Statin prescribing in Northern Ireland and England pre and post introduction of the quality and outcomes framework

Objective The objective of this research was to examine differences in patterns of statin prescribing between Northern Ireland and England both before and after the introduction of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). Setting: Primary care practices in Northern Ireland and England. Method Northern Ireland practices were matched with practices in England, statin prescribing data and QOF achievement scores (for the first year post-QOF) were obtained. Crude prescribing data from matched practices were manipulated to provide a data set of Defined Daily Doses (DDDs)/1,000 patients and cost/DDD/1,000 patients for each statin drug entity covering 1 year before and after the introduction of QOF. QOF achievements were converted into percentage scores for matched practices. Main outcome measure Cost per defined daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 patients. Results Significantly less statins (DDD/1,000 patients) were dispensed in Northern Ireland compared with the matched region in England both before and after the introduction of QOF (P

Influence of environmental enrichment on the behaviour, performance and meat quality of domestic pigs

Three hundred and twenty pigs were reared from birth to slaughter at 21 weeks in either barren or enriched environments. The barren environments were defined as intensive housing (slatted floors and minimum recommended space allowances) and the enriched environments incorporated extra space, an area which contained peat and straw in a rack. Behavioural observations showed that environmental enrichment reduced time spent inactive and time spent involved in harmful social and aggressive behaviour while increasing the time spent in exploratory behaviour. During the finishing period (15-21 weeks) mean daily food intakes were higher and food conversion ratios were lower for pigs in enriched environments compared with their counterparts in barren environments (P

Assessing the image quality of pelvic MR images acquired with a flat couch for radiotherapy treatment planning

Objectives: To improve the integration of MRI with radiotherapy treatment planning, our department fabricated a flat couch top for our MR scanner. Setting up using this couch top meant that the patients were physically higher up in the scanner and, posteriorly, a gap was introduced between the patient and radiofrequency coil.

The impact of intellectual impairment on the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood and half of these children will have an intellectual impairment. This article reports on the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy and explores the impact of intellectual impairment. Learning disability nurses have a critical role to play in improving the quality of life for this patient group, particularly in relation to their physical health and creating opportunities to promote social skill development and social inclusion.