Evaluation of Digital Lifeline scheme published
The Government has published a qualitative evaluation of its Digital Lifeline scheme.
The scheme, delivered by Good Things Foundation and other partners, aimed to use digital inclusion to alleviate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on people with learning disabilities.
It saw 5,500 people supplied with a Lenovo M10 tablet, 24GB data and basic skills training.
A qualitative evaluation found Digital Lifeline has:
- Enabled people with learning disabilities to participate more fully in their local community and society
- Helped to mitigate, or reduce, inequalities people with learning disabilities experience in other areas of their lives
- Brought visibility to the needs and barriers faced by people with learning disabilities
Survey findings outline impact and experience of shielding
Public Health Scotland has revealed the findings of its latest survey exploring the impact and experience of the COVID-19 shielding programme. Key findings include:
- 82% of people reported ongoing negative impacts on their confidence when leaving home
- 81% still make decisions mainly influenced by fear of COVID-19
- 77% agreed being included on the highest risk list made them feel supported
However, some population groups were less likely to feel supported.
This included those who are socioeconomically more vulnerable, under 65, living with children, providing unpaid care, living with an impairment, or severely immunosuppressed or immunocompromised.
The report recommends involving individuals with lived experience when deciding on next steps and considering socioeconomic vulnerability as well as clinical vulnerability.
The impact of the pandemic on virtual care
In this special report, Andrea Downey explores what impact COVID-19 has had on the development of virtual care.
The report includes data and insight from Charles Gutteridge, chief clinical information officer at PIF member Barts Health NHS Trust.
He lists four areas where improvement is needed in digital care:
- Information standards for messaging and electronic health records
- Use of single patient portals
- Digital literacy training for health professionals, patients and the wider public
- Tools that ‘translate’ the complex language of modern medicine into plain language
Survey: Long Covid health services for adults in England
Long Covid Support is hosting an ongoing survey into Long Covid health services for adults in England.
The survey will take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.
It can be filled in by someone with Long Covid or a friend or relative on their behalf.
The results will be used to produce reports for healthcare professionals, policy makers and stakeholder groups.
NICE recommends first new treatment for osteoporosis in more than a decade
Thousands of people in England and Wales with severe osteoporosis who are at high risk of fracture are set to benefit from new treatment romosozumab.
PIF member NICE recommended it for people after menopause in final draft guidance published at the start of April.
A clinical trial showed people who took romosozumab before alendronic acid had a 50% lower relative risk of vertebral fractures over 24 months than people having alendronic acid alone.
How health promotion can help address alcohol consumption and socioeconomic inequalities
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a snapshot briefing on how a health promotion approach can help address alcohol consumption and socioeconomic inequalities.
It says socioeconomic status has repeatedly been associated with an elevated risk of mortality.
For alcohol consumption, the inequalities in morbidity and mortality are especially stark.
However, 'substantial evidence' indicates alcohol control policies can play an essential role in reducing socioeconomic disparities.
The briefing is intended for a broad audience, including professionals working in public health and local and national alcohol policy focal points, policy makers and researchers.
Assisting People with Dementia with their Personal Care: Ideas and Tips for Carers
A new booklet has been created for anyone helping a person with dementia with their personal care.
Assisting People with Dementia with their Personal Care: Ideas and Tips for Carers was developed as part of the Pro-CARE study at the University of East Anglia.
The Pro-CARE study is funded by PIF member Alzheimer’s Society.
Study: From digital health to digital wellbeing
A new scoping review aims to gain insights into how to define and address wellbeing in digital health.
Authors say, despite increasing interest, there is no clear understanding of what constitutes wellbeing leading to uncertainty in how to create it through digital health.
They found major differences exist between the design and evaluation of digital health, particularly regarding conceptualisation of wellbeing and the types of users studied.
For optimal digital health for wellbeing, multidisciplinary collaborations that move beyond the common contrast of design and evaluation are needed.
'We need to be thinking about living well with COVID'
In this article, Sara Redmond, chief officer of the ALLIANCE, discusses what the easing of COVID restrictions means for disabled people and people living with long-term conditions.
She says instead of 'living with COVID' we need to be thinking about 'living well with COVID'.
This includes more support for people living with disability or long-term conditions and unpaid carers.
It also means improving support for people with Long Covid.
Digital and Data Awards open for entries
Entries are open for the Digital and Data Awards, recognising the contribution made to health and care by people working in digital and data across the NHS and social care.
The awards are hosted by NHS England in association with the Federation of Informatics Professionals (FedIP).
They will recognise the achievements of individuals who work with digital, data, technology or informatics.
There are six categories and the deadline for entries is 30 April.
Event: BMA PLG Symposium 2022
This year's British Medical Association’s PLG (Patient Liaison Group) Symposium takes place on Wednesday, 27 April.
The virtual event will take place from 9.30am to 1.15pm.
This year's topic is ‘Achieving respectful, person-centred inpatient care for young people with severe and enduring mental illness’.
The event aims to bring together people with lived experience and those working across the field with speakers including Dr Bola Owolabi, Charli Clement and Professor Bernadka Dubicka.
Click on the link below to register.