National No Smoking Day March 14th

It's No Smoking day today, a day when more than a million people will make the attempt to quit.

The No Smoking Day web site has lots of useful information for both health professionals and smokers, and there is even a fact sheet with information specific to the East Midlands.

For smokers who want to take the leap, there is the We Quit web site which is full of useful information, handy tips and support. There is also a discussion forum where quitters can talk about their experiences and ask questions.

Smokers who quit will find breathing becomes easier within 72 hours, your circulation begins to improve within 2 weeks, within 5 years your risk of a heart attack is halved and after 10 years your risk of contracting lung cancer is halved and your risk of having a heart attack is the same as a non-smoker. 

If you're a smoker, maybe it's time for you to take the leap...

Richmond Library book sale

book sale, a photo by emdot 

We are having a sale of recently withdrawn stock at the Richmond Library from  Monday the 12th of of March for one week.  On offer will be a variety of stock, mostly previous editions of text books and other items covering lots of different disciplines. 

At £2 each or 3 for £5 (or you can try and haggle!), why not come in and bag yourself a bargain? Everything must go!

End of NHS access to the ZETOC service

NHS Evidence have recently announced that access to Zetoc will stop on the 31st of March due to a change in the terms and conditions for access to Zetoc which the NHS cannot comply with.

NHS Athens users will lose access to Zetoc from 1 April 2012 onwards.  

NHS Evidence apologise for this unanticipated loss in service due to factors beyond their control and are continuing to explore all possible options for future access to Zetoc. 

As an alternative, most journals now have a web site where it is possible to sign up to receive the electronic table of contents (eTOC) by email or RSS feed for free. Please contact us if you need any help.

Smoking and Health - 50 years on from landmark report

The RCP 1962 report

Fifty years ago the landmark report Smoking and Health was published by the Royal College of Physicians, which both drew the link between smoking, cancer and other diseases, and had a big impact on the public consciousness.

There is some very interesting footage from the time on the BBC's web site showing public reaction to the report. The article also traces the history of smoking and tobacco control policies since 1962, as well as the change from smoking being linked with affluence to it being linked to social disadvantage.

The RCP have now published 50 Years Since Smoking and Health which reviews the progress made since the original report as well as looking at the current situation in the UK and reviewing policy priorities.

Smoking is still an important public health concern though, and 100,000 people in Britain still die from tobacco related diseases every year.

With one month to go until larger shops will be required to hide tobacco displays from public view (and all shops by 2015), a debate about removing all branding from cigarette packs and National No Smoking Day on the 14th of March, 50 years on, smoking is still a vital health issue.

“The Maverick Master of Medical Evidence”

“The Maverick Master of Medical Evidence”:

This Podcast, broadcast on Tuesday 28th February, discovers more about the life and work of pioneering medical researcher Iain Chalmers who in 1992 became the Director of the UK Cochrane Centre which led to the development of the Cochrane Collaboration.

The reasons why he started his quest to champion treatments based upon best available evidence and argument that patient concerns should now drive medical research are discussed.

Other episodes available in this series include interviews with psychiatrist Robin Murray about the causes of schizophrenia, the future of nanotechnology with chemist Tony Ryan, and discoveries about the brain disorder autism with Professor Uta Frith.

NHS Northamptonshire Health Promotion Resources Service suspended

Until further notice the Health Promotion Resources Service at Booth Meadow House, is suspended. NHSN apologise for any inconvenience this will cause.

NHSN will do their best to identify any outstanding orders, but if anyone has an order that is required before the 7th of March please contact Michelle Aveyard on 07824604318 or by email: michelle.aveyard@northants.nhs.uk.  No new orders will be actioned until further notice.

Please note there are no staff available to take telephone calls or deal with messages or emails via the usual Health Promotion routes.

Any resources that are in use please return either to your prearranged point or directly to Booth Meadow House as previously arranged.

Sprituality in nursing care - new online resource from the RCN

The RCN have launched a new interactive online resource, Spirituality in Nursing Care that expands upon their Spirituality Pocketbook.

It provides an introduction to the concepts of spirituality and explores spiritual aspects of caring (but would be equally useful for other health professionals). It also examines personal and professional boundaries in relation to spirituality. There are links to other resources for further information.

Find us on Twitter

You can now find us on Twitter.  We'll aim to keep you up to date with news relating to the service, new publications, events and other things you may find of interest...

Follow @NHFTNHSLibrary