Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland launches two new self management websites for patients

My Lungs My Life, for people living with COPD, adults with asthma and parents of children with asthma, and Self Help 4 Stroke, for people living with a stroke after their formal rehabilitation has finished, are designed to support people to self-manage and contain information, tips and advice on living with these conditions.

Funded by the Scottish Government, My Lungs My life was written by respiratory clinicians from NHS Scotland and reviewed by people living with COPD and asthma. It contains information and advice to enable people to understand more about their COPD or asthma and help them to use self-management effectively as an equal partner with their healthcare professionals. www.mylungsmylife.org

Self help 4 stroke was written by stroke specialists and former patients had high level of input to the development. Again this site is also free to use. It has practical tips and film clips to help people through their post stroke journey. It includes advice and information on keeping well, being active, emotional support and coping with setbacks. www.selfhelp4stroke.org

Facing future challenges: do changes in skill mix offer some solutions?

Candace Imison explores whether changes in skill mix offers some solutions to the challenges faced across the spectrum of the NHS.

Market shaping toolkit: supporting local authority and SME care provider innovation and collaboration

This toolkit has been designed to highlight good practice around the country in the way that local authorities and smaller care and support providers collaborate and provide innovative services. It offers a series of checklists and materials to encourage good quality market shaping activities.

The organisation and delivery of health improvement in general practice and primary care: a scoping study

This project examines the organisation and delivery of health improvement activities by and within general practice and the primary health-care team. The project was designed to examine who delivers these interventions, where they are located, what approaches are developed in practices, how individual practices and the primary health-care team organise such public health activities, and how these contribute to health improvement. The focus was on health promotion and ill-health prevention activities.

A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the Advancing Quality pay-for-performance programme in the NHS North West

Advancing Quality (AQ) is a voluntary programme providing financial incentives for improvement in the quality of care provided to NHS patients in the north-west of England. This objectives of this research were to identify the impact of AQ on key stakeholders and clinical practice; to assess its cost-effectiveness; to identify key factors that assist or impede its successful implementation; and to provide lessons for the wider implementation of pay-for-performance schemes across the NHS.

Patient safety in ambulance services: a scoping review

The role of ambulance services has changed over the last few decades with the introduction of paramedics able to provide life-saving interventions, thanks to sophisticated equipment and treatments available. The number of 999 calls continues to increase, with adverse events theoretically possible with each one. Most patient safety research is based on hospital data, but little is known concerning patient safety when using ambulance services, when things can be very different. The objective of this research was to identify and map available evidence relating to patient safety when using ambulance services.

Public Health England announces launch of Change4Life and Disney’s 10 minute shake up campaign

The campaign aims to encourage children to do 10 minute bursts of moderate to vigorous activity, inspired by Disney characters, throughout the day, every day, in order to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity children need.

10 Minute Shake Up with Ricky Wilson from Change4Life on Vimeo.

Trusts share exemplary practice

NHS Employers

NHS Employers showcased the work of 11 NHS trusts who are driving positive impacts on staff, patient and public health via exemplar practice in staff health and wellbeing and engagement.

National End of Life Care Intelligence Network: What we know now 2014

Public Health England

This report is a compilation of key findings and information that was produced by National End of Life Care Intelligence Network in 2014. It aims to help inform and direct priorities for further investigation and quality improvement in palliative and end of life care.

Healthy New Towns

NHS England and Public Health England have launched the Healthy New Towns programme to put health at the heart of new neighbourhoods and towns across the country. Local authorities, housing associations and the construction sector are invited to identify development projects where they would like NHS support in creating health-promoting new towns and neighbourhoods in England.  Up to five long-term partnerships will initially be selected from across the country, covering housing developments of different sizes..  Each site will benefit from a programme of support including global expertise in spatial and urban design, national sponsorship and increased local flexibilities.