Month: September 2020

Gosall Library

Covid safety precautions

The Gosall Library, based in Preston, is still open and available for all Trust staff to use between the hours of 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

In light of the pandemic, we have made some small changes to ensure everyone’s safety:

Please wear your face mask when entering the Library and use the hand sanitiser provided on entry, before and after looking at books and on exit.

The Gosall Libary, Lantern Centre , Vicarage Lane,Preston , PR2 8DW

Protective barriers have been put in place, not only on our Library reception desk, but also within the hot-desking and computer area, allowing you to work in a safe environment.

Our self-issuing machine is available for staff wishing to issue a book. Simply follow the step by step guide as instructed on the machine.

We also have calming and reflective areas for you to take some time out to read an article, take some time to yourself or improve your mindfulness with our colouring board.

Along with medical journals and books, we also have a collection of fiction books which all staff can access.

Royal College of Nursing Survey

Nurses experiences of working through the pandemic

The survey was completed by over 42,000 colleagues who explained their experiences of working on the front line and the overall impact the pandemic had on their nursing lives. The outcomes show that the majority are still passionate about the nursing profession, however concerns were raised about personal and staff well-being.

The survey revealed:

  • 38% said staffing levels got worse during the pandemic
  • 62% said the needs of people they care for became more complex
  • 76% reported an increase in their own stress levels
  • 33% said they worked longer hours, but only 40% of those reported getting paid for them
  • 34% said they worked at a higher level of responsibility, with 90% of those saying they received no extra pay. 

To read the full report click here.

2020 International Booker Prize

Winner announced

Congratulations are in order for Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, who wrote The Discomfort of Evening– winning The 2020 International Booker Prize. The book was written in Dutch and translated by Michele Hutchison. The £50,000 prize will be split equally between them, giving both the author and translator equal recognition.

To find out more about the winning book click here.

Digital CBT and improving mental health

Treating insomnia

Insomnia is the UK’s most common health complaint, and if left untreated can cause more serious mental health problems. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. The issue is that a rise in cases leads to longer waiting lists, or patients self medicating.

However digital CBT may be the answer. One intervention – Sleepio – provides digital CBT for insomnia from the click of a button. Sleepio is highly evidence-based and is backed by 12 Randomised Controlled Trials.

In a recent project, results were promising, showing high levels of engagement with patients, a high recovery rate and improvements in mental health and wellbeing, along with a reduced cost to the NHS.

To find out more and read their case study click here.

NHS staff can also access the resource for free during the pandemic. Sign up here.

Evidence updates

Recommendations for continued care and support of people who are clinically extremely vulnerable
Royal College of Physicians (RCP); 2020.
(Statement from the Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, National Voices and specialist societies highlighting the challenges faced by both doctors and patients in identifying and reducing the risks associated with COVID-19 for the most clinically vulnerable people.)

Expanding the primary care workforce in 2020/21 .
NHS England & NHS Improvement; 2020.
(Actions for CCGs, PCNs and STPs resulting from People Plan and Third phase of NHS response to covid-19.)

Reintroduction of NHS continuing healthcare.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); 2020.
(Sets out how clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) will restart NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) assessment processes from 1 September 2020.Published 21 August 2020.)

Virtual training for midwives during a pandemic.
Abramson P. British Journal of Midwifery 2020;28(8):502–503.
(When a baby dies, it is a tragedy at any time but during the COVID-19 pandemic, bereaved families and the professionals supporting them have been faced with additional and often distressing challenges. Restrictions have made access to hospitals difficult for partners and other family members, while support services that would normally be provided for bereaved parents have been unavailable or severely limited.)

Ketamine as a mental health treatment: Are acute psychoactive effects associated with outcomes? A systematic review.
Grabski M. Behavioural Brain Research 2020;392:112629.
(The databases Medline, Embase and PsycInfo were searched. The studies reviewed displayed great variability in methodology and quality of reporting. The most commonly assessed effect was dissociation, measured by the CADSS. Our results suggest that the CADSS total is not consistently associated with antidepressant outcomes. Apart from this, the current literature is too limited to draw definite conclusions on an association between acute psychoactive effects and mental health outcomes.)


Face masks and dry eyes

The science and the solutions

With face masks becoming compulsory throughout the pandemic, most of us will be wearing face masks for extended periods of time. While they help to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, there has also been a rise of reports of dry, uncomfortable eyes, otherwise known as mask-associated dry eye (MADE).

MADE is caused by an ongoing imbalance in the tear film resulting in eyes feeling sore, dry and irritated, looking red, watering eyes or lead to dry eye disease. Face masks cause repeated evaporation, as the exhaled air will travel upwards to our eyes.

To prevent this from happening:

  • wear your mask appropriately
  • use lubricating drops
  • limit time in air conditioned rooms or windy conditions
  • take regular breaks from digital devices
  • DON’T rub your eyes if they become itchy

Masks will be here for the foreseeable future therefore we need to remain alert and promote good mask wear if we are to overcome this pandemic. To find out more or have your say click here.

Returning to school after lockdown

Top tips for parents

With many children going back to school, there may be mixed emotions and feelings from different family members. The Mental Health Foundation have some practical advice to make the transition from home to school as smooth as possible. Their top tips include:

  • Talking – talk about their worries/concerns about going back to school
  • Get your children into a good sleep routine
  • Talk about the daily routines of school life
  • Develop coping strategies including breathing exercises, seeing friends or exercise
  • Make yourself available as much as possible, even simple things like going for a walk or baking may allow your child opportunities to talk rather than asking them directly
  • Be positive and discuss all the good things that are happening

For more details or resources to use at home click here.