News The Deafness Support Network in Cheshire is funding research into dementia and deafness. Volunteer Jenna Littlejohn will conduct the study with the University of Sheffield. She said people with hearing loss are at a disadvantage in the dementia assessment process. It is hoped an approach to diagnose dementia more effectively for those with hearing loss can be developed. Only one in three patients with diabetes receive regular checks on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, according to Public Health England data. An interactive map on the agency’s website shows the prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure by local authority area. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘This data will help nurses and doctors see at a glance where the problem areas are.’ healthierlives. phe.org.uk The social stigma that surrounds dementia is impeding early diagnosis, care and research into the disease, according to a report by the International Longevity Centre-UK. It discusses the effect of fear about dementia on those living with the condition, their families and carers, which prevents the researchers capturing a full picture of the disease. According to the report, people over the age of 55 fear being diagnosed with dementia more than any other condition. tinyurl.com/ovtbjrd Community nurses are encouraged to apply for the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Award for Outstanding Service. The award is an acknowledgement that the nurse contributes to care in a way that distinguishes them from the norm. The certificate, signed by the Queen, is presented at the QNI’s spring award ceremonies. The closing date for nominations is February 9. tinyurl.com/QNIQMOSA 6

Awareness campaign aims to ease pressure on A&E this winter OLDER PEOPLE are being encouraged to seek advice early from local pharmacists if they are ‘feeling under the weather’. The national public awareness campaign by NHS England aims to relieve pressure on urgent and emergency care services by promoting earlier access to health advice and self-care information from community pharmacists or NHS Choices. NHS England’s clinical director for acute care Keith Willett said: ‘Every winter, doctors and nurses see a big increase in the number of older and frail people who are admitted to hospital because of respiratory or other chronic conditions usually worsened by immobility, the cold and viral illnesses. ‘People often don’t seek advice for wheezes, coughs and sneezes because they don’t think it is serious enough, or they don’t want to waste their pharmacist’s time. ‘But no problem is too small for your local pharmacist, who is a trained and trusted source of health advice.’

Many patients denied right to die at home due to lack of resources DYING PATIENTS are being taken to hospital against their wishes because of a lack of resources in the community, nurses have warned. An RCN survey of more than 7,700 members revealed that seven out of ten community nurses have seen dying patients admitted to hospital because resources were not available to enable them to die at home. Just 36% of nurses working in the community said that their team had the resources to deliver round-the-clock care to patients who have chosen to die at home. And only 11% of respondents said they were always able to deliver the right level of care to patients, while almost half said that they do not always have the chance to discuss with patients how they would like to be cared for during their final days. More than half of respondents said they treated people approaching the end of their life

December 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 10

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In brief

Pharmacists are a valuable source of health advice

Posters will be displayed on billboards and in phone kiosks, shopping centres and supermarkets, including sites near pharmacies. Advertisements will also be run in national newspapers, magazines and a range of websites, as well as on commercial radio stations. Find out more www.england.nhs.uk/earlyadvice

at least once a week, with many doing so on a daily basis. Despite this one quarter of nurses said that they had received no specific training, either before they qualified or since. RCN general secretary Peter Carter said the college is beginning a large-scale programme of work to establish what support nurses need to deliver the care they would like. ‘This survey has touched a nerve among nursing staff. Hundreds have told us about the honour and privilege of caring for people at the end of their lives,’ Dr Carter added. ‘However, many are also profoundly troubled by their experiences of trying to deliver care for the dying, against a backdrop of staff shortages, lack of resources, inadequate training, cost pressures and rising demand. ‘Sensitive nursing can make an enormous difference to the experience of a dying person and a “good death” with expert care can also make the bereavement process much easier for the loved ones they leave behind. ‘Nursing the dying is an art, as well as a science,’ Dr Carter said. NURSING OLDER PEOPLE

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Awareness campaign aims to ease pressure on A&E this winter.

OLDER PEOPLE are being encouraged to seek advice early from local pharmacists if they are 'feeling under the weather'...
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