Navigating the uncharted waters: population ageing in the UK –

International Longevity Centre: UK, August 2019

International Longevity Centre – UK report that argues that the UK’s unprecedented population ageing poses a set of daunting, yet not insurmountable, challenges for policymakers, institutions and health care providers to design better solutions fit for an ageing society. It calls for health policy reforms that focus on preventing, rather than curing disease to enable people to stay active and healthy for longer. It also calls for programmes to enable older workers to remain in the labour market for longer through retraining opportunities and more flexible working patterns, and highlights the pivotal role innovation could play, including, for instance, robotics to help fill production demands for manual labour, or better housing and transport design to facilitate independence and continued employment for older people.

Click here to view the full report.

Closer links between police and health services can improve experiences for people in mental health crisis

NIHR Signal, August 2019

New models are emerging of mental health staff working with police. This NIHR-funded review found limited UK-relevant evidence of mixed quality. Studies showed different models in use, from police and mental health staff responding to incidents together to health staff in police control rooms providing support and advice. There was little evidence on which approaches work best, but some research suggested a reduction in formal detentions although there were few outcome data reported. Research shows potential for improving health outcomes for individuals in crisis by ensuring they are diverted to appropriate services, and in helping direct the appropriate use of police and NHS resources.

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Ageing confidently: supporting an ageing workforce

Centre for Social Justice, August 2019

It is estimated that by 2035, over half of all adults in the UK will be over 50 years of age. This report proposes several recommendations to provide older people and employers with the support needed to unlock the potential of this demographic and enable older people to access the benefits of work. It states that without a concerted effort to increase the opportunities for older workers, individuals, businesses and the economy will suffer. Among the recommendations are enhanced healthcare support through improvements in occupational health, training in mental health first aid and further support for those aged 55 and over from the Work and Health Programme from the Department of Work and Pensions. It also recommends a rise in State Pension Age to 70 by 2028 and to 75 by 2035.

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Professionalism and Cultural Transformation (PACT) toolkit: A toolkit to support managers to improve professional attitudes and behaviours in the workplace

NHS Employers, August 2019

This toolkit aims to educate and empower staff to improve professionalism within their workplace, helping organisations move towards making the NHS the best place to work. The toolkit is based on tried and tested work undertaken by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and is designed to help staff embed the PACT programme in their organisation. It contains practical information, advice and solutions to equip staff to deal with unprofessional attitudes and behaviours in the workplace.

Click here to view the full report.

RightCare: Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit

NHS RightCare, August 2019

People with progressive neurological conditions are experiencing delays in diagnosis and treatment, fragmented and uncoordinated services, limited availability of neurospecialist rehab and reablement and a lack of psycho-social support. This NHS RightCare toolkit provides expert practical advice and guidance on how to address the key challenges when commissioning services and treating people with progressive neurological conditions. This toolkit covers the following neurological conditions; multiple sclerosis (MS), motor neurone disease (MND), Parkinson’s and the atypical Parkinsonism’s of multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). It provides the opportunity to assess and benchmark current systems to find opportunities for improvement.

Click here to view the toolkit.

Bleak houses: Tackling the crisis of family homelessness in England

Children’s Commissioner, August 2019

This report shines a light on this homelessness crisis and shares the experiences of some of those children. Growing up in a stable, healthy and secure home is so important for any child. Yet we know there are thousands of children in England who are living in homeless families, stuck in poor quality temporary accommodation, often with low prospects of finding something permanent. There are many others who are at risk of ending up homeless.

Click here to view the full report.

Preventing falls in people with learning disabilities

Public Health England, August 2019

This guide contains information to help staff in public health, health services and social care to prevent falls in people with learning disabilities. It is also intended to help falls prevention services to provide support that is accessible to people with learning disabilities. The guide aims to be of use to family carers, friends and paid support staff to help them think about what risks may contribute to falls and how to reduce such risks.

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Health inequalities in ageing in rural and coastal areas

Public Health England, August 2019

This review provides evidence on the health inequalities experienced by older populations in coastal and rural areas, together with a summary of key considerations to reduce inequalities and promote healthy ageing in these areas. It comprises a literature review supplemented with case studies, and brings together a range of information in one place with links to published research to:

•build knowledge and an evidence base within the health and care system, including local authorities and other organisations, of the key health inequality issues for older populations in rural and coastal areas

•support and promote the implementation of considerations to address health inequalities experienced by older people in rural and coastal areas

Click here to access the full report.

More harm than good: why more isn’t always better with older people’s medicines

Age UK, August 2019

Age UK report that calls for a more considered approach to prescribing medicines for our older population. It says too many older people in our society are on too many prescribed medicines, putting them at risk of side effects that in a worrying number of cases can lead to falls and a range of other serious harms. The report also provides evidence showing that prescribing more drugs isn’t always the best option, particularly when it comes to older people.

Click here to view the full report.