Category: Patients Wellbeing

Cochrane Review: Music-Based Interventions for Dementia Show Modest Benefits

A recent Cochrane review evaluated the effects of music-based therapeutic interventions on individuals with dementia. Analysing data from 30 studies involving 1,720 participants, the review found that, compared to usual care, music-based interventions probably lead to slight improvements in depressive symptoms and may reduce overall behavioural problems. However, evidence regarding benefits for agitation, emotional well-being, cognition, and long-term effects remains limited or uncertain.

These findings suggest that while music therapy can offer some benefits for people with dementia, further high-quality research is needed to fully understand its impact.

Read the full review: Cochrane Library – Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions for People with Dementia

New ONS Report Reveals Elevated Self-Harm and Suicide Rates Among LGB+ Adults

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released a ground breaking analysis linking 2021 Census data with NHS records, revealing that adults identifying as LGB+ in England and Wales face significantly higher rates of self-harm and suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

Key Findings:

  • The age-standardised rate of intentional self-harm for LGB+ individuals was 1,508.9 per 100,000 people between March 2021 and December 2023, compared to 598.4 per 100,000 for heterosexual individuals.
  • The suicide rate among LGB+ adults stood at 50.3 per 100,000 people, more than double the rate of 23.1 per 100,000 observed in heterosexual adults.
  • Bisexual individuals exhibited the highest self-harm rates within the LGB+ group, at 1,669.5 per 100,000 people.
  • The risk of self-harm was notably higher among LGB+ females, with a rate 2.8 times greater than that of heterosexual females.
  • Young adults aged 16 to 24 identifying as LGB+ had a self-harm rate 2.8 times higher than their heterosexual peers.

These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health support and suicide prevention strategies within the LGB+ community.

Read the full report: ONS – Self-harm and suicide by sexual orientation, England and Wales

Health Information Week 2025

Health Information Week 2025 is here, taking place from 20th to 26th January 2025. This national, multi-sector campaign promotes high-quality information for patients and the public.

This year’s themes are:

  • Monday, 20 January – Winter Health
  • Tuesday, 21 January – Mental Health
  • Wednesday, 22 January – Wellbeing
  • Thursday, 23 January – Health Literacy and Misinformation
  • Friday, 24 January – Digital Literacy

Let’s work together to promote accessible, reliable health information for all!

Always Events Toolkit

Always Events are aspects of the patient experience that are so important to patients, their care partners, and service users that health care providers must aim to perform them consistently for every individual, every time. The toolkit supports providers in partnering with patients and family members to co-design, reliably implement, and sustain and spread Always Events to dramatically improve the care experience.

https://www.ihi.org/resources/tools/always-events-toolkit

Public Health and Population Health: Leading Together – The King’s Fund

This report, supported by The Health Foundation, examines the increased need for strong, effective leadership in public health and population health, and how the two remits can work cohesively together for the health of their populations. It offers key recommendations for national leaders, including the need for a clearer framework for population health and public health leaders to operate in, and a number of principles for local systems drawn from our findings from local good practice and wider insight.

Public Health And Population Health: Leading Together | The King’s Fund (kingsfund.org.uk)

Enhancing Lives Through Knowledge: Our New Dementia Collection

We are thrilled to announce the addition of a comprehensive Dementia Collection to our library! This new resource is designed to support individuals, families, and caregivers who are navigating the challenges of dementia.

What You Can Find in Our Dementia Collection:

Educational Books and Guides: Learn about the latest research, treatment options, and caregiving strategies from leading experts in the field.

Personal Stories and Memoirs: Gain insight and empathy through the experiences of those living with dementia and their loved ones.

Activity Resources: Discover activities and programs tailored to engage and support cognitive function for individuals with dementia.

Support Resources for Caregivers: Find practical advice and emotional support to help caregivers manage their responsibilities and well-being.

Visit our library today and start discovering these vital resources. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those touched by dementia.

The King’s Fund Bulletin

The King’s Fund has released their latest Health and Wellbeing bulletin, packed with essential updates on healthcare trends, policies, and research. This bulletin is a must-read for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest in health and wellbeing.

Make sure you subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date with current awareness.

Health and Wellbeing Bulletin (kingsfundmail.org.uk)

Improving patient wellbeing

Creating spaces for community and patient wellbeing

Source: The King’s Fund

NHSPS (NHS Property Service) wants to enable more patients and communities to have the opportunity to use NHS spaces to create health in ways that work for them. This report, commissioned from the Health Creation Alliance, sheds light on what matters most to ten different communities when accessing and using repurposed NHS community spaces. The communities that participated are some of those disproportionately affected by health inequalities across the UK.

To find out more click here.

Resource of the Month

ORCHA APP Library

ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications) is an online app library, giving you the opportunity to download, share and recommend health and care related apps.

With thousands of health and care apps available on the market, it can be hard to decide which apps are reliable and trustworthy.

  • ORCHA only include apps which have been reviewed against best practice criteria.
  • This allows you to map apps for either your personal or professional needs.
  • Simply search for the app you are looking for or browse the contents.
  • Save the apps to your favourites or recommend to others (including patients via a text/email or APP code).
  • Access the Digitial Health Academy for bite size training videos to gain new skills and CPD points.

It’s easy to sign up. Visit: https://lscft.orcha.co.uk. In the top right corner – click ‘Sign up’ and enter your details. Upgrade your account with the code: LSCFT01 to access the Digital Health Academy.

Please feel free to download our resource of the month poster and share with your team or within your department.