Knowledge @lert for Friday 26th February
DID YOU KNOW…
Behind the Headlines provides an unbiased and evidence-based analysis of health stories that make the news every day.
The service is intended for both the public and health professionals, and endeavours to:
- explain the facts behind the headlines and give a better understanding of the science that makes the news,
- provide an authoritative resource for healthcare professionals that they can rely on when talking to patients, and
- become a trusted resource for journalists and others involved in the dissemination of health news.
Changes in medicines legislation for Dietitians, Orthoptists and Therapeutic Radiographers – NHS England
Patients under the care of a suitably trained and qualified Dietitian, Orthoptist or Therapeutic Radiographer will shortly be able to access some of their medication without visiting a doctor, thanks to changes in legislation.
The changes to legislation will introduce independent prescribing responsibilities for Therapeutic Radiographers and supplementary prescribing responsibilities for Dietitians. They will also enable Orthoptists to supply and administer medicines under exemptions within Human Medicines Regulations.
Before introducing the changes to their practice, eligible practitioners need to successfully complete a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved training programme and have this qualification marked against their name on the professional register.
New resources explaining the vanguards programme
The NHS Confederation has published a new animation and suite of factsheets aimed at providing information and resources explaining the aims and objectives of the country’s fifty health and care vanguards. The resources are aimed at helping health and care staff, patients and the public gain a better understanding of the motivations of the vanguard programme, while explaining some of the innovative work currently happening across the country that’s already making a difference to people’s lives.
Inflammatory bowel disease services audit
The Royal College of Physicians has published Improving quality in IBD services: UK inflammatory bowel disease audit. This report summarises the content and feedback from the 2015 regional service improvement workshops and shares successes and experiences of IBD teams as they work to develop their services. The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) programme was established over ten years ago with the aim of improving the quality and safety of care for people with IBD throughout the UK with an emphasis on auditing the quality, care and services offered to patients.
BNF format changes
BNF publications has made changes to the format of the BNF to help facilitate future digital production and to bring the information into one place in the print format. The BNF has published several documents which are intended to help health professionals familiarise themselves with these changes, particularly to the print format. The new editions of the print BNF, BNF for Children, and the NPF were published in their new designs in September 2015. New apps are also being developed and will be available in the autumn.
NICE Guidance
- NG42 Motor neurone disease: assessment and management
- NG43 Transition from children’s to adults’ services for young people using health or social care services
Technology Appraisal Guidance
Interventional procedure guidance
- IPG546 Angioplasty and stenting to treat peripheral arterial disease causing refractory erectile dysfunction
- IPG547 Endovascular aneurysm sealing for abdominal aortic aneurysm
- IPG548 Mechanical clot retrieval for treating acute ischaemic stroke
- IPG549 Normothermic extracorporeal preservation of hearts for transplantation following donation after brainstem death
Statistics
- Latest NHS staff sickness absence statistics
- NHS Outcomes Framework indicators – February 2016 release
- NHS health check quarterly statistics – October to December 2015 offers and uptake
Bulletins
- NHS Communications Bulletin – 24 February 2016
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NICE news – February 2016