A systematic review of the factors - barriers and enablers - affecting the implementation of clinical commissioning policy to reduce health inequalities in the National Health Service (NHS), UK.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is two-fold. First, it attempts to identify the barriers and enablers of implementing clinical commissioning policy. Second, it synthesises how these barriers and enablers affect the success of National Health Service (NHS) efforts to reduce health inequalities in the UK. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted. We searched large biomedical bibliographic databases, namely MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Allied & Complementary Medicine, DH-DATA, Global Health and CINAHL for primary studies, conducted in the UK, that assessed the factors - barriers and enablers related to health inequalities, published from 2010 onwards and in English, and reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We used Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal and Mixed Methods Appraisal tools to assess the methodological qualities, and synthesised by performing thematic analysis. Two reviewers independently screened the articles and extracted data. RESULTS: We included six primary studies (including a total of 1155 participants) in the final review. The studies reported two broad categories, under four separate themes: (1) the agenda of health inequalities has not been given priority; (2) there was very little evidence for reducing health inequalities through the clinical commissioning (CC) process; (3) CC was positively associated with the restructuring of NHS; and (4) CC brings better collaboration and engagement, which led to some improvements in health services access, utilisation and delivery at the local level. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful factors - barriers and enablers - to implement and deliver clinical commissioning policy in improving health and well-being. These factors could be assessed in future to develop objective measures and interventions to establish the link between commissioning and health inequalities.

Need of The Ministry of Health in Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

The constitution of Nepal provides appointing a council of ministers both at federal and provincial levels without defining portfolios. There is a political agreement that MOH will be retained at the federal level. This article draws evidences around the world to meet health needs of Nepalese, the role of provincial ministry of health and coordinating structure at district/local level. The constitution emphasises on health and pronounced in 46 articles which provides guidance for the creation of federalized governance levels at federal, provincial and local levels. Retaining ministry of health at federal level without creating devolved structure at province and local levels in health sector will create difficulty in translating the spirit of the constitution and may not be effective in addressing health issues nationally and meeting global achievements like SDGs. It is suggested to establish an elaborate health system accordingly in Nepal to ensure constitutional mandate of health as a basic human right.

Prevalence of Gall Stones in Liver Cirrhosis.

INTRODUCTION: Increased incidence and prevalence of gallstones in liver cirrhosis has already been reported by many studies. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of gallstone disease in Nepali patients with LC and to identify risk factors for gallstone formation. METHOD: Consecutive patients of LC presenting to liver clinic from January, 2010 to December, 2012 were evaluated for GS by ultrasonography at their first visit. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical features, laboratory parameters, ultrasonography, and/or histopathology. RESULT: Two hundred and twenty four LC patients were studied. Male to female ratio was 2.3:1. Alcohol was the major etiological factor for LC followed by hepatitis B, alone or in conjunction with alcohol. Seventy-four patients (33%) were found to have GS. Incidence of GS was more in advance stage of cirrhosis. There was no significant correlation between formation of GS and etiology of LC, except for the HCV related liver cirrhosis, in which it was present in 39% of the patients. More the advance disease,more was the incidence as 57% of Child-C patients had GS. Portal vein diameter was also associated with GS formation. When portal vein diameter was more than 13 mm, there was more GS formation. CONCLUSIONS: One third of the patients of LC showed GS at the presentation. Patients with HCV related cirrhosis are more prone to develop GS than other. Severity of the disease and portal vein diameter was found to be associated with GS formation.

Robot assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular tumor.

The treatment options in clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) of testis are either surveillance, chemotherapy or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). While open RPLND still serves as the gold standard, laparoscopic and robot assisted laparoscopic approaches are gaining popularity. In this report, we share our experience and technique of robot assisted laparoscopic RPLND in a patient with clinical stage Ib NSGCT of testis.

Best practice in the management of venous leg ulcers.

Leg ulcers are wounds or open sores, often chronic in nature (long-lasting and non-healing), which cause damage to the skin. Appropriate management of chronic venous leg ulcers is essential to prevent further deterioration of the wound, improve patients' quality of life and reduce any healthcare costs associated with treating complications of such ulcers, including infection. However, management of leg ulcers can be challenging, particularly in patients who do not adhere to treatment regimens, cannot tolerate compression therapy, or have increased pain and infection. This article aims to identify best practice in the management of venous leg ulcers.