Telehealth technology holds an immense potential for the future of healthcare by helping people with disabilities and age-related conditions to live more independent lives at home. Some aspects of this technology are now being developed and the objective of this survey is to gather opinions from those who are most likely use it.

It's really important to ensure that people suffering from a wide range of disabilities, including people with Tourette’s Syndrome, are represented. Therefore, please do take just 10 minutes to share your views and do pass on to any family members or carers that might be interested as well as your GP, consultant, physical and occupational therapists and researchers etc.   
 
The survey is available online at www.TelehealthSurvey.com. It's a straightforward tick-box survey that guarantees absolute anonymity - no names or personal information is sought.  Two versions of the survey are available - please make sure you click "Patient and Carer Questionnaire". On the same website you can also find a short video explaining the project and its objectives.

Tourettes Action welcomes entries for the annual Professor Mary Robertson Prize 2012.

Submit a dissertation of up to 4000 words (excluding references, tables or figures) on the topic of the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome - we particularly encourage applicants to write up original pieces of research or submit a review of the broad field of Tourette’s, or a specific area of interest. All entrants are encouraged to consider how their research or chosen topic area may develop in the future. The winner will receive a prize of £250

Submit your entry by 31st July 2012 to Dr Andrew Clempson: andrew.clempson@tourettes-action.org.uk

Eligibility

• A UK medical or research student with an interest in Tourette Syndrome
• We particularly welcome medical students who are intercalating with a BSc, MSc or PhD
• Students with experience working in the field (e.g. clinical experience) or have completed or due to complete elective modules covering Tourette’s.

Please tell us which University and course you are enrolled on.

All entries must include a statement of originality and that the work is primarily that of the applicant themselves.

We cannot accept work that has been published elsewhere or submitted to a journal pending peer-review. For original pieces of research, the candidate should explain their role in the relevant research team.

Please note that by entering the competition you agree to let us to publish your essay on our website.

Should you win, you will need to be available to collect your prize in person at our Tourettes Action Research Network meeting in 2013.

A new cross government mental health strategy No Health Without Mental Health takes a longitudinal approach to improving mental health outcomes including a focus on improving public mental health and prioritising early and effective evidence-based intervention for children and young people.

Give your views on the following points here:

• Where is the health service falling short for children and young people – what is the weakest link and what can we do to improve things to make sure it makes a real difference to the lives of children and young people?

• With so many different parts of the health system in place, what do they need to focus on and improve to make sure they each work together to deliver the best possible health service for children and young people?

• The NHS and Public Health Outcomes Frameworks propose key areas of focus: making sure everyone lives healthy lives for longer, addressing inequalities, enhancing quality of life for people with long term conditions, helping people recover from ill health or following an injury, ensuring people have a positive experience of care, treating and caring for people in a safe environment and protecting them from harm – are these the right priority areas in relation to children and young people’s health outcomes? Is there anything missing?
  

• What should key health outcomes for children and young people include?

The University of Nottingham is hoping to attract funding to set up a National Child Neuroimaging Centre which could help establish how the brain develops during childhood.

One of the aims of the centre is to build up a clinical database of brain images across a range of neurodevelopmental conditions (including Tourette's) in an effort to better understand the etiology of the condition and investigate new treatment options.

For more information on the centre please click here: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/impactcampaign/campaignpriorities/ingenuity/mriandthedevelopingbrain/mriandthedevelopingbrain.aspx

New guidelines have recently been released on the move from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to adult services for young people with psychological, emotional or behavioural problems.

Although Tourette’s is not a mental health problem, some of the associated conditions make many of these principles applicable to those who are about to leave CAMHS and need support from the Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) or alternative groups. Follow the links below to find out the best practices that health professionals should be following.

“Adolescence is a period of intense change for young people and a time when mental health problems may emerge or become more severe.  When young people receiving mental health services for children and adolescents move to adult mental health services or alternative this is known as transition.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has produced a new guide: Mental Health Transitions for Young People. The guide identifies ten key principles for improving transition, these include:
•         ensuring that young people fully understand their mental health problem, proposed treatment and support options
•         the transition should take into account the young person's whole life including family, friends, housing and education
•         young people should move to flexible and age appropriate services
•         staff need to work collaboratively with other services such as social care, health and voluntary services".  
Patricia Kearney    
Head of Children and Families, SCIE