NHS mental health apps library launched

NHS England has launched an initiative to help treat depression and anxiety and improve access to psychological therapies by unveiling the first ever directory of NHS-endorsed digital mental health services.  The Mental Health Apps Library features online tools, resources and apps that have a proven track record of effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes. The library is accessible through the NHS Choices platform.  

Health Foundation topic briefings

The Health Foundation has published a series of topic briefings on a range of NHS services the details of which are as follows:

·         Swimming against the tide? The quality of NHS services during the current parliament  This briefing summarises trends in the quality of NHS care in England since the 2010 general election.

·         Is mental health care improving? This overview uses the available data to assess the quality of health care services for people with mental health problems in England.

·         Is the NHS becoming more person-centred? This overview examines how the NHS in England has performed over this parliament in relation to indicators that reflect person-centred care.

·         Is the NHS getting safer? This overview considers how the NHS has performed over the current parliament in relation to patient safety.

·         Are people waiting longer for health care? This overview considers the performance of the NHS in England in providing timely access to health care during the current parliament.

·         How does the NHS compare with health systems in other countries? This overview looks at the use of international comparisons, and examines how the NHS compares with other countries’ health systems in a number of key areas. 

WUTH Publication: Contralateral acute lower limb ischaemia following total hip replacement in a patient with an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Citation: Contralateral acute lower limb ischaemia following total hip replacement in a patient with an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
J Surg Case Rep. 2015;2015(3)
Authors: Brookes-Fazakerley SD, Thorpe P, Chan C, Jackson GE
Abstract: Total hip replacement (THR) is a common procedure to treat patients with a fractured neck of femur. Ipsilateral major vessel injury with acute lower limb ischaemia is a rare but potentially devastating complication. Contralateral acute limb ischaemia is unreported. We present the case of a contralateral, acute lower limb ischaemia following THR for a fractured neck of femur in the presence of an endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and femoro-femoral crossover grafts. We advise early vascular surgery consultation for patients undergoing THR with an EVAR stentgraft in situ to help minimize risks of peri- and postoperative graft occlusion and consequent acute lower limb ischaemia.
PMID: 25742966 [PubMed]

Link to Pubmed record

WUTH Publication: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy case series: typical, atypical and recurrence.

Citation: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy case series: typical, atypical and recurrence.
BMJ Case Rep. 2015;2015
Authors: Lagan J, Connor V, Saravanan P
Abstract: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characterised by a transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, ECG changes that can imitate acute myocardial infarction and positive cardiac biomarkers in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The exact pathogenesis of TCM is unclear but emotional or physical stress is a common denominator. We present three cases encompassing a spectrum of the disease: A typical TCM with apical LV dyskinesis, an atypical TCM with mid-ventricular regions affected and a TCM recurrence. Our cases show that TCM symptoms vary between individuals and may vary in the same patient. All our patients reported acute emotional stress prior to the onset of symptoms, had LV systolic dysfunction, positive cardiac biomarkers and non-obstructed coronary arteries. In all cases, LV systolic dysfunction eventually improved. TCM may account for 0.7-2.5% of acute coronary syndromes. It is more prevalent in the female population and can reoccur. Treatment is mainly supportive.
PMID: 25743867 [PubMed - in process]

Link to Pubmed record