Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges concerns about ambulance response times by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST). They reference the 'Delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services’ and describe general improvements in ambulance response times and handover delays.

Noted (AI summary) The NCA is engaging with Ofcom to combat suicide content online and welcomes the government's commitment to reducing suicide. It highlights the Criminal Justice Bill and work by the Department of Health and Social Care with the Samaritans to promote high standards across the sector. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology acknowledges the concerns and outlines the provisions of the Online Safety Act, noting that offences under the Suicide Act 1961 are under the remit of the Ministry of Justice. DSIT officials will raise the concerns around Nitrogen with the Concerning Methods Working Group.

Noted (AI summary) The practice reviewed the call recording and held a training afternoon on telephone triage and call handling. They highlighted the process of flagging calls for concern and discussed presentations of pulmonary emboli, and intend to audit details recorded by reception staff. NICE acknowledges the concerns, explains the guideline development process for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and notes that guidelines are not mandatory and are reviewed periodically.

Noted (AI summary) NICE has made recommendations on the use of antidepressants in their guidelines on the treatment of anxiety and published guidance on safe prescribing of antidepressants, but considers that the MHRA would be best placed to address concerns regarding monitoring requirements. MHRA reviewed available evidence from the fluoxetine Summary of Product Characteristics, data from the UK Yellow Card Scheme, literature and the advice of their Expert Advisory Group and determined that routine blood level monitoring of antidepressants for all patients on treatment is not advised, although may be helpful in certain circumstances.

Noted (AI summary) Dorset Police are launching Project Synergy to improve their investigative operating model and increase the resilience and wellbeing of investigative teams. They are recruiting a Detective Chief Superintendent to lead the project, which includes forming investigative hubs and introducing investigation support officers. The Ministry of Justice acknowledges the coroner's recommendations and highlights existing and planned government actions related to funding victim support services, improving SARC provisions, and implementing the Victims and Prisoners Bill. Response notes Chief Constable will address concerns about rape investigation caseload. Network Rail has instructed the raising of the parapet at Menacuddle Hill/North Street Bridge to a minimum of 1250mm above adjacent surface level, with an additional course of stonework from an existing minimum height of 990mm. The current timescale for completion of the project is one year from instruction. Cornwall Council acknowledges the complexity of funding for sexual violence recovery services and states that there is no record of Ms. Dolamore having contact with the Council's children's or adult social care services. It describes the Early Help Hub and training offered to professionals.

Noted (AI summary) The Trust provides a chronology of events regarding a prednisolone dosage reduction error and states that the treating and discharging physicians were aware of the dosage error and that it caused no harm to Mr. Roberts, therefore requiring no action by the GP. BNF Publications will add "diverticular disease (increased risk of diverticular perforation)" to the "Cautions" section of all corticosteroid monographs in the BNF, actioned for the August online monthly update.