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News from the NHS Networks website
- Effective Care - Effective Communication: Living and Dying with COPD
An estimated 33,000 people a year die with COPD in the UK; that’s 90 a day, or one every 3.8 hours. A clear message from patients during consultation about the National Service Framework for COPD (now named the COPD Clinical Strategy) and the Next Stage (Darzi) Review is the importance of effective communication during their consultations with healthcare professionals. This is especially true at diagnosis and end of life planning.
As part of their joint work the two UK clinical respiratory societies, British Thoracic Society and General Practice Airways Group, have produced Living and Dying with COPD - an educational programme consisting of a DVD and a CD of PowerPoint slides.
The DVD comprises short clips of patients’ and carers’ stories and views on diagnosis and end of life dialogue and an expert panel discussion on ways to approach these issues.
The CD draws out the key learning points, references and links to latest evidence and publications and practical tips on how to improve the consultation. The film clips tell a powerful story, but the material will probably best be used by a facilitator as part of an educational programme on communication skills, and/or COPD care. To see a demo, click here.
If you want to order a free copy of the programme that will be available in February 2009 then email bts@brit-thoracic.org.uk, putting IMPRESS-living and dying with COPD in the subject field.
- DLF clothing factsheets updated
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) provides a national audience with trusted information, advice and training to support independent living and choice for those who need assistive equipment. The DLF is widely recognised as an enterprising and innovative charity using interactive technology to bring its services to a growing mainstream audience of those with age-related, temporary or long term physical impairment.
The foundation have recently updated nine of its 48 general information factsheets containing advice related to equipment and independent living solutions.
The factsheets provide comprehensive and detailed information about equipment and issues that older and disabled people need to consider before making a purchase. The latest nine factsheets to be updated are all on the subject of clothing and footwear. They cover a wide range of advice and information on clothing solutions for older and disabled people for all kinds of circumstances.
The factsheets that have been updated are:
- Finding suitable footwear
- Clothing ideas for wheelchair users
- Choosing a bra
- Clothing for continence and incontinence
- Clothing for people with sensitive skin
- Dressing for warmth
- Equipment to assist with dressing and putting on footwear
- Clothing ideas for people who rip clothing
- Specialist clothing services
All DLF factsheets are available free of charge by downloading from the DLF website.
- National Library for Health's Commissioning Specialist Library launched
The Commissioning Specialist Library (CSL) was launched at The King's Fund Annual Conference on 25 November 2008. The CSL is free, and aims to be a one-stop shop providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning for health and wellbeing. It endeavours to include the best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data to support world class commissioning.
The new service will provide a unique resource for health professionals and others with an interest in commissioning – it will showcase all the latest news and guidance on commissioning with the best evidence and examples of good practice and policy.
It will aim to be the first port of call for those involved in commissioning and well-being. The site offers high quality information and timely guides on the various types of commissioning and brings together work on commissioning processes, competencies such as collaborative working or engaging the public, as well as advice on developing knowledge and skills. The service will also give users tips on how to negotiate key subject areas, as well as practical tool kits and data sources.
- Press release
- Commissioning Specialist Library
- National Library for Health
- Catch it, Bin it, Kill it - Respiratory and hand hygiene campaign
The Catch it, Bin it, Kill it - Respiratory and hand hygiene campaign aims to encourage the public to practise correct respiratory and hand hygiene when coughing and sneezing, to prevent the spread of germs particularly during the cold and flu season. The 2008/2009 campaign particularly targets mothers with children under 11 years of age, as influencers within the family.
The campaign launched with radio interviews with Departmental spokesperson Professor Lindsey Davies, and also with Donna Air, actress and mother. It continues with advertising on radio, in women’s magazines, on bus panels, London Underground escalator panels, Asda trolley panels, ATMs, and with online content. A public information film will also be distributed.
Catch It Bin It Kill It posters in A3 and A4 formats can be download using the following links
- Campaign poster - A3 size (PDF, 57K)
- Campaign poster - A4 size (PDF, 52K)
- Local Involvement Networks (LINks) explained
Local Involvement Networks (LINks) have been introduced to help strengthen the system that enables communities to influence local health and care services.
Backed up by certain powers, LINks aim to:
- Provide everyone in the community - from individuals to voluntary groups, with the chance to say what they think about local health and social care services.
- Give people the chance to influence how services are planned and run.
- Feed back to services what people have said about services so that things can be improved.
This document explains more about LINks and how you can make your voice heard by getting involved. This publication supersedes previous versions of 'LINks explained'.
- Help build a better health and social care service: Local Involvement Networks (LINks) explained (PDF, 233K)
- Conference: London Health 08
London Health 08 is the largest ever event bringing together the capital’s health community to share learning; showcase best practice and stimulate ambition in embracing the unique challenges and exciting opportunities that London presents and is taking place in 3 weeks time on the 10th and 11th of December at the Business Design Centre in Islington.
There are a limited number of free places for staff to attend the exhibition and seminars. The two days have been put together by a team of experts from NHS London, London Councils, The London Health Forum, London Higher, NHS Innovations London and The King’s Fund amongst others.
- Attend and get access to 55 exhibitors – including 30 London Trusts and Hospitals showcasing their latest work.
- 80 expert speakers are presenting at 40 free to attend seminars
- Join over 1000 colleagues from across London
To book your free place, please visit this website, click on the exhibition area where you can view the range of seminars and book your place. (free places are allocated on a first come first served basis).
- Conference: Commission for Rural Communities - Dental Show & Tell Event
Working in partnership with the Department of Health, this is an opportunity to share innovative practice amongst PCTs who are interested in improving quality and access to NHS dental services in rural areas. By exchanging experiences with other dental co