15th February 2011 at Queens Hotel Leeds and 22nd February 2011 at INMARSAT London. These two free learning events are designed to equip AHPs at all levels to be an active part of delivering the service improvement that the White Paper describes. The events are open to all who aspire to take the opportunities that are now opening up to influence what happens in their own organisations and local communities.
Develop your communication skills and make a difference – 1 day course on 9th March 2011 in London.
Working with people who have communication difficulties can be challenging for both you and the person who has the communication impairment. This day will give you a greater understanding of what it's like to live with a communication disability. It will offer you practical suggestions to deal with the challenges you face in your day to day work role. Though this training focuses on people who have had a stroke, the ideas and techniques you will gain can be used with a wide range of people with communication disabilities in a variety of settings. By the end of the course you'll be inspired to have more conversations, more involvement and more fun with people who have difficulty talking.
White Paper response letter to AHPs from Chief Health Professionals Officer - Karen Middleton
Announces publication of the Government’s response to the White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS today. Following three months of consultation, over 6,000 responses, and further policy development, Liberating the NHS: Legislative framework and next steps reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the White Paper reforms, and shows how we have developed them in the light of consultation.
The Care Quality Commission has published a report 'Supporting life after stroke: A review of services for people who have had a stroke and their carers'. The report found that rehabilitation services after transfer home from hospital were inconsistent across the country and people in some areas had little or no access to stroke specialist community-based rehabilitation. The Commission found only two-thirds of PCTs commissioned specialist stroke physiotherapy and less than 40% of areas provided good access to psychological therapy or stroke counsellors.
Physiotherapy could ease chronic-pain epidemic
The NHS is failing people with chronic pain, according to a new report from The Patients Association – Public Attitudes to Pain.
The national healthcare charity says ‘approximately 7.8 million people live with pain from day to day yet there is only 1 pain specialist for every 32,000 sufferers’.
UK launch of exciting new on-line resource
The British Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada are very proud to announce the first international collaboration for Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN). The BDA is working with the PEN Team to build the UK content.
Interventions for treating proximal humeral fractures in adults
An intervention review reviewing the evidence supporting the various treatment and rehabilitation interventions for proximal humeral fractures.
Handoll HHG, Ollivere BJ. Interventions for treating proximal humeral fractures in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 12.
Oscillating devices for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis
An intervention review to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of oscillating devices compared to other forms of physiotherapy to improve respiratory function, mucus clearance and other outcomes in people with CF.
Morrison L, Agnew J. Oscillating devices for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 1. New search for studies and content updated (no change to conclusions), published in Issue 1, 2011.
Speech and language therapy for dysarthria in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of techniques
An intervention review to compare the efficacy and effectiveness of novel S< techniques versus standard S< to treat dysarthria in patients with Parkinson's disease. To compare the efficacy and effectiveness of one S< technique versus a second form of S< to treat Parkinsonian dysarthria.
Deane K, Whurr R, Playford ED, Ben-Shlomo Y, Clarke CE. Speech and language therapy for dysarthria in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of techniques. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 2. Edited (no change to conclusions), published in Issue 12, 2010.
Vocal quality of patients treated for laryngeal tuberculosis, before and after speech therapy.
Ruas ACN, Rolla VC, DE AraÚjo-Melo MH, Moreira JS, Valete-Rosalino CM
Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 01 November 2010, vol./is. 124/11(1153-1157).
A study to evaluate dysphonia in patients treated for laryngeal tuberculosis, and to assess the effect of speech therapy on patients' vocal quality.
Athens username required: Click Athens Log In to access this journal. Enter NHS Athens username and password if required.
The allied health profession role in work with people with Parkinson's disease.
Heisters D
International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 01 November 2010, vol./is. 17/11(566-567).
(Athens username required for full text access).
Five a day 'saves lives'
“At least 33,000 lives could be saved each year if the nation ate more healthily,” reported the Daily Mail. “Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day would by itself prevent 15,000 early deaths, including 7,000 from coronary heart disease, almost 5,000 from cancer and more than 3,000 from stroke,” the newspaper continued. The story is based on research that modelled what would happen if the average diet in the UK followed the recommendations for food consumption. In 2007, none of the UK countries met these recommendations. The study supports previous findings that good diet, together with other measures such as regular exercise and stopping smoking, cuts the risk of chronic disease and increases lifespan.
Tai chi 'prevents falls in the elderly'
The elderly are being told to “take up tai chi to prevent falls”, reported The Daily Telegraph. This news story is based on an updated guideline, released by the American and British Geriatrics societies, which suggests ways of preventing falls in the elderly. In light of the evidence available, one of the strategies recommended was participation in exercise programmes that target balance, gait and strength training, which all reduce the risk of falls. Tai chi was highlighted as a type of exercise that studies showed could lower the risk of falling in the elderly.
This bulletin is brought to you by the Library and Knowledge Services. It aims to keep you up-to-date with Allied Health Professional issues. At the beginning of each month, a librarian will update the bulletin with relevant information published in the preceding month. If there are areas you think we also need to cover, please let us know.
