Real Advocacy » News

Mixed-sex wards are more complicated in mental health

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:16:01 +0000

What does the government really mean by abolishing mixed-sex wards? The difference may seem small, but in mental health it’s critical, says Clare Allan.

The subject of patients being treated on mixed-sex wards has been in the news again, with health secretary Alan Johnson making a renewed promise to eradicate them.And earlier this month, the shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, reported figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act which reveal that many trusts are still failing to meet government guidelines on providing same-sex accommodation for patients.

Young Foundation: Receding Tide – Understanding unmet needs in a harsher economic climate

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:02:57 +0000

A new report by the Young Foundation warns that the recession may have more impact on Britain’s psychological well-being as on material standards of living. While many are suffering materially, many families and communities are being harmed by greater stress and anxiety, in part caused by fear of job loss and financial worries. Research indicates that men exposed to major financial stress are three times more likely to suffer from debilitating levels of anxiety and depression, and women about two and a half times.

Antipsychotics increase long-term mortality in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:38:40 +0000

Elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease who are prescribed antipsychotic medication have a significantly increased long-term mortality risk, say UK researchers.

New guide issued by the Mental Health Foundation

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:35:33 +0000

A new guide that explains the different types of ‘talking therapy’ to people looking for psychological therapy has been published by the Mental Health Foundation.

Lincolnshire mental health nurse competes in yacht race

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:32:57 +0000

A Lincolnshire mental health nurse with no previous sailing experience is to brave the Atlantic Ocean in a yacht race to raise money to provide sports facilities for people recovering from mental health problems.

Mental health and learning disabilities contract under fire from Adass

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:09:14 +0000

A new standard contract for mental health and learning disability services in England will fail to adequately support integration between health and social care, sector leaders have warned.

The Standard NHS Contract for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities comes into effect in April for one year. It will create legally binding agreements between care providers and primary care trust and local authority commissioners, in order to commit them to specific policy objectives and ensure accountability. However, existing arrangements can continue until April 2010 where contracts are well-established.

Spending is no remedy for mental health credit crisis

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:53:20 +0000

The impact of the financial crisis on those with mental health problems is likely to be considerable. One in three people with serious mental health problems are in debt, and they are also approximately three times more likely than average to be in debt.

The reasons for this are manifold, ranging from the pressures of living on a low income – especially for an extended period of time – to patterns of spending associated with certain health conditions, in the case, for example, of manic spending sprees. People experiencing mental health problems may also find it difficult to access help and may tend instead to withdraw and let debts pile up, especially if they find communication difficult. This often leads to things reaching crisis point before anyone realises there’s a problem.

Benefit disruption caused by hospital stays and by entering and leaving employment, delays in processing benefit claims, and ignorance as to benefit entitlement are also major factors. A credit card can seem a more immediate, reliable and less stigmatising option than an application for disability benefits, especially for someone who may not consider themselves to have a mental health problem.

If you are in debt you might find these websites useful:

Citizens Advice Bureau

National Debtline

Gregory Pennington

Barriers to work for mentally ill people still in there

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:15:01 +0000

The government has once again failed to recognise that they actually need to help people with mental health problems on incapacity benefit who want to work, Clare Allan says.

Read Advocacy provide mental health advocacy in the UK.

Making progress on children’s mental health

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:01:40 +0000

This country is becoming a better place for children to live, but more needs to be done to help those with mental health problems. A new review shows how, writes Roger Catchpole

Drug watchdog to change cost guidelines

admin — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:52:08 +0000

The drugs watchdog Nice is to change the way it makes decisions on NHS treatments, bringing to an end decisions on care of terminally ill patients made solely on cost-efficiency grounds.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence announced yesterday it would be setting out new drug approval guidelines for “less common” illnesses on 2 January.