Month: February 2014

No quick fix: exposing the depth of Britain's drug and alcohol problem

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 5, 2014

By The Centre for Social Justice (2013)

This report lays bare the reality of substance abuse and addiction in Britain today. This ongoing challenge affects millions of people and has huge costs. Alcohol abuse costs taxpayers £21 billion a year and drugs £15 billion. While costs matter, it is the human consequences that present the real tragedy. The abuse of substances is a pathway to poverty and can lead to family breakdown and child neglect, homelessness, crime, debt, and long-term worklessness.
From its impact on children to its consequences for those in later life, addiction destroys lives, wrecks families and blights communities.

Click here to view this report

Public Mental Health

North West mental wellbeing survey 2012/13

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 5, 2014

By Public Health England (2013)

In 2009, in response to the growing need to improve the population’s mental wellbeing and understand more about the positive mental wellbeing of people in the region, the former North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO)ii was commissioned to undertake the first North West Mental Wellbeing Survey.
The results from this survey provided a baseline measure of the region’s mental health and wellbeing, as well as a description of the factors that influence wellbeing. The baseline enabled the ongoing measurement of average mental wellbeing in the population over time and provided evidence for the commissioning and evaluation of local interventions and services. Since the first survey there has been an increase in the measurement of mental wellbeing outcomes locally. The survey has supported local joint strategic needs assessments (JSNA) and commissioning of interventions to improve mental wellbeing. In 2012/13, a repeat of the survey was commissioned to provide updated local and regional data, and to allow comparison with the 2009 baseline. Some new questions were also included to gain further insight into current mental health and wellbeing across the region. In this report we present some of the key results from the 2012/13 survey along with a comparison with the 2009 results (where possible).

Click here to view the results of this survey

Finance Health Protection (Emergency planning seasonal mortality)

How is the health and social care system performing? Quarterly monitoring report

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 5, 2014

By The King’s Fund (2014)

Our latest quarterly monitoring report shows that the NHS is holding up well against winter pressures so far, but financial pressures are increasing for hospitals.

The report suggests that 1 in 5 hospitals will be in deficit by the end of the financial year and also highlights concerns over low staff morale.

Click here to view this report

Care of the Elderly Dementia Good Practice Public Mental Health

Dementia friendly Yorkshire: first steps on the journey

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 5, 2014

By Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2014)

This collection contains 20 examples of inspiring grassroots dementia-friendly projects transforming communities across Yorkshire. These projects are taking place in shops, churches, mosques, gurdwaras, legal services and cafes, and in public services such as transport, museums, hospitals, trading standards, schools, libraries, and sports centres. Local ‘champions’ are behind most of this work, and show how we can each play our role in making our own community or organisation a welcoming and supportive place for people with dementia.

Click here to view these examples

Local Government Public Health Advice to NHS Commissioners Third Sector

Taking the lead: how clinical commissioning groups are changing the face of the NHS

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 4, 2014

By NHS Clinical Commissioners (2014)

This publication brings together a collection of CCG success stories and describes how a number of CCGs from across the country are unleashing the power of clinical leaders, working with local government, the voluntary sector, and others to improve services and change lives

Click here to view this report

Guidance Public Mental Health

Closing the gap: priorities for essential change in mental health

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 4, 2014

By Department of Health (2014)

The document sets out 25 priorities for change. It details how changes in local service planning and delivery will make a difference to the lives of people with mental health problems in the next 2 or 3 years. It supports the government’s mental health strategy No Health without Mental Health.

Click here to view this guidance

Public Mental Health

Statistical update on suicide

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 3, 2014

By Department of Health (2014)

Click here to view this document

Patient Safety Public Mental Health Safeguarding

Preventing suicide in England: one year on

Post author By Sarah Woodhall
Post date February 3, 2014

By HM Government (2014)

This report summarises the developments on the suicide prevention strategy for England at national level. It identifies key research studies and their findings, and is accompanied by a report of statistical information on suicides. It sets out the key actions that local areas can take to prevent suicides and also highlights the importance of responsive and high quality care for people who self-harm.

Click here to view this report