WEBWISE
Reviews
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The Eastern Region Public Health Observatory The Eastern Region Public Health Observatory (Erpho) became part of Public Health England on April 1 2013. Its website provides population health data, analysis and interpretation to support healthcare professionals in commissioning, prioritising and improving health outcomes. The site lists the main topics of interest relating to health, with sections on alcohol, cancer, ethnic groups, health inequalities, injuries, learning disabilities, mental health, older people, respiratory disease and sexual health. There are links to further information on the topics, from news to population data, analysis and external links. There are useful quick links to popular pages, with health profiles of specific areas and prevalence of specific diseases. The National General Practice Profile gives population and health data about specific GP practices, with comparisons available against borough and national statistics. If the required data are not shown, information requests can be sent direct to Erpho. Training video tutorials are available for users unfamiliar with the site. Erpho also offers consultancy services for users and groups wanting more information and a greater understanding of local health needs to inform commissioning decisions. This site is invaluable to all nurses wishing to be more proactive in the services they offer their patients, particularly those working within or across primary care. Kerri Wright is a nurse, counsellor, psychotherapist trainee and writer (www.brockleycounselling.co.uk) www.erpho.org.uk See www.nursing-standard.co.uk for previous website reviews 32 may 28 :: vol 28 no 39 :: 2014
The Encylopedia of Elder Care: The Comprehensive Resource on Geriatric Health and Social Care – Third edition The third edition of this outstanding resource reflects the many advances in the care of older people that have occurred since the publication of the second edition in 2007. New entries in its 273 chapters address geriatric care models, diarrhoea in adults, prolonged hospitalisation, frailty, fronto-temporal dementia,
rehospitalisation, acute urinary retention, personality and ageing, primary palliative care, telehealth and surveillance technology. Content is organised alphabetically, with web listings to additional resources. The editors are American and Canadian, with most of the specialist contributors being American. The vast bulk of the content is accessible and relevant to an international audience. The indexing and cross-referencing are excellent. There are particularly interesting sections on the future of care, meals on wheels, personality disorders in the elderly, psychological and mental status assessment, and psychosis in later life.
Elizabeth A Capezuti et al | Springer | 848pp | $195/£152.04 | ISBN: 978 0 8261 3735 7 Reviewed by Margaret Arthur, a retired nurse living in London
Do No Harm – Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery On paper, the idea is an obvious one. A prominent surgeon – Henry Marsh, senior consultant neurosurgeon at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust in London – is nearing retirement, so decides to write a book about his experiences. The result is a compelling, refreshing and honest read about the certainties of youth taken over by the regrets and doubts of old age, NHS bureaucracy and a passion for brain surgery. Mr Marsh does not flinch from describing operations, some of which he says have ‘wrecked’ people’s lives. There are patients’ deaths that still haunt him and he admits that
other doctors are probably better at bottling it all up. He is also direct in his criticism of the NHS, its lack of leadership, indifferent managers and nannying attitudes. He is particularly dismissive of pre-recorded voices in lifts telling him to wash his hands, password changes affecting his ability to tell waiting patients their prognosis and ‘bullying posters’ instructing patients what to do. However, it is Mr Marsh’s humanity and practicality that shines through. He has devoted part of his professional life to providing his services to a surgery in Ukraine. The queues are round the block when he visits, with his suitcase full of instruments rescued from St George’s. Hope is what shines through in this book. That, and a man’s compassion and continued love affair with brain surgery.
Henry Marsh | Orion | 278pp | £16.99 | ISBN: 978 0 2978 6987 0 Reviewed by Justin Stevens, health journalist and freelance writer
Key Excellent
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
NURSING STANDARD
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 23, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reviews
TV :: radio :: books :: websites :: apps
The Eastern Region Public Health Observatory The Eastern Region Public Health Observatory (Erpho) became part of Public Health England on April 1 2013. Its website provides population health data, analysis and interpretation to support healthcare professionals in commissioning, prioritising and improving health outcomes. The site lists the main topics of interest relating to health, with sections on alcohol, cancer, ethnic groups, health inequalities, injuries, learning disabilities, mental health, older people, respiratory disease and sexual health. There are links to further information on the topics, from news to population data, analysis and external links. There are useful quick links to popular pages, with health profiles of specific areas and prevalence of specific diseases. The National General Practice Profile gives population and health data about specific GP practices, with comparisons available against borough and national statistics. If the required data are not shown, information requests can be sent direct to Erpho. Training video tutorials are available for users unfamiliar with the site. Erpho also offers consultancy services for users and groups wanting more information and a greater understanding of local health needs to inform commissioning decisions. This site is invaluable to all nurses wishing to be more proactive in the services they offer their patients, particularly those working within or across primary care. Kerri Wright is a nurse, counsellor, psychotherapist trainee and writer (www.brockleycounselling.co.uk) www.erpho.org.uk See www.nursing-standard.co.uk for previous website reviews 32 may 28 :: vol 28 no 39 :: 2014
The Encylopedia of Elder Care: The Comprehensive Resource on Geriatric Health and Social Care – Third edition The third edition of this outstanding resource reflects the many advances in the care of older people that have occurred since the publication of the second edition in 2007. New entries in its 273 chapters address geriatric care models, diarrhoea in adults, prolonged hospitalisation, frailty, fronto-temporal dementia,
rehospitalisation, acute urinary retention, personality and ageing, primary palliative care, telehealth and surveillance technology. Content is organised alphabetically, with web listings to additional resources. The editors are American and Canadian, with most of the specialist contributors being American. The vast bulk of the content is accessible and relevant to an international audience. The indexing and cross-referencing are excellent. There are particularly interesting sections on the future of care, meals on wheels, personality disorders in the elderly, psychological and mental status assessment, and psychosis in later life.
Elizabeth A Capezuti et al | Springer | 848pp | $195/£152.04 | ISBN: 978 0 8261 3735 7 Reviewed by Margaret Arthur, a retired nurse living in London
Do No Harm – Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery On paper, the idea is an obvious one. A prominent surgeon – Henry Marsh, senior consultant neurosurgeon at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust in London – is nearing retirement, so decides to write a book about his experiences. The result is a compelling, refreshing and honest read about the certainties of youth taken over by the regrets and doubts of old age, NHS bureaucracy and a passion for brain surgery. Mr Marsh does not flinch from describing operations, some of which he says have ‘wrecked’ people’s lives. There are patients’ deaths that still haunt him and he admits that
other doctors are probably better at bottling it all up. He is also direct in his criticism of the NHS, its lack of leadership, indifferent managers and nannying attitudes. He is particularly dismissive of pre-recorded voices in lifts telling him to wash his hands, password changes affecting his ability to tell waiting patients their prognosis and ‘bullying posters’ instructing patients what to do. However, it is Mr Marsh’s humanity and practicality that shines through. He has devoted part of his professional life to providing his services to a surgery in Ukraine. The queues are round the block when he visits, with his suitcase full of instruments rescued from St George’s. Hope is what shines through in this book. That, and a man’s compassion and continued love affair with brain surgery.
Henry Marsh | Orion | 278pp | £16.99 | ISBN: 978 0 2978 6987 0 Reviewed by Justin Stevens, health journalist and freelance writer
Key Excellent
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
NURSING STANDARD
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 23, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
