Self-Care Readiness Index published
A tool designed to help identify and improve the enablers of self care has highlighted the importance of boosting health literacy.
The Self-Care Readiness Index (SCRI) is a research and policy initiative by the Global Self Care Federation and supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
It explores enablers of self care across the health systems of 10 countries, including the UK.
Three main themes were identified:
- Self-care, as both a term and concept, is culturally relative and defined in a number of different ways.
- Individual empowerment hinges on continued efforts to boost health literacy, having credible, consistent sources of information about self-care, and aligned healthcare providers.
- Self-care legislation is common, but disjointed numerous government strategies, plans, and programs touch on self-care, but few call it by name or paint a coherent healthcare policy vision.
Scottish Government sets out Long Covid service
The Scottish Government has published a paper setting out how it will support people with Long Covid.
It highlights the importance of supporting people to make informed choices about their care and treatment, based on what is important to them.
The paper says providing clear information at the right time can help people to feel more in control of their condition and live their lives better, on their terms.
It also highlights resources to support self management and says what people can expect when accessing both primary and secondary care services.
Prevalence data for 20 common conditions
Figures showing the recorded prevalence of 20 conditions including asthma, hypertension, dementia, diabetes, and depression have been published by NHS Digital.
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) – Prevalence, Achievements and Personalised Care Adjustments Report, England 2020-21 also identifies how the recorded prevalence of these conditions has changed since the previous year.
The prevalence data is collected from GPs in England and can be broken down to regional and general practice level.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, income protection was applied to the majority of QOF indicators in 2020-21, therefore data should be viewed with caution when comparing against previous years.
Translated cancer and coronavirus resource
PIF member Macmillan Cancer Support has launched a new easy read booklet and a translated fact sheet about cancer and coronavirus to help support patients.
The new resources explain the ways people living with cancer can protect themselves from coronavirus and include information about the vaccine.
The fact sheet is available in 11 core languages: Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Traditional Chinese, Urdu and Welsh.
Download the easy read PDF here and see the full range of translations available on the Macmillan website.
COVID-19 and workplace tool to close at end of October
A tool with information on how to return to the workplace safely during COVID-19 will close at the end of October.
The tool was developed by the European Lung Foundation in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive in the UK.
It was developed particularly for people with a lung health condition.
Study: Clinician-created videos for shared decision making
A new study aims to evaluate educational videos in improving patient decision-making, as well as consultation satisfaction and anxiety, within the outpatient management of chronic disease.
Authors said many clinicians are reluctant to use commonly available resources as they are generic and may contain information of insufficient quality.
In this study, clinicians created patient education resources which could be accessed via mobile phone during the waiting time prior to consultation.
Researchers found clinician-created educational videos for chronic disease management resulted in improvements in patient-reported informed decision-making ability and expected long-term treatment adherence, as well as anxiety reduction.
NICE updates managing COVID-19 guideline
NICE has updated its managing COVID-19 guideline to include new recommendations on using monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 patients in hospital.
The new advice recommends offering a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab to COVID-19 patients aged 12 and over who are in hospital.
Eligible patients will need to be seronegative, meaning they do not have existing levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in their system.
New resources to support sexual health and wellbeing
The Government has published new resources to support commissioners, providers and third sector organisations promoting sexual health and wellbeing.
The evidence-based resources focus on people from a black Caribbean background and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
Both resources highlight the importance of culturally appropriate support and ensuring community members are involved in the design and delivery of sexual health promotion and sexual health interventions.
Self Management Awards winners announced
The winners of the Self Management Awards 2021 have been announced.
The awards, organised by the ALLIANCE, recognise those leading the way in self management across Scotland.
Penumbra's Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) Toolkit won Self Management Resource of the Year.
Click on the link below to view all the winners.
Guideline for the perioperative management of people living with frailty published
The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) and British Geriatrics Society (BGS) have published the first full pathway guideline for the perioperative management of people living with frailty undergoing surgery.
The Guideline for Perioperative Care for People Living with Frailty Undergoing Elective and Emergency Surgery covers all aspects of perioperative care.
It is written for healthcare professionals involved in delivering care throughout the pathway, as well as for patients and their carers, managers and commissioners.
Lessons learned from the Welsh Clinical Portal
In this article Griff Williams from PIF member Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) considers the role the Welsh Clinical Portal (WCP) has played throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
He discusses the successes, lessons learned and the next steps for digital healthcare in the future.
Event: Long Covid webinar
A webinar exploring a person-centred response to Long Covid will be held from 10.30am to noon on 4 November.
Speakers at the National Voices event include Michael MacLennan of covid:aid, Natalie Rogers of Long Covid Support and Davine Forde, a lived experience associate from Manchester Health & Care Commissioning.
Click on the link below to book your place.
Event: Website accessibility and inclusion
Texthelp and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) are holding a webinar on their eight-step plan to create and manage accessible websites and content.
Topics covered include measuring how well you are doing and identifying what needs to be improved, the role of user testing and best practice around accessibility.
The event takes place from 1pm on 21 October.
Click on the link below to register. All registered delegates will receive a recording after the webinar.