NICE publishes new COVID-19 rapid guidelines

NICE has published the latest in its series of COVID-19 rapid guidelines.

The new guidelines cover the management of patients with severe asthma, pneumonia, rheumatological autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic bone disorders and the management of COVID-19 symptoms in the community. 

You can view all the rapid guidelines published by NICE by clicking on the link below.

NICE

COVID-19 and health equity resources

The Health Equity Initiative has compiled a list of resources pointing to the importance of making sure health equity stays on the table during outbreak response.

The page includes readings and other resources on vulnerable and marginalised populations and specific social determinants of health.

It also includes links to COVID-19 guidance and training and research information.

Health Equity Initiative

Supporting children and young people during COVID-19

The government has issued advice for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.

The dedicated online page includes tips on helping children and young people cope with stress and information on how children of different ages may react.

There are also dedicated sections for children and young people who are accessing mental health services, with learning disabilities, with physical health issues, autism and young carers.

GOV.UK

Coronavirus resources hub

The International Alliance of Patients' Organizations has created a resource hub to proactively share information, guidance and good practice.

In alignment with the World Health Organization and in collaboration with its members and partners, the focus will be to provide a patient-centred view to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

The page includes links to general resources, peer-reviewed journals and free online training courses.

IAPO

NHS Wales e-Library holds key information on COVID-19

The NHS Wales e-Library is supporting healthcare professionals by providing access to digital information on COVID-19.

The e-Library's newly developed website hosts an array of links from their publishers and suppliers including NHS Wales, Welsh Government and Royal Colleges and Societies to provide support and guidance to those working for NHS Wales.

NHS Wales

Why we need to go further on digital health

In this Digital Health article, Graham Kendall, director of the Digital Healthcare Council, says the spotlight on digital health during the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to profound long-term gains for our health services.

He says there is widespread recognition that healthcare technology is critically important to support the UK’s response to the virus, with the appetite for online consultations among clinicians and patients soaring.

However, Graham argues there is much more to be done and digital solutions are needed across all areas of healthcare.

Digital Health

Why safety will be paramount as digital care booms

In this blog, PRSB chair Professor Maureen Baker talks about the impact coronavirus is having on services and the need to adapt quickly to ensure new digital systems are working safely.

She says it is unlikely we will return to consultations without video options, but it will be vital to consider the safety aspects of long-term use. 

Standards need to be in place for recording information from video appointments to make sure the information can be safely shared between different NHS and care services. 

PRSB

Xploro offers free app for children having cancer treatment

An app is being offered for free, direct to children in the UK undergoing cancer treatment during the coronavirus crisis.

Xploro is an award-winning and clinically-validated health information platform using augmented reality, gameplay and artificial intelligence to deliver health information to young patients.

As the parent of a child who has been treated for cancer, co-founder and chief executive Dom Raban understands how careful families have to be and how important it is for the child to remain infection-free during treatment. 

This, coupled with the current restrictions, prompted him to offer the app directly to children isolated at home.

It is hoped the decision will not only help children and young people but also alleviate some pressure from health organisations that usually fund and distribute the app.

Xploro

Public satisfaction with the NHS

The latest British Social Attitudes Survey shows public satisfaction with the NHS overall increased significantly in 2019.

After falling for the past two years, the overall satisfaction was 60 per cent – a seven per cent increase on 2018.

Older people were more satisfied than younger people – 68 per cent of those aged 65 and over were satisfied with the NHS compared to 58 per cent of those aged 18-64.

The survey, carried out between July and October 2019, asked a nationally representative sample of 3,224 people about their satisfaction with the NHS overall and 1,075 people about their satisfaction with specific NHS and social care services. 

It was carried out before the outbreak of COVID-19.

The NHS questions were jointly sponsored by the Nuffield Trust and the King's Fund.

The King's Fund

Study: Using digital health to collect electronic patient-reported outcomes

A study has explored the feasibility and acceptability of collecting electronic patient-reported outcomes using validated health-related quality of life questionnaires for prostate cancer.

A mixed methods approach, including qualitative pre-study and post-study interviews, was used to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Strength Through Insight for the collection and care management of cancer treatment.

Most participants self-identified with having a high digital literacy level and only a few participants identified with having a low digital literacy level.

The authors concluded Strength Through Insight was demonstrated as a feasible and acceptable method of data collection for ePROs. 

A high compliance rate confirmed the app as a reliable tool for patients with localised and advanced prostate cancer. 

Nearly all participants reported using the smartphone app was easier than or equivalent to the traditional paper-and-pen approach, providing evidence of acceptability and support for the use of remote PRO monitoring.

JMIR

Study: Translation and cultural adaptation of a cancer screening decision aid

A study has translated and culturally adapted an English language patient decision aid addressing prostate cancer screening, so it can be used by Portuguese men.

It included cognitive interviews with 15 men to refine a decision aid after its translation.

Most men found the translated version of the decision aid to be clear, comprehensive and appropriate for its target population, although some suggested that medical terms could be a barrier. 

The data collected from men’s interviews afforded the researchers the opportunity to clarify concepts and expand existing content.

Authors concluded the decision aid was successfully translated and adapted to the Portuguese cultural setting and their European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control-based approach can be replicated by other workgroups.

BMJ Open

Community Nursing film shortlisted by World Health Organisation

Nursing in the Community, a short film made in partnership by The Queen’s Nursing Institute, Health Education England and creative agency Mother London has been shortlisted in the inaugural Health for All Film Festival by the World Health Organisation.

WHO received almost 1,300 submissions from film makers around the world for the three categories. 

The QNI/HEE film was selected as one of just 15 finalists in the nursing and midwifery category, celebrating the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

Professor Mark Radford, Chief Nurse, Health Education England said: "Our community nursing teams perform critical and highly skilled roles that enable people to be cared for within their local communities. 

"This film clearly demonstrates just how important their work is, and the enormous impact it has on patients."

The Queen's Nursing Institute