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In this month's edition...
Suicide prevention
Homeless Link has produced suicide prevention guidance which looks at the role of homeless services in supporting well-being and preventing suicide. The guidance focuses on how managers can incorporate suicide prevention into the planning and delivery of services and how to offer support to people using services, as well as the staff and volunteers working with them. Find out more here
Homeless health
The Queens Nursing Institute (QNI) has opened its Annual Homeless Health Survey 2018. This survey is open to anyone who works with people experiencing homelessness, gypsies, Roma or travellers, sex workers, people in prison or refugees and asylum seekers. It gives you the opportunity to better illuminate your unique role, the environment you are working in, the support you get locally, and your patients. It will help QNI determine what support and recommendations are needed for homeless health nursing at a national level. If you complete the survey you will be entered into a draw to win a £20 Amazon voucher. Take the survey here
Prescription drugs
NHS England is launching a public consultation on reducing prescribing of over-the-counter medicines for 33 minor, short-term health concerns. These medicines can be purchased over the counter, but would no longer be available on prescription unless an exemption applies. The consultation includes a number of face-to-face events and webinars, as well as an online questionnaire. They are particularly interested in hearing from low-income families as to how the changes may affect them. Clinks will be submitting a response, please email hazel.alcraft@clinks.org to feed into our response or find out more here
Disabled prisoners
The Prison Reform Trust, University of Leicester, and University of Leeds are developing a proposal for a new research project into the experiences of disabled people in prison, specifically those with physical or visual impairments. They are looking for people with lived experience and other stakeholders with experience of the barriers disabled prisoners face to help shape the research. The first stage will be a stakeholder engagement workshop on 30th January, 10.30am-3.30pm at the University of Leicester, to discuss what the pressing issues are for disabled prisoners and how to focus the research. To request a place at the workshop, or for more information, please contact Dr Andrea Hollomotz, A.Hollomotz@leeds.ac.uk
NHS services
During the busy winter months, NHS wants to remind organisations that they can use the non-emergency number 111 on behalf of people they’re working with to help them access services. Depending on the situation, the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or even a GP, and can arrange face-to-face appointments. Find out more here
Partnership models in the NHS
Are you interested in how the NHS can collaborate with voluntary and commercial organisations to improve care? This event [6th February, London, from £200] aims to show examples of different partnership models that offer mutual benefits for all parties; provide take away lessons from case studies on how they built their business case, defined their benefits, and developed their ways of working; and give you the opportunity to discover how to find the best partners for your organisation and how to adapt partnership models to fit needs locally. Find out more here
Narrowing the health inequalities gap
The Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Public Health are holding their annual public health conference and exhibition 2018, 'Narrowing the health inequalities gap' [1st March, London, from £229]. The event will feature expert speakers, participatory workshop sessions and opportunities to network with speakers, delegates and exhibitors from across the realm of public health. Steve Brine MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Primary Care will give the ministerial address. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chair of ukactive and Lord John Bird MBE, Founder of The Big Issue will be delivering the keynote addresses, setting out their visions to tackle health inequalities brought on by poverty and physical inactivity. Find out more and book here
Community Sentence Treatment Requirements
Clinks is running a consultation event [16th March, London, free] on Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CSTRs), on behalf of the Department of Health. It is open to anyone with lived experience of mental health or substance misuse problems and contact with the criminal justice system; family members; and voluntary sector representatives. Share your views on whether CSTRs work for people with mental health, drug and/or alcohol treatment needs, what works well, and the barriers to effective treatment. Find out more and book here
Addiction and mental health
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Complex Needs and Dual Diagnosis has published a report on social action called 'People Powered Recovery'. People Powered Recovery highlights how those with multiple needs can get their lives back with the support of community volunteers who have recovered from similar issues, such as drug and alcohol dependency. Four out of five prisoners who are drug dependent have two additional mental health problems. Read the report here
Imprisoned parents and premature death
New Dutch research has found that children of imprisoned parents are significantly more likely to die prematurely than children of both non-criminal and criminal but non-imprisoned parents. The study, by Steve G. A. van deWeijer, Holly S. Smallbone and Valery Bouwman, used a sample derived from the a study which contains data on individuals from five consecutive generations of Dutch families. These findings show the risk is not the consequence of the parent's offending behaviour but is specifically related to the incarceration of the parent. Find out more here
State of the drug and alcohol sector
Adfam, on behalf of the Recovery Partnership, has launched the 2017 state of the drug and alcohol sector report. This report focuses primarily on interviewing key stakeholders and highlighting their experiences in the sector, current concerns and thoughts for the future. Key findings include: The potential of the sector to absorb funding cuts through efficiency savings has been exhausted; service capacity continues to be eroded; only central government intervention will protect the sector from further cuts; service models must continue to evolve; and commissioning capacity and practices remain of great interest and concern. Find out more here
Restrictive practices in mental health
The Care Quality Commission has published 'Mental Health Act – A focus on restrictive intervention reduction programmes in inpatient mental health services', a resource which shares examples of good practice around reducing the use of restrictive practices. These practices include the use of restraint, seclusion and rapid tranquilisation. They also include wider practices: for example, preventing a patient from accessing outdoor space. Find out more here
Drug prevention
The biennial European Drug Prevention Prize is open for entries. The award acknowledges and rewards high-quality drug prevention projects. The prize is designed to encourage the development of drug prevention work where young people are actively participating, stemming from the belief that the genuine involvement of young people improves the possibilities of successful drug prevention. Up to three youth projects will each receive a trophy and prize-money of €5,000. Projects including innovative approaches, particularly those using new technologies, as well as targeting young people under 18, are particularly encouraged to apply. The deadline for submissions is 31st May. Find out more here
Older LGBT+ people
Age UK has worked with the older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people charity Opening Doors London and author Sally Knocker to produce a free resource pack for professionals called ‘Safe to be me’. It addresses meeting the needs of older LGBT people using health and social care services. The guide offers practical advice on how to be the kind of service in which older LGBT people can feel safe to be themselves. It includes real life case studies and checklists for good practice, and is guided throughout by the voices and experiences of older LGBT people themselves. Find out more here
New psychoactive substances
In partnership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Project NEPTUNE has a course [online, free] on addressing the harms of club drugs and new psychoactive substances, aimed at front-line clinicians and other practitioners. The course consists of seven modules, and aims to give practitioners a clear understanding of the acute and chronic harms of different substances. Find out more here
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About Clinks Offender Health Bulletin
This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary sector organisations involved in the health and care of offenders. It currently has 3,254 subscribers.
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