Current Awareness Bulletin
12th – 18th April 2015
Welcome to the latest issue of our weekly Current Awareness Bulletin, a
publication from the Library and Knowledge Services at Hinchingbrooke
Hospital. This bulletin provides a digest of information focusing on primary
care and public health. If you are unable to access any of the internet links,
please contact us and we can forward the relevant information to you.
If you would like to register for free to this on a permanent basis, or simply
find out more about the service, please email Liza Alderman, Specialist
Librarian, Primary Care and Public Health, at the address below.
If you would like to suggest any new headings for the bulletin, or other
sources of information to be reviewed and included in subsequent editions,
please contact Liza Alderman. (Tel no: 01480 416114 or
liza.alderman@nhs.net). For information about other library services including
NHS Athens, please go to our website:
http://www.hinchingbrooke.nhs.uk/page/our-services/library-services
News
Thursday, 23rd April
UptoDate
12.30 – 1.30
Tuesday, 5th May
Introduction to searching
the healthcare databases
10.00 – 12.00
Friday, 15th May
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12.30 – 1.30
Wednesday, 20th May
Introduction to searching
the healthcare databases
10.00 – 12.00
Contents
Cancer
Obesity
Cardiovascular Disease
Offender & Prison Health
No items this week
Child & Adolescent Health
Older People
Communicable Diseases
Physical Activity
Commissioning
Primary Care
CQC Standards
No items this week
Respiratory Conditions (including COPD)
Dental Services
No items this week
Safeguarding vulnerable adults
No items this week
Diabetes
Sexual Health
No items this week
Diet & Nutrition
Smoking & Tobacco
Disabilities
Social Care & Social Work
No items this week
Drugs & Alcohol
Stroke
Evidence Updates
Waiting Times
No items this week
Health Inequalities
Women’s Services
Long Term Conditions
Miscellaneous
Medicines
NICE
Mental Health
Cancer
How dogs could sniff out prostate cancer
"Dogs trained to detect prostate cancer with more than 90% accuracy," The Guardian reports.
Two trained bomb-sniffing dogs also proved remarkably successful in detecting compounds
associated with prostate cancer in urine samples.
Source: Behind the Headlines
Breath test shows promise in diagnosing stomach cancer
"A simple breath test could help predict whether people with gut problems are at high risk of
developing stomach cancer," BBC News reports. The test is designed to detect a distinctive
pattern of chemicals associated with stomach cancer.
Source: Behind the Headlines
Discovery could 'boost immune system's cancer fighting ability'
The media is awash with news of a breakthrough that is "turbocharging the immune system to
kill all cancers" (The Daily Telegraph) and a "game-changing new way to fight cancer" (The
Independent).
Source: Behind the Headlines
Cardiovascular Disease
No proof that bad relationships raise blood pressure
"If you have ever blamed your partner for making your blood boil, a new study could be the
evidence you need to prove it's true," Mail Online reports. But the association
between stress and blood pressure is much less clear-cut than the Mail suggests.
Source: Behind the Headlines
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Improving cardiovascular disease through
networks of general practices
Detecting atrial fibrillation in people who
have had a stroke
Child & Adolescent Health
Influencing children's health: critical windows for intervention
With almost one in four Australian children overweight or obese and one in three expected to
be by 2025, Influencing children's health: critical windows for intervention looks at the key
moments for developing healthy habits in children and adolescents.
Source: UK Health Forum
See also Drugs & Alcohol section:
Exposure to alcohol in films increases
adolescent alcohol consumption
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Antibiotics in fetal and early life and
subsequent childhood asthma
Psychosis and schizophrenia in children
and young people
Promoting physical activity for children
and young people
Commissioning
NHS 111 Statistics – February 2015
NHS England has published NHS 111 statistics for February 2015. There were 1,027,000
calls to the NHS 111 service in February 2015, or 36,679 a day. This was lower than in
December 2014 and January 2015, but higher than in every other month since NHS 111
started.
Clinical Commissioning Group Prescribing Data - October to December 2014
This release contains data for the quarter October to December 2014, by CCG. Data for April
2013 to September 2014 is already available.
Source: HSCIC
Commissioning for Value – New videos on Right Care
NHS Right care has published videos of presentations from its Commissioning for Value
events in March. These include sessions by Martin McShane, director for long term
conditions, NHS England, Bob Ricketts, director of commissioning support service strategy,
NHS England and Brian Fergusson, chief economist, Public Health England. Further
presentations, including sessions with CCGs, will be posted shortly.
See also Older People section:
Making The Case For Integrated, Impartial
Information And Advice About Housing
And Care For Older People
Communicable Diseases
Notifiable diseases: weekly report
Source: PHE
New film puts Hep C in the primary care spotlight
This new film launched by the Royal College of GPs, the Hepatitis C Trust and HCV Action
aims to increase healthcare professionals’ knowledge about the virus, build their Confidence
in diagnosing and supporting patients and inform them of the new and highly effective
treatments available in primary care.
Source: RCGP
CQC Standards
No items this week
Dental Services
No items this week
Diabetes
See also Diet & Nutrition section:
Daily high-fat diet impacts body muscle
processes
Diet & Nutrition
New diet could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease
A new diet mixes the Mediterranean diet and DASH (dietary approaches to stop
hypertension) diet and could potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The new diet
is called MIND diet and was created by nutritional epidemiologists at Rush University Medical
Centre. The MIND diet consists of 15 dietary components: 10 brain healthy food groups and 5
unhealthy food groups. Whilst the DASH and Mediterranean diet focus on fruit consumption,
the MIND diet specifically focuses on consumption of berries, known for their brain health
benefits. Using data from the Rush Memory and Aging project, researchers found that those
who closely followed any of the three diets were at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease. Those who followed the MIND diet for the longest amount of time had the lowest risk
of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Source: UK Health Forum
Daily high-fat diet impacts body muscle processes
New research has found that just five days of eating high fat foods can effect the way the
body's muscles process nutrients changes, potentially leading to long-term conditions such as
obesity and diabetes. Students were put on a high-fat diet, after five days the muscles' ability
to oxidize glucose was disrupted. This could lead to an inability to respond to insulin,
increasing diabetes risk.
Source: UK Health Forum
Disabilities
DNA changes in sperm may help explain autism
"DNA changes could explain why autism runs in families, according to study," The
Independent reports. Research suggests a set of changes in a father's DNA – known as
methylation – is linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their offspring.
Source: Behind the Headlines
Drugs and Alcohol
Exposure to alcohol in films increases adolescent alcohol consumption
New research from Bristol's Children of the 90s study has found that the more adolescents
are exposed to alcohol consumption in films, the more likely they are to participate in risky
drinking.
Source: UK Health Forum
Health Inequalities
Warm Homes project brings 2000 people out of fuel poverty in Manchester
The Warm Homes Oldham project has brought more than 2000 people out of fuel poverty and
seen a 30 percent reduction in A&E admissions. The scheme is mainly open to those renting
property and has provided a range of energy efficiency improvements to homes using ECO
grant funding.
Source: UK Health Forum
Living well for longer: One year on
This report sets out progress over 2014/15 by Government, Public Health England (PHE) and
NHS England to reduce premature avoidable mortality as set out in Living Well for Longer:
National Support for Local Action to Reduce Premature Avoidable Mortality. It also provides
an outline of the next steps for partners in delivering ongoing improvements in premature
mortality.
Source: UK Health Forum
Long Term Conditions
Patient-centered activity monitoring in the self-management of chronic health
conditions
This article discusses the potential of wearable activity-measuring devices to engage patients
in monitoring their own health, highlighting the need for accurate integration of the data into
self-management regimens for chronic disease.
Source: BMC Medicine
Medicines
Paracetamol may blunt feelings of pleasure as well as pain
"Paracetamol may dull emotions as well as physical pain, new study shows'," The Guardian
reports.
Source: Behind the Headlines
See also Commissioning section:
Clinical Commissioning Group
Prescribing Data - October to December
2014
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Antibiotics in fetal and early life and
subsequent childhood asthma
Mental Health
Does happiness have a smell and is it contagious?
"Humans can smell when other people are happy, researchers discover," The Independent
reports; somewhat over-enthusiastically.
Source: Behind the Headlines
See also Cardiovascular Disease section:
No proof that bad relationships raise
blood pressure
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Social integration and risk of suicide in
men
Psychosis and schizophrenia in children
and young people
Obesity
Obesity may reduce dementia risk
A cohort study of nearly two million people has found that being obese in middle age could
protect against dementia in later life. This contradicts findings from previous studies that
suggest obesity in middle age could increase dementia risk. In this study underweight people
had a 39 percent greater risk of dementia. Overweight people had an 18 percent reduced risk
and obese people had a 24 percent reduced risk. The researchers say it is not clear what the
link between obesity and dementia is. The Alzheimer's Society said of the research: "The
mixed picture highlights the difficulty of conducting studies into the complex lifestyle risk
factors for dementia."
Source: UK Health Forum
See also Child & Adolescent Health
section:
Influencing children's health: critical
windows for intervention
Offender and Prison Health
No items this week
Older People
Dementia Peer Support Resource Pack
This tool brings together in one place evidenced based resources to help community groups
and funders set up and run peer support groups, as well as guidance on how to make older
people groups more dementia friendly. It includes films, case studies, policy and research
related to the benefits of peer support, as well as resources on funding, staff training and
evaluation of groups. It has been developed for the statutory, community and voluntary
sectors that are working with, or commissioning/funding services for people with dementia.
Source: Health Innovation Network South London
Progress Report: December 2013- March 2015
The Global Action Against Dementia programme has provided an orchestration for change
across, between and within nations. It has created new mechanisms for working together as
well as with the private and NGO sectors. This report celebrates all that is being achieved and
highlights how the Summit has provided a springboard for new action at both an individual
government/ organisational level as well as in new collaborative relationships. This report
seeks to provide a flavour of the breadth of work that is underway.
Source: UK Health Forum
Making The Case For Integrated, Impartial Information And Advice About Housing And
Care For Older People
This report focuses on the delivery of independent information and advice for older people
which brings together housing and care options and related financial advice. It sets out how
integrated housing and care information and advice services enable local authorities to meet
their new duties under the Care Act and includes model clauses to assist with service
commissioning.
Source: Care & Repair
Middle age 'starts at 60' claims media
“Middle age begins at 60, say researchers,” The Times reports. A new population modelling
study estimates that due to increased lifespan, what was once regarded as elderly should be
seen as middle-aged, and this trend will continue into the future.
Source: Behind the Headlines
See also Obesity section:
Obesity may reduce dementia risk
See also Diet & Nutrition section:
New diet could reduce the risk of
Alzheimer's Disease
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Occupational therapy and physical
activity interventions to promote the
mental wellbeing of older people in
primary care and residential care
Physical activity
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Promoting physical activity for children
and young people
Primary Care
See also Communicable Disease section:
New film puts Hep C in the primary care
spotlight
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Improving cardiovascular disease through
networks of general practices
Respiratory Conditions (including COPD)
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Antibiotics in fetal and early life and
subsequent childhood asthma
Safeguarding of vulnerable adults
No items this week
Sexual Health
No items this week
Smoking & Tobacco
Study doesn't prove e-cigs make quitting smoking harder
"E-cigs don’t help smokers quit fags – in fact they make it harder to stop," the Daily Mirror
reports, apparently turning on its head the common view that using e-cigarettes can help you
quit smoking conventional cigarettes.
Source: Behind the Headlines
Social Care & Social Work
No items this week
Stroke
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Detecting atrial fibrillation in people who
have had a stroke
Waiting Times
No items this week
Women’s Services
New report brings together existing maternity data
Source: HSCIC
Can a facelift make you more likeable?
"Having plastic surgery can make you more likeable," the Mail Online reports. It says
cosmetic facial surgery not only makes you look younger, but could also improve what people
think of your character. As the Mail Online reports, women who received surgery "were rated
as more attractive, feminine, and trustworthy".
Source: Behind the Headlines
See also Eyes on Evidence section:
Fertility
Miscellaneous
Informed: Issue 32
Source: NHS England
Using Clinical Practice Variations As A Method For Commissioners And Clinicians To
Identify And Prioritise Opportunities For Disinvestment In Health Care: A CrossSectional Study, Systematic Reviews And Qualitative Study
This study aimed to explore if geographical variation in procedure rates is a marker of clinical
uncertainty and might be used by local commissioners to identify procedures that are
potential candidates for disinvestment. We also explore obstacles and solutions to local
commissioners achieving disinvestment, and patient and clinician perspectives on regulating
access to procedures.
Source: NIHR
Evidence Updates
This month in Eyes on Evidence
Social integration and risk of suicide in men
A cohort study in the US found that professional middle-aged men who were socially well
integrated had a lower risk of suicide than men with fewer family, friendship and religious
connections.
Surgical versus non-surgical treatment for fracture of the heel
A small, 2-year randomised controlled trial in the UK reported that surgical treatment
appeared to be no better than non-surgical treatment at improving function and pain in
patients with intra-articular fracture of the heel, and was associated with a higher rate of
complications.
Improving cardiovascular disease through networks of general practices
An observational study in London found that grouping general practices into managed
networks and emphasising clinical engagement and education was associated with small
improvements in outcomes related to cardiovascular disease, although it was not clear which
elements of the networks were most important.
Antibiotics in fetal and early life and subsequent childhood asthma
A Swedish observational study found an association between antibiotic use in fetal and early
life and asthma. However, this link was reduced or disappeared in analyses that compared
children with siblings who did not have asthma, suggesting that factors shared in families may
explain any observed association between antibiotic exposure and asthma.
Detecting atrial fibrillation in people who have had a stroke
Two randomised controlled trials reported that long-term electrocardiogram monitoring was
more effective at detecting atrial fibrillation than 24-hour or intermittent electrocardiogram
monitoring in people who had experienced apparent cryptogenic stroke or transient ischaemic
attack.
Case studies from the Quality and Productivity collection
We highlight 2 new examples from the Quality and Productivity collection demonstrating how
NHS organisations have implemented new local practices that have both cut costs and
improved quality:
 Mobile clinics for chronic stable glaucoma management
 Ensuring appropriate use of monitored dosage systems
Evidence Updates
NICE has recently published Evidence Updates on:
 Fertility
 Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people
 Occupational therapy and physical activity interventions to promote the mental
wellbeing of older people in primary care and residential care
 Promoting physical activity for children and young people
NICE
No items this week
Disclaimer:
Whilst we make every effort to check the content when it is first published, we cannot guarantee
its correctness or completeness. The information on this website is subject to change and we cannot guarantee that
it will remain up-to-date.
All links from this website are provided for information only. A link does not imply endorsement of that site. We do not
accept responsibility for the sites linked to, or the information displayed there.
Copyright and liability
You are welcome to use the information from the Current Awareness Service for Health so long as the source is
acknowledged. Copyright restrictions may apply to material from other sites .
Sources used: The Audit Commission, Cabinet Office, Care Quality Commission, Commission for Rural
Communities, Communities and Local Government, Dept for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dept for Children,
Schools and Families, Dept for Culture, Media and Sport, Dept for the Environment, Food and Rural affairs, Dept for
Transport, Dept for Work & Pensions, Dept of Energy & Climate Change, Dept for Health, Directgov, Economic and
Social Research Council, Electoral Commission, Environment Agency, Equality and Human Rights Commission,
Food Standards Agency, Gambling Commission, General Social Care Council, Government Connect, Govt Office for
London, Govt Office for the East Midlands, Govt Office for the East of England, Govt Office for the North East, Govt
Office for the North West, Govt Office for the South East, Govt Office for the South West, Govt Office for the West
Midlands, Govt Office for Yorkshire & The Humber, Health and safety Executive, HM Prison Service, HM Revenue
and Customs, HM Treasury, Home Office, Homes and Communities Academy, Homes, and Communities Agency,
Law commission, Local Better Regulation Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Museums, Libraries and
Archives Council, Natural England, Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Office of Fair
Trading, Office of Government Commerce, Office of Public Sector Information, Qualifications and Curriculum
Development Authority, Sport England, Standards for England, Sustainable Development Commission, Tenant
Services Authority, Training and Development Agency for Schools.
Other sources: APHO, CASH, NICE, NHS Choices, King’s Fund, BBC Health News.