The stress of caring for a loved one with chronic illness has been linked with impairments in cognitive processes such as attention and problem solving, though few studies have examined the impact on memory. Compromised cognition, in particular, aspects of everyday functioning such as remembering medical instructions and appointments, might affect caregivers' ability to maintain the consistency and quality of care needed by the child. A sample of 31 caregivers of children with autism and 51 parents of neuro-typical children completed an electronic survey assessing levels of psychological distress and everyday memory. Data confirmed that perceived levels of stress and memory failures for everyday tasks were higher in caregivers compared with the control group. Data also revealed a significant positive relationship between caregivers' perceived levels of stress and everyday memory failures. These findings might have implications for interventions that aim to improve caregivers' cognitive well being through targeting the psychological sequelae associated with the caregiving experience.

This prospective study assessed the advantages and problems associated with converting a patient using an older generation non-indwelling voice prosthesis to a newer generation indwelling voice prosthesis, in this case the Provox2. The voice characteristics of each patient were measured using the old and then the new voice prosthesis. Technical aspects of the insertion of the indwelling prosthesis were noted. Each patient completed a questionnaire after a period of use with the indwelling prosthesis. Changing the prosthesis was simple and uncomplicated in 15 of 17 patients. Acoustic analysis showed improved parameters with the indwelling prosthesis, but no perceptual difference between the two prostheses. The questionnaire revealed that most patients preferred the indwelling prosthesis. Replacing a non-indwelling with an indwelling prosthesis is technically simple, leading to improvement in voice quality and patient satisfaction. It may be reasonable to offer this choice to patients currently using an older generation non-indwelling voice prosthesis.

Background Current national policy in the UK is to make all psychiatric inpatient areas non-smoking by the end of 2018. Methods A mixed qualitative approach, using a survey with a semi-structured format and a World Café method. Discussion This pilot project explored views and experiences of staff and patients in making an inpatient recovery unit a smoke-free zone. A number of issues that were causing anxiety in patients and staff members were identified. Conclusion The focus group generated a number of possible interventions which may help to achieve a smoke-free environment while supporting inpatients who are giving up smoking.

Objectives: This paper aimed to examine the outcome of hostel treatment including the effect on hospitalisation rates.Methods: The work of the four medium/long term Gloucester hostels developed between 1983 and 1993, to provide 24-hour nursed care to ‘new long stay’ patients in Gloucester is described.Results: Fifty-eight patients with predominately severe mental illness were admitted to the hostels up to 1999, and demographic/illness data is presented. Mean duration of hostel stay was 4.8 years, and one third of patients were readmitted to hospital (most briefly) during their hostel admission, one patient 11 times. Thirty-four patients were discharged from hostels, 29 to less dependent settings, but four referred to hospital care. There was a significant reduction in the number of admissions and duration of hospitalisation in the time between discharge from the hostel to the present or death, as compared with the same time frame for each individual prior to entering the hostel system.Conclusions: The data adds further support to the potential value of 24 hour nursed care for patients with severe mental illness.

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