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New research finds cognition and functioning decline in the decade leading up to a stroke
A new study has set out to look at decline in cognition and daily functioning in the decade leading up to having a stroke .
The Rotterdam Study is a population-orientated study based in the Netherlands . It investigates the causes and consequences of diseases in the general population . Conducted over two decades and consisting of 14,700 participants , the study revealed that people who suffer a stroke will experience more significant losses in cognitive skills and daily functioning in the preceding 10 years compared with stroke-free individuals . It also showed that physiological changes were already present in a patient before a first-ever stroke .
Occupational therapists can read through the study , published in BMJ , which outlines the causes of pre-stroke deterioration , helping to identify those patients who are at high risk of a stroke . The findings also suggest that accumulating intracerebral pathology has a clinical impact
before a stroke occurs . Access the full study at : https :// jnnp . bmj . com / content /
92 / 11 / 1158 .
Blueprint for the future of planning and managing health and social care services in Northern Ireland
Work is currently underway to develop a Future Planning Model for health services in Northern Ireland .
The work will see the development of a new integrated care system ( ICS ) model in Northern Ireland , whereby local providers and communities would be empowered to come together to plan , manage and deliver care for their local population based on a population health approach , with regional and specialised services planned , managed and delivered at a regional level .
RCOT responded to the ICS consultation , which closed in September , welcoming the move to an integrated care system .
Kate Lesslar , RCOT lead professional adviser – Northern Ireland , told OTnews : ‘ The response emphasised that there is a lack of acknowledgement of the need to achieve integration between all parts of the health and social care system , and more detail about how this integration will be achieved is required .
‘ We stated that allied health professionals must be represented equitably at a decision-making level in any new model . We also commented on the regional group for the ICS , saying that there must be adequate professional representation for allied health professionals on that group , to ensure governance and professional input and oversight .’
RCOT seeks your views on neonatal services guideline
RCOT is holding a consultation on the Occupational therapy in neonatal services and early intervention practice guideline , which is currently undergoing a review in line with our National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( NICE ) accredited process .
Co-ordinated by the RCOT Specialist Section – Children , Young People and Families , and led by Deanna Gibbs , the group has been reviewing new evidence relevant to the scope of this practice guideline since December 2020 .
The guideline review group is now consulting with members on a draft of the second ( and final ) edition and would very much value and appreciate any comments you might wish to make on the updated document .
There are new recommendations and new supporting evidence for existing recommendations , and a draft of the updated guideline ( second edition ) is available for consultation on the RCOT website from 19 November .
Dr Deanna Gibbs , director of clinical research for neonates and children at Barts Health NHS Trust , commented by saying : ‘ Although hard to believe that it has been five years since the original clinical practice guideline was published , it has been so informative to delve back into the evidence again and review the existing recommendations as well as develop new practice recommendations based on research .
‘ Given the potential scope for the development of neonatal occupational therapy services driven by the Neonatal Critical Care Review recommendations , the Getting it right first time report , and the initiatives that RCOT is developing in collaboration with Health Education England on neonatal occupational therapy education , it feels timely to engage our occupational therapy community again in the consultation process for these guidelines .
‘ We aspire for them to be an accessible and productive source of information to support occupational therapy practice with infants and families and hearing from occupational therapists who may use the guidelines in practice will enable us to achieve that aim .’
Comments are welcome on the changes that have been made as part of the review , together with any feedback you may wish to share with the review group on your use of the guideline or the available implementation tools .
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