Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Emma Forrest.
There is a belief in the mental health sector that poor commissioning is slowing modernisation. A problem has been identified in the balance of power, with large trusts providing services for several PCTs. The difficulty in measuring outcomes is key. Strong commissioning needs the involvement of carers and service users.
Infection control is increasingly in the media spotlight. NHS Estates is closing, causing confusion over cleanliness responsibilities. The Matron's Charter and the introduction of patient environment inspections will help clarify this. There are doubts over the assertion that one person could be held responsible for death caused by infection.
Almost 80 per cent of inpatient mental health nurses have witnessed violence or aggression. Inpatient units have been starved of resources to pay for community mental health teams. There are calls to make inpatient care a specialty as inpatients are by necessity the most needy.
A parliamentary pre-legislative scrutiny committee on the Mental Health Bill recommended separate legislation to deal with dangerous and severe personality disorder. There are concerns that policies place protection of the public above the therapeutic needs of the patient. Four pilot services have been set up to address blurred boundaries between custodial and therapeutic concerns, but evidence of their effectiveness remains inconclusive.
Black and minority ethnic patients are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and detained, more likely to receive high doses of medication and less likely to have access to talking therapies. Input from voluntary organisations and monitoring staff attitudes are crucial factors in tackling the problem.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Professor Louis Appleby's review sets out progress on mental healthcare reform, and future priorities. Spending is higher than ever, but there is still a lack of transparency around funding. More must be done to meet the needs of black and minority ethnic communities.
With the official toll from the Boxing Day tsunami now standing at 300,000, Alexis Nolan and Emma Forrest talk to health service managers who gave more than money to the relief effort--they travelled to the disaster area and gave their time and expertise. The impact on their professional and personal lives was considerable. As Mathi Chandrakumar, clinical director of Kent Health Protection Unit, puts it: 'My heart is there, I feel very sad. I will probably go back.'
Of 12 three-star rated trusts, eight are in contention to join the first wave of mental health foundations. Applicant trusts believe it will be an opportunity to raise the profile of mental health and remove stigma. Some observers believe the financial uncertainty associated with foundation status could endanger trusts.
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Over 1 million under-18s would benefit from specialist mental health services, but they are lacking. There is also a shortage of mental health inpatient beds for young people, and need is rising. Comprehensive CAMHS is expected throughout the NHS by 2006, but there are fears this will be impossible.
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The concept of choice in health provision is not applied to mental health as much as other areas. A framework for patient choice in various aspects of mental health service is scheduled for spring 2005. The nature of mental health problems make patient choice a prerequisite for effective services.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
--Improving knowledge and understanding of diabetes among primary care professionals and patients has triggered service improvements in one PCT. --Diabetes care once given in hospital is now provided in primary care. --Referrals to hospital have halved and waiting time reduces.