Social prescribing services can lead to substantial reductions in avoidable GP appointments, hospital admissions and A&E attendances, a new report has found. The National Academy of Social Prescribing has published the findings from its latest research, which analysed social prescribing data from nine local health systems. The report – The Impact of Social Prescribing on Health Service Use and Costs: Examples of local evaluations in practice – builds on existing evidence that social prescribing directly improves people’s health, strengthens communities and offers value for money. Findings included:
Read the full report via the National Academy of Social Prescribing website here.
An independent review has highlighted the need to remove barriers, streamline processes, and enable the safe and secure use of health data across the UK. Uniting the UK’s Health Data: A Huge Opportunity for Society highlights several barriers to the use of health data. These include slow access to datasets, a lack of national data systems for more complex types of health data and the limits on data available to tackle health conditions other than COVID-19. The review emphasises that health data should be seen as critical national infrastructure requiring careful leadership and vital investment. Recommendations include calls for national public bodies to agree a joint strategy, the establishment of a national health data service and the creation of a UK-wide approach to streamline data access processes.
Patients and clinicians at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) have been taking part in the first NHS trial of a bespoke AI tool to create clinic notes and letters. The AI tool, TORTUS, was used to listen to outpatient consultations using ambient voice technology and then draft a clinic note and letter. The drafts are then edited and authorised by the clinician before being uploaded to the electronic health record system and sent to patients and their families. In early testing in simulated clinics, all clinicians agreed the tool helped them give their full attention to their patients, without decreasing the quality of the clinic note or letter. Following successful early stages at GOSH, the programme has secured funding to deliver the first evaluation of ambient voice technology at scale in the NHS.
Find out more about the AI trial on the GOSH website here.
A digital support community has published the results of its annual impact survey exploring how young people seek support for their mental health. More than 1,200 Tellmi users responded to the survey. Key findings include:
Commissioned by the NHS, Tellmi is free at the point of use and there are no waiting lists. It is a 24/7, 365-day support system. Moderators and counsellors are available every day between 8.30am and 11pm.
Read more about the survey and the results on the Tellmi website here.
New analysis of NHS data has found tens of thousands of people who have a stroke could be diagnosed and treated sooner. Analysis of data from more than 40,000 patients found the average time between onset of first symptoms and a 999 call being made was nearly 90 minutes. The figures were released as the NHS launched the first major update to the Act FAST campaign since 2009, urging the public to call 999 immediately if anyone experiences one of the three common symptoms of stroke. A new film featuring stroke survivors listening back to audio recordings of the real 999 calls that saved their lives has also been released.
Find out more about the data and the campaign via the NHS England website here.
An annual survey has highlighted the growing and urgent challenges facing councils as they try to provide access to care and support to people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and their carers. The survey, conducted by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, is sent to every Director of Adult Social Services in the 153 English councils with social care responsibilities. This year's survey found adult social care budgets are under severe strain with an estimated total overspend of £564 million. The survey also examined the challenges around delivering the Government’s vision of shifting health and social care from sickness to prevention, hospital to community and analogue to digital.
Read the full survey results on the ADASS website here.
The Scottish Perinatal Network has launched a new resource for neonatal unit parents. Created in response to parental feedback, the resource was designed collaboratively by parents and healthcare staff from across Scotland. It brings together essential practical information to support parents during their time in the neonatal unit. The information is available for all Neonatal Units and Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) in Scotland and is accessible on the Scottish Perinatal Network webpage.
Find the neonatal unit resource for parents on the Scottish Perinatal Network website here.