Schizophrenia Annual Evidence Update 2009

The Schizophrenia Annual Evidence Update 2009 brings together evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, care pathways and service development literature. Topics covered include diagnosis, treatments, prognosis, specific populations, comorbidity and dual diagnosis.

The Evidence Update is published by the Mental Health Specialist Library on the National Library for Health.

New guidance on admissions to adult mental health inpatient services

Admissions to Adult Mental Health Inpatient Services
Best Practice Statement / NHS QIS, March 2009

This Best Practice Statement from NHS QIS has been revised to reflect developments in policy and practice within mental health. The work has been led by NHS QIS in collaboration with multidisciplinary working and reference groups. The statement aims to offer guidance on practice to health professionals within adult mental health inpatient services, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary, inter-agency working and collaboration. The document extends to practice involving home treatment teams, intensive community support services, community-based crisis intervention teams, community mental health teams and health professionals within the primary care setting and those from the voluntary sector.

Psychosocial interventions in drug misuse

Psychosocial interventions in drug misuse : a framework and toolkit for implementing NICE-recommended treatment interventions (pre-publication version) / National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, March 2009

The document discusses a range of interventions including motivations interventions, contingency management, cognitive behaviour therapy and behavioural activation.

Throughout 2009 the NTA is developing a series of practical tools to help clinicians and drugs workers deliver effective and workable psychosocial interventions. Last month it published 'Routes to Recovery', a report outlining evidence based mapping techniques for treating drug addiction based on two successful pilots - the Birmingham Treatment Effectiveness Initiative (BTEI) and the International Treatment Effectiveness Project (ITEP). A full copy of this report is available on the NTA website here.

Changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol

This Framework, published by the Scottish Government on 4 March, sets out the government's strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse in Scotland. It explains the need for action in order to help deliver Government's Purpose and outlines how they intend to take forward the proposals contained in the discussion paper "Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol" following the outcome of the public consultation in 2008, a summary of which is contained in Annex A to this document.

Each section of the Framework outlines actions already underway, existing and new commitments. Proposals include:
* bring forward regulations to end irresponsible promotions and below-cost selling of alcoholic drinks in licensed premises (paras 31-35);
* pursue the establishment of a minimum price per unit of alcohol through regulation (paras 36-44);
* review advice to parents and carers (paras 49-50);
* place a duty on Licensing Boards to consider raising the age for off-sales purchases to 21 in part or all of their Board area and provide powers for Chief Constables and Licensing Forum to request a review of their local Board's policy (paras 51-55);
* establish a legislative power to apply a social responsibility fee on some alcohol retailers (paras 56-59);
* bring forward regulations to restrict the use of marketing material or activity on licensed premises (paras 94-101).

UpToDate

UpToDate is an evidence based, peer reviewed information resource aimed at medical staff. It allows you to answer questions quickly, increase your clinical knowledge, and improve patient care within a range of specialities including cardiology, endocrinology and diabetes, paediatrics, primary care and infectious diseases. It includes specially written topic reviews that include a synthesis of the literature, the latest evidence, and specific recommendations for patient care.

This is a trial subscription for the NHSGGC Library Network will be seeking your feedback on this resource in Spring.

UpToDate is on the NHS Scotland elibrary under the Clinical Decisions portal. User guides and further information are available from the library. You can contact us at 0141 211 3913.

eLibrary/Literature searching training February & March 2009

The Maria Henderson Library is running NHS Scotland eLibrary/Literature searching training sessions for staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Partnerships during February and March. Both basic and advanced sessions are available and all participants will receive a certificate of attendance which will map the training to the Knowledge and Skills Framework. These half day courses are free and refreshments will be provided. The sessions will be held in the IT Training Room, Admin Building, Gartnavel Royal, Glasgow.

All staff are welcome. Contact the Library for further details.

Christmas opening hours

The Maria Henderson Library will be open between Christmas and new year. We close at 2.00 on 24th December, and open for reduced hours on 29th, 30th and 31st December. We open again as usual on Monday 5th January.

Merry Christmas from all the staff at the Library.