Pauline Heslop summarises a UK primary care study that shows how emergency hospital admissions for preventable conditions can be reduced in people with learning disabilities who receive annual health checks.
[read the full story...]
Natasha Clarke considers the measurable effects of local alcohol licensing policies on population health in England.
[read the full story...]
Alison Turner presents a new report from the NHS Confederation called ‘Growing old together: sharing new ways to support older people’, which has been produced by the independent Commission on Improving Urgent Care for Older People.
[read the full story...]
Andres Fonseca appraises a regression analysis looking at the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) and the impact it has on psychiatric admissions in people with severe mental illness.
[read the full story...]
Farhana Mann summarises an observational study of mood instability in people with mental illness, which explores its relationship with days spent in hospital, frequency of admissions, the likelihood of being sectioned and the chance of being prescribed antipsychotics and mood stabilisers.
[read the full story...]
Clarissa Giebel analyses an Australian qualitative study into family carer feelings and responses, when their loved one with dementia is admitted to hospital.
[read the full story...]
Alison Turner considers the strengths and weaknesses of a new report which presents the findings of the HSJ Commission on Hospital Care for Frail Older People, asking key questions of commissioners, providers and patients.
[read the full story...]
Sally Adams summarises a new randomised controlled trial in JAMA, which tests a sustained care intervention and post-discharge smoking cessation for hospitalised smokers.
[read the full story...]
Chris Sampson looks at the economic outcomes of a recent RCT of joint crisis plans to reduce compulsory treatment for people with psychosis. The study reports the potential for gains specifically among Black patients.
[read the full story...]
Out in the woodland we are pleased that recent advances in medical care mean that more patients are surviving critical illnesses within intensive care units (ICU). “But what does that have to do with the Mental Elf?” I hear you say. Well, we Mental Elves are wondering whether this advancement in medical technology and technique are actually putting people [read the full story…]
