This article is available freely via Open Access. Please click on the above link to view it fully.
Objective To assess the feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of a feeding team intervention with an embedded randomised controlled trial of team-initiated (proactive) and woman-initiated (reactive) telephone support after hospital discharge.
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Abstract
Objective To assess the feasibility of implementing a dedicated feeding support team on a postnatal ward and pilot the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of team (proactive) and woman-initiated (reactive) telephone support after discharge.
This article is available freely via Open Access. Please click on the above link to view it fully.
Objectives To analyse how comorbidity among patients with back pain, depression and osteoarthritis influences healthcare costs per patient. A special focus was made on the distribution of costs for primary healthcare compared with specialist care, hospital care and drugs.
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Background The consumption of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs by young people is a public health concern. This study aimed to explore the associations between subjective wellbeing, living in a low-income household and substance use by schoolchildren.
via Pregnancy: maternal death rate ‘higher in London’ – Health News – NHS Choices.
NHS Choices examines the science behind the newspaper headlines.
Conclusion
The exact relationship between regional midwife numbers and maternal mortality rates is hard to determine, and the sources behind much of the news coverage do not point to a definitive link between midwife staffing levels and a higher rate of maternal mortality in London. That is not to say that such a link does not exist, but that the expert opinions and selected results suggesting a link do not prove that a shortage of midwives is behind any rise in maternal death rates.
Indeed, even the rise in death rates seen in London was not “statistically significant”, which means that we cannot be sure that the rises are not just part of normal fluctuations, even if they do appear to be much higher than in areas outside of London. However, even if the rise in maternal death rates is a reflection of a genuine phenomenon, it is hard to attribute it to midwife staffing levels or another single cause. For example, as the original journal letter pointed out, it could be due the complex demographics of London mothers, who may vary greatly in their background, health and age from mothers in other regions.
Overall, this news should not be a cause for alarm among expectant mothers, as the chances of maternal deaths in London are still extremely low, at a rate of 0.013% even in the peak year mentioned in the journal letter. Instead, the news is a reminder that local services need to be appropriately tailored to meet the needs of the people using them. There may need to be greater examination of where London maternity services can be further improved.
Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, sought to place London mortality rates into context. In particular, she highlighted London’s high standards in quality and safety overall: “NHS London has been one of the leading Strategic Health Authorities both in ensuring high-quality maternity services and attempting to increase midwife numbers. There have been some really big efforts in London, and for the vast majority of women their care will be of a very high standard.”
Doubling of maternal death rate blamed on shortage of midwives. The Independent, April 30 2012
Obesity and delayed motherhood behind DOUBLING of mums who die in labour. Daily Mail, April 29 2012
Deaths in childbirth rise amid struggle with complex cases. The Daily Telegraph, April 29 2012
Bewley S and Helleur A. Rising maternal deaths in London, UK. The Lancet, Volume 379, Issue 9822, Page 1198, 31 March 2012
via Temporary staff costs slashed by 7pc | News | Health Service Journal.
This article is solely the work of the HSJ. For a full copy of the article please contact the library.
Financial pressures in the NHS have led to a reduction in the use of temporary staff and a sharp drop in spending on consultancy, new data shows.
via Concerns as Unite’s strike day looms | News | Health Service Journal.
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NHS Employers has criticised Unite for not providing reliable information to providers ahead of its planned strike action on 10 May.
via Unison members split on NHS pensions | News | Health Service Journal.
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A ballot of Unison members on the government’s NHS pension reform plan has failed to deliver a clear verdict, the union has announced.
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via Late onset type 1 diabetes | BMJ.
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A 41 year old man from an Indian family whose father had type 2 diabetes presented to his general practitioner with a four week history of increasing thirst and polyuria. He had not noticed any weight loss. Blood tests were arranged to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. One week later, after having to push his car home, he began to feel exhausted and developed intermittent vomiting, which he attributed to exertion. Over the next two days he became more unwell, and the out of hours primary care service was contacted. He was reviewed urgently and admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis.
via Pharmacists should provide oral contraceptive services, says NHS report | BMJ.
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A report from NHS South East London has recommended that trained community pharmacists provide oral contraceptive consultation services after a successful pilot scheme to widen access to contraception.
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via Tighten GP practice rules to counter ‘health tourism’, group urges | News | Health Service Journal.
This article is solely the work of the HSJ. For a full copy of the article please contact the library.
GPs have too much freedom to register ill foreigners who may not be entitled to expensive British healthcare, campaigners have said.
