http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097 Latest news from PiF en-gb 02 September 2010 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4954 Health Education Library for People (HELP) is a health education resource centre in India. They are running The Empowered Patient Conference in Mumbai in October, exploring the empowered patient and health information and what that means in India. Mark Duman, President of PiF, has been invited to the conference and will be the keynote speaker. If you have contacts in India, spread the word! http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4954 02 September 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4953 This is an opportunity to hear from Professor Bachman, a world expert in the use of the internet in consultations with patients. The workshop will cover practical ways that the efficiency of care can be improved and will explore how this can be achieved in today's world of busy medical practice. Sessions include those on computer use by patients and it's impact on the provision of healthcare and medicine, the internet, and the empowered patient. The event takes place in London on September 21 2010. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4953 02 September 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4952 According to a reports by a number of news sources this week, the Health Secretary has confirmed plans to replace the NHS Direct telephone service with the new 1-1-1 helpline that is currently being piloted in North East England. News of the abolition has sparked a huge row, with Lord Prescott setting up an internet campaign to trigger a debate in Parliament about the move, which many critics have portrayed as a purely cost-cutting measure. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4952 02 September 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4951 Written complaints about NHS hospital and community health services in England have seen the biggest year-on-year rise since annual data was first published 12 years ago. 10,000 (10%) of the complaints were about communication or information to given patients (written and oral). That's the fourth largest area of complaint, behind clinical treatment, attitude of staff and cancelled appointments. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4951 02 September 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4950 A recording of the latest Expert on Call on Shared decision making and decision aids is available for the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement website. During the session, Dr Steve Laitner and Emma Walker talked about shared decisions, looking at now and the future, and decision aids, focusing on NHS Direct on-line. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4950 27 August 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4949 This one day conference from Charity Comms is aimed at the voluntary sector and explores cost effective ways of getting your message across to your users. Learn how to make digital communications work for your charity - whether you’re starting to think about using social media or want to improve your current digital strategy, you’ll leave with practical advice guaranteed to radically improve your digital communications on a budget. The conference takes place on October 13th in London. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4949 27 August 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4948 The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US have launched a Gateway to communication practice. The web site has many resources to help build health communication or social marketing campaigns and programs. These include health literacy, new and social media resources and research on evaluation techniques and communicating risk. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4948 27 August 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4947 The diabetes education and self management for ongoing and newly diagnosed (DESMOND) intervention is a programme available in over 80 primary care organisations in England and Scotland. According to the results of a cost-effectiveness analysis, the DESMOND intervention programme for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes is likely to be cost-effective compared to usual care, mainly due to reductions in weight and smoking. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4947 27 August 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4946 The NHS Confederation has published a report which analyses the proposals contained in the White Paper, 'Liberating the NHS', and highlights key questions under themes such as GP commissioning, democratic legitimacy and outcomes. This week has also seen a legal challenge to the White paper from UNISON, who are challenging the Secretary of State for Health's refusal to consult the public on proposals in the White Paper. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4946 27 August 2010 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4945 The Patient Experience Network (PEN) has announced national awards for healthcare organisations working to improve patient experience. The award categories are based around core domains of patient centred care and include communicating effectively with patients, access to information and support for care givers. The closing date for entries is 15 October 2010. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4945 27 August 2010