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NEW Carers Expert- By Experience sister site This site will be where you will find carers stories. It is new at the moment and will be added to shortly

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CARERS: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN EVALUATING THE
LITERATURE. Our latest Research Works summary offers guidance for individuals  involved in evaluating the evidence base for support services for  carers. It is based on the experience of researchers who have  worked on three recent reviews of support services for carers, on  behalf of the NHS Service Delivery and Organisation, Research and  Development Programme. The summary can be found at:  http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/spru/pubs/rworks/oct2004-03.pdf Rachel Pitman  SPRU Information Officer
 Email: spruinfo@york.ac.uk  Publications Office tel: 01904 321950        Social Policy Research Unit  University of York  Heslington  York

Acute Care 2004: a national survey of psychiatric wards in England (Gateway reference number 5029) The first national survey of acute inpatient mental health wards was today published by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (SCMH). The report can be ordered from SCMH and the briefing paper downloaded from: http://www.scmh.org.uk/802569840056E832/vWeb/wpKHAL6CNEEG?opendocument

Next Steps for the Mental Health Bill 13 July 2005 The Government's response to the Joint Committee's report can be viewed at

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_IDA15267&chk=6aDq

Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/g84u

Patients positive about nurse prescribing Published: Monday 27 June 2005 Reference number: 2005/0223 Related links Nurse prescribing: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/MedicinesPharmacyAndIndustry/Prescriptions/NursingPrescribing/fs/en
Policy Research Programme: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/ResearchAndDevelopment/PolicyResearchProgramme/fs/en                   University of Southampton, school of nursing and midwifery: http://www.nursingandmidwifery.soton.ac.uk/research/grants/latter1.htm

Study Examines Use of Antipsychotic Medications for Schizophrenia Treatment 21 Sep 2005 http://www.astrazeneca.com

Protection of Vulnerable Adults Advisory Group - Questions and Answers (Gateway reference number 5216) The document can be accessed at:http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/53/32/04115332.pdf

If you have any other enquiries regarding POVA, please do not hesitate to email them to:
dhmail@dh.gsi.gov.uk

NEW GUIDANCE TO HELP DEAL WITH STRESS AT WORK The guidance is available at
http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/work_related_stress_guide.pdf

Further information is available at : http://www.cbi.org.uk , http://www.tuc.org.uk , http://www.fpb.co.uk and http://www.ceepuk.org Further information on work-life balance can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/er                 

New safeguards for vulnerable people who lack capacity Published: Tuesday 5 July 2005
Reference number: 2005/0232 For more information on the Mental Capacity Act go to: http://www.dca.gov.uk/menincap/legis.htm The consultation document is available on www.dh.gov.uk.

People who lose mental capacity: Public Guardianship Office: protecting and promoting the financial affairs of people who lose mental capacity WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE 2005. Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General HC 27 2005-2006 8 June 2005 ISBN: 0102932786 Price: £10.75 To view the Full Report (960 KB) go to:
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/05-06/050627.pdf                                                                             To view the Executive Summary (228 KB) go to:
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/05-06/050627es.pdf                                                                National Audit Office website www.nao.org.uk. 
Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474. Press Notice 38/05 All enquiries to Barry Lester, NAO Press Office: Tel: 020 7798 7937 Mobile: 07748 181692

Supporting People guide to accommodation and support options for people with mental health problems
Author : ODPM Organisation: ODPM can be found at:

http://www.spkweb.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C2A2FCF3-C0A2-4DF6-B705-E2EA0AF7DF82/3363/SPGuideonAccommodationandSupportforPeoplewithMenta.doc

Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/dwt5

Matter of interest: "brain pacemaker"                                                                                     Brain pacemaker to beat depression http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1418091.stm
Brain 'pacemaker' can lift depression http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1502493,00.html
Pacemaker 'cure' for depression http://snipurl.com/d5em
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A New Tool for Brain Research and Therapy http://www.musc.edu/psychiatry/fnrd/VNSintro.htm
Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Treating Depression
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/treatment/vns/index.asp

Increased arachidonic acid levels linked to depression 27 May 2005 Researchers from Israel have found a link between depressive symptoms and increased levels of an omega-6 fatty acid in the brain. Source: J Lipid Res 2005; 46: 1093-1096 go to: http://www.jlr.org/cgi/content/abstract/46/6/1093

Suicidal behavior may run in the family 23 May 2005 A family history of suicide is a significant predictor of suicidal behavior This article can be found at: http://www.psychiatrysource.com/psychsource/News/article1536.htm

Source: Am J Psychiatry 2005; 162: 1017-1019   go to: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/162/5/1017

Dissability Discrimination Act Receives Royal Accent: A recent press notice on the DDA 2005 can be found at www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2005/apr/dda_royal_assent.asp
The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People sets out a twenty year vision with recommendations on four key aspects of disabled people's life chances: independent living, early years
and family support, transition to adulthood and employment. A copy is available from: www.strategy.gov.uk/output/Page5046.asp                                                                                                                       For further media enquiries, please contact Fiona Ludlow on: 020 7238 0782

Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Text phone: 020 7238 0788
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Websites: www.dwp.gov.uk and www.disability.gov.uk

Skills for Care issues major overview of whole social care workforce Workforce development body Skills for Care has published its second major statistical overview of the whole social care workforce in England. There are between 900,000 and 1.6 million care workers, depending on the definition of care used. The report describes their work roles, whether they are in the statutory or independent sectors, their training and
qualifications, rates of pay, and trends in the vacancy rates for their roles. The State of the Social Care Workforce is downloadable at www.skillsforcare.org.uk, or available on CD-ROM for £5 from Skills for Care.

Are people with mental health problems receiving the care they need? What do you think?
Find out in The Guardian's special report at: http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth

'Draft Mental Health Bill unethical' says BMA. Press release date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2005 (BMA London) In its evidence today (26 January 2005) to the Scrutiny Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill for England and Wales, the BMA has expressed extreme concerns about the proposed legislation. The Association believes that as the Bill stands it is unethical, unworkable and in conflict with the Human Rights Act. To read the BMA's written evidence to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill go to:
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/Draftmentalhealthbill

Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Gateway reference number 4840) The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (c.9) received Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. The aim of the Act is to protect adults who lack mental capacity and help
them to run their own lives. The full act on the HMSO website can be found at:
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/legislation_progress.htm
Mental Capacity Act 2005  http://snipurl.com/e2un Further information on the Department of Constitutional Affairs website can be found at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/menincap/legis.htm

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS - A NEW OFFENCE OF FAMILIAL HOMICIDE Reference: 058/2005 - Date: 21 Mar 2005 11:02.  The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act received Royal Assent on 15 November 2004(CJS press notice 353/2004). The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act is available at www.parliament.uk The public information leaflet is available at
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs4/familial_homicide.htm

Commission backs move to give people control over their social care services: Monday 21 March 2005. "Too often people tell us that their services are more accountable to the Council than to them. They feel powerless to change what they receive. The Commission's input to the Green Paper, published in November 2004 can be accessed here:
http://www.csci.org.uk/how_we_do_our_work/informing_policy/vision_for_adult_social_care.htm

Patients deserve better from NHS complaints system says Ombudsman 10 March 2005 Making things better? A report on reform of the NHS complaints procedure in England
Go to: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/hsc/document/nhscomp05/index.htm

Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Good partnerships vital to social care inspection, says commission Effective partnerships between the organisations responsible for new ways of inspecting social care are crucial to achieving good results for people who use the services, says the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 1. The consultation documents described above can be found via the following
links: (these sites will open in new browser windows)   a.. Ofsted http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/everychildconsultation/
b.. DfES http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations///                                                                                                           c.. Healthcare Commission
http://consultation.healthcarecommission.org.uk/site/                                                                                                d.. Audit Commission
http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/index.asp?page=dex.asp&area=cpa                                            Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/cwxd

 MHRA highlights its recent advice on SSRIs. 18 February 2005. The report of the Expert Working Group on SSRIs can be found at http://www.mhra.gov.uk/news/2004/SSRIfinal.pdf.
The advice given to healthcare professionals at the time the report was published can be found at
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/news/2004/SSRI_Letter_061204.pdf

Herbal extract shows comparable efficacy to common antidepressant. 11 Feb 2005 
This article can be found at: http://www.psychiatrysource.com/psychsource/News/article1310.htm

Childhood abuse and Bi Polar: Childhood abuse common in bipolar patients  02 Feb 2005
 Severe childhood trauma appears to have occurred in up to half of patients with bipolar disorder and warrants routine clinical assessment, say researchers. Childhood abuse has been associated with complex forms of adult
psychopathological disorder, including suicidality, substance misuse and dependence, and psychosis, note Jessica Garno (Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York) and colleagues. This article can be located at:
http://www.psychiatrysource.com/psychsource/News/article1288.htm

Cognitive therapy prevents relapse in bipolar patients. 04 Feb 2005. Cognitive therapy may help to reduce the number of days patients with bipolar disorder spend in bipolar episodes over the long term, research
suggests. For the source of this article go to: http://www.psychiatrysource.com/psychsource/News/article1296.htm

Cannabis linked to mental health risk. The Government has announced plans to review all academic and clinical studies linking cannabis use to mental health problems. This article can be found at:
http://www.hda.nhs.uk/html/about/phnews.asp?ItemIDv90439  Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/cjai

Offender mental health care pathway. This care pathway document lays down valuable best practice templates to guide providers and commissioners on mental health services for those involved in the criminal justice system. It is based on the best evidence currently available, sourced from both literature and innovative clinical practice. Foreward by John Boyington (Director Health Partnerships) and Professor Louis Appleby (National Clinical Director Mental Health). The full document can be found at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/22/32/04102232.pdf

Vulnerable Adults. GOSW has conducted a study into whether services used by vulnerable adults are effective in meeting their needs. We looked at the experiences of vulnerable adults in using publicly-funded services. The full report (Word doc, 0.39mb ) can be viewed at: 
http://www.gosw.gov.uk/Show_DataFile.asp?FileID64  Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/ci5e

Straitjacket may be brought back into NHS. Mary O'Hara Wednesday February 2, 2005 The Guardian. The straitjacket, the restraining garment that came to symbolise the harsh treatment of mental health patients, may return, with the NHS considering its reintroduction in a modern form. Is this fact or fiction? To find out the truth go to:http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,1403733,00.html

Mental health policy implementation guide: Community development workers for black and minority ethnic communities Reference number: Gateway reference: 4211. Interim Guidance has now been published that provides a framework for local health and social care systems to introduce Community Development Workers (CDWs) for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities into the mental health workforce in accordance with the Department of Health target to employ 500 CDWs by December 2006. [The Guidance is available from DH Publications, reference 265796. The document can be accessed both on the DH and NIMHE (www.nimhe.org) web sites. http://www.nimhe.org.uk/whatshapp/item_display_publications.asp?idt5   Delivering race equality in mental health care: To download Delivering race equality in mental health care (PDF, 1321K) go to: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/07/75/04100775.pdf

NHS 'bias' against mentally ill linked to high death rate By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor 24 January 2005. Research by the Disability Rights Commission suggests that they are four times more likely to die from a treatable illness than other patients and 58 times more likely to die before the age of 50. Read an article in 'The Independent' on this topic: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story`3988

Psychiatric nurses are only human: Goodwill hunting, Mark Gould on a project improving the sometimes fraught relationship between psychiatric nurses and their patients Wednesday January 19, 2005 The Guardian. Psychiatric nurses are only human: they sometimes dislike their patients, which can upset what is supposed to be a therapeutic relationship. But a groundbreaking project is altering the mindset of nurses towards the people they care for. It is helping staff in one of the most pressurised areas of the NHS regain some of the principles of care underpinning psychiatric nursing. To read what a transformation The City Nurses Project is making go to: http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,1393159,00.html

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Coping with Trauma: Two new factsheets from the revamped College website:  a.. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)  b.. Coping with Trauma.  Two new factsheets are now available on the recently redesigned College website   For copies of these and other factsheets or leaflets contact:
Leaflets Department, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG. E-mail: leaflets @rcpsych.ac.uk This article can be found at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/press/preleases/pr/pr_639.htm

Personality disorder is being treated by new, more effective methods. Forum Facilitator - 05:47pm Jan 2, 2005 BST. Twist of trait...Personality disorder, often seen as a 'dustbin diagnosis', is being treated by new, more effective methods. David Batty visits a project that tackles self-harm and substance abuse. 
To read this rest of this article go to: http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,1373489,00.html

User Involvement "Bridging the Gap is a helpful contribution to identifying how users of social care services can be involved in the process of inspection and regulation.  Published: Wednesday 1st December 2004 
Reference number: 2004/0429 The Better Regulation Task Force report Bridging the Gap - Participation
in Social Care Regulation was published on 8 September 2004 and is available on the Internet at www.brtf.gov.uk/reports/bridgegap.asp The Government response to the report is available on the Internet at
www.brtf.gov.uk Government and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. The government's response can be found at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/09/66/84/04096684.pdf

CHARITIES BILL WILL BACK VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR'S WORK TO CHANGE
LIVES. Reference: 396/2004 - Date: 21 Dec 2004 10:59. response to the findings of the Joint Committee will be available today at www.parliament.uk (under Public Bills) and at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/comrace/active/charitylaw/index.html The Regulatory Impact Assessment is expected to be published at http://www.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm64/6440/6440.htm The Home Office published Central Government Funding of Voluntary and Community Organisations 1982/3 to 2001/2 on 17 November 2004 (HO press notice 356/2004). Copies are available from: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/comrace/active/funding/index.html

National Asylum Support Service reviews dispersal of asylum seekers with healthcare needs (16 December 2004 Reference: 390/2004) A full copy of Asylum Seekers with Care Needs can be found at:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/applying/national_asylum_support/stakeholders/policy_bulletin.Maincontent.0013.file.tmp/PB_82.pdf  Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/bmxt

'Implications for NHS trusts admitting patients who lack capacity to consent: HL v UK (the 'Bournewood' judgment) (Gateway reference 4269) This European Court of Human Rights judgment may have implications for NHS trusts admitting patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. Interim advice for NHS bodies and local authorities on the judgment and steps they can take in response is now available. For the following articles and further information go to:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/MentalHealth/MentalHealthArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID@77674&chkÛ37MW
Alternatively try: http://snipurl.com/bhjr

The statistical bulletin 2004/22: Inpatients formally detained in hospitals. This bulletin is an annual publication which summarises information about people detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act in NHS facilities, including high security psychiatric hospitals, and independent hospitals. It includes figures for the period 1993-94 to 2003-04. This bulletin is available at: http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0422.htm

Alert New Guidance on Efexor Not good news, but perhaps no surprise to anyone who has taken it. http://www.gpcontract.co.uk/csm.html

SSRI use during pregnancy linked to neonatal withdrawal. 04 Feb 2005 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), particularly paroxetine, should be used cautiously in pregnant women, say researchers after finding that babies exposed to such drugs were at increased risk of suffering from withdrawal syndrome. For further information go to: http://www.psychiatrysource.com/psychsource/News/article1294.htm

Experts complete review on safety of antidepressants Published: Monday 6th December 2004 Reference number: 2004/0433 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued new advice to patients and doctors about the group of antidepressants known as SSRI's,  today. Prescribing advice and clinical trials data are available on www.mhra.gov.uk

Mental Health Information The Royal College of Psychiatrists have a wide range of readable and
well-researched leaflets for the public. Topics include: alcohol and drug problems, anxiety and phobias, bereavement, depression, eating disorders, learning disabilities, manic depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, post traumatic stress, schizophrenia. These leaflets can be accessed at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/index.htm

The annual council star ratings: A new analysis of state-funded social care in England shows steady yearly improvement. The best local authorities have improved the quality of people's lives. However, a handful simply failed to provide proper care services, while others have become stuck in the mud and appear unable or unwilling to improve further. (For council star ratings go to: http://www.csci.org.uk/ )

Government White Paper flags the need for Public Mental Health Strategy  "Public health has been around for over 150 years. It's time for public mental health to be put on the agenda. We cannot go on trying to manage mental illness in a reactive way. Public mental health stretches way beyond the NHS, and we look to Government for leadership in delivering this vital agenda across a broad range of agencies. The strategic thinking must start with the Department of Health. A number of key indicators show that the mental health of the public, particularly young people, is deteriorating. Failure to get this right now, will have grave implications for this and future generations." For further information please contact Fran Gorman or Celia Richardson on 020 7802 0313 / 0312 or email fgorman@mhf.org.uk / crichardson@mhf.org.uk Hard copies of the White paper are available from the Department of Health, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH, Telephone: 08701 555455 Fax: 01623 724524 Email: doh@prolog.uk.com  (Source: Department of Health Website, 16 November, 2004)
You can download the a copy of the White paper at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4094550&am p;chk=aN5Cor The full press statement can be found at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/profilenews.cfm?pag ecode=NENE&areacode=NEWS_mhf&id=6868 The briefing is available at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/html/content/briefing_white_paper_public_mh_1 104.pdf The Media response to the white paper can be found on the news pages of the Mental Health Foundation site (for the next month) at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/profilenews.cfm?pagecode=NENE and a permanent archive of press reactions will be held on the Connects: the mental health and learning disabilities portal, newspages at http://www.connects.org.uk/page.cfm?pageurl=news.cfm&titlebar=1

Getting to grips with new disability legislation: 8 November 2004. New events and leaflets help education and training organisations with the DDA. A series of regional events are being run by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) to help education and training organisations to get to grips with the new legislation on disability. The events are designed for any staff working in further education colleges, local education authorities, adult and community learning and work-based learning, such as private and voluntary-sector training organisations, who have responsibility for implementing the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). 'It is important to understand the new disability legislation and how to interpret it,' says Sally Faraday, research manager at LSDA. 'This goes far beyond providing wheelchair ramps and accessible learning resources; it requires changes to the way students are recruited, taught and supported. Our events and resources are designed to help people working in a variety of roles to understand the needs of disabled students. For further information contact: Anne Nicholls, Communications Manager, LSDA. Tel: 0207 297 9017 (direct line). Mobile: 07785 59826 Email: anicholls@LSDA.org.uk For copies of the two new leaflets contact: Enquiries@
LSDA.org.uk. Further information about events from Al Lockhart-Smith on asmith@LSDA.org.uk the DDA see the web site: www.LSDA.org.uk/programmes/dda/index.asp