8
NEWS
UK Team AB
The UK Association for Medical Device
Approved Bodies, or Team AB, has
been formally launched with the aim of
helping industry participants navigate
new regulatory requirements.
Team AB will represent U.K.-
approved bodies for medical devices
and in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) in
their dealings with the Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA), which regulates the
UK medical devices market, as the
agency works to create a post-Brexit
framework for the sector.
The group will provide a forum for
applicants and designated approved
bodies to share experiences and
facilitate consistency in regulatory
understanding and feedback, given the
anticipated evolution of UK medical
device regulations.
GP referrals to gardening clubs
Playing music aides cognition
New study results have shown that playing a musical instrument is
associated with better working memory and executive function, while
singing in a group is associated with better executive function,
A group of 1107 participants (83% female; mean age 68 years) completed
the Edinburgh Lifetime Musical Experience Questionnaire, which posed
questions about playing musical instruments, singing, listening to music,
and self-reported musical ability. Participants were split into two groups:
those who reported singing or playing a musical instrument (89%); or not
(11%). 44% were playing music currently.
The participants who reported playing a musical instrument performed
significantly better on working memory and executive function tasksthan
those who didn't play an instrument. The effect on working memory was
the most heightened in those who reported playing keyboard, while those
who played a woodwind instrument and/or sang showed significantly
better performance on the executive function task.
The authors concluded. "There is considerable evidence for the benefit
of music group activities for individuals with dementia, and this approach
could be extended as part of a health aging package for healthy older
adults to enable them to proactively reduce their risk and to promote
brain health".
It has been five years since "social prescribing" - giving
GPs the ability to refer people without a medical need to
a "social prescribing link worker" who would be better
placed to help them - was embraced by NHS England.
It's widely been estimated that a fifth of GP
appointments are for social issues like loneliness and
isolation or from people with other multiple long-term
conditions or complex needs. Social prescribing can
connect people to nonmedical support to address these
issues. Examples of social prescribing schemes include
art, gardening and befriending groups, healthy eating
or financial advice classes, as well as fitness and sports
activities and dementia choirs. It also reduces pressure
on GPs.
The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP)
has published 13 evidence-based publications that suggest
social prescribing is beneficial. Chief Executive, Charlotte
Osborn-Forde, told Medscape News UK, "There are now
more than 3500 social prescribing link workers in post
across England, addressing the social factors related to
poor health and wellbeing. Since 2019, more than 2.5
million people have been referred to a link worker. The
evidence shows that social prescribing can help reduce
loneliness, improve wellbeing and mental health, build
social connections, and support people living with a wide
range of physical health conditions."
Social prescribing can also lead to reduced health
service usage within both primary and secondary care.
An evaluation of a social prescribing service in Shropshire
showed a 40% reduction in GP appointments for people
who had accessed social prescribing after 3 months."
Looking ahead, it appears that social prescribing
could have a bigger role to play in future. The Commons
Health and Social Care Committee has recently published
a report that recommends the creation of a national
social prescribing strategy. However, this report did make
clear that there should be steps taken to improve GPs'
understanding of the benefits of social prescribing and to
improve their confidence in doing so.