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In their article in the BMJ, Caitríona Cox and Zoë Fritz argue that outdated medical language that casts doubt, belittles, or blames patients jeopardises the therapeutic relationship and is overdue for change.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.