MedWorm: Royal College of Psychiatrists

Improvement in U.K. dementia care urged

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:27:22 +0100

LONDON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Hospitals in Britain are falling short in the care given to dementia patients and must make improvements, a review by the Royal College of Psychiatrists said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Dementia care 'lacking' report finds

NHS News Feed — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0100

“Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients',” The Guardian has today reported. The newspaper says that the National Audit of Dementia has found that the care dementia patients receive is “impersonal” and that they “suffer boredom”. There are currently 750,000 people reported to have dementia in the UK, and it is estimated that there will be more than a million people with dementia in the UK by 2021. The report says that at any one time, up to a quarter of acute hospital beds are occupied by people over the age of 65 with dementia. The report says that people with dementia in hospital are more likely to belong to older age groups and more likely to need other mental and physical care. What is the basis for these current reports? The news stories have been pro...

Royal College of Psychiatrists' report of the national audit of dementia care in general hospitals 2011

NeLM - News — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Royal College of Psychiatrists Area: News The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published the findings of the first National Audit of Dementia (care in general hospitals). The aim of the audit was to examine the quality of care received by people with dementia in the general hospital. Data for the audit were collected from 210 hospitals across England and Wales. Ward level data were collected from a sample of 145 wards across 55 hospitals. This included 2211 staff questionnaires, and 105 observations of care on the ward, carried out by hospital staff. The audit identified a need for significant improvements in hospital ward environments, staff training and the overall approach to care delivery for patients with dementia. (Source: NeLM - News)

Abortion Not Linked To Mental Health Risk

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Having an induced abortion in itself does not raise a female's chances of developing mental health problems, says a report, claimed to be the largest and most comprehensive ever, published by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC), UK. The authors added that whether the pregnant woman decides to have an abortion or proceed with her pregnancy has no impact on health subsequent mental health. The review, carried out by the NCCMH (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists), was commissioned by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Digest

Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractNewsTreating personality disordersThe Department of Health has published its response to the consultation on a new pathway approach for the treatment and management of offenders with serious personality disorders (www.dh.gov.uk/health). It says ‘... it is clear ... that there is broad support for our plans and ... respondents agree that the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the NHS should work together to design and implement integrated pathways for managing and treating offenders with severe personality disorders, building on local and regional structures.’ The full response is available online.Coincidentally, NICE has been consulting on whether to update its 2009 clinical guideline (CG78) on borderline personality disorder. New clinical trial evidence about drug...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

A centenarian extraordinaire [Special article]

The British Journal of Psychiatry — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Henry Rollin, a distinguished Member, Fellow and now Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, has attained his 101st year. The achievements of this remarkable man are described and speculations made about the reasons for his longevity and his plans for the future. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

Royal College of Psychiatrists highlight need for mental health support for students in new research

ANXIETY UK News — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:13:06 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published a new report into the mental health of students in higher education. The report calls for more investment in mental health support for university students, amid concerns that some students with mental health problems may be missing out on the help they need. According to the authors of [...] (Source: ANXIETY UK News)

Student mental health highlighted

BMA daily feed — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:06:00 +0100

Royal College of Psychiatrists urges further education colleges to adopt formal mental health policies (Source: BMA daily feed)

Student mental health issues raised

NHS News Feed — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:51:00 +0100

“Doctors are warning that the current generation of students has a greater risk of anxiety and depression than previous ones,” reported the BBC. The news report is based on an update of a report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which has examined the mental health of students in higher education. According to the report, the student population and demands on students have changed, and therefore there is a greater need for counselling and mental health support. The authors have made several recommendations for the provision of aid and support for students with mental health difficulties, some of which are listed below. Most universities and colleges have counselling services staffed by qualified professionals, who offer confidential one-to-one counselling. You can find details of ...

Community treatment orders in England and Wales: national survey of clinicians' views and use [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Aims and method To ascertain the views and experiences of psychiatrists in England and Wales regarding community treatment orders (CTOs). We mailed 1928 questionnaires to members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Results In total, 566 usable surveys were returned, providing a 29% response rate. Respondents were generally positive about the introduction of the new powers, more so than in previous UK studies. They reported that their decision-making regarding compulsion was based largely on clinical grounds. Clinical implications In the absence of research evidence or a professional consensus about the use of CTOs, multidisciplinary input in decision-making is essential. Further research and training are urgently needed. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Raising standards in relation to Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 [Articles]

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Despite the guidance published in revised Codes of Practice and by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, implementation of Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 is still variable. Government funding in England to establish places of safety in psychiatric facilities has been effective but custody suites are still used excessively, especially for those who are brought in intoxicated. Patients feel criminalised by this use of custody suites and by the use of police vehicles rather than ambulance transport for conveyance to the place of safety. There is often a delay in commencing the assessment and the first doctor does not always have Section 12 approval as recommended in the Codes of Practice. The importance of the local Section 136 group tasked with developing and overseeing the implemen...

Special Grand Round (2011-07-20)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:04:30 +0100

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt:: Institute of Psychiatry/Royal College of Psychiatrists 3rd medical student summer school <br /> <br />Special Grand Rounds <br /> </span> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt:: <br /> </span> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt:: <br /> </span> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 26pt::La recherche du temps p (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

Psychiatrists call for greater access to NICE-recommended psychological therapies

NHS Networks — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

While most wards provide training in basic psychological therapies, research suggests that less than half (38%) of patients have been offered supportive counselling. Furthermore, figures show less than a third (29%) of patients receive access to talking therapies, and almost a quarter of patients that request such therapy do not actually receive it. The figures come from a report published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which outlines ten standards that it says are essential for the treatment of working-age adult inpatients in mental healthcare wards. More …… (Source: NHS Networks)

College Responds To Dilnot Report Into The Funding Of Long-term Care, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the report of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support (the Dilnot report), Dr Peter Connelly, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Faculty of the Psychiatry of Old Age, said: "We greatly welcome this report. Older people with mental illness, especially dementia, are at much greater risk of being admitted to a care home, especially if they live alone. We encourage the government to accept the report's findings and reduce the financial burden borne particularly by people with dementia and their families... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Athletes Need Help With Eating Disorders, Says Psychiatrist

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Eating disorders are a major problem for sportsmen and women, and are being overlooked, a psychiatrist has warned. Dr Alan Currie, a consultant psychiatrist and honorary clinical lecturer for the Assertive Outreach Team, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, who is also a former athlete, was speaking at the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Brighton. He said athletes' attention to diet and weight can put them at risk of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Childhood Sexual Abuse May Be Important Cause Of Schizophrenia, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Childhood sexual abuse is a strong predictor of schizophrenia in later life, a leading psychiatrist has told the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2011. It is a contributing cause of 17 per cent of cases of psychotic illness including schizophrenia, Professor Paul Bebbington, Head of the Department of Mental Health Sciences at UCL (University College London), told the Congress. "The worse the abuse, the more it increases the risk of developing psychosis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Service Providers' Perceptions of the Strengths and Prospective Improvements in UK Eating Disorder Services: Findings from a Royal College Survey

European Eating Disorders Review — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsService providers' views were congruent with each other, NICE guidelines and quality standards as proposed by the Royal College. Although clinicians feel that their service fulfils many practice guidelines, there remains areas in which adherence is felt to be lacking. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. (Source: European Eating Disorders Review)

UK Researchers Hail First Approach To Antidepressant Medication For 20 Years

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Millions of people with severe, treatment-resistant depression could get their lives back by adding an anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin to their anti-depressant medication, a leading consortium of UK researchers in biological psychiatry, the Psychiatric Research into Inflammation, Immunity and Mood Effects (PRIME), reported at the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Brighton... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) 2011International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) 2011

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:44:38 +0100

Read clinically focused news coverage of key developments from the meeting. Medscape Psychiatry (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Psychiatrists Concerned By Clear Links Between Alcohol And Increased Suicide Rate In Northern Ireland

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland has expressed serious concerns at the stark link between alcohol use and the rising suicide rate, which is says underlines the need for minimum pricing for alcohol. The 'Suicide and Homicide in Northern Ireland' report by the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness found alcohol misuse was a more common general feature of suicide and homicide in Northern Ireland than elsewhere in the UK... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

The Risks And Benefits Of Alcohol Drinking In The Elderly

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists of London has published a report related primarily to problems of unrecognized alcohol misuse among the elderly. The report provides guidelines for psychiatrists and family physicians on how to find and how to treat elderly people with misuse of alcohol and drugs. Forum members consider it very important to identify abusive drinking among the elderly and this report provides specific and very reasonable recommendations to assist practitioners in both the identification and treatment of such problems... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Alcohol drinking in the elderly: Risks and benefits

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) The Royal College of Psychiatrists of London has published a report related primarily to problems of unrecognized alcohol misuse among the elderly. The report provides guidelines for psychiatrists and family physicians on how to find and how to treat elderly people with misuse of alcohol and drugs. Forum members consider it very important to identify abusive drinking among the elderly and this report provides specific and very reasonable recommendations to assist practitioners in both the identification and treatment of such problems. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Elderly 'need alcohol and drug support'

NHS News Feed — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0100

Medical experts have called for new approaches to tackle substance abuse in older adults, several newspapers have reported. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, many middle-aged and elderly adults have problems with alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription medication, as well as complex mental health needs that may make the problems worse. Most newspapers focussed on the report’s proposal to reduce the recommended safe alcohol limit for people over 65. The report recommended cutting it to a maximum of 1.5 units of alcohol a day, equivalent to half a pint of strong beer (5% strength) or a 125ml glass of wine (12% strength). In part, this is due to physical changes as the body ages that make alcohol harder deal with. The current recommended alcohol limits are a maximum of four...

Psychiatrists Call For Action To Tackle Substance Misuse In Older People, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0100

For The NHS must wise up to the "growing problem" of drug and alcohol misuse among older people, according to a new report published today by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The report, written by the Older People's Substance Misuse Working Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, warns that not enough is being done to tackle substance misuse in our aging population - making them society's "invisible addicts"... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Report calls for alcohol consumption limits to be lowered for over 65s

NeLM - News — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News A news item published in the British Medical Journal discusses new guidelines on safe drinking limits for people aged over 65 years, as suggested in a report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The report recommends that government guidelines be lowered for people in this age group to 1.5 units a day for men and 1 unit a day for women, with binge drinking defined as >4.5 units and >3 units, respectively, in a single session. The authors of the report - 'Our Invisible Addicts' - say that physiological and metabolic changes associated with ageing mean that the current safe limits are too high for elderly people. The report additionally looks at how illegal drug use has been rising significantly in the over 40s in recent years; the pro...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Mental health services 'understaffed and overcrowded'

Telegraph Health — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:15:14 +0100

Mental health services are dangerously understaffed and overcrowded, the outgoing president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists has said. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Alcohol consumption limits should be lowered for over 65s, say psychiatrists

BMJ Online First — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Government guidelines on safe limits for drinking should be lowered for people aged over 65 years to 1.5 units a day for men and 1 unit a day for women, the Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends.... (Source: BMJ Online First)

New Online Resource To Help People Return To Work After Mental Illness

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has launched a new online resource offering information and guidance about returning to work after a period of mental ill-health. The Work and Mental Health website is divided into four main parts, and is aimed at workers, carers, employers and clinicians. Each section signposts relevant information and provides useful links to resources from other organisations. The website explains how work can be good for people's mental health and well-being - and can play a positive part in people's recovery... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

College Comments On Attitudes To Mental Illness Survey, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the NHS Information Centre's Attitudes to Mental Illness 2011 survey report, Dr Peter Byrne, Director of Public Education at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "We welcome this well-conducted survey, the results of which can be compared with surveys from previous years. "It is positive to see improvements in people's self-acceptance of mental health problems, and an increasing willingness to talk about their mental health - even to their employers... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

College Responds To Panorama Investigation, Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the Panorama investigation into abuse at a unit for people with learning disbailities (Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed, shown on BBC1 on 31 May 2011), Dr Ian Hall, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Faculty of the Psychiatry of Learning Disablity, said: "The practices shown in the Panorama documentary are appalling, and must never be used when supporting people with learning disability. People with learning disability should always be treated with dignity and respect... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

A clear step in the right direction: Commentary on... Case-based discussion [Special articles]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

This is a commentary on the recent online survey by the Royal College of Psychiatrists about case-based discussion as a method of revalidation of psychiatrists in practice in the UK. The overall quality and impact of this pilot study are discussed, as well as some comparisons with revalidation processes in the USA and Canada. Some recommendations for future research are suggested. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

Spirituality and Psychiatry

Medical Humanities — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists provides a significant service in supporting the development of such a practical text as Spirituality and Psychiatry. While the editors attempted to provide some working definition of ‘spirituality’ for the book, the ultimate ability to sustain a theologically and conceptually coherent usage of this term throughout evaded the authors. Although this abiding challenge in work with ‘spirituality’ persists with this work due to its diversity of authorship and mission, its commitment to gaining a better understanding of the clinical engagement of spirituality and religion by mental health practitioners is a useful challenge to practitioners and provides helpful guideposts for fur...

Usefulness of reader feedback on the Royal College of Psychiatrists' public information leaflets [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Aims and method To describe the process for reader feedback on the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ online public information leaflets, to report the findings of a retrospective analysis of feedback received over a 14-month period, and to discuss the value of feedback, particularly in relation to the Information Standard quality mark introduced by the Department of Health. Results We received 38 700 completed feedback forms during the period under analysis. We derived scores from the feedback forms, which enabled us to identify those that should be prioritised for review. Written comments from readers highlighted specific areas of the leaflets that required further work. Clinical implications The development of our public mental health information can be guided using fee...

Teaching, learning and assessing evidence-based psychiatry [Education & training]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

This paper sets out the rationale, process for development and the content of the new evidence-based practice syllabus, which is examined as part of the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Paper 3. The syllabus was developed by the Critical Review Paper Panel of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Suggestions for learning and teaching evidence-based practice are also put forward. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

Students explore power of film

BMA daily feed — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:30:06 +0100

BMA sponsors festival run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Source: BMA daily feed)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Abortion 'doesn't harm mothers' mental health'

Telegraph Health — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:19:11 +0100

Women who decide to have an abortion are putting themselves at no greater risk of mental health problems than if they carry on and have the baby, according to a review by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: Telegraph Health)

NCCMH Consultation On Induced Abortion And Mental Health, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0100

The National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) at the Royal College of Psychiatrists is starting a 12-week consultation on a systematic review of the mental health impact of induced abortion. The review has been commissioned by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and is funded by the Department of Health. The review is being carried out by the NCCMH. The purpose of the systematic review is to examine the evidence of the impact of abortion upon women's mental health... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatric Liaison Services 'Highly Valued', Says New Report, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:00:00 +0100

A new report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) shows that psychiatric liaison services are highly valued by both the service users they see and by their colleagues in general hospitals. A snapshot survey found that 98% of patients felt they were treated with support and understanding by their liaison professional, and 92% of general hospital staff believed their hospital's liaison service helped improve patient outcomes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatrists Support MP's Call To Limit Exposure Of Children To Alcohol Advertising, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has praised a private member's bill put forward in parliament today by Dr Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes. Dr Wollaston will put forward proposals to limit the exposure of children and young people to alcohol advertising as a Ten Minute Rule Motion. Commenting on the bill Dr Peter Rice, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: "We fully support the private member's bill put forward by Dr Sarah Wollaston. Children in the UK have higher levels of alcohol consumption compared to children in other parts of the world... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

IoP Summer School 2011 (2011-07-18)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:22:26 +0100

The Institute of Psychiatry Summer School for UK Medical Students Monday 18th July to Friday 22nd July 2011 - London In 2009, the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP) joined forces with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) to offer the first ever Summer School, designed to inspire and enthuse medical students and new graduates about a career in psychiatry. There were around 90 application (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Stress in psychiatrists: coping with a decade of rapid change [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Aims and method The study explored the impact of National Health Service changes on the working and personal lives of psychiatrists. A questionnaire survey was carried out with psychiatrists working in the South Eastern Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Results The response rate was 44.9%. Changes to services have reduced stress in some areas, but increased stress in others. Over the past decade early retirement has become less popular, but psychiatrists have been more likely to self-prescribe and have suicidal thoughts. Clinical implications The increasing involvement of psychiatrists in leadership may be a way to reduce adverse impacts of future changes on their working lives. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

Continuing professional development for psychiatrists: surveying current practice in the UK [Education & training]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Aims and method The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends that all psychiatrists undertake continuing professional development (CPD) as part of their personal development plan (PDP) and that, for quality assurance, all CPD activity is approved by their peer groups. We conducted a regional survey (Survey I) of consultant psychiatrists attending a regional conference of the College to assess their current CPD practice, and a more detailed national survey (Survey II) into sessional time for CPD and peer group activity of all consultant psychiatrists and staff grade, associate specialist and specialty (SASS) doctors. Results The surveys showed some similarities. Survey I (n = 36) showed that 83% of consultants had a current CPD certificate and that consultants experienced signi...

What legal and pharmaceutical issues should be considered when administering medicines covertly?

NeLM - Medicines Q and A — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Wessex Drug and Medicines Information Centre Area: Evidence > Medicines Q & A . Covert administration of medicines is a complex issue and involves the administration of a medicine disguised in food or drink to a patient who resists it when it is given openly. It should not be undertaken without being discussed between various healthcare professionals and the family/carer of the patient. . Both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have produced guidance on issues to be considered when medicines are given covertly. . This Medicines Q&A document discusses some of the legal issues that need to be considered before medicines are administered covertly. Full NMC guidance should be consulted for more...

Royal College Of Psychiatrists Responds To Budget 2011, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the alcohol duty rates announced in the 2011 Budget, Dr Peter Rice, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: "The Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomes the confirmation in today's Budget that alcohol duty rates will rise at 2% above inflation. The falling relative price of alcohol, in particular the cheapest alcohol, has been a major factor in the doubling of alcohol-related deaths in the UK over the past 20 years... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatrists Publish Manifesto For Scottish Elections, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 07:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists launches a Manifesto for the Scottish elections taking place on 5 May 2011. The College calls on Scottish political parties to give a high priority in the next Parliament to the prevention and treatment of, and recovery from, mental illness and the promotion of mental well-being. The Manifesto covers 6 priority areas: Children and Early Years; Alcohol; Emergency and Crisis Care; Dementia; Protection of Frontline Services and Research and Development. Over the last 12 years Scotland has made good progress in tacking mental ill health... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Behaviour drugs given to four-year-olds prompt calls for inquiry

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:08:17 +0100

ADHD medication given in breach of NHS guidelines as professor says parents putting pressure on GPsChildren as young as four are being given Ritalin-style medication for behavioural problems in breach of NHS guidelines, the Guardian has discovered, prompting the leading psychological society to call for a national review.Family-based therapy is recommended for treating children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), with prescription drugs used only for children over six years old and as a last resort.The figures, based on data from 479 GPs, show prescription rates were highest for children aged six to 12, doubling to just over eight per 1,000 in the five years up to 2008. Children aged 13 to 17 had the second highest rate at six per 1,000, while those aged 25 and over had l...

College Says Tobacco Plan A Step In The Right Direction, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists, a member of the Smoke Free Action Coalition congratulates the government on its new Tobacco Plan... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatrists Say Northern Ireland Plans For Minimum Price For Alcohol Could Save Lives

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Introducing a minimum price for alcohol in Northern Ireland is an important step in the prevention of suicide and self-harm, as well as addressing wider health and social issues, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland has said. Dr Philip McGarry, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, welcomed the consultation into alcohol pricing launched today by Social Development Minister Alex Attwood and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey - but said the floor price must be set high enough to have a genuine impact on problem drinking... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Intercollegiate Statement On Children And Young People's Mental Health, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has joined with other organisations to call on the Government to recognise children's mental health services as a priority. A statement drawn up jointly by the RCPsych, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of General Practitioners and the Division of Clinical Psychology from the British Psychological Society, recognises the common concerns of health professionals who provide services for children and calls for five key actions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Case-based discussion [Articles]

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article discusses the origins of the instrument in Canada and the USA before describing its use in the UK. Case-based discussion is placed within the context of contemporary postgraduate medical education and the curricula of the College, offering practical guidance on how best to use this method for the assessment of reasoning and judgement. Finally, some questions are posed regarding the potential use of case-based discussion in the proposals for revalidation. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)

College Backs Call For Eating Disorder Media Reporting Guidelines, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Eating Disorders Section is backing beat - the leading UK eating disorder charity - in calling for new guidelines to be adopted to change the way illnesses are reported in the media. Commenting on the guidelines, Professor Ulrike Schmidt, chair of the Eating Disorders Section, said: "This is an absolutely outstanding and much needed set of guidelines which will go a long way in helping the media to achieve more balanced reporting of these devastating illnesses, and to avoid the dual pitfalls of either trivialising or hyping up eating disorders... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Diversion From Custody Makes Business Sense, Say Charities And Psychiatrists, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Diverting offenders with mental health problems from short prison sentences to community alternatives costs much less and is more likely to rehabilitate them, according to figures drawn together by the charities Centre for Mental Health and Rethink, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Diversion: the Business Case for Action shows that even with intensive community supervision for up to two years, diversion from custody is still much cheaper than just a few weeks in prison. And there is growing evidence that well-designed diversion schemes can help to reduce reoffending by one third... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2011-06-28)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:30:17 +0100

International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?> 28 June – 1 July 2011, Hilton Metropole, Brighton, UK Following the success of this year’s meeting, the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2011 will take place in Brighton on 28 June-1 July. 2011 marks the Col (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

Reminder of findings of national audit of dementia care in general hospitals

NeLM - News — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News The National Clinical Directors for Dementia and Older People have written to SHAs to draw to their attention the findings of an audit of dementia care in general hospitals published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 16th December 2010. The care of people with dementia in the general hospital is a recently articulated priority in the latest Dementia Implementation Plan. (Source: NeLM - News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

National audit of dementia care in general hospitals

NHS Networks — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Audit of dementia care in general hospitals undetaken by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Source: NHS Networks)

Guidance is Key to Improve Dementia Care

Disabled World — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:01:46 +0100

Dementia is a critical health concern, but are the current care services able to offer appropriate support? Only a few days ago, the review by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found many dementia patients were not getting the support on nutrition and mental health that they should. The need for improved care is higher than ever. (Source: Disabled World)

95 per cent of hospitals not training their staff in dementia care

Alzheimers Society — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:36:00 +0100

95 per cent of hospitals do not have mandatory training in dementia for all staff according to an interim report published today (Thursday, 16 December 2010) by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: Alzheimers Society)

College Responds To Home Office Drug Strategy, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Responding to the new drug strategy published by the Home Office, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, chair of the RCPsych's Faculty of Addictions, said: "There is much to be welcomed in the new drug strategy. In particular, the Royal College of Psychiatrists applauds the renewed ambition for people with substance misuse problems to move through treatment and into sustained recovery, acknowledging that this journey will be different for each individual. Harm reduction is rightly seen as a crucial component, as is the focus on children, families and social reintegration... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

College Responds To King's Fund Report On Mental Health And Productivity, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the King's Fund report on Mental Health and Productivity published yesterday (2 December 2010), Professor Dinesh Bhugra, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "Given the link between the UK's economic wealth and mental health, the RCPsych opposes harmful or disproportionate cuts to mental health services. However, we all know that NHS services now need to do more work for less money. To achieve this, we must use clinicians' time and expertise in a much more efficient manner... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Reaffirming the place of medicine in psychiatry (2010-12-02)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:49:57 +0100

<div dir="ltr::Professor Craddock is Professor of Psychiatry at Cardiff University, and the Chair of the Academic Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is one of the candidates standing for election as President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and this talk will also be an excellent opportunity to find out about his ideas and ask him questions.</div> <div dir= (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

Decoration for Scots psychiatrist

Scotsman.com News - Health — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A SCOT has been named trainee of the year 2010 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

College Responds To Independent Review Of Work Capability Assessment

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Responding to Professor Michael Harrington's independent review of the Work Capability Assessment published this week, Dr Jed Boardman said: "The Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) has today published its findings and recommendations. The Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomes the report and hopes that the Government responds to the concerns it raises. "We have been aware for several years that the WCA is a flawed process and often denies people with mental health problems the benefits that they are entitled to... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network—An innovative project to improve quality in UK liaison psychiatry services

Journal of Psychosomatic Research — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:53:42 +0100

The Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network (PLAN) is a network of mental health liaison psychiatry services run by a central team at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI). The CCQI has been in existence since the 1990s and currently runs around 14 national quality improvement programs and audits (for more information, please visit http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ccqi). PLAN's aim is to raise standards and encourage the development of liaison services through a supportive, multidisciplinary, peer-review network. PLAN is open to all liaison psychiatry services in the UK and Ireland, and members are encouraged to use the network to share information and ideas with each other. (Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Research)

Authorship, gender and geography in journals published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Aims and method To determine female authorship of original articles and editorials between January 1997 and December 2008 in the British Journal of Psychiatry and the Psychiatric Bulletin. Editorials from Advances in Psychiatric Treatment and the geographical region of the female first author of original articles were also included in the study. Results The gender was determined for 99.2% of the 2324 first authors of original articles and 100% of the 614 editorials. The percentage of original articles by female first authors fluctuated over the study period, ranging from 22.5 to 42.1% (mean 33.6) in the British Journal of Psychiatry, and from 25.5 to 46.8% (mean 37.6) in the Psychiatric Bulletin. There was a gross underrepresentation of females as first authors of editorials i...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Compelling New Report Shows Why Mental Health 'Must Be At The Heart Of Public Health'

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Psychiatrists are today calling on the government to put mental health at the heart of their new public health strategy, which is due to be unveiled later this year. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has published a compelling bank of evidence showing why public health strategies cannot afford to ignore mental health. The position statement, No health without public mental health: the case for action, shows that: - People with a mental disorder smoke almost half of all tobacco consumed in the UK and account for almost half of all smoking-related deaths... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Public health plans must deal with mental health, say psychiatrists

HSJ — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Mental health must be “at the heart” of the upcoming public health white paper, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has said. (Source: HSJ)

Royal College Of Psychiatrists Responds To Government Spending Review, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Responding to the Government's Spending Review, Professor Dinesh Bhugra, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "The ring-fencing of the NHS budget in the Spending Review is to be welcomed, as are the promises to expand psychological therapies for people with mental illness, provide treatment for mentally ill offenders in the criminal justice system, protect the medical research budget, and give an extra Â£2 billion for social care. However the NHS will still have to make Â£20 billion of savings, which will put huge pressures on services... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Anorexia guidance for hospital nurses

Nursing Times Breaking News — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Guidance designed to try and reduce the number of avoidable patient deaths from severe anorexia nervosa in general medical wards has been published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Reducing The Number Of Deaths In Patients With Anorexia Nervosa

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:00:00 +0100

New guidelines published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) hope to reduce the number of avoidable deaths of patients with severe anorexia nervosa on general medical units. The guidelines are aimed at all medical, nursing and dietetic staff working in hospitals to which a patient with severe anorexia nervosa could be admitted... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Book Reviews: Chris Cook, Andrew Powell, & Andrew Sims, Spirituality and Psychiatry. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych Publications), 2009. 300 pp. US$50.00, ISBN 9781904671718

Transcultural Psychiatry — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:37:54 +0100

(No abstract is available for this citation) (Source: Transcultural Psychiatry)

RCPsych Joins Climate Campaign To Improve Public Mental Health, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:00:00 +0100

On World Mental Health Day, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is proud to announce it has signed up to the 10:10 climate campaign. Research shows that adopting a low carbon lifestyle can improve people's mental health - which is why the RCPsych is pleased to be playing its part. For example, a recent report from The Lancet1 on the health benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions argues that people could improve their mental health by swapping journeys in their car for journeys on foot or by bike instead... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Health Minister Joins Schools To Take A Stand On Stigma - Royal College Of Psychiatrists, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Music and sports stars have joined psychiatrists, politicians, charities, and companies to ask school pupils not to make fun of mental health problems. Up to 300 students will pledge to take a stand on stigma at the Royal College of Psychiatrists annual World Mental Health Day event for schools. Health Minister Michael McGimpsey will lead the way signing the pledge at the Odyssey Cinema in Belfast today. The pledge has been widely endorsed by the music industry including Gary Lightbody and the Oh Yeah! Music Centre Belfast, band General Fiasco, and Small Town America Records... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

[Correspondence] Self-harm on either side of the pond

LANCET — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Allow me to respond to your Editorial “Helping those who self-harm” (July 17, p 141). Your report on the findings of the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists targets clinicians' inadequate training for dealing constructively with extremely difficult patients. (Source: LANCET)

RCPsych Responds To NHS Information Centre Statistics On Compulsory Treatment

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Royal College of Psychiatrists responds to new NHS Information Centre statistics on the numbers of in-patients detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and patients subject to supervised community treatment Dr Tony Zigmond, the Royal College of Psychiatrists' lead on mental health law, said: "The RCPsych is extremely concerned about the large increase in the number of patients being subject to compulsory mental health treatment... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatrists back removal of private income cap for FTs

HSJ — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:48:00 +0100

Removing the cap on private income for foundation trusts would release those in mental health to be more innovative and entrepreneurial, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: HSJ)

Written information on bipolar affective disorder: the patients' perspective [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:00:43 +0100

Aims and method The mental health information available to people with bipolar affective disorder is variable in quality. We conducted a qualitative survey in an urban out-patient department to elicit the opinions of people with bipolar affective disorder on the written information provided by three health information providers. Results Participants’ responses were generally positive for each leaflet. The two leaflets rated highest by participants used quality assurance tools. However, 20-30% had difficulty understanding the leaflets. Medical jargon and verbosity were common criticisms. Clinical implications Professional bodies such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists play an important role in providing patients with written information. Quality assurance standards sho...

Low-dose Prozac may relieve misery of PMS

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:43:44 +0100

A study in mice suggests that taking just a tenth of the dose of Prozac most commonly prescribed for depression could reduce the symptoms of PMSLow doses of the anti-anxiety drug Prozac may alleviate the misery of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), scientists have found.Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that Prozac, known generically as fluoxetine, raises levels of a sex hormone that can drop sharply in women at the end of their menstrual cycle. This sudden drop is thought to cause the symptoms of PMS.Millions of women around the world suffer the effects of PMS every month in the week before the start of their menstrual period. Symptoms can range from anxiety and irritability to headaches or joint and breast pain.Not all women show symptoms, but around 75% are thought to experien...

Low-dose Prozac may help relieve the misery of PMS

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:43:44 +0100

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

New Mental Health Information For People With Learning Disability And Their Carers, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0100

A new series of accessible information leaflets for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities is now available on the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) website. The leaflets have been produced by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust in association with the RCPsych's Faculty of the Psychiatry of Learning Disability. There are 30 leaflets in the series. Some leaflets provide general information on different mental health problems: anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, challenging behaviour, dementia, epilepsy and psychosis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatrists Call For Northern Ireland Executive To Follow Scottish Lead On Minimum Price For Alcohol

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland has called on the Executive to take the advice of the Health and Social Development Ministers and follow Scotland's lead in proposing a minimum price for alcohol of 45 pence a unit. Â� Both Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and Social Development Minister Alex Attwood have said in recent months that minimum pricing is needed to curb dangerous drinking habits that cost society up to Â£900 million a year... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Szasz Hailed in U.K. for ‘Questioning Spirit’ American psychiatrist is celebrated for 50th anniversary of ‘The Myth of Mental Illness.’

Clinical Psychiatry News — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

EDINBURGH — Anyone interested in how American and British psychiatry differ might find a useful starting point in the Royal College of Psychiatrists' decision to bring in famed psychiatry critic Dr. Thomas S. Szasz to give a keynote address on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his book, “The Myth of Mental Illness.” (Source: Clinical Psychiatry News)

Trainees benefit from exam date concession

BMA daily feed — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00:01 +0100

‘Window of opportunity’ for those taking Royal College of Psychiatrists membership exams (Source: BMA daily feed)

Response To Comments About Decriminalisation Of Illicit Substances Made By Former President Of The RCP, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0100

The RCP has responded to comments about decriminalisation of illicit substances made by the former president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Professor Sir Ian Gilmore. 'The findings of the RCP's joint report with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2000 Drugs, dilemmas and choices show that there are no easy answers to the problem of drug misuse in our society... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Deliberate self-harm: the St Andrew’s experience

European Journal of Plastic Surgery — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:51:08 +0100

Abstract Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH) resulting in multiple cuts to the forearms and wrists is an increasingly common problem in the UK, providing a regular source of referrals for hand trauma services in the UK. It requires the input of both the mental health services and appropriate surgical services and frequently long-distance transfers to regional hand trauma centres. In providing for a minimum standard of care, as stipulated by the UK Department of Health in 1984 (Department of Health and Social Security 1984), for this often behaviourally challenging subset of patients, recommendations were made that all DSH patients have a mental health assessment prior to discharge. The care of such patients is frequently labour intensive in its demands on nursing staff demanding sk...

National audit of higher training posts in child and adolescent psychiatry in Ireland [Education & training]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:00:52 +0100

Aims and method The audit aimed to assess current senior registrar posts in child and adolescent psychiatry in Ireland in terms of working environment, conditions and training issues. The posts were compared with standards set down by the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the National Higher Training Subcommittee of the Irish Psychiatric Training Committee. Results The audit cycle was completed twice and a 100% response rate was achieved on both occasions. Clinical implications Higher training posts in child and adolescent psychiatry in Ireland compare favourably to standards for training and education, but poorly for working environment, case-load and educational supervision. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

[Editorial] Helping those who self-harm

LANCET — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Last week, the UK's Royal College of Psychiatrists published a report highlighting the inadequate care in the UK to those who self-harm. Self-harm, suicide and risk: helping people who self-harm, describes the highly variable provision of services across the UK, and the lack of supervision and training of staff in the National Health Service (NHS) who care for patients presenting with self-harm. (Source: LANCET)

NHS Services 'Failing To Support People Who Self-Harm'

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Many people who harm themselves are failing to receive the help they need because of a 'patchy' provision of services across the UK and a lack of supervision and training of NHS staff, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) says. In a new report, Self-harm, suicide and risk: helping people who self-harm, the RCPsych examines the current provision of care for people at risk from self-harm and suicide, and makes a series of recommendations to improve standards of care. Self-harm is defined as an intentional act of self-poisoning or self-injury, and includes suicide attempts... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Self-harmers 'failed' by NHS

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:59:52 +0100

People who self-harm are being failed by the system, says a report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Psychiatrists Welcome Northern Ireland Strategy To Help People With Personality Disorder

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland has welcomed publication of the Department of Health's strategy to help people with personality disorder. Dr Philip McGarry, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, said: "Personality disorder is misunderstood, and can make life very difficult for many people and sometimes for those around them. However there is increasing evidence that treatment can work and enable people to take responsibility for their lives... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A Fair Deal for mental health includes local rehabilitation services [Editorials]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:01:07 +0100

Lack of policy for mental health rehabilitation services has led to disinvestment and expansion of out-of-area placements in in-patient, nursing and residential care settings in the independent sector. Although a minority provide very specialist services that cannot be provided locally, and many provide good-quality care, there are significant concerns about the lack of rehabilitation focus in some of those services, poor links with local care managers and the social dislocation caused by being placed many miles from home. Additionally, out-of-area placements cost more than local rehabilitation services. There is, therefore, a compelling case for all individuals with complex mental health problems to have access to local rehabilitation services in order to expedite their recovery...

Liaison psychiatry services in south England [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:01:07 +0100

Aims and method To investigate liaison psychiatry services across 38 acute trusts in the south of England. We used a telephone survey and compared the results to service structure and function as recommended by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Results Approximately two-thirds of trusts surveyed had a dedicated liaison service and this was not significantly related to hospital size. Most liaison teams were understaffed in all disciplines and only a third had a full-time consultant. Services for specialist patient groups were generally well provided for; 37% of teams had been created in the past 5 years and 33% were planning to increase their staffing levels in future. Clinical implications Liaison services in the south of England are simil...

Fair Deal: spelling it out for service users{dagger} [Special articles]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:01:07 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Fair Deal campaign provides a welcome guide to the values and priorities for mental health practitioners and services in promoting service users’ recovery. It was developed in consultation with service users and carers. This paper presents an alternative interpretation of the Fair Deal, a parallel manifesto of aspirations and ideals that can enhance the spirit of concord and partnership between service users and mental health professionals. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

The Fair Deal campaign: a call to arms [EDITORIALS]

The British Journal of Psychiatry — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:01:02 +0100

The UK healthcare economy is facing an unprecedented downturn, mental health services being particularly vulnerable. The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Fair Deal campaign is a potentially important tool to help protect services. However, like the College itself, it is only as strong as the membership, and requires individual commitment and involvement if it is to be effective. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Recovery and person-centred care in dementia: common purpose, common practice? [Articles]

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:00:46 +0100

This article explores the striking similarities between a recovery-oriented approach and person-centred care, the particular challenge posed in dementia care and the benefits of a collaborative approach in pursuit of common purposes. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)

Could an MRI Diagnose Bipolar Disorder?

About.com Bipolar Disorder — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100

It's possible - and with today's technology. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found that there is a clear difference between brain activity in patients who have unipolar depression from those who have bipolar disorder. Since bipolar disorder is so often misdiagnosed as clinical depression at first, and it can take months or years for the correct diagnosis to be made, a test like this could make an enormous difference to people haven't been diagnosed correctly - even saving lives. All this is according to Professor Mary Phillips, professor of psychiatry and director of the Clinical and Translational Affective Neuroscience Program at the University of Pittsburgh, who spoke at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' International Congress in Edinburgh last week. She told the Con...

Why The Wise Man Takes Up Juggling In Old Age

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The elderly may be not be as good at playing football or remembering where they put the car keys. But they make up for loss of physical prowess and memory skills by developing greater wisdom - and that's official, a leading researcher on elderly cognition told the Royal College of Psychiatrists' International Congress in Edinburgh. New research shows that the slowing down of the elderly brain provides the opportunity to develop of wisdom. Furthermore, their ability to learn new skills, such as juggling, remains undiminished - as shown by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Alcohol And Drugs 'Stifle Artistic Creativity'

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The idea that alcohol and drugs can stimulate artists, writers and musicians to create great works of art is a "dangerous myth" and can actually stifle creativity, a psychiatrist has said. Dr Iain Smith, a consultant in addiction psychiatry at Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow, was speaking at the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Edinburgh... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Prisoners 'Have Problems Judging Facial Expressions'

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0100

People serving prison sentences have a lower than average ability to read facial expressions or guess what others are thinking and feeling, a survey of Scottish prisoners has found. Dr Louise Robinson, of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, told the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists that new research has shown that significantly more prison inmates were deficient in social cognition skills compared to a control group of non-prisoners... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Disgruntled Employees 'Using Sickness Absence As A Strategic Tool Against Employers'

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Taking time off work with stress is being used as a powerful strategic tool by some disgruntled employees who feel powerless in the workplace and have no other way of expressing their grievance, a leading psychiatrist has claimed. But he warns that this can divert attention away from unfairness and injustice at work. Dr Maurice Lipsedge, an emeritus consultant psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, was addressing the Royal College of Psychiatrists' International Congress in Edinburgh... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Young People With Autism Are 'lost In Transition'

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Young people with autism are often "lost in transition" and not diagnosed or treated effectively as teenagers, an eminent neuropsychiatrist has said. They end up being excluded from school, or never going to school, and rarely come to the attention of psychiatrists. Professor David Skuse, professor of behavioural and brain sciences at the Institute of Child Health and honorary consultant developmental neuropsychiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, was addressing the 2010 International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Edinburgh... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Single MRI Scan 'Could Help Diagnose Bipolar Disorder'

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A single MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may soon help hundreds of thousands of people with bipolar disorder to get a faster, more accurate - and possibly life-saving - diagnosis, a leading researcher reported at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' International Congress. Professor Mary Phillips, professor of psychiatry and director of the Clinical and Translational Affective Neurosicence Program at the University of Pittsburgh, told the Congress that missed and delayed diagnosis was a major problem with bipolar disorder... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Delirium 'Invisible In The English Health System'

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Delirium (a state of mental confusion that can happen if a person becomes medically unwell) is the "elephant in the room" and is "invisible" in the English health care service, a leading geriatrician said this week. Professor John Young, professor of Elderly Care Medicine at Leeds University and an honorary consultant geriatrician at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, told delegates at the 2010 International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists that delirium was "a huge elephant" in general hospitals. "It's so big that you can't even see it," he said... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Short Placements Could Switch Medical Students On To Psychiatry, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0100

It's well known that psychiatry suffers from an image problem, with many medical students not viewing it as an attractive career option compared to other specialties. But a new Scottish study, presented today at the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Edinburgh, suggests that students who complete a short placement in psychiatry end up viewing the specialty far more positively... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Psychiatrists Make Recommendations For Redesign Of Mental Health Services, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is today (21 June 2010) publishing 17 new recommendations for the redesign of mental health services. The recommendations are the result of a major College enquiry into the future development of UK mental health services. The enquiry was launched following the publication of Mental Health and the Economic Downturn in November 2009 - a piece of joint work carried out between the RCPsych, NHS Confederation and the London School of Economics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study Links Malnutrition And Depression In Elderly Hospital Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Over half of malnourished patients in hospital also show signs of depression, according to a small-scale study presented today at the International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Edinburgh. Doctors from Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust in London studied 129 elderly patients who were admitted to medical wards in August 2009. They were assessed for malnutrition and depression. The mean age of the patients was 80.2 years. 70 (54%) of the patients showed signs of malnutrition and 60 (47%) had depression... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Psychiatrists Support Call For Alcohol Minimum Pricing, Northern Ireland

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland wholeheartedly supports Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's call for minimum pricing for alcohol, saying that this could save lives as well as money. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) issued a report showing that the cost of alcohol abuse in Northern Ireland is up to Â£900 million a year. The average estimate of the cost to mental health services is around Â£13 million, including Â£8.6 million from inpatient admissions and the Â£4.2 million cost to Community Psychiatric Teams... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Antidepressant use rises as recession feeds wave of worry

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:13:29 +0100

Prescriptions have doubled in decade, NHS figures show, with doctors warning drugs are covering for counselling shortageThe number of antidepressants prescribed by the NHS has almost doubled in the last decade, and rose sharply last year as the recession bit, figures reveal.The health service issued 39.1m prescriptions for drugs to tackle depression in England in 2009, compared with 20.1m in 1999 – a 95% jump. Doctors handed out 3.18m more prescriptions last year than in 2008, almost twice the annual rise seen in preceding years, according to previously unpublished statistics released by the NHS's Business Services Authority.The increase is thought to be due in part to improved diagnosis, reduced stigma around mental ill-health and rising worries about jobs and finances triggered by the ...

Antidepressant use rose during recession

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:13:29 +0100

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Psychiatrists Say Promises For Psychological Therapies In Northern Ireland Must Not Be Watered Down, Northern Ireland

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The publication of a A Strategy for the Development of Psychological Therapy Services is welcome, but the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland has warned that without proper funding it cannot be fully implemented, resulting in people with mental health problems here continuing to miss out on therapies that can turn their lives around. When the strategy was issued for consultation in early 2009, the Health Minister committed Â£7 million of recurring funding to develop a spectrum of psychological therapies for all age groups and for varying levels of need... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Supervised case experience in supportive psychotherapy: suggestions for trainers [Articles]

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:00:43 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ guidelines for the psychotherapy training of trainee psychiatrists include a supervised case experience in supportive psychotherapy. There is, however, a lack of clarity over the concept of supportive psychotherapy and how this might be taught and supervised, and this may discourage trainers from offering formal clinical supervision in this modality. In this article we briefly describe the history of supportive psychotherapy, the various ways in which it has been conceptualised, and some of the research in the area. We discuss the case for training and make practical suggestions for how this experience might be offered by consultant psychiatrists in an everyday psychiatric setting. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)

Madwomen in the Attic | Radio review

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:00:06 +0100

What was really wrong with all those unstable women in classic novels?Madwomen in the Attic (Radio 4) was a spirited, none too earnest look at unstable female characters in classic novels. "Back-diagnosing psychiatric illness from the pages of novels – where's the rigour?" asked presenter Vivienne Parry, adding: "But it's so much fun, let's do it anyway."Starting with the most famous of the lot, the imprisoned Bertha Rochester in Jane Eyre, psychoanalyst Adam Phillips said he feels everyone has her kind of attic in their own head – "at the top of the building, a sealed-off space you have to make an effort to get to". Dinesh Bhugra, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, gamely had a go at diagnosis. Most probably, Bertha, uprooted from Jamaica, was an early example of psychos...

New Ways of Working is dead, long live New Ways of Working! Revised joint guidance on the employment of consultant psychiatrists [Special articles]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:00:40 +0100

In 2005 the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the NHS Confederation, the National Institute for Mental Health in England and the Department of Health jointly produced the first edition of the Joint Guidance on the Employment of Consultant Psychiatrists. This was integral to the New Ways of Working initiative and outline different professional roles within mental health services. Four years on the document has been extensively revised. The new 2009 edition emphasises achieving viable and satisfying consultant posts through effective job planning and good team functioning. It also contains guidance on recruitment processes with useful examples of templates, flowcharts and good practices. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

A modernised psychotherapy curriculum for a modernised profession [Education & training]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:00:44 +0100

This paper outlines recent revisions to the psychotherapy elements of the core psychiatric training curriculum of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The reasons why psychotherapy training is important as part of psychiatry training are developed and objections to the inclusion of this element are countered. The paper sets out the reasoning that led to the revisions in the training required and discusses the obstacles to the implementation of good-quality training in this area and suggests ways in which they can be overcome. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Media Harming People's Body Image Say Psychiatrists

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:00:00 +0100

UK psychiatrists have announced they are concerned about the harmful influence of the media on people's body image and are calling for a new editorial code to stop the promotion of unhealthily thin bodies and making eating disorders appear glamorous. The Royal College of Psychiatrists' (RCPsychs') Eating Disorders Section said the media should be portraying images of more diverse body shapes and helping people feel positive about their bodies... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Media portrayal of eating disorders "damaging"

Nursing in Practice — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:58:39 +0100

Royal College of Psychiatrists have called for a new editorial code to be drawn up to encourage the media to stop promoting unhealthy body images (Source: Nursing in Practice)

'Editorial code' urged to end promotion of thin body image

OnMedica Latest News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Royal College of Psychiatrists accuse media of 'glamorising' eating disordersRelated items from OnMedicaOnline teen health quiz launched todayMost vulnerable kids not well-served by health systemWeight-loss device helps obese adolescentsThird of schools offer sex education clinicsDelinquency in childhood linked to premature adult death (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Media 'promote eating disorders'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:43:01 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists tells the media to stop promoting unhealthy body images and "glamorising" eating disorders. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

The war on 'cures' for homosexuality

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:02 +0100

My undercover investigation has led to a campaign against those who wreck lives by peddling conversion therapyLast year, in Britain, a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist tried to "cure" me of my homosexuality. What they didn't know was that I was working undercover investigating what happens during so-called conversion therapy. The results of my investigation, published last week in the Independent, have sparked a bushfire of anger and outrage.It's hardly surprising. The psychotherapist told me I had been sexually abused by a member of my family (which I hadn't). The psychiatrist tried to induce arousal in me during a "therapy" session. He also claimed to have "resolved" his own sexuality while admitting that he still masturbates over gay pornography. Perhaps more scandalous was the discov...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Coping with Antidepressant Side Effects

Psych Central — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:36:26 +0100

All types of antidepressants can cause some side effects. The most common problems are sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, nausea and sexual problems. Some people react badly to antidepressants; in others side effects can be quite mild. Different drugs have different risks: SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) may cause you to feel sick or more anxious during the first couple of weeks. Some types of SSRI can cause indigestion, but this can usually be avoided by taking them with food. They may interfere with sexual function, and there have been reports of episodes of aggression, although these are rare. Side effects of SSRIs tend to become less obvious after the first few weeks, while the body adapts to the drug. The exception is sexual side effect...

This isn't the life I dreamed of ...

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:30:27 +0100

Carole Jahme shines the cold light of evolutionary psychology on reader's problems. This week: depressionFeeling downtroddenFrom Linda, age 48Dear Carole, The last decade has been a pretty awful one with bad things happening one after the other. My husband had a heart attack and treble heart bypass. This was followed by his being made redundant not once but twice in a relatively short space of time, with all the consequent money worries and stress that brought. My one and only professional job ended in disaster due to bullying. After this, I vowed I would never work for anybody again because I was sick of the nastiness of some women in the workplace as well the failure of organisations to do anything about it. I have since set up a little business from home as a freelancer providing editor...

Symposium on Disorders of Memory (2010-02-10)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:06:43 +0100

Meeting of the section of neuropsychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Neuropsychiatric Association; convened by Prof Michael Kopelman. An international assembly of over thirty leaders of their field will congregate at the Institute of Child Health. (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

The classification of perinatal mood disorders—suggestions for DSMV and ICD11

Archives of Women's Mental Health — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:52:21 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00737-009-0122-1Authors Ian Jones, Cardiff University MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology Cardiff UKRoch Cantwell, Southern General Hospital Perinatal Mental Health Service, Department of Psychiatry Glasgow UKon behalf of the Nosology Working Group, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Perinatal Section Journal Archives of Women's Mental HealthOnline ISSN 1435-1102Print ISSN 1434-1816 Journal Volume Volume 13 Journal Issue Volume 13, Number 1 / February, 2010 (Source: Archives of Women's Mental Health)

National collaborating centre for mental health (NCCMH)

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:30:00 +0100

The National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) is one of seven centres established by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop guidance on the treatment and care of people with specific conditions in the NHS. NCCMH, established in 2001, is a partnership between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society and is responsible for developing guidelines relating to mental health. The website has sections on: the guideline programme; implementation of the guidelines; events; publications (indexed for MEDLINE); and access to the NCCMH e-bulletin. (Source: Latest Internet resources added to Intute: Health and LifenSciences nursing gateway)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Flexibility sought with college exam

BMA daily feed — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:25:46 +0100

Doctors leaders are calling for some leeway when the Royal College of Psychiatrists completes changes to its membership exam (Source: BMA daily feed)

Choice in mental health: participation and recovery [Editorials]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:19:31 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has established a Working Group on Choice in Mental Health and held a conference to include service users in formulating a challenging view of the choice agenda for mental health. This is set out here to stimulate wider interest. Choice-based practice develops in a climate of trust and information, and goes beyond simple variety or individual consumerism. For some service users, limited initial areas of choice can be of great importance, but a true culture of choice requires the widespread participation of service users and carers in service improvement. It is important that psychiatrists champion the empowerment of their patients through choice, in policy and training, and in clinical practice. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

RCN Calls For An End To The Detention Of Immigrant Children, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has echoed concerns raised in an intercollegiate statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of General Practitioners and the Faculty of Public Health - Significant Harm - the effects of administrative detention on the health of children, young people and their families... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Survey of Scottish psychiatrists' views on neuropsychology training [Original papers]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:01:31 +0100

AIMS AND METHOD A national survey of members of the Scottish division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists to establish the training in neuropsychology they have received, their views on neuropsychology service provision and on potential formal postgraduate neuropsychology training opportunities. RESULTS A 54% (n = 288) consultant psychiatrist response rate was achieved. The responses suggest that where specialist neuropsychology services exist, they are not perceived to be sufficient to deal with clinical demand. Consultant psychiatrists indicated that there are limited training opportunities in neuropsychology for psychiatrists, and this seems to be reflected in their limited confidence in interpreting basic recommended neuropsychological assessment tools. There seems to ...

Royal College of Psychiatrists' Winter Business Meeting [The College]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:01:31 +0100

(Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)

We Must Avoid The Mistakes Of The Past In Fighting The Downturn

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

A major new report from the Mental Health Network, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the London School of Economics makes the case for mental health as health spending faces a spending squeeze A major new report sets out the case for mental health services as the economy faces its longest recession since records began and mental health problems look set to rise. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Family carers of people with learning disabilities: common themes across caring

Psychiatry — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Here, we review the role of carers in general and specifically within the learning disability services. The role of carers is recognized but not always appreciated by the healthcare services despite guidance from the Department of Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Service users in learning disability have complex needs, and carers provide life-long care. Carers have reported positive and negative experiences in their caring role; however, the negative experiences of caring can be minimized by providing better support and education to the carers. The resources available to provide this support are not equally accessible to all carers, e.g. respite care. Carers will have to go through many changes in service provisions. In return for the care they provide, carers would...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Making equality a reality in mental health

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:53:08 +0100

Tens of thousands of over 65s are missing out on vital mental health services according to Dr Dave Anderson of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

The needs of depressed over-65s are neglected, an expert says

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:53:08 +0100

Tens of thousands of over 65s are missing out on vital mental health services according to Dr Dave Anderson of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

[Editorial] Mental health services for older people

LANCET — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

On Oct 13, the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists published a position paper on age discrimination in mental health. When an arbitrary 65-year cut-off age no longer applies to many types of employment or other clinical specialties, why, the College argues, should it limit access to mental health services? Given that 20% of people aged over 65 years have poor mental health, and that this adversely affects outcomes of comorbid conditions, the paper's conclusion is that mental health services should be provided on the basis of need, irrespective of age. (Source: LANCET)

Royal College of Psychiatrists - Famine or War: The Future of Psychiatry in the NHS (2009-12-15)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:38:30 +0100

<em>FAMINE OR WAR: The Future of Psychiatry in the NHS" </em> <div class="MsoNormal" style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center:: <hr align="center" width="100%" color="black" noshade="" size="1" /> </div> The NHS in general and Psychiatry in partic (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

Thousands of overs 65s denied mental health services

Nursing Times Breaking News — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Tens of thousands of people over the age of 65 are being denied access to specialist mental health services because of ‘arbitrary’ age limits, the Royal College of Psychiatrists says. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Age Concern And Help The Aged Comment On The Royal College Of Psychiatrists Statement On Age Discrimination In Mental Health Services, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Andrew Harrop, Head of Public Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: 'The lack of mental health services for the over 65s is one of the clearest examples of age discrimination in the NHS, leaving many people undiagnosed and untreated simply because of their age. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A witness seminar: the development of old age psychiatry in Britain, 1960-1989. Themes, lessons and highlights

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To create a record of the development of old age psychiatry in Britain, as seen through the eyes of some of the people who participated in building it, from the earliest days until it was officially recognised as a specialty by the Department of Health in 1989.Group reminiscences and discussions in the format of a witness seminar which was audio-recorded and transcribed. Witnesses also provided written biographical information.The annotated full record created at the seminar is available on line. This paper reflecting themes, lessons and highlights has been derived from it.Early old age psychiatrists often encountered opposition and incredulity from other health care professionals and managers. However, their experiences were demonstrating just how much could be achieved in improving the l...

Alzheimer's Society survey finds inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs in people with dementia in hospital

NeLM - News — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Alzheimer's Society Area: News According to a survey of over 650 nurses and 450 nurse managers by the Alzheimer's Society, 77% of respondents report that people with dementia in general hospital wards are being prescribed antipsychotic drugs were used always or sometimes, whilst a quarter of nurses said that antipsychotics were used inappropriately. The Society notes that a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia in 2008 found that antipsychotics were inappropriately prescribed to up to 100, 000 people with dementia in care homes in the UK and it recommended that staff training in dementia could reduce drug use, improve care and save money. The Alzheimer's Society and ten other organisations and associations are calling on the government to publish the results of a...

Recruiting psychiatrists - a Sisyphean task? [Education & training]

Psychiatric Bulletin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

In 2009, the Royal College of Psychiatrists piloted a system for national recruitment to the first year of training (CT1) in England. This paper reviews the changes in recruitment of UK medical graduates to psychiatry over the past 20 years, both within the West Midlands and nationally. Fewer UK graduates are entering psychiatric training in the West Midlands despite the introduction of pre-registration training in psychiatry and the expansion of medical schools in the region; this picture is reflected nationally. Reasons for the continuing problems in recruitment are discussed and suggestions made for improving the attractiveness of psychiatry as a medical specialty. The latter include: engaging more closely with medical students, continuing to lobby politically with regard to o...

Eating Disorders as "Lifestyle Choices"

About.com Eating Disorders — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:24:51 +0100

The UK's Royal College of Psychiatrists is arguing for more attention on pro-ana and pro-mia websites, noting their tendency to induce depression, low self-esteem, and low body satisfaction. Those behind pro-ana... (Source: About.com Eating Disorders)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Speed of response to threshold and suprathreshold bilateral ECT in depression, mania and schizophrenia

Journal of Affective Disorders — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:08:16 +0100

Conclusions: Patients with schizophrenia and depression treated with BLECT at 1.5 times threshold-level electrical stimulus require similar number of ECT sessions as with threshold-level. However, patients with mania show clinical improvement with significantly fewer ECT sessions if treated at suprathreshold stimulus. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)

Job seekers with disabilities face discrimination at application stage

Terrence Higgins Trust — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:29:06 +0100

In a snapshot survey published by Terrence Higgins Trust today, two thirds of top organisations were found to ask irrelevant health related questions on job application forms. A coalition of charities wants these questions banned to reduce the discrimination faced by people with ‘invisible’ conditions such as mental illness or HIV.HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), NAT (National AIDS Trust) and leading mental health charity Rethink are among the organisations that want an amendment to the Equality Bill to ban irrelevant health-related questions until after a job offer has been made. Employers could still ask in advance about conditions which would affect a candidate’s ability to undertake that particular role. THT surveyed the application forms of 50 organi...

[Proceedings] Section of Neuropsychiatry (SoN) Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Neuropsychiatry Association: Joint conference at the British Neuropsychiatry Association

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)

'Gender Gap' In Authorship Of Psychiatric Research

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Less than a quarter of psychiatric research papers published in medical journals have a female first author, according to new research presented at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' 2009 Annual Meeting. The researchers say their findings point to a clear "gender gap" in authorship of medical research - a gap that has shown no signs of narrowing over the last decade. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)