Quality zone: yoga for emotional wellbeing in diabetes and other long-term conditions.

Source: J Diabetes Nursing, 2009, 13(3) pages 96-104

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This project describes piloting the use of yoga exercise to improve mental well-being in patients with diabetes and other long-term conditions. This took place in a general practice in Suffolk.  Pre- and post-participation anxiety and depression scores of participants are presented.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Acknowledgement: British Nursing Index

Housing support programme saves other services £3.41bn

 Source: Communities and Local Government

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: A new independent report has found that a Government programme to provide housing support to vulnerable and homeless people has led to significant savings in the cost of other services.  The report by analysts Capgemini, has estimated that the £1.6bn invested through Supporting People has saved other services £3.41bn – through reduced costs in homelessness, tenancy failure, crime, health and residential care packages.  Accompanying the report is a Supporting People local financial benefits model and user guide attached at www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1275033.xls.

Length of publication: 198 pages

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A novel idea

Source: Mental Health Today, May 2009, pages 28-9

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article describes the ‘Get Into Reading’ project work organised by The Reader Organisation in Liverpool.  Anecdotal reports from participants describe improvements in mental health and wellbeing by those taking part in groups.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes:

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Acknowledgement: EBSCO

Tackling alcohol harm: lessons from other fields

Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

For fulltext link here 

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report draws on examples of practice from differing fields to help inform strategies for dealing with alcohol abuse – covering strategies to change behaviours and attitudes; looking at the reasons for the effectiveness of the different approaches; and how policy and practice can have an impact on attitudes and behaviours. 7 case studies are presented.

Length of publication: 110 pages

Some important notes: 4 page summary is also available

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Lay involvement in Public Health

Source: People in Public Health, Leeds Metropolitan University

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Report of summarised findings produced by Jane South from a series of expert hearings on the theme of lay person’s involvement in public health roles.  Key findings from the hearings have shown that lay people are often better placed to get messages across and give direct support to individuals and communities.   Local health and wellbeing organisations increasingly recognise that there is the potential to create better, more responsive services if the gap between the people who use services and the professionals who provide them is reduced. Suggests there have been many individual innovators over the years who have developed projects and programmes that involve lay people, health champions, volunteers but the practice is still rarely mainstreamed.   Details of the innovative projects which gave evidence include:  

Thornhill Health & Wellbeing Project Southampton
The Community Health Educators Project
Lay Health Trainers: Learning from the USA
Speakeasy
Practice Experience of Involving People in Public Health
Volunteer Tutors and the Expert Patients Programme
Commissioning for Health and Well-being
Walking the Way to Health 

Length of publication: 16 pages

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Acknowledgement: I&DeA

First specialist dementia advisors start work

Source: Department of Health

Follow this link for fulltext 

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: Demonstrator sites, announced by Care Services Minister Phil Hope, will start in 22 areas which are linked on the press release announcement.  An additional 18 sites will test peer support networks for families and carers.  The advisors will act as a guide helping people to navigate tthrough he care and support systems.  The sites piloting support networks will test different ways of providing local practical and emotional support for people with dementia and their carers and give them an opportunity to take an active role in developing local services. Some of the services that will be piloted include dementia cafes – places where people with dementia and their carers can meet up – and a simple social networking site which will allow people with dementia to network with others.  Several of the demonstrator sites will also focus on working with harder to reach minority groups such as people with
learning difficulties, BME groups and people who do not speak English.  Phil Hope made the announcement while visiting the Croydon Memory Clinic – an example of the memory clinics which will be set up across the country to ensure early diagnosis and intervention.

Length of publication: Web page

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Acknowledgement: NHS Networks

Barriers for people with depression accessing exercise on prescription

Source: Mental Health Foundation

Follow this link for fulltext 

Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type:  Report

In a nutshell: This report reveals the barriers that are preventing patients with mild or moderate depression from accessing exercise on prescription. They include funding constraints within local government and PCTs, and that many GPs aren’t aware that exercise schemes are available in their area.

Length of publication: 46 pages

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Acknowledgement: NHS Networks

New Horizons : towards a shared vision of mental health

Source:  Department of Health

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Consultation

In a nutshell: Urban allotments, reading groups and computer training for the over 50s are just some of the good practice initiatives featured as part of a new approach to public mental health and well-being.  The report sets out a new approach to improving well-being for the whole population, aiming to create a way to target the root causes of poor mental health.   The consultation launched on 22 July 2009 was developed jointly with groups and organisations who have a role in service provision. A number of key themes are being consulted on:
- prevention and public mental health– recognising the need to prevent as well as treat mental health and promote mental health and well-being
- stigma – strengthening the focus on social inclusion and tackling stigma and discrimination wherever they occur
- early intervention – expanding  the principle of early intervention to improve long term outcomes
- personalised care – ensuring care is based on individuals’ needs and wishes leading to recovery
- multi-agency commissioning/collaboration – working to achieve a joint approach between local authorities, the NHS and others
- innovation – seeking out new ways to achieve objectives based on research and new technologies
- value for money – delivering cost-effective and innovative services in a period of recession
- strengthening transition – improving the transition from child and adolescent mental health services to adult services, for those with continuing needs and issues

Length of publication: 130 pages

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Acknowledgement: Department of Health

The new landscape in social care and health

Source:  I&DeA

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: A report which looks at innovative relationships and structures being adopted by local authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) to enable joint working. Features case studies of the most innovative, intended to start a debate on best practice.

Length of publication: 7 pages

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Acknowledgement: I&DeA

Explaining about mental health and well-being

Source: Working with Older People, March 2009, 13 (1) pages 11-4

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The Mental Health and Well-being in Later Life Programme established by NHS Health
Scotland to promote and fund projects with elderly people. Case studies described include
a Glasgow project to obtain views of marginalised older people and another to determine
views of residents and staff in care homes in Lothian.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: This article is available with an NHS Athens username and password.  Please contact your local NHS Library for help with this.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library. 

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Acknowledgement: British Nursing Index