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 16th April...

 Things about diversity... 

A new range of e-books about diversity, provided by HEE, have been added to the library catalogue. Some excellent titles that may be of interest to you. The details are on this link and you will need to sign in with your NHS Open Athens account to access them for free. If you don't have an Athens account and you work for the NHS then please sign up here.

Things about serious case reviews... 

The NSPCC catalogue serious case reviews so you can easily find them in one place if you need to. This link takes you to the ones published in March 2021. If you click on the title of each one you will find a brief summary of the case and the findings and also a link to the free full report. You can also search for other past reviews there or our own catalogue for ones relating to Sheffield area.

Things about depression... 

I spotted an interesting article this week "Association between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Depression Symptoms in Young People and Adults Aged 15-45: A Systematic Review of Cohort Studies". Despite some reservations about some of the studies, the authors conclude that evidence seems to be building that a possible association exists, and this may have implications for addressing the burden of mental illness in young people and adults aged 15-45 years. 

Things about modern slavery... 

The Home Office has updated the statutory guidance on identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery. It describes the signs that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, the support available to victims, and the process for determining whether someone is a victim.

Things about looked after children... 

The Mayor of London has published a protocol setting out the roles and responsibilities of groups involved in the care of looked-after children and care leavers in reducing their involvement in crime. The protocol covers: children’s home carers; foster parents; police officers; the Crown Prosecution Service; health services and local authorities. The organisations who have signed the protocol have agreed: that diversion from the criminal justice system should be at the heart of any response to offending behaviour; to listen and learn from children and young people; and ask ‘would this response be good enough for my child?’

Things to attend...

There are a wide range of events available to the public via the University of Sheffield. This page lists the upcoming ones including: history, science, libraries of the future, mental health for NHS, patient reported outcome measures and vegetables for pre-school children. 

Things to make... 

Plenty of al-fresco dining going on I expect at the moment with some meeting possible in gardens. This is a great sharing meal to make Roasted ratatouille & goat’s cheese tart - check the comments as some people have found the mixture larger in quantity...or perhaps they need a bigger tin to cook it.