Things in the library 30th July

 Things about opening hours... 

So far we have had little response to our survey about early morning/late evening opening hours. If this is something you would use then please take a couple of minutes to give your opinion. This will inform our decisions about opening hours from September. 

In the meantime the library will be open until 19:00 on Tuesdays in August (unless we have any unforeseen staffing issues) and on Wed 4th August until 19:30 - no counter services available for the last hour as I will be hosting the Teams Online meeting for Reading Group.

Things to read... 

So 4th August 18:30 till 19:30 'Little Women' is the book to be discussed. Please contact the library if you would like the joining link. The book to be reading for September is 'West' by Carys Davie.

Things with a new look...

We had an update of our library management systems this week and alongside that the images have been updated for our library catalogue. So if you are looking at the catalogue (a webpage - so available for searching from anywhere) you might spot some of these.

Things about LGBTQ+... 

People who identify as LGBTQ+ experience disproportionately worse health outcomes and have poorer experiences when accessing health services. In this Kingsfund podcast, three years on from the Government’s LGBT action plan, Helen McKenna sat down with Dr Michael Brady, National Adviser for LGBT Health at NHS England, and Michelle Ross, Co-Founder and Director of Holistic Wellbeing services at cliniQ to explore the health inequalities LGBTQ+ people face and what needs to happen to make sure health services are inclusive.

Things for all of us... 

PHE has launched the latest Better Health campaign to encourage adults across the nation to lose excess weight, eat more healthily and get active this summer. The move follows a nationwide survey of over 5,000 adults which revealed that over 4 in 10 (41%) adults in England say they have put on weight since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Almost over half a stone (4.1kg) was gained on average by those who put on weight, with 1 in 5 (21%) reporting putting on a stone or more. In adults aged 35 to 65 years old, the average weight gain for those who put on weight rises to over 10lbs (4.6kg).

Search ‘Better Health’ or visit nhs.uk/betterhealth for free tools and support to start leading a healthier lifestyle today.

Things about Tai Chi... 

Tai chi was as effective as conventional exercise for reducing central obesity in middle-aged and older adults, according to a trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The authors recommended incorporating the gentle mind-body exercise into physical activity guidelines for older people.                         

 

Twelve weeks of regular tai chi sessions helped older adults reduce their waist size in a recent clinical trial. The trial’s 543 participants aged 50 years or older were located at a single research site in Hong Kong. They were randomly assigned to a control group with no exercise, to aerobic exercise and strength training, or to a tai chi group for 12 weeks. An instructor led the conventional exercise and tai chi groups, which met 3 times a week for 1 hour.   

At baseline, 75% of participants were overweight or obese. Because Asian individuals typically have a higher body fat percentage than White people at the same body mass index (BMI), the researchers used waist circumference as a more accurate measure of cardiometabolic risk. At weeks 12 and 38, waist circumference decreased similarly in the conventional exercise and tai chi groups but increased in the control group. Both exercise groups also had modest decreases in body weight and BMI.

Things about autism... 

 A policy paper on the 'The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026' was published recently. The roadmap for the next 5 years, which is set out in their vision, gives these aims:

• Improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society
• Improving autistic children and young people’s access to education and supporting positive transitions into adulthood
• Supporting more autistic people into employment
• Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people
• Building the right support in the community and supporting people in inpatient care

Things to see... 

A new exhibition opens at the Millenium Gallery next week. 'Earthbound: Contemporary Landscape from the Roberts Institute of Art' and a related event (charge and needs booking) you can join award-winning artist Paul Evans for a day of drawing from natural environment surrounding Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. Using both traditional and highly innovative techniques, Paul will take you through a number of drawing exercises that will bring you closer to nature, build your personal repertoire of marks, and improve your ability to 'experience and see things for yourself - as they really are'.

For family events across the road at Weston Park see these suggestions. 

Things to make... 

If you are enjoying the Olympics then why not try some Japanese inspired recipes, perhaps this version of a Katsu curry which can be adapted for different diets.

Things in the library 16 July...

Things to search...

Training sessions can be booked on how to conduct a search for evidence using HDAS (Healthcare Databases Advanced Search) accessed via the NICE website.  These sessions and other training we offer can be booked on a 1:1 basis using our Book a Librarian Form (currently conducted via Microsoft Teams).

Another place to search - particularly for guidelines - is TRIP Medical Database. Their new website has launched and if you access via an NHS network you should automatically get access to the Pro version. To help you with the new site there is a brief overview video and a key to the results page.

Things about Looked After Children...

The Nuffield Foundation has published findings from a study carried out by researchers at University College London and Kings College London looking at the health and social outcomes of people who have been in care in England and Wales. The study of data from census reports on 353,601 people, including 5,681 who spent time in care as children, found that there were large social, economic and health inequalities in adulthood for people who spent time in care as children.

Ofsted has launched a survey aimed at young people who are currently preparing to leave care, and care leavers aged 16 and over. The survey asks questions about the planning, preparation and support young people are given when leaving care, to help Ofsted improve its inspections. If you are aware of anyone who might like to participate in this, the deadline for submissions is 23 July 2021.

Things about RSV... 

This RCPCH free webinar, presented on 29 June 2021, was convened to support paediatricians and other child health professionals with managing bronchiolitis and other respiratory viruses this year. It looked at how to manage patient flow, ‘keeping patients safe and pathways open’, covered recognition, management and discharge, and signposted to resources for parents.

Things about Randomised Coffee Trials...

Thank you for those who have sent in feedback - some of the comments are listed below - and to the one person who's chat didn't go so well we are truly sorry you had this experience. We hope that you will have better luck next time as we do expect that people joining in with these chats will do so with kindness, friendliness and in the spirit of mutual discovery and support.

it was lovely finding out about another role in the hospital and how support can be offered in so many different forms.

a positive experience and lovely person

I enjoy meeting new people in this context. It is always interesting.

Thank you for providing this opportunity.  Although it's nice to meet in person, having them virtually has enabled me to participate more and arrange meetings more easily as I don't work at Weston Bank.

It was great to take the time to meet a colleague and learn about their experiences of working in the Trust, and life more widely too. 

I really enjoyed the chat, was nice to learn about other areas of workings within the hospital.  My match was lovely!

Love this project and always excited to meet my partner each time. 

Adorable chat with x  

The next RCT will be in the Autumn but you can sign up in advance if you wish (if you have signed up before and asked to be kept on the list there is no need to fill in the form again). We don't know if/when face-to-face meetings will become the norm, however we will keep the virtual option for those who prefer that (particularly those based at home or working away from the Acute site).

Things to eat... 

Amazingly our first grandchild will be one year old next week....what a year it has been. We are hosting her birthday party (mainly for adults) and are sure to feature one of our favourite buffet salads from Delia - Pesto Rice Salad - always popular and very easy to prepare in advance.

Things not happening...

Due to the aforementioned birthday I will be taking Annual Leave next Friday, so I am sorry that there will be no blog next week.... I will be untangling the bunting and making the house child-proof!

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Things in the library 9th July...

 Things to buy... 

It is a long time since we have been able to sell some of our old books but we have just released a new batch. We now have on sale some old editions of books which we have replaced with newer stock. 

Please note that books are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be reserved by making a card payment. Books can be posted using the internal post but at your own risk.

If you are interested in purchasing any items please come to the Illingworth Library, F Floor, Stephenson Wing, and ask at the counter. If you would like to see a list of the items available please see here - note there may be a delay in updating this list as items start to be sold. 

Payment may be made in cash, card or contactless apps Please note that no book sales will be possible within 30 minutes of our closing times. Our opening hours are: Mon - Fri 8:45 until 17:00 

Things about storytelling... 

The emotional challenges experienced by parents of infants admitted to the neonatal unit are well documented. Stories based on parents’ narratives can be an effective method for nursing students to learn about parents’ experiences and develop empathy for them. This article in 'Nursing-children-and-young-people' explores this issue and concludes that: "Arts-based digital storytelling can convey the complexities of parents’ emotional experiences in the neonatal unit, so that nursing students are better equipped to understand and empathise with them".

Things about diabetes...

In the same journal a CPD article for nurses on  'Effective management of type 1 diabetes in children and young people'. Recommended reading to:

• enhancing your knowledge of what the optimal management and monitoring of type 1 diabetes entails
• improve your practice in providing support to children with type 1 diabetes and their families
• count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account

Things about trauma... 

The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) has released a podcast with Dr Stephanie Lewis about complex trauma and its contribution to psychopathology and cognitive deficits. Findings discussed include: young people exposed to complex trauma have more severe mental health problems than both those who haven’t been exposed to trauma and those who’ve been exposed to other types of trauma; and vulnerable young people are more likely to experience complex trauma, whereas non-complex trauma tends to occur more randomly in the population.

Listen to the podcast: ‘The contribution of complex trauma to psychopathology and cognitive deficits’ – In conversation Dr Stephanie Lewis

Things to attend (virtually)... 

Caldicott principles and information sharing: children and young people. This virtual online conference, organised by Healthcare Conferences UK, takes place on 28 September 2021. This conference will focus on developing your role in improving communication and information sharing around children and young people whilst ensuring patient confidentiality.

Things to report... 

The NSPCC’s Childline service has launched the Report Remove tool with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). The tool will enable young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves that’s appeared online. The IWF will then review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law.

Things about cooking... 

Cooking interventions have been criticised for their weak designs and 'kitchen sink' approach to content development. Currently, there is no scientific guidance for the inclusion of specific skills in children's cooking interventions. Therefore, a four step method was used to develop age-appropriate cooking skill recommendations based on relevant developmental motor skills. The article in 'Appetite' gives recommendations consisting of 32 skills, across five age categories: 2–3 years, 3–5 years, 5–7 years, 7–9 years, and 9+ years. The proposed recommendations will strengthen programme design by providing guidance for content development targeted at the correct age groups and can act as a guide to parents when including their children in cooking activities at home.

Things about forced marriage and FGM... 

The Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have published annual statistics on cases reported to the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU). Of the cases the FMU provided advice or support to in 2020, 15% involved victims who were aged 15 or under and 11% involved victims who were aged 16-17. These figures include cases related to forced genital mutilation (FGM), which often involves children.

Things to make... 

With the school summer holidays approaching, if you want some inspiration for things you can cook with children then there are some nice ideas here...not just for children - the fruity filo parcels could be adapted for anyone and I think I may pop some of my red currants into something like this over the weekend. I would only add sugar if the fruit really needed it - certainly not for pears as in this recipe.

Photo from 'Babies and Young Children ' by our very own R S Illingworth.

Things in the library 2nd July...

 Things about child development... 

The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) has a membership comprising a diverse group of clinicians, practitioners and world-leading child mental health researchers, working across an array of child and adolescent mental health domains. As part of the ACAMH educational series of talks on child development Dr. Max Davie, Community Paediatrician specialising in child development, has recorded two talks on this topic which you can watch or read the transcript. In the first he focusses on what mental health professionals working with children and young people need to know about child development, the second is on neurodevelopmental assessment. ACAMH members can get a CPD certificate for watching either - details on the website.

Things about weight and wellbeing... 

Announced yesterday the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme – backed by £12 million of government funding – will offer free online support via GP and primary care teams referrals for adults living with obesity, who also have a diagnosis of either diabetes, high blood pressure or both, to help manage their weight and improve their health.  

Alongside this, the government is providing £30 million of new funding to councils across England to roll out expanded management services for adults living with obesity. Services can be delivered face to face, remotely or digitally. With 98% of councils accepting the funding, individuals will be able to sign up for this help via their primary care services or in some areas refer themselves via their local authority.

In most areas, services will include 12-week sessions, with dietary advice, physical activity guidance and support to help people start and maintain healthier habits. 

An additional £4.3 million of new funding has also been allocated to 11 local authorities to support the expansion of child weight management services in 2021 to 2022. They will trial new ways to improve access to services for up to 6,000 children identified as living with excess weight or obesity. 

New rules on advertising unhealthy foods online and before 9pm on TV across the UK after public consultation. Regulations will come into force at the end of next year to introduce a 9pm watershed for advertisements of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). These new regulations will apply to food and drink products of most concern to childhood obesity and will ensure the healthiest in each category will be able to continue to advertise. This approach means foods such as honey, olive oil, avocados and marmite are excluded from the restrictions.

Things to attend... 

It is Reading Group next week and the book we are discussing is 'American Dirt' by Jeanine Cummins. If you would like to join us online from 18.30 - 19.30 please contact the library for the joining link.

Our next book (4th August) will be quite a contrast 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott. A comment often made by members of the Reading Group is that they have enjoyed a book which they would have never otherwise chosen.

Things to book... 

NHS Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Digital Conference takes place as a digital event in October, organised by Westminter Insight, covering such topics as:

• how to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion to create a sense of belonging for all NHS employees
• how to implement data tracking, reporting, and transparency around targets to help improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the NHS
• Creating diverse NHS leadership to ensure they better reflect the communities they serve
• Ensuring a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and harassment to support staff

Just one thing... 

A recent fascinating series of radio programmes...

If time is tight, what's the one thing that you should be doing to improve your health and wellbeing? Michael Mosley reveals surprisingly simple top tips that are scientifically proven to change your life.

• Count your blessings
• Hot baths
• Standing on one leg
• Green spaces
• Intelligent exercise
• Learning a new skill
• Cold showers
• Eating bacteria
• Early morning walks

Several of these could be combined (though please don't stand on one leg in the shower!). The website explains the science and you can listen to the episodes. 

Things to make... 

Wimbledon means strawberries... but not necessarily with cream. Balsamic vinegar is fabulous with strawberries (as is black or pink pepper). This recipe marinates strawberries in balsamic vinegar and combines them with halloumi and fresh cucumber.