Cold Weather Plan For England Making the Case: Why long-term strategic planning for cold weather is essential to health and wellbeing

Public Health England, October 2018
This document aims to support the Cold Weather Plan for England (CWP) by providing the evidence of the effects of cold on health as well as what is known about the effectiveness of interventions.
Click here to view the full report.

Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation

Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care and Home Office, October 2018
This amended guidance on female genital mutilation (FGM) is for all persons and bodies in England and Wales.  This guidance is a must read if you are under statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Click here to view the guidance.

A Crying Shame: A report by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner into vulnerable babies in England

Office of the Children’s Commissioner, October 2018
This report looks at how many babies might be vulnerable in this way and presents the facts about the sort of risks even very young children are being exposed to. Much of the data is missing; however, we are publishing the best estimates we can give of the numbers of babies living in high-risk households. A more detailed technical report explains some of the factors which affect the calculations2 – namely, that very little data is collected or collated about vulnerable babies, and that the data which does exist is often reported for children in age brackets (0-4) and not broken down for babies under a year old.
Click here to view the full report.

"Just one thing after another": living with multiple conditions

Richmond Group of Charities, October 2018
This report shares learnings from ten in-depth interviews with people living with multiple long-term conditions from a wide range of demographics and locations across England. It showcases their everyday experiences and their own perceptions of their quality of life as well as the changes they’d like to see.
Click here to view the full report.

A connected society: A strategy for tackling loneliness: Laying the foundations for change

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, October 2018
This strategy sets out the approach to tackling loneliness in England. It marks a shift in the way we see and act on loneliness, both within government and in society more broadly. The strategy looks at what can be done to design in support for social relationships in this changing context. It  highlights the importance of social relationships to people’s health and wellbeing. By social wellbeing, it means our personal relationships and social support networks and the way these can bring happiness, comfort and resilience, adding to our overall wellbeing.
Click here to view the full report.

An overview of reviews: the effectiveness of interventions to address loneliness at all stages of the life-course

What Works Wellbeing, October 2018
The review sought to address the question: What is the effectiveness of interventions to alleviate loneliness in people of all ages across the lifecourse? The results from controlled study designs in community settings and care homes showed no effect of interventions on loneliness, although this does not mean that loneliness is not alleviated at all by a range of interventions. In the published literature loneliness is seldom reported as a primary outcome; it is most often reported alongside other outcomes including related concepts such as social isolation, social support, social networks, and health outcomes including anxiety and depression.
Click here to view the full report.

What could make a difference to the mental health of UK doctors?: A review of the research evidence –

Society of Occupational Medicine, October 2018
Report that finds the incidence of mental health problems among doctors is increasing alongside the growing demands and diminishing resources experienced in the healthcare sector. GPs, trainee and junior doctors appear to be particularly vulnerable, experiencing distress and burnout early in their career.  The stigma associated with disclosing mental health problems and ‘a failure to cope’ revealed in the report mean that many doctors are reluctant to seek help as they fear sanctions and even job loss.
Click here to view the full report.