Public health teams in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland have been working with Local Authorities, providers of mental health services and members of the public to consider how local health and care services can contribute towards improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of local people.

Presentation by Antony Morgan, Associate Director, Centre for Public Health Excellence

Antony Morgan presentation 16 11 10.ppt

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine.

And Dish of the Week: Basil and the Dove

Eyes on Evidence is the free monthly e-bulletin from NHS Evidence, covering new evidence and implications for practice.
Contents for February 2010 issue are:
* Bobath - popular but may not be best for stroke
* new role for thiazolidinediones in diabetes?
* debate continues over role of off-pump CABG
* statins for children with heFH?

You can sign up to receive a copy at:
http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/newsletterSignup.aspx

Back issues to January 2010 are now available in pdf format on the NHS Evidence website.

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine.

And Dish of the Week.: Crab

Tinnitus (NHS Evidence - ENT and audiology)
www.library.nhs.uk/ent
Research on tinnitus continues to proliferate and this evidence update presents a concise summary of the latest expert-reviewed primary and secondary research, combined with a list of current therapeutic uncertainties to prioritise future research. Multiple databases have been searched to capture all emerging evidence for the period January-December 2009.

Urinary incontinence (NHS Evidence - kidney diseases)
www.library.nhs.uk/kidney
The 2010 Annual Evidence Update on Male Urinary Incontinence has been launched, in advance of the publication of the NICE guidelines on the Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men later this year. This AEU updates the high-quality evidence and commentaries presented in early 2009 on: post-prostatectomy and urinary incontinence; Botulinum Toxin A; conservative management; male and female quality of life studies; stress urinary incontinence and surgery; stress urinary incontinence and drug treatment; urgency urinary incontinence and surgery; and urgency urinary incontinence and drug treatment. The RCTs and lower level evidence published in 2009 on Botulinum Toxin A and male urinary incontinence are also presented.

Urinary incontinence (NHS Evidence - kidney diseases; NHS Evidence - women's health)
www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth
This 2010 Evidence Update builds on the accumulated knowledge-base and provides up-to-date summaries of the latest evidence in the management of stress and urge urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. Specific topics include: sacral neuromodulation for urinary storage and voiding dysfunction; pharmacotherapy for stress urinary incontinence; the use of botulinum toxin in the management of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), and conservative management of stress urinary incontinence.

Annual Evidence Update on Patient and Carer Involvement in Chronic Disease (NHS Evidence - supportive and palliative care)
www.library.nhs.uk/palliative
The
is second Annual Evidence Update collects together the best current knowledge on self care in chronic disease management. Key resources from a small sample of chronic conditions, together with the End of Life Care setting are placed within the general theme of user involvement in health services.

Annual Evidence Update on Spinal Disease (NHS Evidence - trauma and orthopaedics)
www.library.nhs.uk/trauma_orthopaedics
NHS Evidence - trauma and orthopaedics in conjunction with the Musculoskeletal Specialist Collection have produced an Annual Evidence Update on Spinal Diseases. Included in this Evidence Update are guidelines and systematic reviews published within the last year covering low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, disc herniation and spinal fractures. This topic should be of particular interest to all health professionals working in this field.

Annual Evidence Update on Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (NHS Evidence - genetic conditions)
www.library.nhs.uk/geneticconditions
This Update on Familial hypercholesterolaemia presents the results of a search for new evidence published since NICE clinical guidance 71, Identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia, was published in August 2008. This update includes a list of relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and selected randomised controlled trials, along with a commentary written by an expert in the field.

Annual Evidence Update on Malignancies Post Kidney Transplant (NHS Evidence - kidney diseases and male urogenital disorders)
www.library.nhs.uk/kidney
The 2009 Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders (PTLD) in Renal Transplant Patients uses the latest guidelines on PTLD in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients from the British Committee for Standards in Haematology and the British Transplant Society as a starting point, to retrieve evidence on this topic from 2004, and presents on the following topics: Science, Presentation, Diagnosis and Treatment.
This AEU includes commentaries by Drs David Goldsmith and Edward Sharples to help healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of this condition.

Annual Evidence Update on Alcoholic Liver Disease (NHS Evidence - gastroenterology and liver diseases)
www.library.nhs.uk/gastroliver
NHS Evidence - gastroenterology and liver diseases has published its first Evidence Update on alcoholic liver diseases. Alcohol misuse produces a spectrum of liver injury ranging from simple fatty change through alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis and, in some 20% of individuals, to hepatocellular carcinoma. An overview of the best systematic reviews and selected primary research from the past two years is presented, along with commentary from experts in the field. There are also links to useful policy documents and other items of interest.

Annual Evidence Update on Special Care Dentistry (NHS Evidence - oral health)
www.library.nhs.uk/oralhealth
Since the first Evidence Update on this topic in September 2008, Special Care Dentistry has been officially designated a dental speciality. The latest Update is presented in the week that the two professional societies for special care dentistry hold their meetings (British Society for Disability and Oral Health and British Society of Gerodontology).
The Update brings together new guidance and systematic reviews relevant to Special Care Dentistry that have been published since the last update, accompanied by a commentary on the evidence.

Annual Evidence Update on Stroke (NHS Evidence - stroke)
www.library.nhs.uk/stroke
This Update covers new high quality evidence (mainly systematic reviews) on stroke rehabilitation. Despite evidence of its effectiveness in reducing mortality and long term disability rehabilitation is often seen as a 'Cinderella service': underfunded, understaffed, and with a low profile compared to care at the 'hi-tech' end of the spectrum of care.
The National Stroke Strategy sets Quality Markers (QM) across the spectrum of stroke care. QM 10 sets out the ambition for rehabilitation:
"People who had had strokes access high-quality rehabilitation and, with their carer, receive support from stroke-skilled services as soon as possible after they have a stroke, available in hospital, immediately after transfer from hospital and for as long as they need it."

Annual Evidence Update on HIV/AIDs (NHS Evidence - infections)
www.library.nhs.uk/infections
The launch of the second Annual Evidence Update on HIV coincides with World AIDS Day on 1st December 2009.
This year's focus is on HIV and children, due to the publication in 2009 on guidance around the testing of children with HIV positive parents. Sub topics within this include:
* Mother to child transmission
* HIV testing in children
* Management of HIV in adolescents and children.
Experts in the field provide summaries on these subtopics, and links to other useful websites are also available.
Feedback about the resources included in this update is welcome.

Annual Evidence Update on Supportive and Palliative Care in Chronic Lung Disease (NHS Evidence - supportive and palliative care)
www.library.nhs.uk/palliative
The Update collects together the best new knowledge covering two key symptoms which affect most patients - cough and dyspnoea (breathlessness). The review of the literature encompasses recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of these symptoms as well as their management using drugs, physical, nursing and other non-pharmacological methods.

Annual Evidence Update on Glaucoma (NHS Evidence - eyes and vision)
www.library.nhs.uk/eyes
This update will present the evidence published since the 2008 update on the following topics:
* Diagnosis,
* Monitoring/follow up,
* Treatment (medical, surgical and laser),
* Patient education,
* Service provision,
* Routine NHS information.
The topics are supported by commentaries which include the key messages from the NICE guideline on Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma published in April this year.

Annual Evidence Update on Oral Cancer (NHS Evidence - oral health)
www.library.nhs.uk/oralhealth
15-21 November 2009 is Mouth Cancer Awareness Week and NHS Evidence - oral health presents an update bringing together recent evidence on oral cancer. This is the third Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on the topic. It presents new guidance and systematic reviews that have been published since November 2008. Accompanying this update is a commentary from David Conway, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Glasgow University Dental School and Honorary Consultant in Dental Public Health at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS).

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine.
And Plant of the Week.

NHS Institute Alert is a current awareness bulletin which provides NHS innovation and improvement leaders with the latest evidence in key improvement topics, to improve practice in innovation, quality, safety and leadership. Topics covered are:
Commissioning
Cost and quality
Improvement
Innovation
Knowledge improvement and research
Leadership for innovation and improvement
Management of change
Patient experience
Patient safety

For a copy of the February alert, please contact the library.

You can sign up to receive your own direct email copy at NHS Institute Alert

Annual Evidence Update on Lung Cancer (NHS Evidence - cancer)
www.library.nhs.uk/cancer
This is the 5th Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on lung cancer and presents the results of the new evidence that has been published since the previous AEU in November 2008. This year there are a number of interesting commentaries by members of the expert panel. These include:
1. Causes, risks and prevention by John Field and colleagues, Roy Castle, Lung Cancer Research Programme. This highlights socioeconomic factors, respiratory disease risk factors, genetic susceptibility risks and details about a recently developed lung cancer risk prediction modelling tool, currently being assessed in a primary care setting.
2. Biological agents in non-small cell lung cancer by Ekaterini Boleti and Michael Cullen. This commentary provides an overview of the emerging studies in this challenging treatment area and discusses the need for further trials to inform routine practice so that these patients benefit from optimal, cost-effective treatment.
3. Heparin and survival in cancer by Fergus Macbeth. This review looks at the effect of heparin on patients with small cell lung and other types of cancer.
4. Second line chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer by Sarah Danson. The importance of better treatments for relapsed small cell lung cancer is addressed in this commentary.
5. ERS/ESTS taskforce guidelines on fitness for radical surgery by Eric Lim and David Baldwin. New guidelines from Europe have been published on fitness for radical therapy and the authors look at the recommendations and highlight the complexities of the issues addressed.

Annual Evidence Update on COPD (NHS Evidence - respiratory)
www.library.nhs.uk/respiratory
Coinciding with World COPD day on 18 November, the evidence update highlights the new evidence published within the last 12 months. An invited commentary discusses any new developments in COPD.
It is anticipated the Annual Evidence Update pages will be further updated in early 2010 when the National Strategy for COPD is published, along with further invited commentaries.

Annual Evidence Update on CAM for Lower Back Pain (NHS Evidence - complementary and alternative medicine)
www.library.nhs.uk/cam
This third Annual Evidence update aims to present a comprehensive collection of up-to-date information that has been subject to rigorous selection criteria. Ssearches have been carried out in a number of databases, covering the period from August 2008 to September 2009. This update includes a list of relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and selected randomised controlled trials, along with commentaries from experts.

Annual Evidence Update on Diabetes (NHS Evidence - diabetes)
www.library.nhs.uk/diabetes
The third Annual Evidence Update on Diabetes identifies new relevant systematic reviews on diabetes published between September 2008 and September 2009. For ease of use, the new evidence has been classified under the following topic headings: co-morbidities, complications, delivery of care, diagnosis/classification, economics, genetics, gestational diabetes, patients, pre-diabetes including metabolic syndrome, pregnancy, prevention/causes/risk, screening, and treatments. As in previous years, the clinical lead of NHS Evidence - diabetes, Dr Roger Gadsby, provides an overall commentary. Also this year, expert commentaries have been invited on the topics of diabetes nursing, diabetic nephropathy, genetics and dietetics.

Annual Evidence Update on Psoriatic Arthritis (NHS Evidence - musculoskeletal)
www.library.nhs.uk/musculoskeletal
NHS Evidence - musculoskeletal, after conducting a literature search of PubMed, AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsychINFO using the SIGN filter and PubMed systematic review filter with limits of Human and English Language, retrieved 66 records for the year 2008 - 2009. After filtering these records, only 15 were deemed to be systematic reviews. These were forwarded to the Clinical Lead, Dr Ray Armstrong, and Dr Philip Helliwell who found that many of the reviews were not particularly focused on psoriatic arthritis and that after examination, the material was felt to be insufficiently important to warrant an evidence update at present. Therefore, it was decided that NHS Evidence - musculoskeletal would not produce an Annual Evidence Update for 2009, but that the literature would be again reviewed in 2010.

Annual Evidence Update on Psoriasis (NHS Evidence - skin disorders)
www.library.nhs.uk/skin
NHS Evidence - skin disorders has published its third Annual Evidence Update on Psoriasis, with the results of a search for new guidance and systematic reviews published since the 2008 Annual Evidence Update. The usual "what's new" analysis, discussing the new evidence and its implications for clinical practice, has been written by Professor Chris Griffiths and his team from Manchester University.

Annual Evidence Update on System Reform (NHS Evidence - health management)
www.library.nhs.uk/healthManagement
The Annual Evidence Update (AEU) from the Health Management Specialist Collection on NHS System Reform provides an opportunity to bring together up-to-date knowledge and evidence about several key strands of NHS reform published since our last AEU on system reform in October 2008. The key strands are:
* patient choice
* payment by results
* commissioning
* foundation trusts
* alternative providers (including independent and third sector)
* regulation

Annual Evidence Update on Ethnicity / Inequality (NHS Evidence - ethnicity and health)
www.library.nhs.uk/ethnicity
The Ethnicity and health Specialist Collection will run an Annual Evidence Update in the week beginning 19 October which will feature four exclusive articles based on current evidence:
* Obesity and south Asian children (Dr Monica Lakhanpaul)
* Cancer among BME groups - perspective of the National Cancer Action Team (Paula Lloyd)
* Mental Health (Professor Kamaldeep Bhui)
* Ethnic groups and prescribing - pharmacovigilance and genetic diversity (Professor Larry Goodyear)
You can also visit the collection for information on ethnic groups and A/H1N1 "swine flu".

Annual Evidence Update on Breast Cancer (NHS Evidence - cancer)
www.library.nhs.uk/cancer

This is the fifth Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on Breast Cancer. It presents the results of a search for new guidance and systematic reviews that have appeared since October 2008. This Update provides commentaries from the Breast Cancer Advisory Panel, which comprises leading health professionals in breast cancer care.
Examples of topic areas covered include:

• Sentinel node identification and classification after neoadjuvant chemotherapy-a systematic review and meta-analysis.


• Magnetic resonance imaging of ductal carcinoma in situ: what is its clinical application?


• Breast cancer presentation and survival in relation to ethnicity and social deprivation


• Fertility Related Concerns of Women with Breast Cancer


• Management of hot flushes for women with treatment-induced menopause

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page

This time, Poem of the Week (instead of Plant): Wordsworth's 'The Leech-gatherer'

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

Annual Evidence Update on CAM for Depression (NHS Evidence - complementary and alternative medicine)
www.library.nhs.uk/cam

The aim of the 2009 Annual Evidence Update on CAM for Depression is to identify, organise and present the most up-to-date evidence for this topic. It will include a summary of the evidence from systematic reviews and RCTs published between July 2008 and August 2009. This update is linked to the 2009 Annual Evidence Update on Depression hosted by NHS Evidence - mental health.

Annual Evidence Update on Depression (NHS Evidence - mental health)
www.library.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

The Depression Annual Evidence Update (AEU) for 2009 contains the best available evidence published on depression since January 2008.
The AEU is divided up into sections on:

• Incidence and Prevalence


• Diagnosis, Prevention and Screening


• Pharmacological Treatments


• Psychological Therapies


• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation


• Complementary and Alternative Treatments


• Populations and Settings


• Genetics

Annual Evidence Update on Heart Failure (NHS Evidence - cardiovascular)
www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular

NHS Evidence - cardiovascular publishes its Annual Evidence Update on Heart Failure on 5th October. This update for health professionals and patients will include guidance and systematic reviews published since the 2008 update, together with the latest website resources. A team of expert reviewers will summarise advances in diagnosis and treatments, providing healthcare professionals with easy access to the latest evidence.

The NHS Institute Alert is a current awareness bulletin which highlights latest research and publications. Its aim is to provide NHS innovation and improvement leaders with the latest evidence in key improvement topics and, by doing this, improve practice in innovation, quality, safety and leadership.
Read issue 4 here

You can sign up to receive your own direct email copy at NHS Institute Alert

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

Eyes on Evidence is the e-bulletin from NHS Evidence.
Issue 5, September 2009 is now available.
Contents:

• Diabetic retinopathy - intravitreal injections


• Diabetic macular oedema - vitrectomy


• Migraine - acupuncture


• Migraine - dexamethasone


• Tinnitus - cognitive behavioural therapy


• Accreditation update


• Guest editorial: chronic kidney disease


• Your questions answered

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page (and this week includes an interesting recipe for fungi and octopus.)

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

The NICE newsletter for implementers
Read the September 2009 issue here

In this issue:

• Start as you mean to go on!


• Remember your ABC...


• Consultant's catch-up


• Shared learning update


• Latest implementation tools


• Coming up next month


• ERNIE update


• Recommendation reminders


• Newsflash

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

Annual Evidence Update on Headache
(NHS Evidence - neurological conditions)
www.library.nhs.uk/neurological
The Neurological Conditions Specialist Collection launched its second Annual Evidence Update on Headache on 24 August, in time for National Migraine Awareness Week (6-12 September 2009). The Neurological Conditions Specialist Collection Project Team has carried out a systematic literature search on headache to identify all high level evidence published since the date of the last headache Annual Evidence Update in 2008, including guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations.

Annual Evidence Update on Diabetic Retinopathy
(NHS Evidence - diabetes)
www.library.nhs.uk/diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of blindness in working age people in the UK. The annual evidence update on Diabetic Retinopathy provides an opportunity to present an up-to-date comprehensive collection of information that has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

The latest edition of Journal Watch is available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

Statistical Information Team, Cancer Research UK
CancerStats report: Breast Cancer - UK 2009
Cancer inequalities - the excess burden of cancer in men in the UK
Cancer incidence and survival by major ethnic group, England, 2002-2006

You can also read the latest news from the Statistical Information Team, including new publications available and updates to cancer statistics on the web, in the CancerStats Newsletter

Eyes on Evidence is the e-bulletin from NHS Evidence.
Issue 4, August 2009 is now available.
In this issue:

1. Walking proved to strengthen bones


2. Evidence for lung biopsy technique G-CSF may reduce diabetic amputation


3. Don't delay hip surgery


4. Dental treatment during pregnancy


5. Accreditation update


6. Standardising cancer dataGuest editorial: Vitamin D and MS


7. Your questions answered


8. Viewpoint

The NICE newsletter for implementers
Read the August 2009 issue here

In this issue:

• How to use NICE guidance to commission high quality services


• Local Self-injury Service receives NICE recognition


• Consultants' catch-up


• Shared learning update


• Latest implementation tools


• Coming up next month


• ERNIE update


• Recommendation reminders


• Free education tools

Just a reminder that Richard Lehman's Journal Watch is still available on the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine website - click on Journal Watch on the home page.

Journal Watch is described as "A personal comment on articles from the main medical journals selected for their interest to doctors (and others)" - it's interesting, readable and humorous and provides nutshell appraisals of papers from JAMA, BMJ, Lancet and Archives of Internal Medicine. And Plant of the Week.

The NICE newsletter for implementers
Read the July 2009 issue here

In this issue:

• Audit and mental health


• Remember that guidance about ... need a reminder?


• Consultant's catch-up


• Shared learning update


• Latest implementation tools


• Coming up next month


• Supporting GPs in the implementation of NICE guidance in Bournemouth and Poole


• Recommendation reminders


• Win cash prizes to support the implementation of NICE guidance in your workplace

Annual Evidence Update on Osteoporosis
(NHS Evidence - musculoskeletal)
www.library.nhs.uk/musculoskeletal

At the end of June, NHS Evidence - musculoskeletal released their latest Annual Evidence Update on Osteoporosis. As previously they have sifted the publications in this area in the 12 months up to the end of May 2009 and have concentrated on highlighting systematic reviews, these being the most reliable and least biased evidence available to guide practice and improve knowledge in this area. We hope that you will take a look and your feedback would be very welcome.

Annual Evidence Update on Health Needs of People with Learning Disabilities
(NHS Evidence - learning disabilities)
www.library.nhs.uk/learningdisabilities

People with learning disabilities have a higher level of health needs than the general population, many of which are unmet. The Learning Disability Health Needs Annual Evidence Update provides evidence summaries and bibliographies of published research for some key health issues:·

• Cancer


• Challenging behaviour


• Coronary heart disease


• Epilepsy


• Respiratory illness


• Visual Impairment and People with Learning Disabilities

Annual Evidence Update on Oesophago-gastric Cancers (NHS Evidence - cancer and NHS Evidence - gastroenterology and liver diseases)
www.library.nhs.uk/cancer and www.library.nhs.uk/gastroliver

This is the first Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on Oesophago-gastric cancers and is a collaboration between NHS Evidence - cancer and NHS Evidence - gastroenterology and liver diseases. It presents the results of a search for new guidance and systematic reviews that have appeared in the last 2 years. As this is first AEU in this topic area an overview will be presented, highlighting significant new evidence, together with other important resources. Commentaries will be sought for the AEU in 2010.

Annual Evidence Update on Age Related Macular Degeneration (NHS Evidence - eyes and vision)
www.library.nhs.uk/eyes

The Age Related Macular Degeneration Annual Evidence Update (AEU) is available from 15 June 2009. A collection of the evidence that has emerged since the 2008 AEU will be presented under a number of topics reflecting aspects of the care pathway. The evidence will be categorised into secondary publications (systematic reviews and meta-analyses), interventional studies (randomised control trials and clinical control trials) and observational studies. The emphasis of the AEU will be on the sight threatening or visually impairing forms of age-related macular degeneration.

The NICE newsletter for implementers
Read the June 2009 issue here

In this issue:

• New commissioning guides


• An introduction to NICE's new role in the QOF


• Consultant's catch-up


• Shared learning update


• Latest implementation tools


• Coming up next month


• Prostate cancer


• Recommendation reminders


• Survey

Annual Evidence Update on Drugs Misuse (NHS Evidence - National Library for Public Health)
www.library.nhs.uk/publichealth

The National Library for Public Health will run its first Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on drugs misuse from 8 June 2009. The theme for this first update is drugs misuse treatment in offender populations. We have teamed up with experts from the Addictions Centre based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London to evaluate the evidence and put it into context. The AEU runs in conjunction with the Home Office Drugs Week.

Annual Evidence Update on Atrial Fibrillation (NHS Evidence - cardiovascular)
www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and if left untreated is a significant risk factor for stroke and other morbidities. NICE published a guideline on management of AF in June 2006. The NHS Evidence - cardiovascular team has systematically identified high quality evidence that has appeared since then, and presents this with summaries written by leading experts in the field.

Annual Evidence Update on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (NHS Evidence - women's health)
www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth

This update aims to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date knowledge on the diagnosis and management of heavy menstrual bleeding.
We know that it is very difficult for busy clinicians to keep up-to-date with the huge volume of literature that is published each year and so the women's health specialist collection does this for you so that you don't have to!

NHS Evidence has been launched today (as planned!)

Provided by NICE, it is now the portal for authoritative clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practices. It provides access to a range of information, including primary research literature, practical implementation tools, guidelines and policy documents - and incorporates the former National Library for Health with all its resources and the Specialist Libraries collections.

For more information about the background to NHS Evidence, see About us.
For access to NLH resources, see the 'Conduct a Specialist Search' tab on the NHS Evidence home page.

More to follow on NLH when I've had a closer look .......

Annual Evidence Update on Rheumatoid Arthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/musculoskeletal
The team responsible for the Musculoskeletal Specialist Library has searched the literature for high quality Rheumatoid Arthritis evidence that has accumulated within the last year. We have focused on guidance and systematic reviews published before March 2009. As in recent years the majority of publications relate to various aspects of treatment with biologics. Although this constitutes an increasing proportion of the clinical activity in relation to this disease, we should not lose sight of other important developments and various aspects of rheumatoid disease management feature prominently in our update. It might seem obvious that patients should be able to expect the same high standard of care from the NHS wherever they are located in the UK but the fact that their experience varies greatly has been highlighted in a report from the Kings Fund. This would be justifiable if there was no evidence to guide practice but this is far from being the case. Perhaps the most important publication during the year has been the NICE Guideline on Rheumatoid Arthritis. The widespread implementation of this guidance has the potential to greatly improve the lives and outlook of very many patients with this devastating disease.

Annual Evidence Update on Failure to Cope in Old Age - Supporting People (Later Life Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/laterlife
This Annual Evidence Update from the Later Life Specialist Library will focus on the challenges with independent living faced by people in later life. The Annual Evidence Update will identify systematic reviews, guidelines and important policy documents. Carer support will also be considered.

Annual Evidence Update on Obesity (Public Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/publichealth
The Public Health Specialist Library has updated last year's Obesity Annual Evidence Update focussing on the same topic of Childhood Obesity: Surveillance and Prevention. There has been a lot of new evidence published in these areas, especially in regards to prevention in terms of diet, physical activity, and protection due to breast feeding and early childhood health and diet. The National Obesity Observatory have reviewed the evidence and written summaries about what this means for current programmes and schemes such as the National Childhood Measurement Programme.

Annual Evidence Update on Acupuncture (Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cam
The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Specialist Library presents an Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on Acupuncture from 20 April. The Library has carried out a comprehensive search of a number of databases and used strict selection criteria for the identified studies, in order to base the annual update on the best current evidence available. This update provides a summary of systematic reviews, large RCTs and other relevant studies published in the twelve months since the 2008 AEU on Acupuncture.

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.

Annual Evidence Update on Cardiac Rehabilitation (Cardiovascular Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular
This is the second Annual Evidence Update on cardiac rehabilitation produced by the Cardiovascular Specialist Library with the results of new systematic reviews and other relevant information published since the first Annual Evidence Update in June 2008. There is also a "what's new" analysis discussing new evidence and its implications for clinical practice.

Annual Evidence Update on Colorectal Cancer (Cancer Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cancer
The latest Annual Evidence Update on Colorectal Cancer runs from 6 to 10 April and coincides with Bowel Cancer Awareness month. The Annual Evidence Update consists of all relevant systematic reviews and national guidelines that have emerged in the twelve months since last year's Annual Evidence Update. These are the topic areas covered this year:

* Causes, risks and prevention

* Assessment and diagnosis

* Treatment and disease management

* Service delivery and standards

Annual Evidence Update on Pain (Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/palliative
This Annual Evidence Update collects together the latest high quality evidence on three important aspects of pain in supportive and palliative care: Cannabinoids for pain management, Pain management in dementia, Pain and cancer survivorship.

Annual Evidence Update on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/gastroliver
The NLH Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Specialist Library project team has carried out a systematic search on Inflammatory Bowel Disease to identify all high level evidence published in the past year, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations. Leading experts from around the UK have read and appraised these for their validity and relevance to the busy clinician. A list of the most useful papers, along with commentary from the experts, is available on the site.

Annual Evidence Update on Tuberculosis (Infections Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/infections
The Infections Specialist Library in collaboration with the National Knowledge Service - TB launched its Annual Evidence Update on Tuberculosis on 23 March 2009. This was timed to coincide with World TB Day on 24 March 2009.
This Annual Evidence Update's message is derived from the Stop TB Partnership's focus for this year, which is "Simply, Stopping TB". Subtopics include:

1. Vaccines to prevent TB

2. Treatment Completion

3. Line probe assays

4. HIV testing in TB clinics

Experts in the field provide commentaries on these subtopics, and links to other useful websites are also provided.
We welcome feedback about the resources included in this update - please contact us if you would like to comment.

Annual Evidence Update on Prostate Cancer (Cancer Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cancer
The 2009 Annual Evidence Update on prostate cancer is the second the Cancer Specialist Library has prepared. The Annual Evidence Update consists of all relevant systematic reviews and national guidelines that have emerged in the twelve months since the Prostate Cancer Annual Evidence Update in March 2008. These are the topic areas covered this year:

* Causes, risks and prevention

* Screening

* Assessment and diagnosis

* Treatment and disease management

* Service delivery and standards

This year's Annual Evidence Update is live from Monday 9 March and coincides with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (PDF file).

Annual Evidence Update on Dysmenorrhoea and Endometriosis (Women's Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth

The next Annual Evidence Update from the Women's Health Specialist Library will focus on both endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea. The update aims to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date knowledge on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea. We know that it is very difficult for busy clinicians to keep up-to-date with the huge volume of literature that is published each year and so the Women's Health Specialist Library does this for you so that you don't have to!

Annual Evidence Update on Acne (Skin Disorders Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin

The NLH Skin Disorders Specialist Library published its third Annual Evidence Update on Acne Vulgaris (common acne) on 2 March 2009. As last year, the search for new evidence has been extended to randomised controlled trials as well as systematic reviews, because so few new systematic reviews have been published. Also included is our usual "what's new" commentary and an updated version of our mapping by topic of systematic reviews on acne published since 1999.

Annual Evidence Update on Chest Pain (Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular/

The Chest Pain annual evidence update (AEU) 2009 updates the previous AEU published in February 2007.

Chest pain is a common reason for patients seeking healthcare, often as an emergency. But not all chest pain is cardiac in origin, and (for example) the proportion of patients calling for an ambulance with chest pain who have proven heart attack is low - less than 10% in some studies. We have identified key systematic reviews and related documents to support clinicians and commissioners in identifying the best available, current evidence on this topic. NICE are due to publish guidance on chest pain in December 2009.

The Update includes commentaries from an Expert Group, chaired by our Clinical Lead, Professor Tom Quinn, from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey.

Annual Evidence Update on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Supportive and Palliative Care
(Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/palliative/
The first Annual Evidence Update on 'Gastrointestinal symptoms in supportive and palliative care' is available on 9 February 2009. The best current evidence on three key topics is collected together: (a) Nausea and vomiting, (b) Constipation and (c) Bowel obstruction.

Annual Evidence Update on Tinnitus(ENT and Audiology Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/ent/

Tinnitus research continues to proliferate and in conjunction with National Tinnitus Week, this evidence update presents a concise summary of the latest emerging evidence on various sub-topics, combined with a list of current therapeutic uncertainties to highlight research gaps. Sub-topics include:
• Aetiology
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Clinical Tools
• Patient Experiences
• Outcome Assessment
• Service Delivery

Annual Evidence Update on Patient Safety
(Patient and Public Involvement Specialist Library)

http://www.library.nhs.uk/ppi/

This Annual Evidence Update considers the issue of patient involvement in patient safety, which can be defined as: the actions that patients take to reduce the likelihood of medical errors and/or the actions that patients take to mitigate the effects of medical errors when they do occur. The Annual Evidence Update looks at the ways in which patients can help to improve patient safety, and also at the willingness of patients to perform safety-related behaviours.

Annual Evidence Update on Patient and Carer Involvement in Chronic Disease
(Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist Library)

http://www.library.nhs.uk/palliative

This Annual Evidence Update collects together the best current knowledge on self care in chronic disease management. Key resources from a small sample of chronic conditions are placed within the general theme of user involvement in health services.

Annual Evidence Update on Urinary Incontinence (Kidney Diseases and Women's Health Specialist Libraries)

http://www.library.nhs.uk/kidney or http://www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth
The Kidney Diseases and Women's Health Specialist Libraries are launching the first Urinary Incontinence Annual Evidence Update (AEU) on Monday 19th January. Focusing on both male and female urinary incontinence this AEU brings together the latest evidence on the surgical, drug and conservative management of urge and stress incontinence and Overactive Bladder (OAB). Expert commentaries summarising the latest knowledge on various incontinence topics such as botox, post-prostatectomy and quality of life issues will be available.

The latest newsletter from NHS Networks - issue 176 - is now available.

You can sign up to receive the New@Networks email newsletter direct at:
http://www.networks.nhs.uk/34.php

Contents:
** About NHS Networks
** News items
** Register of Networks
** Discussion
** Resources

Stroke Specialist Library
http://www.library.nhs.uk/stroke

This is the first Annual Evidence Update that has been undertaken on a stroke-related topic and it will be published to coincide with the UK Stroke Forum conference in Harrogate.

The Annual Evidence Update will focus on rehabilitation following a stroke, including Early Supported Discharge (ESD). Despite evidence of its effectiveness in reducing mortality and long term disability rehabilitation is often seen as a 'Cinderella service': under funded, understaffed, and with a low profile compared to care at the 'hi-tech' end of the spectrum of stroke care.

With the advice of our Expert Panel comprising a nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and stroke physician, we have focused this AEU on a number of the key components of stroke rehabilitation set out in the National Stroke Strategy, together with relevant outcome measures and a focus on ESD.

HIV/AIDs: behaviour change in high risk populations
National Library for Public Health 1 to 7 December

The National Library for Public Health presents its first Sexual Health National Knowledge Week (NKW) on HIV/AIDs: behaviour change in high risk populations. This has been timed to coincide with World HIV/AIDS Day on 1 December. The NKW has been prepared in collaboration with the British HIV Association. The NKW contains an annual evidence update on resources on the topic area and expert articles. It provides a one stop shop for those seeking the most up to date evidence and useful information on reducing the transmission of HIV and interventions for behaviour change in high risk populations.

HIV/AIDs (Infections Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/infections
The Infections Specialist Library launched its first Annual Evidence Update on 24 November. This has been timed to coincide with World HIV/AIDS Day on 1 December. The National Library for Public Health (http://www.library.nhs.uk/publichealth) will be presenting a complementary evidence update on Behaviour change in high-risk populations.

There is a vast amount of literature on HIV/AIDS, so this Annual Evidence Update is using the UK National Guidelines for HIV testing 2008 published by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the British HIV Association and the British Infection Society as the starting document. Experts in the field have provided summaries on some of these subtopics, and links to other useful websites arel also provided. We welcome feedback about the resources included in this update - please contact us if you would like to comment.

COPD (Respiratory Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/respiratory

The Annual Evidence Update for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) presents the evidence published in this area in 2008. Building on the comprehensive review carried out to inform the NSF and presented earlier this year in February, this AEU details the very latest published evidence in COPD. There will be no invited commentaries or updates to the text published in the COPD National Knowledge Week earlier this year due to the close proximity of the publication of the NSF for COPD.

Lung cancer (Cancer Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cancer

The Cancer Specialist Library launched its Lung Cancer Annual Evidence Update on 17h November 2008. The update has been divided into sections which consider:

* Causes, risks and prevention
* Screening
* Assessment and diagnosis
* Service delivery and standards
* Treatment and disease management - Biological therapy
* Treatment and disease management - Chemotherapy
* Treatment and disease management - Radiotherapy
* Treatment and disease management - Surgery
* Treatment and disease management - Symptomatic therapy
* Other therapies
* Palliative care
* Psychosocial, quality of life and follow-up

The resources included in the update are mostly systematic reviews and some guidance published in the preceding year (2007-2008). Where possible we provide links to the full text and where these are not available to the abstract. The Cancer Specialist Library conducts on-going literature searches and the resources presented in the Annual Evidence Update are the most recently published material that has been indexed in the international databases we search. We welcome feedback about the resources included in this update - do contact us if you would like to comment.

Psoriatic arthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/musculoskeletal

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis. As with other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can cause stiffness, pain and lack of movement in affected areas. This Annual Evidence Update, produced by the Musculoskeletal Specialist Library is timed to coincide with the Skin Disorders Specialist Library's Annual Evidence Update on psoriasis. Included in this Annual Evidence Update are guidelines and systematic reviews produced within the last 12 months which will be of particular interest to all health professionals.

Psoriasis (Skin Disorders Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin

The NLH Skin Disorders Specialist Library is producing its second Annual Evidence Update on Psoriasis on 3rd November 2008, with the results of a search for new national guidance and systematic reviews published since the 2007 Annual Evidence Update. The Library's usual "what's new" analysis, discussing the new evidence and its implications for clinical practice, will be written by Professor Chris Griffiths of Manchester University.

Annual Evidence Update on Diabetic Retinopathy 2008 (Diabetes Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/diabetes/Page.aspx?pagename=DR

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in working age people in the UK. By December 2007, 85.7% of people diagnosed with diabetes were offered screening for diabetic retinopathy. The UK leads the world in diabetic retinopathy screening. The Department of Health NSF target to screen 100% of people diagnosed with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy had not been met by the end of 2007, but the DH have now prioritised quality and safety over chasing the target and will continue to work with partners in Government, the NHS and the voluntary sector to improve the standard and quality of screening programmes across the country.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Annual Evidence Update provides an opportunity to present an up-to-date comprehensive collection of information that has been subject to rigorous selection criteria. Coverage has been developed on the basis of topics suggested by UK diabetic retinopathy experts. Information is organised by topic areas and links are provided within each topic to the relevant references (systematic reviews, primary research), guidelines and patient information.

System reform (Health Management Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/healthManagement

The Health Management Specialist Library's Annual Evidence Update on NHS System Reform provides an opportunity to bring together up-to-date knowledge and evidence about several key strands of NHS reform published since our first National Knowledge Week on system reform in June 2007. The key strands are:

* patient choice
* payment by results
* commissioning
* foundation trusts
* alternative providers (including independent and third sector)
* regulation

NICE News, October 2008 - including links to this month's guidance.
Read newsletter here

October guidance:

Clinical guidelines
CG74 Prevention and treatment of surgical site infection

Technology appraisals
TA159 Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain of neuropathic or ischaemic origin

Public health
PH16 Guidance for Occupational therapy and physical activity interventions to promote the mental wellbeing of older people in primary care and residential care

Ethnicity / Inequality (Ethnicity Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/ethnicity

The Ethnicity and Health Specialist Library will focus on five themes from the NHS "Big Sixty" (the 60 biggest health conditions and problems that cause 80% of the burden of disease) for its Annual Evidence Update. Following an overall introduction from Dr Surinder Sharma, the equalities director for the NHS, each theme will be introduced by a leading national authority.

On Monday, the theme will be "Commissioning & Ethnic Monitoring", followed by ethnic aspects of "Oral Health/ Oral Cancer". On Wednesday we shall focus on "Cardiovascular Disease in Ethnic Minority Populations" and on Thursday: "Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity" and "Renal Complications of Diabetes in Ethnic Minority Populations". To close the week, we shall highlight issues around Mental Health, in particular, "Suicide & Self-Harm" and "Learning Disabilities". This approach of a diversity of key topics follows the successful first National Knowledge week on Ethnicity & Health held in October 2007.

Osteoarthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/musculoskeletal

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition limiting function and mobility. It usually develops in people who are over 50 years but younger people can also be affected. OA mostly occurs in the knees, hips and hands but any joint can be affected.

Following last year's extensive Annual Evidence Update, the Musculoskeletal Specialist Library in conjunction with the Trauma & Orthopaedics Specialist Library have searched and sifted through the guidance and evidence published during the last year and have produced an Annual Evidence Update which will be of particular interest to all health professionals. Included in this year's update are guidelines issued by NICE, RCP and Clinical Knowledge Summaries and systematic reviews covering various treatment options including pharmacological therapies, physical therapies, complementary and alternative therapies and surgery.

The Annual Evidence Update has been released to coincide with World Arthritis Day on 12 October 2008.

Breast cancer (Cancer Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cancer

The Cancer Specialist Library launched its 2008 Breast Cancer Annual Evidence Update on 13 October. The size of the literature in breast cancer is large so the scope of the Annual Evidence Update has been divided into sections, which will consider:

* Causes, risks and prevention
* Screening
* Assessment and diagnosis
* Service delivery and standards
* Treatment and disease management - Biological therapy
* Treatment and disease management - Chemotherapy
* Treatment and disease management - Hormone therapy
* Treatment and disease management - Radiotherapy
* Treatment and disease management - Surgery
* Other therapies
* Psychosocial, quality of life and decision making
* Follow-up and miscellaneous topics

The resources included in the update are mostly systematic reviews and some guidance published in the preceding year (2007-2008). Where possible we will provide links to the full text and where these are not available to the abstract. The Cancer Specialist Library conducts on-going literature searches and the resources presented in the Annual Evidence Update are the most recently published material that has been indexed in the international databases we search. We welcome feedback about the resources included in this update - do contact us if you would like to comment.

Depression (Mental Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

The Mental Health Specialist Library has searched the four major databases (Cinahl, Embase, Medline and PsycInfo) for the latest evidence on depression published between January 2007 and the end of August 2008. This search retrieved over 2,000 hits (information overload for all but the most hardcore evidence lovers!).

We have sifted the evidence and just retained the high quality research (guidelines, systematic reviews), which we've organised into categories and presented so that you can quickly and easily see what's new, reliable and relevant to you.

The Update also features an audio podcast of interviews with leading experts in the field and will cover the following topics:
1. Incidence and Prevalence
2. Diagnosis
3. Treatment
4. Populations

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

The Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library will publish the 2008 Annual Evidence Update on Heart Failure on 6th 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.

Hyperthyroidism (ENT and Audiology Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/ent

Research on thyroid disorders continues to proliferate and this evidence update will present a concise summary of the latest systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials on hyperthyroidism, combined with expert opinion on recent developments and a list of current therapeutic uncertainties.

CAM for low back pain
(Complementary & Alternative Medicine Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/cam

The Annual Evidence Update on CAM for low back pain aims to present a comprehensive collection of up-to-date information that has been subject to rigorous selection criteria. We have carried out searches in a number of databases, covering the period from June 2007 to July 2008. A list of the relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials, along with commentary from experts, is available on the Library's website from 29 September.

Antenatal and pregnancy care (Women's Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth

Focusing on antenatal and pregnancy care, this Annual Evidence Update from the Women's Health Specialist Library aims to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date knowledge on the antenatal and pregnancy care offered to pregnant women. The update brings together the results of a comprehensive literature search for new research published since July 2007 - building on last year's update and adding any new evidence identified from the up-to-date literature search. We know that it is very difficult for busy clinicians to keep up-to-date with the huge volume of literature that is published each year and so the Women's Health Specialist Library does this for you so that you don't have to!

Surgical management of faecal incontinence
(Surgery, Theatres & Anaesthesia Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/theatres

The Theatres Specialist Library is publishing an Annual Evidence update on the surgical management of faecal incontinence to coincide with National Continence Awareness week beginning 15th September 2008. NICE guidance on faecal incontinence was published in June 2007 based on literature published prior to October 2006. Therefore this update will highlight relevant, good quality evidence published from October 2006 onwards focusing specifically on surgical management (including sacral nerve modulation and implants).

Eczema (Skin Disorders Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin

This is the second Annual Evidence Update on Atopic Eczema organised by the NLH Skin Disorders Specialist Library. It includes the results of a search for new systematic reviews published since the first Annual Evidence Update in September 2007. Also included will be a range of invited expert commentaries on current themes in atopic eczema, an analysis of what is new in systematic reviews and its implications for clinical practice, and a mapping by topic of all systematic reviews on atopic eczema published since 2000.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia (Later Life Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/laterlife

The Later Life Specialist Library's Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Annual Evidence Update aims to provide healthcare professionals with a clear path to the most important recent evidence surrounding the five major types of dementias: Alzheimer's; Vascular dementia; Dementia with lewy bodies; Frontotemportal dementia; and mixed dementias.

The Dementia AEU provides bibliographies and clinical commentary on secondary research (systematic reviews, meta analyses and guidelines) from the last 14 months for the following topics:

* Risk factors and aetiology
* Diagnosis and screening
* Pharmacological treatments
* Non-pharmacological treatments
* Rehabilitation, practice and care standards.

Special care dentistry (Oral Health Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/oralhealth

In recognition of the new consultant speciality of Special Care Dentistry, the Oral Health Specialist Library is presenting a new Annual Evidence Update that identifies relevant, high quality information published in this area. The speciality has been defined as: 'the improvement of oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of these factors'. The update also features reviews of two specific areas of interest identified by oral health professionals: bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and antibiotic prophylaxis in bacterial endocarditis.

Hepatitis B/C (Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/gastroliver

The NLH Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Specialist Library project team has carried out a systematic search on Hepatitis B and C to identify all high level evidence published in the past year, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations. Leading experts from around the UK have read and appraised these for their validity and relevance to the busy clinician. A list of the most useful papers, along with commentary from the experts, will be available on the site from 8th September.

Headache (Neurological Conditions Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/neurological/

The NLH Neurological Conditions Specialist Library project team has carried out a systematic search on Headache and migraine to identify all high level evidence published from 2006 - 2008, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations. Leading experts from around the UK have read and appraised these for their validity and relevance to the busy clinician. A list of the most useful papers, along with commentary from the experts, is available on the site from 1st September.

Equality and Diversity in the North East : a statistical profile
NEEDP (North East Equality and Diversity Partnership)
August 2008

This report, prepared by the Centre for Public Policy at Northumbria University, provides an up-to-date and comprehensive statistical baseline of equality and diversity issues faced by different communities within the region. The full report, executive summary and appendices can be accessed on the NERIP (North East Regional Information Partnership) website at: http://www.nerip.com/reports_briefing.aspx?id=626

NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) – updated topics July 2008

The PRODIGY guidance topics below have been reviewed and converted into CKS clinical topic structure, and are now available on the CKS website

* Ankylosing spondylitis
* Dyspepsia - proven non-ulcer
* Eczema - atopic
* Seborrhoeic dermatitis
* Sprains and strains

National Primary Care Research and Development Centre
The 28 reports, in areas already included and considered for inclusion
in QOF 2008, are available to read and download.

Each report was written by one or more academic experts often supported
by a group of academics and clinicians with a special interest in the
area. This report leads comprise the QOF Expert Panel, a group of senior
primary care based academics, working across the United Kingdom. The
academic process has been led by a collaboration between the
Universities of Birmingham and Manchester, the Society of Academic
Primary Care and the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Under one roof: Will polyclinics deliver integrated care?
King's Fund, June 2008
Read or download the report here.

This report is a major analysis of the opportunities and risks involved in developing polyclinics. It draws on published information and original research into similar facilities in the United Kingdom and abroad. As government policy drives a fundamental shift of care from hospitals to more community-based settings it asks if the polyclinics model will improve the quality and accessibility of health care and deliver cost savings.

Shifting the balance of care to local settings: the SeeSaw report
King' Fund, June 2008
Read or download the report here.

The Department of Health commissioned The King's Fund, in partnership with Loop2, to undertake a simulation-based project to understand how a shift in the balance of care from hospital to community settings could take place. This report shares the learning that emerged from this project.

Making it happen: next steps in NHS reform. Report of an expert working group
King's Fund, June 2008
Read or download the report here.

The King's Fund set up an expert working group to examine how effective the current systems and incentives are in improving the NHS, focusing on the role of PCTs as commissioners and practice-based commissioning. This paper outlines specific proposals for government and the wider health care world.

Delivering services in line with the preferences of patients is an important part of government health policy. These preferences relate to ideas about what services should be provided and how they should be delivered. The consultation with the GP is the bedrock of effective primary care and patient preferences concerning consultations are crucial.

National Knowledge Week on Rhinitis (ENT & Audiology Specialist Library)
12 - 16 May 2008
http://www.library.nhs.uk/ent/

As a unique resource, the Rhinitis National Knowledge Week will provide expert opinion and evidence updates on key rhinitis topics:
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Non-Allergic Rhinitis
• Infectious Rhinitis
• Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps
• Paediatric Rhinitis
• Comorbidities
• Rhinitis and Pregnancy

The National Library for Public Health (NLPH) is an online specialist library of the National Library for Health. It replaces the Public Health electronic Library (PHeL).
The NLPH was made available in mid-November 2007 with an initial focus on three key areas: Obesity, Alcohol, and Tobacco. The library was relaunched in April 2008.

The project is being directed by the North East Public Health Observatory on behalf of the Association of Public Health Observatories, as part of the Information and Intelligence Strategy published by the Department of Health.
The library can be accessed at: www.library.nhs.uk/publichealth

National Knowledge Week on Tuberculosis (Infection Specialist Library)
http://www.neli.org.uk/IntegratedCRD.nsf/NeLI_Home1?OpenForm

The National electronic Library of Infection is hosting its next National Knowledge Week from 24th March. It highlights important developments in tuberculosis in the last year, and includes a collection of recent, peer-reviewed publications, expert commentaries and links to useful resources. This is hosted by the National electronic Library of Infection (NeLI-www.neli.org.uk) and the National Knowledge Service for TB, and has been timed to link in with World TB day on 24th March 2008.

ACNE VULGARIS and ENDOMETRIOSIS

National Knowledge Week on Acne Vulgaris (Skin Disorders Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin/
The NLH Skin Disorders Specialist Library is holding its second National Knowledge Week and Annual Evidence Update on Acne Vulgaris (common acne) from 3-7 March 2008.

Updated CKS topics – December 2007
We are pleased to announce that the below PRODIGY guidance topics have been reviewed and converted into CKS Topic Review structure, and are now available on the CKS website:

Asthma
Conjunctivitis — infective
Gingivitis and periodontitis
Herpes simplex — oral
MI—secondary prevention

Clinical Summaries: these are in the 'In summary' section of CKS Topic Reviews, in htnl or PDF format, and provide concise recommendations for management, and information to enable the writing of a prescription for recommended drugs and devices.

To view a summary of changes to the updated topics please visit Latest changes to clinical topics

CKS work programme – Topic Reviews in development

We are keen to receive feedback on draft Topic Reviews. In addition to feedback from experts, professional organizations and patient groups, we are particularly interested to receive feedback from healthcare professionals who use the service. If you or your organization would like to comment on Topic Reviews currently being developed or reviewed please apply.

Topic Reviews currently in development
*Anaemia – iron deficiency
*Anaemia – macrocytic
*Diverticular disease
*Dry eye syndrome
*Herpes simplex ocular
*Hyperthyroidism
*Leg ulcer – venous
*Smoking cessation
*Sore throat
*Urinary tract infection - children

To access CKS through your PDA or SmartPhone go to http://www.cks.library.nhs.uk/mobile and a mobile version of the CKS site will automatically load onto your device.

Updated CKS topics – October 2007
The PRODIGY guidance topics below have been reviewed and converted into CKS Topic Review structure, and are now available on the CKS website:

Infertility
Lacerations
Meniere's disease
Otitis externa
Palliative cancer care — nausea & vomit

Clinical Summaries: these are in the 'In summary' section of CKS Topic Reviews and provide concise recommendations for management, and information to enable the writing of a prescription for recommended drugs and devices.

To view a summary of changes to the updated topics please visit Latest changes to clinical topics.

The effectiveness in primary care of a computerised decision aid to enhance decision making and improve the quality of life of women with menorrhagia: results of the MENTIP randomised controlled trial.
National Primary Care Research and Development Centre
Download executive summary

For more information about the NPCRDC visit
http://www.npcrdc.ac.uk/

Updated CKS topics – September 2007
The PRODIGY guidance topics below have been reviewed and converted into CKS Topic Review structure, and are now available on the CKS website:

Candida — female genital
Colic — infantile
Contraception
Menorrhagia
Obesity

Clinical Summaries: these are in the 'In summary' section of CKS Topic Reviews and provide concise recommendations for management, and information to enable the writing of a prescription for recommended drugs and devices.

To view a summary of changes to the updated topics please visit Latest changes to clinical topics.

Atopic Eczema National Knowledge Week (Skin Disorders Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin/

The Skin Disorders Specialist Library is holding its first National Knowledge Week on Atopic Eczema from 17th to 21st September 2007.
This event has been arranged to correspond with National Eczema Week.

The National Knowledge Week is particularly aimed at NHS health professionals, and will highlight sources of information and guidance on atopic eczema and its treatment.
Included will be the Library's first Annual Evidence Update on Atopic Eczema, with the results of a comprehensive search for systematic reviews on atopic eczema and eczema therapies.
There will also be commentaries from a range of invited experts.

Hepatitis B and C Annual Evidence Update (Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Specialist Library)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/gastroliver/

The Hepatitis B and C Annual Evidence Update will include all high quality systematic reviews carried out from 2006 to present on Hepatitis B and C.
A panel of 6 leading clinicians will assess the systematic reviews for quality and relevance. To tie in with this, the Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Specialist Library will attend the inaugural meeting of the British Viral Hepatitis group during the British Association of the Study of the Liver annual meeting to promote their library and their Annual Evidence Update.

In 2006/07, the SDO Programme carried out an extensive review of research needs and priorities. The review began with an online survey that was completed by more than 1000 professionals and members of the public, and successfully captured a broad range of opinions on important issues relating to the delivery and organisation of NHS services and potential future research questions.

Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures National Knowledge Week (Musculoskeletal and Trauma & Orthopaedics Specialist Libraries)
http://www.library.nhs.uk/musculoskeletal/ and
http://www.library.nhs.uk/trauma_orthopaedics/

The Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures National Knowledge Week provides an opportunity for the Musculoskeletal and Trauma & Orthopaedics Specialist Libraries to present a comprehensive up-to-date collection of information on osteoporosis and fragility fracture.
Leading experts in this field who provided summaries for last year's National Knowledge Week have reviewed and updated their synopses. Links will be provided to relevant guidance, systematic reviews, clinical trials and patient information.

Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates and National Knowledge Weeks. National Knowledge Weeks aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics - they consist of the good quality evidence from an Annual Evidence Update (a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period), plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable.
All information included in National Knowledge Weeks has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.

The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas.
Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.

All specialist libraries can be accessed via the NLH web site, under the Resources section, at:
http://www.library.nhs.uk/Default.aspx

"Improving care for patients with angina - how to help clinicians make the right decisions"
This is a research summary of a study that piloted a new ratings system to assesses the most appropriate testing options for individual patients with angina (Hemingway et al, 2006). Download a copy here:
http://www.sdo.lshtm.ac.uk/files/adhoc/33-research-summary.pdf

Other SDO Programme research summaries are available to download at:
http://www.sdo.lshtm.ac.uk/researchsummaries.html

NCCSDO
99 Gower Street
London WC1E 6AA
Website: http://www.sdo.lshtm.ac.uk/

Clinical guidelines
CG54 Urinary tract infection: diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of urinary tract infection in children
CG53 Chronic fatigue syndrome / Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy); diagnosis and management
Technology appraisal guidance
TA27 Natalizumab for the treatment of adults with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
TA26 Rituximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
TA25 Adalimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
TA24 Pemetrexed for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer
Interventional procedure guidance
IPG230 Arthroscopic knee washout, with or without debridement, for the treatment of osteoarthritis
IPG229 Laparoscopic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm
IPG228 Laparoscopic cervical cerclage for prevention of recurrent pregnancy loss due to cervical incompetence

The PRODIGY guidance topics below have been reviewed and converted into CKS Topic Review structure, and are now available on the CKS website.
Burns and scalds
Chest infections - adult
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Earwax
Palliative cancer care - dyspnoea

Clinical Summaries: these are in the 'In summary' section of CKS Topic Reviews and provide concise recommendations for management, and information to enable the writing of
a prescription for recommended drugs and devices

To view a summary of changes to the updated topics please visit http://www.cks.library.nhs.uk/clinical_knowledge/work_programme/latest_changes_to_clinical_topics

The new Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Specialist Library - managed by the King's Fund for the National Library for Health was officially launched today.

The library aims to support the implementation of patient, user, carer and public involvement in health care by providing access, in one location, to the best information which is available on the Web. Go to the PPI home page

Clinical guidelines
CG50 Recognition of and response to acute illness in adults in hospital
CG51 Drug misuse: psychosocial interventions
CG52 Drug misuse: opioid detoxification

The PRODIGY guidance topics listed below have been reviewed and converted into CKS Topic Review structure, and are now available on the CKS website:

Bites — human and animal
Immunizations — travel
Malaria prophylaxis
Poisoning or overdose
Pre-conception — advice and management

To view a summary of changes to the updated topics please visit the Latest changes to clinical topics page of the CKS website.

National Primary Care Research and Development Centre
Current awareness bulletin: May-June 2007

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:

Clinical guidelines
CG49 Faecal incontinence: the management of faecal incontinence in adults

Technology appraisals
TA121 Carmustine implants and temozolomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma
TA122 Alteplase for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke

Interventional procedure guidance
IPG221 Closure of anorectal fistula using a suturable bioprosthetic plug
IPG222 Endoscopic augmentation of the lower oesophageal sphincter using hydrogel implants for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
IPG223 Therapeutic percutaneous image guided aspiration of spinal cord cysts

The following PRODIGY guidance topics have been reviewed and converted into CKS Topic Review structure, and are now available on the CKS website:

Adverse drug reactions
Palliative cancer care — cough
Palliative cancer care — general issues
Roundworm
Threadworm

To view a summary of changes to the updated topics please visit the Latest changes to clinical topics page of the CKS website.

Two new publications from the National Co-ordinating Centre for NHS Service Delivery and Organisation Research & Development (NCCSDO):

The relative importance attached to cost-effectiveness, equity and access in the provision of health services
[Access to health care series]
Research summary of a study that looked at NHS decision-makers' understanding of the terms 'cost-effectiveness', 'equity' and 'access', and how they are prioritised and applied in the health services (Dolan et al).

The costs and benefits of managing low priority 999 ambulance calls by NHS Direct nurse advisors
[Evaluating models of service delivery series]
Research summary of a study that looked at an alternative method of responding to non-urgent 999 calls. The study found that the transfer of non-urgent 999 calls to nurse advisors for further advice may be an acceptable and cost-effective alternative to the current approach (Turner et al).