Month: October 2019

Drugs policy: First Report of Session 2019–20: Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report

House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, October 2019

The United Kingdom has some of the highest drug death rates in Europe, particularly in Scotland. This Report shows how the rate of drug-related deaths has risen to the scale of a public health emergency. It recommends a radical change in approach to UK drugs policy, moving from the current criminal justice approach to a health approach, with responsibility for drugs policy moving from the Home Office to the Department of Health and Social Care suggesting a health focused and harm reduction approach would not only benefit those who are using drugs but reduce harm to and the costs for their wider communities.

Click here to view the full report.

Delivering the NHS long-term plan’s ambition of ageing well: Old age psychiatry as a vital resource

Royal College of Psychiatrists, October 2019

Guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists to help local areas plan and deliver specialist services, led by old age psychiatrists, to meet the needs of older people. The report brings together views from older people, service users, carers and a wide range of health and social care professionals and provides insight into:

• the essential role played by old age psychiatrists, and the Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) services to whom they provide leadership, in delivering high quality outcomes for the health and wellbeing of the UK’s ageing population;

• the centrality of this to the Ageing Well agenda; and

• how best to support decision-makers responsible for implementing the NHS LTP as it affects older people

Click here to view the full report.

Designing digital skills interventions for older people

Good Things Foundation, October 2019

This report brings together recommendations for designing digital skills interventions for older people with care and support needs. It draws on insights from two pathfinders, which were funded by NHS Digital and supported by Good Things Foundation as part of the Widening Digital Participation programme. The pathfinders generated insights on small system-level changes that can embed digital inclusion in social care support and factors influencing digital inclusion within social housing schemes. The model developed suggests:

• Step 1: Engage people where they are

• Step 2: Needs-led learning

• Step 3: Empowerment and Ongoing Support

Click here to view the full report.

Report: South West Research and Evaluation Workshop Bristol

Public Health England, October 2019

The Research, Translation and Innovation (RTI) division has been working with PHE centres to strengthen links between public health academics and others across the public health system via research workshops to explore public health research needs and priorities in their local areas. This workshop focussed on:

• Education and Training.

• Work of the CLAHRC.

• Social Prescribing.

• Support for Research.

• Research and Innovation.

Click here to view the full report.

A consensus on healthy ageing

Public Health England and the Centre for Ageing Better, October 2019

This statement by Public Health England and the Centre for Ageing Better defines the shared commitment of the signatory organisations. It is the first time that such a wide range of organisations have come together to voice their intention to promote healthy ageing. Signatories span the areas of health, employment, housing and communities, and are from academia, local government, the NHS, and the public and voluntary sectors.

Click here to view the full report.

A healthy foundation for the future: The final report of the young people’s future health inquiry –

The Health Foundation, October 2019

A healthy foundation for the future: the final report of the young people’s future health inquiry from the Health Foundation summarises the work of a two-year inquiry into young people’s future health. It urges the government to overhaul policies across housing, transport and education and adopt a whole government approach to secure the future health of today’s young people. Key recommendations include:

• a government review of the impact of the exam system and the ‘teach to test’ culture on the mental health of young people.

• significant reforms to the private rental sector including developing minimum standards for landlords and greater support for ‘build to rent’ schemes so that young people can put down roots and feel a sense of ‘home’.

• ending the postcode lottery in access to discounted and free transport for students and young people seeking employment.

Click here to view the report.

State of the nation 2019: children and young people’s wellbeing

Department of Education, October 2019

This report evaluates wellbeing in children and young people, including statistics on the wellbeing of children and young people in England, wider indicators on their happiness with their relationships, self-reported health and experiences with school, and an in-depth analysis of psychological wellbeing in teenage girls.

Click here to view the full report.

Developing allied health professional leaders: an interactive guide for clinicians and trust boards

NHS England and NHS Improvement, October 2019

NHS England and NHS Improvement guide to professional development opportunities and possibilities to support allied health professionals (AHPs) lead at all levels. It describes the common features of the AHP leadership journey, by combining insights and evidence from trust executives and chief AHPs. Its primary audience is aspiring AHP leaders and those with responsibility for developing the AHP workforce.

Click here to view the full report.

Standing up for patient and public safety: England Policy Report

Royal College of Nursing, October 2019

Royal College of Nursingreport that describes the lack of clear roles, responsibilities and accountability for workforce planning and supply in England. In reality, this means that the health and care workforce is not growing in line with increasing population need for health and care services, and there are large numbers of vacant posts throughout the system. This impacts upon patient safety and outcomes, and leads to a challenging working environment for staff. To resolve this, the RCN makes the case for this to be resolved through legislation, alongside additional investment in the nursing workforce and a national health and care workforce strategy for England.

Click here to view the full report.