We had a package delivered to the library this week, on opening it we found a bound copy of Sheffield Children's Hospital Annual reports for 1930 - 1948. Accompanying the volume was a note of apology from a doctor who had been clearing out their office and found the volume which they think they have had for over 30 years. These make fascinating reading covering the war years and the time when W.R.S. Stephenson was Chairman of the Board of Management (after whom this building is named). From the Rules & Regulations 1930
"Patients may present themselves for admission from 10.00 to 11.45 am - no one will be admitted after 11.45. No child may be visited until one month after admission excepting in the case of serious illness. The visiting day is Saturday from 2.15 to 3.15 pm."
Also in 1930 a new nurses home was opened (13 Broomfield Road) costing £2164 8s 11d and concern was raised about the 80% of medical beds being occupied by Rheumatic Children.
Cots were sponsored and paid for by numerous individuals and organisation eg in 1933 Messrs Cole Brothers Ltd maintained a cot annually to be known as the 'Uncle Jumbo Cot'.
On the 19th October the Countess of Fitzwilliam handed over to the hospital a 'Wireless Installation' subscribed for by readers of a local newspaper. [Note to our younger readers this was a radio]
There are regular reports from the Knitting Circle (making woolies for the patients) and the Linen League who sewed clothes, sheets and other items for the hospital. The interestingly named ultra-violet and massage departments had plenty of patients.
In 1947 the board decided to appoint a full-time paediatric surgeon for the first time; the average length of stay of an in-patient was 17 days and the average number of beds occupied daily was 158. They looked forward to being called upon to play a vital role in the forthcoming comprehensive National Health Service.
Things about tuberculosis...
A disease that would have been well known in the Children's Hospital of the past is still with us, the World Health Organisation aims to end the TB epidemic by 2035 this article discusses the recent trends and advances in childhood tuberculosis.
Things about the NHS...
The Kings Fund have published a report on how public attitudes have changed to the NHS during the last three decades. Conclusion: Through the BSA survey, the British public has shared its views on the NHS for the past 34 years, which covers almost half of the NHS’s 70-year history. Remarkably, despite substantial technological, economic and social change, the belief that the NHS should be available to all and free at the point of use has remained largely stable unlike views on welfare. In contrast, the public has also shown marked differences in their level of satisfaction with the NHS over the same period. As the NHS turns 70, they want to explore further why the public feels the way it does. Later this year, The King’s Fund will be carrying out a series of deliberative events with the public, to explore the relationship between the public and the NHS. They will be asking people what their expectations of the NHS are, where responsibility for health should lie and what is the implicit contract between users and the health service in terms of rights and responsibilities? They hope to find out more about the public’s current relationship with the NHS and feed into the debate about what it might (or should) look like in future.Things about early nutrition...
Maternal prenatal nutrition and the child's nutrition in the first 2 years of life (1000 days) are crucial factors in a child’s neurodevelopment and lifelong mental health. Child and adult health risks, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, may be programmed by nutritional status during this period. Calories are essential for growth of both fetus and child but are not sufficient for normal brain development. Although all nutrients are necessary for brain growth, key nutrients that support neurodevelopment include protein; zinc; iron; choline; folate; iodine; vitamins A, D, B6, and B12; and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Failure to provide key nutrients during this critical period of brain development may result in lifelong deficits in brain function despite subsequent nutrient repletion. Read more about this in Advocacy for Improving Nutrition in the First 1000 Days To Support Childhood Development and Adult Health a policy statement from American Academy of Pediatrics.Things about care leavers...
The Care Leavers Association (CLA) has published findings from a study into the health needs of care leavers. Recommendations from a survey of the health needs of 418 care leavers of all ages include: the health needs of looked after children and care leavers to be a distinct section in the Joint Strategic Needs; that a young person in care has a comprehensive health assessment at entry into care which is then monitored and updated on a regular basis; the commissioning of a range of mental health and wellbeing services that specifically support looked after children and care leavers.The CLA has also produced a Commissioning Toolkit for care leavers to guide commissioners to better meet the needs of care leavers through the commission process, and a short guide, created by care leavers, on how to work with adolescent children in care and care leavers.
Things to keep you warm...
I love making soups in the winter and usually thrown in whatever I think will work. A soup based around butternut squash is always popular - you can add a sprinkle of cheese or some fried bacon bits on top just before serving or use creme fraiche or yogurt as in this recipe.
