological innovation is "critical and central" to integrating care and addressing the financial pressures facing the NHS, care secretary Norman Lamb has said. EHI News
Developing pharmacy’s contribution to public health
Developing pharmacy’s contribution to public health
This report gives details of how Public Health England is providing leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of public health practice for pharmacy, taking national and local priorities into account. Public Health England
Cannabis use 'genetically linked' to schizophrenia
Cannabis use 'genetically linked' to schizophrenia
“Study finds people predisposed to the condition [schizophrenia’] and drug users share common genes,” the Mail Online reports. A new study suggests that ‘schizophrenia’ genes are associated with cannabis use.
It has long been known that there is an association between cannabis use and schizophrenia – but the “direction of travel” has been hotly debated.
Does cannabis use trigger the onset of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals? Or are people with a genetic predisposition to develop schizophrenia more likely to use cannabis than the population at large (possibly as a coping mechanism)?
This latest study suggests that the latter may be the case; at least in some people. The study involved 2,082 healthy adults whose genetic make-up was examined for risk factors for schizophrenia.
“Study finds people predisposed to the condition [schizophrenia’] and drug users share common genes,” the Mail Online reports. A new study suggests that ‘schizophrenia’ genes are associated with cannabis use.
It has long been known that there is an association between cannabis use and schizophrenia – but the “direction of travel” has been hotly debated.
Does cannabis use trigger the onset of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals? Or are people with a genetic predisposition to develop schizophrenia more likely to use cannabis than the population at large (possibly as a coping mechanism)?
This latest study suggests that the latter may be the case; at least in some people. The study involved 2,082 healthy adults whose genetic make-up was examined for risk factors for schizophrenia.
Five top tips on how to make person centred care really work
Five top tips on how to make person centred care really work
Better communication, access to information and involving patients in their care aren't just 'soft stuff' they have real benefits
Are personal health budgets the solution to integrated care?
There is little mystery about what matters to patients and their families. Research highlights a small number of things that people regard as vital. These include good information and communication from professionals, involvement in decisions yet respect for preferences, emotional support and empathy, and continuity and co-ordination of care. Some or all of these matter to everyone who comes into contact with health and care services, and they are of especial importance to the growing number of people affected by long-term conditions and disabilities.
Yet we know that our health and social care systems do not deliver them consistently. For example, half of hospital inpatients in England report that they are not as involved as they would like to be in decisions about their care. Only 3% of GP patients have a written care plan that is shared with them. Lack of information and poor communication lie at the heart of many negative experiences of care. Guardian
Continue reading...
Better communication, access to information and involving patients in their care aren't just 'soft stuff' they have real benefits
Are personal health budgets the solution to integrated care?
There is little mystery about what matters to patients and their families. Research highlights a small number of things that people regard as vital. These include good information and communication from professionals, involvement in decisions yet respect for preferences, emotional support and empathy, and continuity and co-ordination of care. Some or all of these matter to everyone who comes into contact with health and care services, and they are of especial importance to the growing number of people affected by long-term conditions and disabilities.
Yet we know that our health and social care systems do not deliver them consistently. For example, half of hospital inpatients in England report that they are not as involved as they would like to be in decisions about their care. Only 3% of GP patients have a written care plan that is shared with them. Lack of information and poor communication lie at the heart of many negative experiences of care. Guardian
Continue reading...
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