Thousands fewer staff left the NHS last year, thanks to a major new retention programme which is now being expanded across the country. Up to 42 more NHS trusts are set to benefit from the NHS retention programme, which has seen staff offered extra flexibility with working hours, clinical ‘support squads’ to help menopausal women […]

Urinal mats in public places in England will begin to carry blood in pee cancer warnings for men, as part of a major new NHS earlier diagnosis drive. The NHS and P-Wave, a leading urinal products brand, are working together to put the message “Blood in your pee? Contact your GP practice” on urinal mats […]

More than four in five GP practices (81.1%) in England are now giving patients access to their new health records online, thanks to the NHS delivery plan for recovering access to primary care. Instead of needing to contact their GP practice, 23.5 million people can now view test results and check their consultation notes on their […]

The report details new and developing initiatives which support the delivery of more integrated and person-centered care and highlights those developed to reduce the impact the pandemic has had on training progression and wellbeing.

Following publication of the third edition of the Enhanced health in care homes framework Dr Adrian Hayter reflects on how it has changed the way that primary care and social care work together, and how it can improve the way we care for people living in care homes. The introduction of the Enhanced health in […]

Babies and toddlers with a rare and fatal genetic condition can now receive a life-saving treatment on the NHS for the first time. Sebelipase alfa (Kanuma®), an enzyme replacement therapy, will become the first treatment available on the NHS for Wolman disease, a condition which presents in babies and children under two years old. Following […]

An NHS double-decker bus is touring parts of the country from Monday to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and urge people to visit their GP for potentially life-saving checks if they notice something unusual. The NHS cancer ‘bus-ting’ tour, in partnership with Stagecoach, comes as new survey data found that more […]

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which can be life-threatening for people with a learning disability.  The risks of non-compliance with CPAP treatment are often not understood by people with a learning disability and their carers. These CPAP resources have been created for: people with a learning disability […]

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can be common in people with a learning disability, in particular people with Down’s syndrome.

Untreated OSA can impact on mental health as well as causing significant risks to physical health. OSA can be life-threatening if the risks of non-compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment are not understood by individuals and their carers.

Assessment and treatment for OSA should be prioritised for people with a learning disability and autistic people, who often face health inequalities and the risk of premature mortality.

People with a learning disability and autistic people should be issued a CPAP machine with remote monitoring capability.

These resources have been developed to help healthcare professionals understand:

• the vulnerability of people with a learning disability and autistic people to health inequalities and premature mortality
• the importance of ensuring people with a learning disability, autistic people and carers understand the risk of non-compliance with CPAP treatment and that patients are appropriately safeguarded against these risks
• the importance of ensuring that CPAP treatment is continued in all settings, including during mental health inpatient admissions.

We have also published resources for people with a learning disability and carers.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can be common in people with a learning disability, in particular people with Down’s syndrome.

Untreated OSA can impact on mental health as well as causing significant risks to physical health. OSA can be life-threatening if the risks of non-compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment are not understood by individuals and their carers.

Assessment and treatment for OSA should be prioritised for people with a learning disability and autistic people, who often face health inequalities and the risk of premature mortality.

People with a learning disability and autistic people should be issued a CPAP machine with remote monitoring capability.

These resources have been developed to help carers for people with a learning disability and autistic people understand:

• the importance of people using their CPAP machine as prescribed
• the importance of telling the hospital sleep service promptly if there are any issues
• how to use and maintain CPAP equipment.