Improving Patient Safety - Building Public Confidence (PDF 440 KB)

A response by the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety to the recommendations contained in the Shipman Inquiry Reports 3, 4 & 5.

An evaluation of the inappropriate prescribing in older residents in long term care facilities in the greater Cork and Northern Ireland regions using the STOPP and Beers' criteria.

This work has highlighted a number of areas of prescribing concern, for example, the long term use of both benzodiazepines and hypnotics, in older residents residing in long term care facilities. Each of these individual areas should be further investigated to determine the underlying reason(s) for the prescribing concerns in these areas and strategic methods of addressing and preventing further issues should be developed on a national level.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Indications of Public Health in the English Regions 10: Drug Use

This tenth in a series of national reports produced for the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) is on drug use. The report contains 46 different indicators of drug use relating to the individual, community and population across all nine English regions; with additional analysis of sub-regional inequalities where possible. An Executive Summary is also available.

Indications of public health in the English regions 5: child health

This report, focusing on child health, is the fifth in a series of reports commissioned by the CMO and produced by the Association of Public Health Observatories. It examines geographical and socio-economic variations in indicators of child health in the English regions.

Indications of public health in the English regions - 6: sexual health

This report is the sixth in the series, "Indications of Public Health in the English Regions" commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer and has been produced jointly by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Sexual health is identified as one of the key national priorities for action in the White Paper Choosing Health. Influenced by the broad definition of sexual health provided in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, this report presents regional comparative data on a wide range of indicators of sexual health and its determinants, and highlights apparent inequalities.

Indications of public health in the English regions - 8: alcohol

This report is the eigth in the series, "Indications of Public Health in the English Regions" commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer and has been produced jointly by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO), North West PHO, and LJMU Centre for Public Health. In 2006, the United Kingdom rated third highest across 25 EU member states for the number of drinks consumed in one sitting. This Regional Indications report is produced alongside the new national strategy Safe. Sensible. Social: The next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy.

Indications of public health in the English regions - 7: mental health

This report is the eigth in the series, "Indications of Public Health in the English Regions" commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer and has been produced jointly by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) and the North East PHO. This report presents a wide range of data on the factors which can give rise to poor mental health, the mental health status of populations, provision of interventions of care for mental illness, service user experience and traditional outcomes such as suicide. In 2006, the United Kingdom rated third highest across 25 EU member states for the number of drinks consumed in one sitting. This Regional Indications report is produced alongside the new national strategy Safe. Sensible. Social: The next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy.

Indications of public health in the English regions - 4: Ethnicity and health

Part 4 of the Indications of Public Health for England. This report focuses on race equality and inequality terms of health and health care between ethnic groups in England. A separate Executive Summary is available (it is included in this full version of the report).

Indications of Public Health in the English Regions 4: Ethnicity and Health: Executive Summary

This is a summary of the main report that provides a comprehensive regional analysis of inequalities in health and health care between ethnic groups in England, and also examines workforce data by ethnic group.

Cope with Confidence - survey of heart failure patient experience

Your views matter - if you have heart failure, or are close to someone who does, please complete our survey by 31st�March 2012 (link below).Heart failure is a common condition affecting at least 20,000 people in Northern Ireland. The aim of this survey is to find out how to increase the confidence of people living with heart failure so they have a better quality of life, and can work in partnership with health care professionals and support services in managing their condition. The findings of this survey will be used to help improve services.Your views are important and we would encourage you to complete the survey. It should only take around 20 minutes. Participation is confidential which means that your identity will not be revealed. You are asked for your age, the first part of you post code and which GP practice you are registered with. This is so the results for different age groups and for different large geographical areas (i.e. Health & Social Care Trust areas) can be compared.� Results will not be examined by individual GP practice.Participation is voluntary i.e. taking part in the study is your decision. Whether you participate or not will have no effect on the medical care you receive from your GP practice or elsewhere. None of the health care professionals involved in your care will know if you participate or not: neither will they see your individual response.Whether you are an adult or a young person living with heart failure, or a partner, care giver, son, daughter, relative or friend, we would like you to share your experiences. This will help us to develop existing services in Northern Ireland to better meet your needs.You can share your experience by completing the survey online, clicking this�link:�http://sg.sensemaker-suite.com/CopewithconfidenceThe survey should be completed by 31st�March 2012.�If you have any queries about the survey, or you would like to request a paper copy to complete, please contact the Public Health Agency (028) 9032 1313 and ask for extension 2487 or email us at copewithconfidence@hscni.netPlease note that the survey team can only assist in survey related questions and will not able to answer questions about heart failure, its treatment or services provided.The Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke Association and The British Heart Foundation can provide information about support available to people with heart failure. Their contact details are:.�Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association:� www.nichsa.com, telephone (028) 9032 0184.�British Heart Foundation:� www.bhf.org.uk, telephone 0300 330 3311