Digest

News New models of mental health care for London London Health Programmes ( www.londonhp.nhs.uk ) has published new models of care for people experiencing a mental health crisis and for people with long‐term mental health conditions. Developed by service users, clinicians, commissioners and providers, Mental Health Models of Care for London aims to refocus existing services and staff rather than creating new services. Improving dementia research and support The Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research has published a Headline Report for furthering research into dementia in the UK ( www.dh.gov.uk/Publicationsandstatistics ). Set up by the Government to consider how to increase the volume and impact of dementia research, the group proposes actions to strengthen collaboration and coordination; embed research in treatment and care; grow capacity and capability; harness existing resources; and engage the public. Each of these areas is summarised as a route map with timelines to December 2012. Meanwhile, the Department of Health has published a guide to workforce development for staff working with people with dementia ( www.skillsforcare.org.uk ). Common Core Principles for Supporting People with Dementia was commissioned to support the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy. Safer prescribing in general practice Antiepileptic drugs, opioids and psycho tropic drugs are among the drugs most frequently associated with avoidable adverse reactions in general practice, according to a guide to safer prescribing by GP academic Professor Tony Avery of Nottingham University. 10 Top Tips for GPs: Strategies for Safer Prescribing , published by the National Prescribing Centre ( www.npc.nhs.uk ), identifies which patients are at greatest risk and summarises the commonest factors contributing to prescribing errors. Communication problems resulting in underuse, overuse or incorrect use of medication are particularly important for people with epilepsy; patients' knowledge and understanding can be built up over time with the support of nurses and pharmacists. Risperidone/ropinirole confusion The US Food and Drug Admin istration ( www.fda.gov ) has warned prescribers of the risk of confusion between risperidone (Risperdal) and ropinirole (Requip) for both the generic and brand names. The FDA points to bad handwriting, similarities in packaging and dose forms, strengths and intervals as risk factors. Some patients given the wrong drug were admitted to hospital. Psychiatric drug research crisis Europe faces a crisis of funding for research into the development of new drugs for psychiatric and brain disorders, according to a report by the European College of Neuro pharmacology ( Eur Neuro psycho pharmacol 2011;21:495‐99; www.ecnp.eu/publications/reports.aspx ). Based on the conclusions of a summit attended by representatives of academia, government, the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies, the report, prepared by Professors David Nutt and Guy Goodwin, says the longer development time required compared with other specialties, high failure rates, regulatory barriers and prejudice all contribute to low levels of research and development. Call for action on antipsychotic use in dementia The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has joined forces with the Dementia Action Alliance in a call for action on the use of antipsychotics in people with dementia ( www.institute.nhs.uk/dementiac2a ). The Right Prescription: a call to action on the use of anti psychotic drugs for people with dementia outlines how eight action groups of health professionals, carers and providers have been formed with the goal of ensuring that every person with dementia who is receiving an antipsychotic gets a clinical review. New pen device for interferon beta‐1a Biogen Idec has introduced a pen device for its Avonex brand of interferon beta‐1a for multiple sclerosis. The prefilled device is single‐use, delivering 30μg for a once‐weekly intramuscular injection. The pen integrates the current prefilled syringe with a shorter needle and a safety lock. In trials, 94 per cent of patients preferred it to the syringe. Call for a review of drug treatment for ADHD in younger children The Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) has called on the Government for a review of drug treatment for school‐age children with ADHD ( www.aep.org.uk/psychotropics ). The AEP believes that not enough is known about possible effects on brain development and warn that new diagnostic criteria in DSM‐V could increase referrals for treatment. Mental illness prejudice persists Public attitudes to mental illness are becoming slightly more positive but some prejudices persist, the Attitudes to Mental Illness survey, published by the NHS Information Centre ( www.ic.nhs.uk ), has shown. Conducted in England in February and March this year, the survey of 1741 adults revealed that more people now consider mental illness an illness like any other (77 vs 71 per cent in 1994), more would be comfortable discussing their mental health with family and friends (70 vs 66 per cent in 2009) and fewer would be uncomfortable discussing it with their employer (43 vs 50 per cent in 2010). However, 16 per cent still believe that one of the main causes of mental illness is lack of discipline and willpower and only a quarter would trust a woman who had ever been in a mental hospital to babysit a child. Interactive website for patients with schizophrenia A new, interactive website has been developed by Janssen, featuring resources, information and interactive tools for people affected by schizophrenia. Schizophrenia 24x7 includes practical resources such as a digital patient diary, which allows patients to record their experiences and feelings, thus helping them to monitor improvements. The site also includes a ‘talking to your doctor’ section featuring tips for patients and carers about how to have a useful discussion with the doctor about their illness. In addition, a patient art gallery provided by Breakthrough Art showcases the creative talents of people who have experienced mental distress. For further information, visit: www.schizophrenia24x7.com . Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd