Health Management and Policy Alert

Development of risk models for the prediction of new or worsening acute kidney injury on or during hospital admission: a cohort and nested study

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) - 
This study aimed to develop three predictive models to stratify the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) on arrival in hospital; developing AKI during admission; and worsening AKI if already present. It also aimed to develop a clinical algorithm for patients admitted to hospital and explore effective methods of delivery of this information at the point of care.

• Report
• Summary
• Abstract

Building the foundations: tackling obesity through planning and development

Local Government Association (LGA) - 
This report outlines the actions and role that councils can take in helping to prevent and reduce the prevalence of obesity. It examines the role of town planning in contributing to the public health agenda and includes examples from various local authorities around the country. 

• Report
• LGA publications

Tipping the scales: case studies on the use of planning powers to limit hot food takeaway

Local Government Association (LGA) - 
This report contains seven case studies to illustrate how the use of planning powers could be utilised as part of public health policy locally. It highlights the balance to strike between supporting growth of local businesses and promoting healthier choices and options for the population.

• Report
• LGA publications

On the brink: the future of end of life care

Macmillan Cancer Support - 
This report highlights a range of widespread failures in care for dying people. It reveals that some people at the end of life are unable to get access to social care for help with everyday tasks such as washing and changing clothes, and many families are being left without professional advice on how to care for their dying relative.  These factors can result in people being admitted to hospital as an emergency. It argues that a lack of support for people at home is putting extra pressure on an already overstretched NHS, with people dying in hospital spending an average of 13 days there.

• Report
• Press release

Services to people with neurological conditions: progress review

House of Commons Public Accounts Committee - 
This report argues that services for people with neurological conditions in England are not consistently good enough and highlights the wide variation across the country in access, outcomes and patient experience. It also highlights concerns that the diagnosis of neurological conditions is currently taking too long and that local health and social care services are poorly co-ordinated. 

• Report
• Press release

Maternity matters: what does a great service look like?

Healthwatch Cumbria -
Healthwatch Cumbria has worked in partnership to find out the views of women and their significant others regarding their maternity services. The survey took place in Cumbria and North Lancashire during November 2015. There were 1234 respondents. The survey found there were generally high levels of satisfaction with the care received at all steps of pregnancy and after the birth of the baby. However there were comments about how services could be improved.The themes of most significance were; the importance of continuity of care, consistency of information, postnatal support for breastfeeding, support to make informed choices and accessible, local services.

• Report
• Healthwatch Cumbria - news

End of life care: helping people to be cared for and die at home

Housing LIN -
This briefing looks at the importance of end of life care delivered at home, describing the context, inequalities in end of life care, examples of good or emerging practice, and recommendations for actions. Funded by Public Health England, it is intended to be a practical guide for those working in mainstream and/or specialist housing, care and support and public health to understand their respective roles, and how they may work together, to help people to have their end of life care wishes met.

• Briefing
• Housing LIN - publications

Active ageing and the built environment

Housing LIN -
This briefing looks at active ageing and the different aspects of the built environment that can promote and sustain it, with examples of good and emerging practice and resources for further information. It is intended for those working in social housing, local government, and the care and support sectors to understand their roles in developing and maintaining a built environment that contributes to active ageing.

• Briefing
• Housing LIN - publications

Specialised services clinical commissioning policies and service specification: fourth wave

NHS England - 
This consultation seeks feedback and comments on a variety of clinical commissioning policies and service specifications. The consultation closes on 23 March 2016.

• Consultation
• Press release

The right medicine: improving care in care homes

Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) - 
This report reviews the current available evidence to investigate what the role of pharmacists should be in care homes. It argues that pharmacists could have a significant role in reducing the use of unnecessary and harmful medicines; improving end of life care; and providing more co-ordinated care. 

• Report
• Press release