Friday 31 January 2020

Things in the library 31st Jan...



The last day...                                              
Today is the last chance to sign up for the next Randomised Coffee Trial at SCH, and to take part in our January quiz.        

Things about workload, stress & patient safety...
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement recently dedicated a podcast to this subject.
"The relationship between workload and stress, and the risk this poses for practitioners and patients alike, need more attention. On this episode of WIHI, IHI's longtime safety expert Frank Federico, RPh, and James Won, PhD, talk about the field of human factors in health care, and the role that human factors can play in addressing today's work-related stress."
You will need to create a free account to login to access the content.

Things about patient complaints...
A blog from Sir Robert Francis QC explains how hospitals can cultivate public trust in complaints. This new report – Shifting the mindset (2020) – investigates how hospitals report on complaints and whether current efforts are sufficient to build public trust.
"Complaints should be seen by hospitals as an opportunity to learn. The public expects the NHS to learn from mistakes, and to be kept informed about how these changes are made. Four in five people have told us that seeing where other people’s complaints have made a difference would encourage them to speak up. Yet fewer than half of NHS hospitals in England (38%) are reporting on any action taken in response to complaints raised by patients and loved ones. Complaints are a valuable tool which help hospitals spot and tackle issues quickly. They should not be seen by hospitals as something to ‘be managed’, but as an opportunity to learn and improve. To have a complaints system that works, the NHS must give patients the confidence to speak up by showing them how their views are heard and acted upon."
Things about technology in the classroom...

Trials of pioneering technology to help disabled pupils in the classroom will take place across the country in the first programme of its kind in the world. Speaking at a education technology show on 22 January, Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Chris Skidmore announced plans to fund trials of ground-breaking assistive technology for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in up to 100 schools and colleges.
Innovations are expected to include ‘text-to-speech’ and ‘speech recognition’ software, which can help pupils with dyslexia improve their reading and proof-reading. Other trials include the use of eye-gaze technology, which can help pupils with severe motor impairments to communicate, helping to level the playing field for children with additional needs.


Things about the King's Fund...
The King's Fund have chosen three areas of focus for the next five years, where they feel they have the greatest opportunity to use their skills and resources to improve health and care.


                                            
Things about health inequality...


The Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust have published their latest QualityWatch on health inequalities.There are different types of inequalities in health care that might arise from the region of the country you live in, your ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic status. This data story takes a closer look at the association between deprivation in the area that a patient lives and quality of care.(It is also a really clear way of visualising data.)

Things about brain development...
From the NSPCC an easy to understand set of web pages on How childhood trauma affects child brain development backed up with a list of references. Using accurate references to show people where your information has come from is something that sometimes daunts those who are returning to education after a period of time. Don't forget that via our Book a Librarian service you can arrange one to one help with using Mendeley (reference managing software) or for a general chat abut how to use quotations and references.

Things the Royal Foundation want to know...
Through their 5 Big Questions, they want to bring together the thoughts of individuals, organisations and businesses so that together we can build the healthiest generation in history by giving every child the best start in life.They want to hear from all adults living across the UK, if you are 16 or above and live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, whether you have children or not – there are no right or wrong answers, they want to hear what you think.

Things to eat...
During my time living, working and giving birth(!) in the Netherlands we were close to Den Bosch ('s-Hertogenbosch) so it was a great outing when we had guests to go to a cafe there for Bossche Bollen...think of them as a round eclairs but much bigger...our 2 year old could make a lot of mess with one!

Friday 17 January 2020

Things in the library 17th January...

Things about healthcare systems...

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services published a position paper 'A health care system that works for all children' last year (ADCS is the national leadership association in England for statutory directors of children's services and their senior teams). In their executive summary they state:
"ADCS members believe that now, more than ever, there is a real need for a national commitment to ensure that the NHS of the future has children at it’s heart and children’s health and wellbeing services are given parity with those of older people."
Things about CAMHS...
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has published its Annual Report on access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The study examines access to specialist services, waiting times for treatment, and provision for the most vulnerable children in England. The research is based on new data obtained using freedom of information (FOI) requests to mental health providers and local authorities over the course of a year. This data is not published by the NHS. The majority of lifelong mental health problems develop early on, during childhood or adolescence. The wider economic costs of mental ill health in England are vast, estimated at £105bn each year.

Things in the news today...
Sepsis
Global, regional, and national sepsis incidence and mortality, 1990–2017: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study is the article on which the headlines are commenting. The interpretation of the results from the authors is:
"Despite declining age-standardised incidence and mortality, sepsis remains a major cause of health loss worldwide and has an especially high health-related burden in sub-Saharan Africa."

Social Media
Along with exploring the impact of screen time generally, this paper 'Technology use and the mental health of children and young people' from the Royal College of Psychiatrists also explores the impact of different types of screen use: negative content; how vulnerable groups may be affected such as those with mental health problems and very young
children; potential for bullying and safeguarding issues; as well as the potential for addiction. In addition, guidance is provided for children and young people, parents and carers, clinicians and teachers.

Things about patient feedback...
The National Institute for Health Research published a themed review this week on Improving Care by Using Patient Feedback. There are many different reasons for looking at patient experience feedback data. Data is most often used for performance assessment and benchmarking in line with regulatory body requirements,  making comparisons with other healthcare providers or to assess progress over time. Staff are sometimes unaware of the feedback, or when they are, they struggle to make sense of it in a way that can lead to improvements. They are not always aware of unsolicited feedback, such as that received online and when they are, they are often uncertain how to  respond. 
  • Staff need the time, skills and resources to make changes in practice. In many organisations, feedback about patient experience is managed in different departments from those that lead quality improvement. Whilst most organisations have a standardised method for quality improvement, there is less clarity and consistency in relation to using patient experience data.
  • Staff act on informal feedback in ways that are not always recognised as improvement. Where change does happen, it tends to be on transactional tasks rather than relationships and the way patients feel. 
  • The research featured in this review shows that these challenges can be overcome and provides recommendations and links to practical resources for services and staff.
Things to take part in...
The next Randomised Coffee Trial will be taking place in the SCH Trust in February. Sign-up now via this link . If you previously asked to be included in all future RCTs there is no need to sign up again. If you are new to the Trust - our RCTs run two or three times a year, you sign up and are randomly matched to someone else and you arrange to meet at a mutually convenient time for 30-40 mins to chat about anything you like. It is a good way of meeting new colleagues, taking time out and widening networks. The positive responses we get show how much it is enjoyed. Last time we had a few people who signed up but then didn't make contact with their matchee..please be courteous and inform the library and the other person if you cannot meet so that we can try to re-match the other person.

Things to make...
If you want a nice brunch dish there are some good suggestions here based on baked eggs.

Friday 10 January 2020

Things in the library 10th Jan...

Things that are calming...
Childline has launched Calm Zone - an online hub of calming techniques and resources for young people to help them feel better when they feel anxious, scared or sad.


Things about research ethics...
NSPCC are looking for an experienced researcher to join their Research Ethics Committee.Their Research Ethics Committee is made up of experienced researchers from outside the NSPCC who review research proposals, provide an impartial review of the ethical implications of evaluation and research proposals and work collaboratively with researches to address any concerns. They are seeking expressions of interest from an experienced researcher who has:

  • a detailed understanding of the dimensions of ethics and issues related to research with children and young people
  • an understanding of the ethical issues associated with quantitative methods in the context of sensitive research with children and young people
  • substantive experience of research governance.

Things to do tomorrow (Sat 11th Jan)...
The University of Sheffield's  Landscape Team is offering free Christmas tree chipping in the Information Commons car park from 8am-2pm on Saturday 11 January 2020. Just arrive with your tree at any point between these times and they'll put it through their chipper. Once the chippings have broken down, they'll be used as mulch across campus to keep it bright and beautiful throughout 2020.
This chipping service is open to everyone, not just staff and students, so do share with your friends and neighbours. The car park is on Favell Road (accessed via Hounsfield Road off Glossop Road and then Leaveygreave Rd).

Things to win yourself a prize...
Find your way around our library website and enter this 70th birthday quiz. The winning entry will be chosen from all correct entries received by 4pm on Friday 31st January.




Things to read...
The next book to read for our monthly Reading Group is Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. The meeting to discuss this will be on Wed 5th Feb at 17:15 in the library. Edith Wharton's most famous novel, written immediately after the end of the First World War, is a brilliantly realised anatomy of New York society in the 1870s, the world in which she grew up, and from which she spent her life escaping. Newland Archer, Wharton's protagonist, charming, tactful, enlightened, is a thorough product of this society; he accepts its standards and abides by its rules but he also recognises its limitations. His engagement to the impeccable May Welland assures him of a safe and conventional future, until the arrival of May's cousin Ellen Olenska puts all his plans in jeopardy. Independent, free-thinking, scandalously separated from her husband, Ellen forces Archer to question the values and assumptions of his narrow world. As their love for each other grows, Archer has to decide where his ultimate loyalty lies.

Things written by you and your colleagues...
We now have an online repository of references to articles written recently by SCH staff. We are cataloguing the PubMed abstracts and if you cannot access the article's full text then we will be able to supply in the usual way- charges may apply - or you can ask your colleague! We hope that this will highlight the amount of published material written by SCH staff  (240 items to date) and be helpful in disseminating it widely to colleagues. Please note that we only list SCH authors/co-authors on the catalogue records.

Things to eat...


I made this Coconut fish curry this week which was very quick but still excellent with plenty of taste.




Friday 3 January 2020

Things in the library 3rd Jan ...

Happy New Year to all SCH staff and to our Library users

Things to celebrate...
This year marks the 70th birthday of our library. In May 1950 the decision was made that there should be a selection of books and journals available for staff to use and so the first library was formed - located in the stenographers office somewhere close to where Theo's cafe is now.
During the year we will be marking this birthday with a series of special events highlighting the work of the library from the past, the present and looking forward to the future. Cake and prizes will feature!

Things about immunisation...
The World Health Organisation (Europe) has developed a Tailoring Immunization Programme (TIP). The phases and steps of a TIP process are described in detail in this document, supported by inspiration examples and exercises for TIP planning workshop. To achieve high and equitable vaccination uptake, it is necessary to understand the barriers to vaccination among the population groups with sub-optimal coverage. Then solutions can be designed which support, motivate and enable people to be vaccinated. Solutions which ensure all population groups are vaccinated, regardless of their income, education, age, geography, ethnicity, religion or philosophical beliefs. 

Things about tooth decay...
A whole system approach to tackling childhood tooth decay has been proposed by Local Government Association in their report. Too many children still experience problems at a young age – nearly a quarter of five-year olds have decayed, missing or filled teeth and children from deprived areas have more than twice the level of decay than children from the least deprived areas. It means tooth decay remains the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged six to 10, with those from deprived areas most likely to suffer problems.Dental treatment under general anaesthetic presents a small but real risk of life threatening complications. What is more, poor oral health can affect children’s ability to sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with other children. It can disrupt school attendance and lead to parents needing to take time off work.
This report contains a whole range of examples of the steps that need to be taken to achieve success. Many of the areas included are places where there have traditionally been high rates of tooth decay, but where significant improvements are now being made.

Things Hygge...
University restaurant Inox above the Student's Union will again be celebrating the Danish celebration of Hygge. Between Monday 20 to Friday 24 January their menus will be dedicated to this celebration of wellbeing. They are promising to deliver a delicious menu - in their calming restaurant and lounge. Go along and try some new, different dishes and take time for your own wellbeing. Inox will see a transformation with candles, dimmed lights and calming music, to become an escape from those busy every day lives. Tables throughout the week with themed menus. From 3.50 GBP per person more details on their website.

Things to join...
Our well attended Reading Group will be meeting on Wednesday 8th January at 17:15 to chat about The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.

Journal Club is another event happening next week, on Thursday 9th from 08:00 to 9:00 in the Clinical Skills Centre F Floor, Stephenson Wing. 


Things leftover...
I hope all your Christmas foods have now been consumed but if you have any New Year's cheese left over there are some great ideas of how to use it up before starting on your January diets! I think this Cheese, leek and potato tortilla sounds quick and easy.