Multidisciplinary working and co-ordination between different parts of the care pathway are key to improving services for Parkinson's disease patients. Benefits of this approach include care continuity and increased sharing of skills between professionals. Specialist Parkinson's nurses form a key part of the multidisciplinary workforce, and have formed peer networks to keep up to date on best practice.

Continuity of Patient Care↗

PubMed2006

Iceland's genealogy database.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Databases as Topic↗

PubMed2006

Polycistronic RNA polymerase II expression vectors for RNA interference based on BIC/miR-155.

Vector-based RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a valuable tool for analysis of gene function. We have developed new RNA polymerase II expression vectors for RNAi, designated SIBR vectors, based upon the non-coding RNA BIC. BIC contains the miR-155 microRNA (miRNA) precursor, and we find that expression of a short region of the third exon of mouse BIC is sufficient to produce miR-155 in mammalian cells. The SIBR vectors use a modified miR-155 precursor stem-loop and flanking BIC sequences to express synthetic miRNAs complementary to target RNAs. Like RNA polymerase III driven short hairpin RNA vectors, the SIBR vectors efficiently reduce target mRNA and protein expression. The synthetic miRNAs can be expressed from an intron, allowing coexpression of a marker or other protein with the miRNAs. In addition, intronic expression of a synthetic miRNA from a two intron vector enhances RNAi. A SIBR vector can express two different miRNAs from a single transcript for effective inhibition of two different target mRNAs. Furthermore, at least eight tandem copies of a synthetic miRNA can be expressed in a polycistronic transcript to increase the inhibition of a target RNA. The SIBR vectors are flexible tools for a variety of RNAi applications.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Management theory. Flying the flag.

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement says costs will fall and patient care will improve if the service adopts techniques pioneered in the industry. The private sector practice of listening to customers is vital to progress in the NHS. Reducing sickness absence needs to include the promotion of flexible working practices.

Cost Control↗

PubMed2006

Frontline engagement. Leap of faith.

Making jobs interesting is a good motivator for nursing staff. The initiative requires effective leaders at all levels in the health and social system. Lack of time is often a major barrierto engaging people in productive time work.

Hospitals, Public↗

PubMed2006

Personal development. Skills to pay the bills.

Middle managers will need to develop a wide range of previously uncalled-for skills to cope in the new NHS. These include analysing information, examining patient flows and making business cases for investment. As commissioners, managers will also require skills contract management, service-level agreements and dealing with the private sector.

Hospital Administrators↗

PubMed2006

People management. Under pressure.

An HSJ survey of 300 managers found over half feel stressed and 38 per cent have been bullied in the last year. Managers should focus on their purpose, and search for solutions to the pressures, says one chief executive. Managers have reported that work on diversity is under threat because of growing cost pressures and job cuts.

Cultural Diversity↗