Clin Med
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Care homes are changing, with improved standards and expanding roles, and it is vital that their residents are not excluded or discriminated against by health and social services. Staff are keen to be educated, and investment of time and money is rewarded with improved outcomes in many areas.
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Morbidity and mortality for any physical illness treated in hospital and complicated by dementia is increased. Length of stay is also prolonged for any physical illness and dementia. ⋯ Enhanced communication with patients and carers, more attention to hydration and nutrition and improved environmental factors within the hospital would be a start. All NHS staff require an increased insight and training about the consequences of physical illness complicated with dementia.
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There is a recognised need to provide palliative care services for patients with AKD. Such services can improve end-of-life care for patients withdrawing from dialysis and those choosing not to have dialysis. Developments in such services should lead to measurable advances in patients' experiences.
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Changing alcohol consumption has led to a three- to fivefold increase in liver deaths in the UK and Finland, and a three- to fivefold decrease in France and Italy. Increasing consumption from a low baseline has been driven by fiscal, marketing and commercial factors--some of which have occurred as a result of countries joining the EU. ⋯ Fiscal incentives--minimum pricing, restricting cross border trade and more volumetric taxation could aid this shift. A healthier population and a healthy drinks industry are not incompatible.