National Primary Care Research and Development Centre
Current awareness bulletin for May-June 2009
This bulletin, produced by the Library & Information Services at NPCRDC, is an extensive collection of references, including abstracts, of recently published research articles on a wide range of primary care topics:

Annual Evidence Update on Schizophrenia (Mental Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

The Mental Health Specialist Library has produced an Annual Evidence Update on Schizophrenia. The section on the Mental Health Specialist Library site brings together the latest evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews, important primary research, service development literature and patient information.

The symptoms and experience of schizophrenia are often distressing and the effects of the illness are pervasive, with a significant number of people continuing to experience long-term disability. Schizophrenia can have a major detrimental effect on people's personal, social and occupational lives, placing a heavy burden on individuals and their carers, as well as potentially large demands on the healthcare system.

Heart failure (Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular

The Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library published the 2008 Annual Evidence Update on Heart Failure on 6 October. The CVDSL team have brought together a panel of experts (Professor David Thompson, Professor Jonathan Mant, Professor John Cleland and Dr Michael Davies) chaired by Professor Tom Quinn and co-ordinated by April Coombe, to review high quality evidence published since last year's successful update.

This publication brings together a range of indicators of health outcomes related to cancer in Gateshead. It also summarises trends in the uptake of screening programmes. The chapter is part of the 2005 Gateshead Compendium of Health Related Statistics.

Download Chapter 3 Cancer

PCC (NHS Primary Care Contracting) has published four Primary Care Service Frameworks:

Long term conditions
Support for self care
Sexual health
Obesity (NEW)

Each framework is a generic, comprehensive and enhanced service specification for PCT commissioners and practice based commissioners for 2007/08 - see the PCC website for much more information on what they are and how to use them:
http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/204.php
The frameworks, supportive statements, a blank framework for local adaptation, and a feedback questionnaire are all available for download.

SPOTLIGHT ON support for self care in the NHS
National Primary Care Research & Development Centre, April 2007

This issue of Spotlight examines the role of self care support for people with long-term conditions within the NHS. It has been written to inform debate about future service delivery and the ongoing research agenda about self care support. It is informed by research and reviews of the literature undertaken in the self-management programme at the NPCRDC, University of Manchester. [Includes references]
Available to download here:
Download summary (6 pages)
or from the NPCRDC web site at:
http://www.npcrdc.ac.uk/Publications/self_care_spotlight.pdf

Care planning in diabetes: report from the joint Department of Health and Diabetes UK Care Planning Working Group
Department of Health, December 2006
Download report

This report contains guidance on the care planning process for diabetes services, building on Standard 3 of the Diabetes National Service Framework (NSF). It explains the principles and processes of care planning, reviews the evidence base, and offers guidance on putting it into practice.
The report aims to be a useful point of reference for all involved in the care planning process.

Sexual Health Awareness Week (12th to 18th February)
No Smoking Day (14th March)
Breastfeeding Awareness Week (13th to 19th May)
Cancer Prevention - Fruity Friday (25th May)
Heart Health Week (2nd to 10th June)
Immunisation Awareness Week (10th to 16th September)
World Mental Health Day (10th October)
Alcohol Awareness Week (10th to 16th December)

These health promotion campaigns will be promoted across the borough of Gateshead in 2007. To register to receive an awareness pack of resources please complete the attached Campaign Resources form.

Download campaigns and dates (PDF 70KB)
Download campaign resources order form (Word 30KB)

Caring for people with long term conditions: an education framework for community matrons and case managers
Department of Health, 2006

Description: This document provides a framework for commissioners and providers of education and training for community matrons and case managers. It is designed to help ensure that education and training for practitioners enables them to provide more effective care for people with complex long term conditions.

Download Caring for people with long term conditions

How a Community Matron can help you with your long-term condition
Leaflet from Department of Health, March 2006
Leaflet in English

The leaflet can also be downloaded in 10 other languages from the DH web site at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/
PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/
PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/
fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4131689&chk=0udPcC

Summary:
This leaflet explains how people with a serious long-term condition are now being offered the chance of support from a community matron - a senior nurse who will not only provide nursing care but will also plan and co-ordinate ways of meeting patients' health and social care needs

Supporting people with long term conditions to self care: a guide to developing local strategies and good practice
Department of Health, February 2006
Supporting people with long term conditions

A rapid review of the current state of knowledge regarding lay-led self-management of chronic illness
Evidence review, December 2005
Authors: Michael Bury, Jennifer Newbould, David Taylor
NICE, 2005 [review commissioned by Health Development Agency]
Rapid review