A new paper from NHS Employers offers guidance to PCTs in commissioning pharmacy-based stop smoking services. Although clearly designed for use in smoking cessation, it may also offer a template for commissioning other services from community pharmacies. In the latest issue of Tobacco Control (vol 18 issue 4), a team from the University of Oxford's Department of Public Health attempt to quantify the health and economic burden of smoking in the UK. (NB you will need an Athens password to access the full text of the article).
The DoH was "delighted" with the level of participation in its consultation on changes to the "No secrets" guidance on protection of vulnerable adults. The Department has published a summary of views but gives no clear timeline for any changes in the law or the guidance. Amongst the key messages from the consultation was the stress that the system for adults should not simply replicate the child protection regime. The vast majority of respondents also favoured a clearer definition of "vulnerable adult."
Numbers of people with Profound Multiple Learning Disabilties (PMLD) are set to increase over the next fifteen years, according to a study for DoH by the Centre for Disability Research at the University of Leicester. The report anticipates increasing numbers and thus increasing demands on health and social care services: it suggests that in an "average" area in England with a population of 250 000 there are likely to be 78 adults with PMLD receiving health and social care services, rising to 105 in 2026.
New guidance from the Department of Communities and Local Government aims to help local authorities embed community cohesion in their policies and practice. An accompanying study for the Department by puts the economic case for improved cohesion, which includes a brief survey of health benefits of increased cohesion. More guidance, from IDeA (the Improvement and Development Agency), looks at the importance of community engagement when planning and implementing health promotion and health services. Aimed largely at local authorities, the paper looks at the roles of the voluntary sector and local government as well as NICE community engagement guidance and provides examples of good practice.
It comes as no surprise that a review of research into the experience of poverty shows that it is "almost always overwhelmingly negative". Living with Poverty reviews qualitative research over the last ten years on children's and families' experience of poverty. Commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions, the report has a particularly strong focus on setting out children's experiences of poverty.
A prevention package for older people was launched by DoH on 22 July. Contributing to the Government's age strategy Building a Society for All Ages, these publications form a suite of resources designed to help SHAs, PCOs and local authorities in commissioning services for older people. Amongst the resources just published are a survey of existing entitlements to sight tests, cancer screening and flu vaccinations, along with best practice guidance on falls prevention and fracture management and an update of intermediate care guidance. DoH anticipates that further resources will be added in the future.
A government study is looking at how socially excluded groups gain access to primary care. The Social Exclusion Task Force (part of the Cabinet Office) is working with DoH on a six month project, assessing how well current services meet the health needs of socially excluded people, as well as exploring tools for improvement. There will be a study published in Autumn 2009; questions and comments can be sent to primaryhealthproject@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk.
