Things in the Library - December

Core20PLUS5 

An infographic from NHS England on reducing health inequalities for children and young people- click the link for a full size version and summary.

Critical Appraisal of Research

ScHARR, the University of Sheffield's School of Health & Related Research, are running an online course on How to Critically Appraise Research over two half days on 7th and 8th December. It will look at how to quickly read a paper and grasp its key findings, how to interpret and understand key data, how to appraise a paper’s methods and assess its usefulness and value. The course will benefit health and social care professionals, as well as researchers and information specialists. 

Early Childhood Interventions

The Institute of Fiscal Studies has published a paper on the health effects of universal early childhood interventions, in which they look at Sure Start and how their centres affect hospitalisations in their area. They compare the universal nature of Sure Start plus the UKs universal health service with targeted provision and private health care in the US. They found that hospitalisations were reduced in older children where there were more Sure Start centres.

Children's Mental Health 

In Hospitals: Over the past decade, there has been increasing need for mental health services to support children and young people. The pandemic resulted in a greater number of children and young people presenting with mental health disorders, often with complex needs requiring care or medical stabilisation, within a paediatric or acute setting. This framework from NHS England commits to ensuring children and young people, and those who look after them, are supported.

Digital tools:  This report from Oxford Academic Health Science Network identifies potential digital solutions to support NHS mental health services for children and young people. The audit of 24 digital tools and solutions covered current usage, interoperability, user experience and cost, and fit with NHS strategic priorities.

Safeguarding: The Association of Directors of Children’s Services has used data included in the ADCS Safeguarding Pressures Phase 8 research to develop a supplementary thematic report on children’s mental health. It draws together returns from 125 local authorities, 21 interviews with directors or assistant directors of children’s services and supplements this with existing data to provide further evidence of a crisis in children’s mental health. The report adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting a children’s mental health system in need of urgent attention, investment and change.

Water Fluoridation

Researchers at the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge have led a study on the effects of water fluoridation on children's dental health. The researchers found only modest benefits, however it still lowers the cost that the NHS spends on dental caries. As ever, health inequalities are key, with those in disadvantaged communities more likely to suffer poor dental health.

Parental Responsibilty

The House of Commons Library have produced a briefin report on the limits and restrictions to parental responsibility in England and Wales.

Parental responsibility is not a constant right, but diminishes as the child gets older and so can reach a sufficient understanding and intelligence of the consequences of decisions relating to them.

Things to do in Sheffield in December

Kelham Island Victorian Christmas Martket

The famous and much-loved Victorian Christmas Market returns to Kelham Island on 3rd and 4th December. There will be markets, local brass bands, musicians, choirs and carollers. There will be wonderful walkabout characters, traditional dancers and the amazing Snow Queen on stilts. Santas Grotto, Christmas crafts and miniature engine rides. There's something for everyone.

Linocut Printing and Festive Card Making

Pop along to Carousel Print Studio and learn how to use linocut to create your own festive and seasonal designs to print onto cards. This is a relaxed and fun beginners course – drawing skills aren't necessary to enjoy it.

Recipe of the Month

It's a little bit tricky being a vegetarian at Christmas - dry and tasteless nut roasts are not the one. This savoury spiced baklava is much more exciting. It's got butternut squash, chickpeas, chestnuts, feta, and harissa, and it is absolutely delicious. Thanks go to Library Manager Sarah Massey for making this, bringing it in and letting me try it.

Things in the Library - November

 Toddler development checks

The National Institute for Health & Care Research have found that about 1 in 4 children are missing their 2-2.5 year development checks. Children from deprived backgrounds, and those in local authority care, were less likely than other children to have these checks recorded. The Healthy Child Programme in England states that all children aged 2-2½ should have a health check by the health visiting team. Not all children receive these checks, and, before this study, it was not known whether certain groups are more likely to miss out.

Protecting children online

Ofcom has published a report looking at the measures taken by video sharing platforms to protect children and ensure that they do not view adult material including pornography. The report found that most UK sites do not have robust verification methods in place, and many sites merely require the user to check a box stating that they are 18 or over.

NSPCC Learning has created an e-learning course to help designated child protection leads understand the risks around children sharing nude images and how to respond appropriately. The course includes training on recognising when sharing imagery is harmful sexual behaviour, and steps to safeguard all young people involved.  

  

Workforce Census 2022

The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health has published an overview of paediatric and child health workforce, focusing on consultants and SAS doctors working in the UK. It includes recommendations and key findings graphics. 

Childhood obesity

From the Nuffield Trust:Despite numerous initiatives, there have been no improvements in the levels of childhood excess weight and obesity in England over recent years. Much of the research used to inform policy on childhood obesity has been based on ways of changing the behaviour of individuals rather than influences outside their control, like the characteristics of a local area. Understanding these external factors is particularly important for children, who cannot choose the environment they grow up in.

A Million & Me

Centre for Mental Health have released a report into A Million & Me, which  was developed by BBC Children in Need to explore how ordinary, trusted relationships can help children who are beginning to struggle with their mental wellbeing. Funded projects include including text and phone support for children, the production of digital resources and training for trusted adults, and activities aimed at boosting children’s wellbeing.

Things happening in Sheffield in November

Wreath making at Kelham Island Museum

Get festive and learn how to make a fresh Christmas door wreath  using locally sourced foliage, beautiful dried fruits, ribbons and sparkly bits and bobs. Enjoy hot drinks and mince pies while you craft the evening away, and come away with a beautiful hand-crafted wreath to decorate your door for the season. All abilities are welcome from complete beginners to experts and all materials will be provided. Thu, November 10, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Tickets here.

The Art of Play at the National Videogame Museum

Did you know that Sheffield is home to the National Videogame Museum?  Based in Castle House in the city centre, it is currently exhibiting The Art of Play, which showcases the artistry behind videogames

Recipe of the Month

These pear, apple and cider muffins are exactly the kind of treat to see us into November.

Things in the Library - October

Why work with Librarians and Knowledge Specialists?

Because we can help you! Watch this video to find out more.

Unseen Men

NSPCC Learning has released a new blog as part of a series looking at the importance of language in safeguarding, focusing on the use of the terms like “hidden men” and “invisible fathers”. The blog discusses how fathers and male caregivers are often overlooked by services, and how using alternative phrases such as “unseen men” can prompt professionals to think about how they could identify the men in a child’s life and consider any support or protection needs.

Smoking and Vaping in Children

NHS Digital have released figures showing that less children smoke and take drugs than they used to. Among 11-15 year olds, there has been a 3% decrease in smoking and a 5% decrease in drug taking. However it also showed a 3% increase in children of the same age-group vaping.

Anaemia in the Perioperative Pathway

The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) have a new Guideline for the Management of Anaemia in the Perioperative Pathway. It is for all ages, but also includes specific recommendations for those working with children, with Sheffield Children's own Dr Nadia Ladak leading on the paediatric side.

Mental Health

The Centre for Mental Health reports on two psychologists from Project Future embedding in a youth group, and how they supported young men with their mental wellbeing and provided training, advice and support to the youth workers there. 

 Placing mental health workers in a youth club enables them to reach young people who would not normally trust mental health services. By using game-based activities to engage and educate young men about their wellbeing, it creates an openness about mental health that traditional approaches cannot achieve. And by bringing the complementary skills of psychologists and youth workers together, it takes the stigma away from mental health.

 Primary School Weight Measurement

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities reports on the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data, the first national analysis of the same children from reception to year 6. The majority of children were a healthy weight in reception (84.7%), and of these 78.8% remained a healthy weight in year 6. Children in the most deprived areas and of a minority ethnic background were less likely to remain a healthy weight by year 6. 

Things to do in Sheffield in October

Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Odyssey

On 7th and 8th October at the Lyceum Theatre you can go to see Rush, and hear the story of Reggae music and the Windrush Generation. Narrated by comedian John Simmit and featuring ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, lovers rock, dancehall and Reggae played live by the JA Reggae Band.

Makers Market 

Millennium Gallery are hosting high-quality stalls from local makers selling illustration, ceramics, jewellery design, woodworking, textiles, and glassware. This will be held on 8th October from 11 til 4.

Recipe of the Month

This Mexican-inspired pumpkin (or squash) soup from Riverford is really warming and tasty with a lovely crunch from some broken tortilla chips. It has lots of ingredients but it's easy to make and reaps the reward in flavour. Jarlsberg cheese ✓ sweet chilli sauce ✓ kidney beans ✓ Delicious!

Things in the Library - September

RSV Research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are, along with the pharmaceutical company Sanofi, conducting a study called the Harmonie study looking at how well a one-off injection protects babies from RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Children up to 12 months of age and entering their first RSV season, will be given Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody. RSV is a leading cause of hospital admittance for infants, and this will be the biggest study looking to look at this preventative drug.

Polio

Polio has been found in sewage in London, as well as in New York and Israel. Read this BBC explainer to find out what polio is, how it is spread, and how it has been discovered again.

Health Inequalities in England

The Health Foundation have published a study showing that people living in the most deprived parts of England are diagnosed with serious illness earlier and die sooner than their peers in more affluent areas. They used linked hospital and primary care data to examine socioeconomic, regional and ethnic variations in the prevalence of diagnosed long-term illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. This was especially true of people with Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black Caribbean backgrounds.

Whole-Genome Sequencing for Newborn Babies

The Lancet reports on the UK Newborn Genomes Programme, which was created by Genomics England to oversee plans to undertake whole-genome sequencing of up to 200 000 newborn babies. Working with the NHS, they will start recruiting in 2023, examining whether screening healthy babies for arange of rare genetic conditions could improve outcomes. The requirement for screening is that it should only be done if there is strong evidence that the selected variant causes a condition that takes hold in childhood, would adversely affect the child's health or wellbeing if left untreated, and for which there are effective and accessible interventions or treatments available.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

NSPCC Learning has released the latest blog from the why language matters series. This blog looks at harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), the importance of focusing on a child’s actions rather than labelling them as an abuser, and the impact language can have on professionals’ perceptions and a child’s self-identity.  

Children's Social Care

The Children's Society have written a blog which explains what children's social care is in a simple, engaging way. They want to highlight how cuts local authorities and under-investment in children's services over the last decade have led to children and young people being more likely to suffer abuse, neglect or exploitation inside and outside the home. 

Things to do in Sheffield in September

Sheffield Ghost Walk

Get spooky early this year with Strange Sheffield Ghost Walk, which is happening on the 2nd and 16th September. There will be spooky stories, ghostly encounters and plenty of strange tales with a good dose of local history too. Adult tickets cost £7.50 (over 14s), under 14s tickets are £5 - children can attend at their parents' discretion. If you're in South Sheffield you can also check out the Graves Park Ghost Walk - Bunting Nook by the side of the Park is said to be Sheffield's most haunted place.

Sheffield Showcase

There is heaps going on in the first weekend in September to highlight the masses of cultural activity that takes place in Sheffield. It'll feature film screenings, music performances, art exhibits, family-friendly workshops, and more. Try circus tricks, community gardening or go and see some jazz. There is something for everyone - check out the programme here. 

Recipe of the month

'Tis the season for bramble picking. If you don't scoff them all as soon as you've picked them, you can put your blackberries in a pie, which is what I hope to be doing soon - I might skip the latticing though!

Things in the library - August

Why Language Matters

NSPCC Learning has released the first in a new series of blogs looking at the effects of language used in safeguarding and child protection. This first blog discusses health professionals shifting from recording children’s missed healthcare appointments from “did not attend” to “was not brought” and the impact this can have on wellbeing. A child has no input on whether they will attend an appointment, and is entirely reliant on their caregiver to ensure that they receive adequate healthcare.  

Active Children over Summer

The government has relaunched its 10 Minute Shake Up campaign, aimed at encouraging parents of primary school aged children to get their kids active in the summer holidays. Without PE lessons and daily walks to and from school, children's activity often falls over summer, and this campaign uses some favourite Disney characters to create active games for children to enjoy, involving characters from Marvel, Lightyear, Encanto and Frozen.

Better care for people with a learning disability and people with autism

The Department of Health & Social Care has published the Building the Right Support Action Plan which aims to offer better support from birth, better preventative support in the community and work to improve quality of care for for people with a learning disability and autistic people. They want to ensure that people can live independently in their own home, as part of a community, and to limit the scope under which people with a learning disability and autistic people can be detained by reforming the Mental Health Act to improve how people are treated in law.

A Community-Powered NHS

The think tank New Local has proposed a radical shift towards a healthcare system focused as much on preventing illness as treating it by working collaboratively with communities as equal partners in the design and delivery of healthcare. They believe that prevention is at the heart of a sustainable future for the NHS. In the report, entitled A Community-Powered NHS, they talk about the state, market and community paradigms of the NHS, and in particular the limits of the state and market elements and the strengths of the community. Wider issues such as poverty, racism and a poor-quality environment have huge impacts on community health, and improving these issues can help the NHS can be fit for the 21st century.

Diving Beneath the Surface of Poverty

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has just published it's new report on poverty in the UK, which shows that although the actual number of people in poverty has not moved a great deal, those who are are living in increasingly deeper levels of poverty. This is especially true for larger families, who find themselves increasingly unable to afford basic essentials.

National Child Measurement Programme

The findings of the National Child Measurement Programme for 2021/22 have been published. They show that obesity rates have decreased in the two cohorts measured, 4-5 year old in reception and 10-11 year olds in year 6.

Health Profile for Yorkshire & the Humber 2021

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities produce the Local Authority Health Profiles, which provide an overview of health for each local authority in England. You can see Sheffield's as well as a comprehensive snapshot of the region, the Health Profile for Yorkshire & the Humber. The report shows how Covid 19 has impacted people in the region differently, specifically hitting ethnic minorities, those with existing health problems, and those living in deprived areas. 

Things to do in Sheffield in August

A summer of Lego

If you have children to entertain over the summer holidays, or if you are a really big nerd just really like Lego and/or dinosaurs, Sheffield Bricktropolis' Brickosaurs is a must-see this August. From 6th-21st August there will be a trail of 15 Lego dinosaurs to find in the city centre. You can get a map for £1 from  Explorer Central (next to the Winter Gardens) and you'll have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a family holiday to Legoland Windsor.

Alpaca Life Drawing

Head over to Holly Hagg Community Farm to try some alpaca life drawing on the 13th and 20th August. This extremely cute activity is open to all drawing abilities, adults and children. See the information in the link to sign up. Please keep an eye on the weather and your emails after booking – the events can only go ahead if it's not raining!

Recipe of the month

Adding to the cute animals theme (if you're into that sort of thing) and in honour of the England Lionesses making it into the Women's Euro's final on Sunday, here are some very adorable lion cupcakes to enjoy with the match. You can make them from scratch, or you can decorate some pre-bought. Either way, up the Lionesses!

Things in the Library - July

Here is the Illingworth Library July blog - one week later than promised, because both life and June travel fast.

NHS in England

The Kings Fund have posted a really great video which explains how the NHS works, and how it is changing.

"What are the key organisations that make up the NHS? And how can they collaborate with partners in the health and care system to deliver joined-up care? Watch our animation to find out."

Voices of England’s Missing Children

The Children's Commissioner for England published a report of the findings of an audit of children regularly missing from education settings. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the disruption to education faced by children since the beginning of the pandemic, their number has almost doubled since 2018/19 to 1.7 million. The report gives six ambitions to account for every child:

• Ambition 1. Ask, Listen, Communicate: decisions about children’s education need to be made with children, their families and other adults in their lives.
• Ambition 2. Meet children where they are: all children receive support in school, through families of schools.
• Ambition 3. Exclusion as a trigger for intervention: children should receive a fantastic education, regardless of setting, always and receive targeted support following exclusion or suspension.
• Ambition 4. Letting children be children: no child should feel that they need to miss school to support or care for their family.
• Ambition 5. Attendance is everyone’s business: school leaders have a relentless focus on attendance and work together with LAs to ensure children are supported to be in school and to attend regularly.
• Ambition 6. No more ‘known unknowns’: lack of information should no longer be the reason why children are not receiving a suitable education.

Sexting

Revealing Reality has released a report, supported by the PSHE Association, which looks at sexting. The report highlights the extent of the issue and the unequal way it affects young people depending on their gender, socioeconomic circumstances and self-perception. Findings from a survey of 5,197 14-18-year-olds include: 61% of girls have been asked to share a nude image compared with 31% of boys; and nearly two thirds of girls from a disadvantaged background had been asked to send a nude image, compared with half of the girls from non-disadvantaged backgrounds. 

National Paediatric Diabetes Audit

The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health has published 'Care processes and outcomes' the national, annual report from the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit highlighting the main findings on the quality of care for children and young people with diabetes mellitus in England and Wales. Read it here.

PANTS for Makaton

The NSPCC has created new PANTS resources to keep children who communicate using Makaton safe from sexual abuse. PANTS (the five underwear rules) supports parents and carers to have conversations with their child to help keep them safe from sexual abuse. The resources include Makaton guides explaining the rules and setting out the importance of having these conversations with children.

Things to do in Sheffield in July

July is always a bumper month in Sheffield. Beginning the month is the new exhibition at the Millennium Gallery, Creative Connections Sheffield which runs from 30th June-2nd October. The exhibition brings together over 30 works from the National Portrait Gallery and Sheffield’s own collection, including portraits of Alex Turner, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sean Bean, Self Esteem, Otis Mensah, Helen Sharman, Mary, Queen of Scots and more. 

If you like architecture you may get a kick out of Out & About Urban Futures Weekends, happening over four weekends beginning the first weekend in July. You can try print making, sculpting a new landscape, and learn about art-led housing.

On the 16th there's Pinknic, Sheffield's biggest Pride event this year - it's a family-friendly event with stalls and performers from across the TV-talent-show board, and it starts with a unity walk beginning at Orchard Square at 11am.

And of course at the end of the month there is Tramlines, Sheffield's biggest music festival which requires no introduction - go and see Self Esteem!

Something to make

Tomato & harissa stew with cheddar dumplings is July's recipe of the month. These cheese dumplings are the perfect dumpling consistency, and the flavour of the harissa goes really well with them.  It also involves chickpeas and perfectly cooked courgettes. I make it all year round, and it's good for the type of warm-but-rainy day that this blog is being written on.

Things in the Library - June

 Things changing a bit...

From now on the blog will be published once a month, on the last Friday of each month, giving you a bumper blog full of things we think you might want to know.

Things about NHS libraries...

13th-17th June is NHS Library & Knowledge Services Awareness Week. We think we're pretty great of course, and we hope that if we have helped you to find evidence, to organise your emails, to find an article that you just can't find anywhere, to reference that weird document, or to find that blue and white book that you saw last year but can't remember what it's called or who it's by - that maybe you think we're great too!

Things about health inequalities...

The Health Foundation and the Association for Young People's Health have mapped the inequalities experienced by young people from different groups. People aged 10-25 in the poorest areas of the UK will die earlier than their peers in the least deprived areas, and will live 18 more years with ill health. Rachael McKeown says:

"Young people growing up in deprived areas are less likely to have access to resources and support that allow them to live healthy lives. They are more likely to live in overcrowded housing, with limited access to the space and tools needed to exercise, learn and look after their health. Because they may experience transitions in all of these areas during their teens, adolescence is a defining period for young people’s health. Inequalities between individuals and groups can become established and embedded at this time."

Things about health visiting...

The NSPCC has published a news story looking at health visiting services in England and calling on the government to ensure all families receive the five face-to-face health visits they’re entitled to. Findings from analysis of Public Health England data include: in 2021, 19% of babies didn’t receive their 12-month health visitor review by the time they were 15-months-old. 25 organisations, including the NSPCC, have written to the government in an open letter calling for the rebuilding of the health visiting service and highlighting the importance of checks in identifying and supporting new parents experiencing or at risk of mental health problems.  

 Things about nurses...

The BBC has reported that nearly half of the new nurses and midwives registered to work in the UK in the past year have come from abroad. More than 23,000 nurses and midwives have been recruited from abroad, a record high, with most coming from India and the Philippines. It is hoped that the number of new nurses in the UK will keep increasing - the overall number of nurses currently in training has started to rise after the reintroduction of some funding support for student nurses in England in 2020, three years after bursaries were scrapped.

Things to make...

I have some béchamel sauce to use up this weekend, so being from Teesside OF COURSE I have to make myself a parmo. Most of the time I eat vegetarian but the parmo is one thing I make an exception for because heritage is important. This recipe is from North East Recipes, though I have to take exception to a parmo being listed under 'Geordie recipes'! It looks horrible, it's about as unhealthy as you can get, but it tastes just like heaven (or, 2am in a kebab shop in Middlesbrough).

Things in the Library 20th May

Things about SIDS...

There has been a lot of news this week about a research paper by Harrington et al, Butyrylcholinesterase is a potential biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It was a small study in Australia which found  lower levels of an enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase, which helps control the autonomic nervous system, in babies who went on to die from SIDS than babies who went on to be healthy or die from other causes. The study has been reported on widely, and The Atlantic have published an article called How a SIDS Study Became a Media Train Wreck pointing to a lack of rigour in the scientific reporting. Regardless of any sensationalist reporting, it is a very interesting research study which could go on to have a big impact. 

Things about eating disorders...

The Nuffield Trust has been exploring the waiting times for children & young people with eating disorders seeking treatment in England. The number of children waiting for urgent treatment is at a record high due to the pandemic - from Q1 2020/22 to Q3 2021/22,  waiting lists more than trebled for routine treatment and were more than two times higher for urgent treatment. They say:

 "The increase in referrals during the Covid-19 pandemic may indicate a worsening of children and young people’s mental health. Additionally, many risk factors for eating disorders have been exacerbated during the pandemic, such as social isolation, loss of routine, and difficulties accessing face-to-face clinical appointments."

Things for neurodiverse nurses...

The Royal College of Nursing has released some new guidance providing support to nursing staff and students who are neurodiverse. The publications include information on how to shape a more inclusive workplace, gain equal access to training and professional development, as well as advice on recruitment processes, job applications and reasonable adjustments.

Things about allergies...

The parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a 15 year old who died from an allergic reaction to a baguette which wasn't labelled with allergens, have set up a clinical trial on oral immunotherapy. The trial will see whether commonly available food products, such as milk and peanuts, can be used under medical supervision to treat those with food allergies, and will be led by the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Things about physical activity...

The National Institute for Health and Care Research has published research which shows that the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns led to an around 13% decrease in the amount of exercise being done by children. Perhaps most interestingly, activity levels did not return to higher levels after lockdowns and have remained lower. The study also revealed an increase in time sedentary time. The UK Chief Medical Officers  recommend all children and young people should take part in an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. This is an activity that gets children slightly hot, slightly sweaty, and out of breath. The Chief Medical Officers also advise children should limit the amount of time they spend being sedentary.  

Things to do...

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Weston Park May Fayre is happening on Sunday 22nd May, between 11am and 5pm. There will be children's rides, a craft marquee, board games, Stormtroopers, food, drinks, and some amazing sideshow and street entertainment  including Dr Phantasma's Sideshow, Professor Jon’s Flea Circus Show, and the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band.

Things to make...

This ginger and lime cheesecake recipe is for individual puds, but can easily be scaled up to make a big one. Perfectly light, perfectly creamy, perfect.

Things in the Library 13th May

Things about mental health...

This week is World Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme is loneliness. The connection goes both ways - poor mental health leads to loneliness and loneliness leads to poor mental health. It can mean the world to check in on a friend or colleague if you suspect they may be feeling lonely. Mental Health UK have created a Connect for Mental Health Board to encourage building meaningful connections with friends, acquaintances, family or colleagues for this week and beyond.

The Health Foundation have published a blog discussing contextual factors in young people's mental health. How increasing cost of living, missing school due to Covid 19, and having unemployed parents can have great impact on the mental health of children and young people, who may feel like they don't want to add a further burden to their families by being open about their struggles. 

    "Focusing on the NHS side of young people’s mental health tells only part of the story. Mental health     problems do not come into existence only at the point of referral to NHS services. The young people     behind these statistics are part of wider society, workers or in education, and part of families, often        families under strain."

Things about DynaMed...

Last week library staff had a training session on how to use DynaMed, which is a point of care tool that we have recently subscribed to. We were really impressed with how simple it is to use, and the depth of information provided. You can subscribe to alerts in your speciality, use the calculators, and search for drug interactions. Each topic has a succinct overview plus detailed information on diagnosis, management, complications, prevention and guidelines. You can easily log in with Open Athens. Let us know if you'd like to be shown how to use DynaMed!

Things to read...

You still have time to read this month's reading group book, The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. It's an absolute classic about an African American girl growing up in the South in the early 1900s, and there is certainly lots to discuss. It's still available to borrow from the library, as is the rest of our leisure reading collection.

Things about paediatric sepsis...

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are running a one-day course on how to manage paediatric sepsis. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the early signs of sepsis 
• Appraise parents’ assessment of their children
• Explain which is the most appropriate antibiotic to choose 
• Discuss current issues in fluid resuscitation 
• Estimate which inotrope to use, when and how much
• Compare differences in children with complex health conditions
• Differentiate between orders of immunodeficiency 
• Analyse appropriate management strategies in these cases. 
• Practise and assess your knowledge and skills through sepsis simulation scenarios.

Things about strength training...

The New Scientist has reported that only one in twenty adults in England are exercising their muscles enough. Strength exercises such as lifting weights and body weight exercises are really important for improving strength in muscles, which can help mobility as you age. The UK’s weekly health guidelines, which recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity a week – including two bouts of strength training.

Things about child safety...

NSPCC Learning has published a report as part of the Together for Childhood project which aims to make local communities safer for children by helping local partners and families come together to prevent child abuse. The report discusses the evaluation approaches used to look at the effectiveness of Together for Childhood. For the Transformative Evaluation, 37 stories from community members and partners about the biggest changes they have experienced during their involvement with Together for Childhood, were collected. A selection of these stories have been shared in the report which reveals changes such as improved knowledge and awareness around preventing abuse. The report finds that the variety of changes cited in the stories demonstrates the added value of joining up different services, professionals and communities.

Things to make...

This week I'll be making one of my favourite spring recipes, baked ricotta with asparagus and jersey royals (though I have to admit I cut back on the salt in this recipe!). Love a jersey royal!

Things in the library 6th May

CAMHS National Summit 2022...

This national conference focuses on transforming mental health services for children and young people, ensuring early intervention, and developing integrated services with clear care pathways from first intervention to crisis and inpatient care. The conference will also look at national developments and learning from the Covid-19 pandemic and how CAMHS has had to adapt and innovate to provide effective care. The conference will address suicide prevention and learning from suicide and also safeguarding and CAMHS. 

Things about eye tests...

A life-saving test that allows doctors to spot a rare form of eye cancer in babies in the womb is being rolled out by the NHS in England this week. Now, thanks to a new NHS test developed at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, babies identified as being at risk of developing retinoblastoma can be monitored and treated sooner – increasing the chance of saving their eyesight and potentially their lives. Symptoms of retinoblastoma are hard to detect and a diagnosis can normally only be made once the tumour has progressed and the eye can’t be saved. The new non-invasive test can detect changes in the genes in DNA and is likely to identify around 50 infants with retinoblastoma each year, in the latest example of the NHS harnessing the power of genomics to diagnose and treat patients faster and more effectively.

Things about language... 

In their article in the BMJ, Caitríona Cox and Zoë Fritz argue that outdated medical language that casts doubt, belittles, or blames patients jeopardises the therapeutic relationship and is overdue for change. According to Fritz "we need to change the language we use so that we don’t (unintentionally!) undermine the therapeutic relationship. We (doctors) are taught phrases like ‘presenting complaint’ and use them unthinkingly. But the patient isn’t complaining- they are telling us about their symptoms."

Things about the Heath and Care Act...

The Health and Care Bill was passed into law in England on 28 April 2022. The new Act establishes 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which will replace Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across England from 01 July 2022. Under the new Act ICBs will have to report annually on how well they are delivering their duty to safeguard children and young people. 

Things about Ofsted...

Ofsted has released a five-year strategy detailing its goals to raise standards in education and children’s social care. The strategy sets out the introduction of a more risk-based and proportionate approach to regulation and inspection to help keep children safer. The report highlights a number of areas of concern, including: online harm, the prevalence of peer-on-peer sexual harassment and unregistered settings where children may be cared for in unsafe environments. Ofsted aim to inform safeguarding practices through the measures outlined in the strategy, and identify systemic safeguarding issues.  

Things about food and gaming apps...

How children use meal-delivery apps and the rising popularity of online gaming could be driving obesity across Europe, the World Health Organization has said. Europe's highly digitalised food environments affect what, when and how people eat and should be monitored more closely, the report says. Meal-delivery apps, for example, play a significant role in increasing consumption of high-fat and high-sugar food and drinks. Online gaming, which is hugely popular among children, has also been linked to poorer diet, unhealthy behaviour and more time sitting rather than being active. The report also points out that "obesity is "a complex disease" and much more than the combination of an unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity".

 Things to make...

I love spring - everything about it. The blossom, the light jacket weather, and the fact that it makes me want to eat green things. This spring veg and lemon broth is a lovely light meal, perfect for this time of year  I sometimes add some chilli flakes for an extra bit of delight.