UK Health Commission downgrades four foundation trusts

Standards of lithium monitoring in mental health trusts in the UK

BACKGROUND Lithium is a commonly prescribed drug with a narrow therapeutic index, and recognised adverse effects on the kidneys and thyroid. Clinical guidelines for the management of bipolar affective disorder published by The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend checks of renal and thyroid function before lithium is prescribed. They further recommend that all ...

A qualitative exploration of a health trainer programme in two UK primary care trusts.

AIMS World Health Organization data illustrate a worldwide re-emergence of interest in the scope of lay health workers for extending services to 'hard-to-reach' community groups. In the UK, the health trainer model of service delivery represents one such innovative way of working, first described in the White Paper Choosing Health: Making Healthier Choices Easier and more recently in the Kings ...

Avoidable pressure ulcer rates in six acute UK Trusts

In 2013, Downie et al reported on results obtained from five acute UK Trusts (April 2012-March 2013) for all hospital-acquired category III–IV pressure ulcers (PUs) developed within these organisations. They described the reporting and validation methodology used by all five organisations to determine the avoidable or unavoidable status of their hospital-acquired category III–IV PUs. Prior to t...

The four UK health systems: Learning from each other

A cost-effectiveness analysis of domestic radon remediation in four primary care trusts located in Northamptonshire, UK.

The paper considers how primary care trusts (PCTs), which are relatively new organisations in the UK health service, might respond to the health hazards associated with radon in domestic properties. To this end, the cost-effectiveness of radon remediation programmes in four primary care trusts is calculated and compared with those of other interventions that can avert and treat lung cancer. The...