NICE issues first guideline on menopause

The first guidelines to help treat women suffering from the symptoms of menopause have been published.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released the wide-ranging recommendations to address the physical and psychological symptoms that women can experience and the benefits and risks of HRT.

Christine Carson, Programme Director at NICE’s Centre for Clinical Practice said: “Women don’t always get the help they need from their GP, practice nurse or hospital specialist to manage their symptoms but this guideline recommends effective treatments which can help.”

Thousands of patients risking their health by ‘shunning’ flu jab at GP Surgeries

Thousands of patients in England could be risking their health by not having the seasonal flu vaccine, according to figures released by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Compared with the same period last year over 6% fewer flu jabs have been given by GPs with some family doctors claiming their surgery fridges ‘are full’ of unused vaccines because patients are not turning up in the usual numbers.

The RCGP are concerned because the majority of NHS vaccinations for vulnerable groups are carried out in GP practices.

RCGP chair and emergency planning expert Dr Maureen Baker said: “The drop in the number of vaccinations that we are seeing this year can only increase the risks for the frail elderly and others more susceptible to flu, as well as potentially increasing winter pressures on the NHS.”

Potential for pharmacy to relieve pressures on urgent care explained

Community pharmacy is being thrust into the spotlight after NHS England published the ‘Quick Guide: Extending the role of community pharmacy in urgent care’.

The report highlights to System Resilience Groups and local commissioners the extended role that community pharmacy teams can play to relieve pressure on urgent care.

It includes examples of services that have already been delivered by community pharmacy teams, which could be commissioned on a local basis to relieve the pressures urgent care is facing, as well as highlighting nationally commissioned services.

Pharmacy included in plan for GP expansion

A new family medical centre that will house two merged GP surgeries will also include a pharmacy under the same roof.

Woodside Surgery, in Skegby, Notts, will move into nearby Healdswood Surgery to become Skegby Family Medical Centre.
The centre will be the primary care facility for 9,000 patients.

BHF calls for more accessible cardiac rehabilitation as study supports localised service.

The British Heart Foundation is calling for improved access to cardiac rehabilitation schemes, as a study supports localised centres.

Research from the University of York, funded by the BHF and published in Open Heart, found that the same patient outcomes were achieved at smaller, more localised cardiac rehabilitation schemes when compared with larger, centralised centres.

Cardiac rehabilitation offers behavioural advice and support, including diet and exercise, to help people living with heart disease to manage their condition and reduce the risk of associated heart events.