Community Practitioner back issues from May 2007:
Marketing offensive? Ann McGauran looks at the rules and the realities behind the promotion of formula milk.
May 01, 2007; ... Sources of information Breastfeeding is promoted in the UK through campaigns such as National Breastfeeding Week, but day-to-day, much of the information distributed to mothers is generated by companies producing formula milk. Information from the companies often ...
Health visitor cuts affecting vulnerable families: health visitors have more stress, fewer staff and longer hours than they did a year ago, according to the latest research carried out by CPHVA and Durdle Davis, the business research team. Cheryll Adams and Isobel Craig report on the latest annual survey.(NEWS FEATURE)(Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors)
May 01, 2007; ... Reductions in the health visiting workforce last year meant that the latest annual CPHVA survey of members looked at the effects of these cuts on the profession and those with whom they work. National policy such as the national service frameworks for children and for mental ...
A growing concern: soon the UK will adopt new World Health Organization growth charts based on measurements of breastfed babies. Tam Fry of the Child Growth Foundation looks at the implications.
May 01, 2007; ... The UK is about to adopt, as standard, new World Health Organization (WHO) weight and length/height charts. They are based on the growth of exclusively breastfed infants and a preliminary announcement that the UK will soon have them could be made to coincide with National Breastfeeding ...
Service issues: following the restructuring of CPHVA's professional officer team, and the recent vote for a merger with the T&G, Ros Godson, professional officer for school health and public health, gives a practical guide to members on getting the most from your union.(NEWS FEATURE)(Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors)(Organization overview)
May 01, 2007 ... A bit about us ... Amicus Health is part of Amicus, a trade union with 1.2 million members nationwide. It has about 100,000 members in the health sector, many with a public health focus. Amicus/CPHVA is a professional organisation of about 21,000 members within ...
Natural resources: Carol Harris reports on the biggest campaign so far to mark this year's National Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
May 01, 2007; ... National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (13 - 19 May) this year will be the biggest ever, with country-wide TV and radio advertising supporting the initiative for the first time. The week aims to focus on the efforts of health visitors, midwives and breastfeeding counsellors to ...
SMA DVD.(Letter to the editor)
May 01, 2007; ... I am disturbed to see that Community Practitioner has distributed a DVD sponsored by the infant formula manufacturer SMA. The content of this DVD, in particular the presentation by health visitor Alison Wall, is likely to undermine best practice and professional confidence in ...
Invest in health visiting.(Letter to the editor)
May 01, 2007; ... We believe that the century-old health visiting profession is in crisis and this is having a detrimental effect on the health of families and communities. The government's public health agenda is being undermined as a result. We are not completely convinced that the Department ...
Mutilation is wrong.(Letter to the editor)
May 01, 2007; ... The article, 'An NHS religious and cultural male circumcision service' misses the point. A boy should only be circumcised to meet his medical need. I believe that genital mutilation of boys, performed without their knowledge or informed consent; done ...
Impetigo or ringworm?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 01, 2007; ... Does Dr Mike Wyndham really not know the difference between impetigo and ringworm, or is this an editorial cock-up? And please, can't we have a more relevant photo? Most of your readers are dealing with young children, not adolescents. Seriously, as nurse prescribers it is not okay for us ...
Volunteering as a Community Mother--a pathway to lifelong learning.
May 01, 2007; ... Abstract This paper describes a study that was undertaken to investigate the effects of participating in a community volunteering programme (the Community Mothers Programme) on volunteers (Community Mothers). The aim of the study was to investigate if volunteering in this ...
'Freedom' act is too effective for its own good: plans by the government to emasculate the Freedom of Information act (FoI) will dent the campaigning activities of Amicus/CPHVA.(COMMENT)
May 01, 2007; ... These proposals will make it more difficult for NHS trade unions and journalists covering health stories to obtain information about the workings of NHS trusts, and strategic health authorities (SHAs). Amicus/CPHVA recently used the act to force universities and colleges to ...
The emotional wellbeing of Bangladeshi mothers during the postnatal period.
May 01, 2007; ... Abstract There have been significant studies commenting on the postnatal experience and the emotional well-being of mothers following the birth of their child. This paper focuses on the emotional well-being and health beliefs of Bangladeshi mothers during this period. An attempt ...
Application of health equity audit to health visiting.(PROFESSIONAL)(Clinical report)
May 01, 2007; ... Abstract Equitable access to health care services is an important driver to improve health. The link between socio-economic status and ill health has long been established and yet some population groups are still disadvantaged in accessing services. Health equity ...
Health visitors an endangered species? Report slams lottery in service provision.
May 01, 2007 ... Caseloads for health visitors vary so wildly that a postcode lottery determines the level and quality of services families receive. That is the conclusion of a recent YouGov poll carried out for the Family and Parenting Institute. The survey, of nearly all the primary ...
Vitamins boosts for children and mothers: breastfeeding, pregnant women and children under five to receive new vitamins.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... PCTs are to begin distributing new Healthy Start Vitamin Supplements, in line with Department of Health recommendations that all children under five, and breastfeeding or pregnant women should receive them. Vitamin A is essential for vision. Good food sources of vitamin A ...
Decline in pneumonia and otitis media following pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
May 01, 2007 ... Routine immunisation with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has resulted in a 39% fall in hospital admissions for pneumonia for American children under two years, a study (1) has found. A separate study (2) also found that after the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction, ...
Impact of MMR controversy on parents of autistic children.(measles, mumps, and rubella)(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... Hilton S et al. MMR: marginalised, misrepresented and rejected? Autism: a focus group study Archives of Disease in Childhood 2007; 92: 322-7 The controversy over the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has had a negative impact on some parents of children with ...
Breastfeeding cuts admissions.(CLINICAL PAPERS)(Clinical report)
May 01, 2007 ... Quigley MA et al. Breastfeeding and Hospitalization for Diarrheal and Respiratory Infection in the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study Pediatrics 2007; 119:(4): e837-42 Breastfeeding, particularly when exclusive and prolonged, protects against infants in the UK being ...
Exclusive breastfeeding lowers babies' risk of postnatal infection with HIV.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... Coovadia HM et al. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 infection during exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life: an intervention cohort study. The Lancet 2007; 369: 1107-16 The babies of HIV-positive mothers who breastfeed exclusively, have only a low risk of ...
Faecal incontinence is common after childbirth.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... Guise Jeanne-Marie et al. Incidence of Faecal Incontinence After Childbirth. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2007; 109: 281-8. More than one in four women report faecal incontinence within six months of childbirth, with almost half reporting onset after delivery of their first child, ...
Restless legs syndrome may cause heart disease.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... Pennestri, M H et al. Nocturnal blood pressure changes in patients with restless legs syndrome Neurology 2007; 68(14): 1213-2118 People with restless legs syndrome (RLS), especially the elderly, may be at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a small study has ...
Infants who wheeze with common cold more likely to have asthma.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 63rd Annual Meeting San Diego Abstract 619. Roberg, Kathleen A et al. Presented February 25, 2007 Infants who wheeze when they have the common cold or rhinovirus are three times more likely to be diagnosed with asthma by the ...
Low vitamin D status still prevalent among UK Asian women.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... Roy DK et al. Vitamin D status and bone mass in UK South Asian women Bone 2007; 1: 40): 200-4 Low vitamin D status is prevalent among South Asians living in the UK, a study has found. Researchers came to this conclusion after assessing the serum calcium levels and bone mineral ...
Mastitis.(Disease/Disorder overview)
May 01, 2007; ... Mastitis is an inflammatory condition of the breast that may eventually or concurrently involve an infection. (1) The reported incidence of mastitis varies from two to 33%, most commonly occurring in the second and third weeks postpartum, although it can occur at any stage of ...
Evidence-based salaries.
May 01, 2007; ... The pay review body's 22nd report on nursing and other health professionals was published in March. The decision by government to interfere with the recommendations of the report provoked outrage across the NHS. This was the first time since 1997 that a pay review body (PRB) report has ...
Life on Mars? Indeed: Gavin Fergie thinks he's seen it ten times or more....(LIGHTEN UP)
May 01, 2007; ... What is it about the 1970s? No1 son walks around in jeans that sweep the floor when he walks (who needs a Dyson?) and of course it takes three steps before the material actually moves so flared are the legs. Abba are resurgent, the Electric Light Orchestra are coming back (me ...
Supporting Self Care in Primary Care Ruth Chambers, Gill Wakely and Alison Blenkinsopp.(Book review)
May 01, 2007; ... Supporting Self Care in Primary Care Ruth Chambers, Gill Wakely and Alison Blenkinsopp Radcliffe, 2006 ISBN: 13-9781846190704, 24.95 [pounds sterling] Many community practitioners will be familiar with the concept of enabling people with a short term illness, a long term ...
Telephone support service.(RESOURCES)(One Parent Families and Prentine Plus)(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... One Parent Families, an organisation that campaigns for equal rights for lone parents and their children, together with Parentline Plus, has re-started its FamilySafe project, which supports and advises lone parents dealing with threatening or violent behaviour from their children. ...
Why your child's weight matters.(RESOURCES)(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... This new booklet has been published by the Department of Health to help parents understand the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for their children. Given that children in reception year and year six are now being weighed and measured, the booklet outlines practical ...
Review of new Northern Ireland structures: community practitioners' work in Northern Ireland could face huge change under new proposals to the current structure.(NEWS)
May 01, 2007 ... New structures proposed under Northern Ireland's Review of Public Administration could change community practitioners' work from prevention to a reactive, illness-based service for children. 'These proposals could have a major impact on many members working in crucial areas,' ...
Mary Seacole Development Awards: applications are now being taken for this year's awards. Find out how you can get involved and be a winner.
May 01, 2007 ... Jointly funded by the Department of Health and NHS Employers, the Mary Seacole Development Awards provide opportunities for successful applicants to undertake a project, or other educational/development activity, to enhance patient/client-focused care that benefits the health needs of ...
How to teach baby massage.(Courses)(Brief article)(Calendar)
May 01, 2007 ... 21 June 2007, on-going dates available. In-house tailored courses in London and across the south of England Improve mother-infant interaction (Cochrane Review), attachment and infant mental health by learning to teach baby ...
Understanding and supporting pre-term breastfeeding as optimum nutrition.(Courses)
May 01, 2007 ... 6 July, Bristol; 9 July, 2007 London 50 [pounds sterling] for nurses and AHPs and 100 [pounds sterling] for ...
Perinatal maternal mental illness course for trainers.(Courses)(Brief article)(Calendar)
May 01, 2007 ... September 18, 2007, Reading University Three-day residential course: covers awareness of maternal mental illnesses, their impact, detection of maternal illnesses and treatments, including supporting ...
Diploma/MA in Child Studies Sept 07 - May 08.(Courses)(Brief article)(Calendar)
May 01, 2007 ... 19 September 2007, King's College, Strand Campus, London Multidisciplinary part-time diploma course (Wednesday afternoons) for professionals working with children and young people. Diploma course consists of three modules: Children's Rights, Child Health and ...
Achondroplasia.(Noticeboard)(Letter to the editor)
May 01, 2007 ... I am a health visitor working in Wiltshire and have a five-week-old baby who was diagnosed with achondroplasia at birth. The family have made attempts to find out more information about this condition, but have only found a site in the USA. They would like to be in contact with ...
Updating policies.
May 01, 2007 ... I work as part of a group of health visitors and school health advisors who are updating policies regarding aspects of child health. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has been involved in instigating or updating a ...
Age discrimination win.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... In a landmark victory, a 66-year-old health worker has won her job back, after being sacked the day before new age discrimination regulations came into effect. Ann Southcott was employed by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust as a clerical worker in Treliske Hospital, Truro, Cornwall ....
Goodbye Karen.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... The Amicus Health Sector is restructuring under Kevin Coyne, head of health, and a lead industrial officer, the head of nursing, Barrie Brown. Professional services in CPHVA will be led by the lead professional officer for Amicus Health Sector (Cheryll Adams is covering this post during ...
Chocolate reduces risk of stroke.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... A few squares of dark chocolate can help to reduce the risk of stroke, according to the Stroke Association. Britons consume an average of 10 kilos per year, or 25% of all chocolate eaten across Europe. Dark chocolate contains a large amount of cocoa and is rich in ...
Sexual health staff cut as infection rates rise: vulnerable groups are set to suffer from the missing funds intended for combating sexually transmitted diseases.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... Public health minister, Caroline Flint is to be asked to investigate where millions of pounds that should have been invested in combating the huge rises in sexually transmitted infections have gone. The annual conference of the Society of Sexual Health Advisers (SSHA)--a ...
New guidance to reduce substance misuse among young people: reducing substance misuse among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups is highlighted in a new NICE report.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007 ... The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in partnership with the Department of Health has produced a public health guidance on community-based interventions to reduce substance misuse among vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people. Substance ...
Staff survey oversight reveals extent of excessive hours: answers to the missing question reveals the true picture of hours worked by NHS employees.
May 01, 2007 ... A question missing from the recently-published Healthcare Commission staff survey reveals that more than half of NHS employees work excessive hours to cover for staff shortages. Fifty-three per cent of more than 100,000 employees who answered the survey said that they worked ...
Bereaved mothers' Pyrenean journey: a trek to pay tribute to their sons.(NEWS)
May 01, 2007 ... A CPHVA member whose son's death highlighted the lack of support for bereaved parents employed by the NHS, is about to start on a 500-mile walk across the Pyrenees. Jayne Hyde's son Jamie died the day before his 20th birthday. An award-winning health visitor, her shock and grief were made ...
Shingles: this month, In the Picture features a skin condition most associated with older age groups, although cases affecting children and young people are also on the rise.(Brief article)
May 01, 2007; ... Shingles Shingles (herpes zoster) occurs when there is reactivation of chickenpox virus, which has been lying dormant in the dorsal root ganglion after the original infection. A GP with an average list size in the UK will see about six cases a year. Who does it ...
'Freedom' Act is too effective for its own good
May 01, 2007; ... Plans by the government to emasculate the Freedom of Information Act (Fol) will dent the campaigning activities of Amicus/CPHVA These proposals will make it more difficult for NHS trade unions and journalists covering health stories to obtain information about the workings of NHS trusts, ...
Health visitors an endangered species?
May 01, 2007; ... Report slams lottery in service provision Caseloads for health visitors vary so wildly that a postcode lottery determines the level and quality of services families receive. That is the conclusion of a recent YouGov poll carried out for the Family and Parenting ...
Vitamins boosts for children and mothers
May 01, 2007; ... Breastfeeding, pregnant women and children under five to receive new vitamins PCTs are to begin distributing new Healthy Start Vitamin Supplements, in line with Department of Health recommendations that all children under five, and breastfeeding or pregnant women should receive ...
Review of new Northern Ireland structures
May 01, 2007; ... Community practitioners' work in Northern Ireland could face huge change under new proposals to the current structure New structures proposed under Northern Ireland's Review of Public Administration could change community practitioners' work from prevention to a reactive, illness-based ...
Mary Seacole Development Awards
May 01, 2007; ... Applications are now being taken for this year's awards. Find out how you can get involved and be a winner Jointly funded by the Department of Health and NHS Employers, the Mary Seacole Development Awards provide opportunities for successful applicants to undertake a project, or other ...
NEWS: IN BRIEF...
May 01, 2007; ... Age discrimination win In a landmark victory, a 66-year-old health worker has won her job back, after being sacked the day before new age discrimination regulations came into effect. Ann Southcott was employed by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust as a clerical worker in Treliske ...
Sexual health staff cut as infection rates rise
May 01, 2007; ... Vulnerable groups are set to suffer from the missing funds intended for combating sexually transmitted diseases Public health minister, Caroline Flint is to be asked to investigate where millions of pounds that should have been invested in combating the huge rises in sexually transmitted ...
New guidance to reduce substance misuse among young people
May 01, 2007; ... Reducing substance misuse among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups is highlighted in a new NICE report The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in partnership with the Department of Health has produced a public health guidance on community-based interventions to ...
Staff survey oversight reveals extent of excessive hours
May 01, 2007; ... Answers to the missing question reveals the true picture of hours worked by NHS employees A question missing from the recentlypublished Healthcare Commission staff survey reveals that more than half of NHS employees work excessive hours to cover for staff shortages. Fifty-three ...
Bereaved mothers' Pyrenean journey
May 01, 2007; ... A trek to pay tribute to their sons A CPHVA member whose son's death highlighted the lack of support for bereaved parents employed by the NHS, is about to start on a 500-mile walk across the Pyrenees. Jayne Hyde's son Jamie died the day before his 20th birthday. An award-winning ...
Shingles
May 01, 2007; ... This month, In the Picture features a skin condition most associated with older age groups, although cases affecting children and young people are also on the rise Shingles Shingles (herpes zoster) occurs when there is reactivation of chickenpox virus, which has been lying ...
Marketing offensive?
May 01, 2007; ... Ann McGauran looks at the rules and the realities behind the promotion of formula milk Sources of Information Breastfeeding is promoted in the UK through campaigns such as National Breastfeeding Week, but day-to-day, much of the information distributed to mothers is generated by ...
Health visitor cuts affecting vulnerable families
May 01, 2007; ... Health visitors have more stress, fewer staff and longer hours than they did a year ago, according to the latest research carried out by CPHVA and Durdle Davis, the business research team. Cheryll Adams and Isobel Craig report on the latest annual survey Reductions in the health visiting ...
A growing concern
May 01, 2007; ... Soon the UK will adopt new World Health Organization growth charts based on measurements of breastfed babies. Tam Fry of the Child Growth Foundation looks at the implications The UK is about to adopt, as standard, new World Health Organization (WHO) weight and length/height charts. They ...
Service issues
May 01, 2007; ... Following the restructuring of CPHVA's professional officer team, and the recent vote for a merger with the T&G, Ros Godson, professional officer for school health and public health, gives a practical guide to members on getting the most from your union A bit about ...
Natural resources
May 01, 2007; ... Carol Harris reports on the biggest campaign so far to mark this year's National Breastfeeding Awareness Week National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (13 - 19 May) this year will be the biggest ever, with country-wide TV and radio advertising supporting the initiative for the first ...
LETTERS
May 01, 2007; ... SMA DVD I am disturbed to see that Community Practitioner has distributed a DVD sponsored by the infant formula manufacturer SMA. The content of this DVD, in particular the presentation by health visitor Alison Wall, is likely to undermine best practice and professional confidence in ...
Volunteering as a Community Mother a pathway to lifelong learning
May 01, 2007; ... Abstract This paper describes a study that was undertaken to investigate the effects of participating in a community volunteering programme (the Community Mothers Programme) on volunteers (Community Mothers). The aim of the study was to investigate if volunteering in this programme acted ...
The emotional wellbeing of Bangladeshi mothers during the postnatal period
May 01, 2007; ... Abstract There have been significant studies commenting on the postnatal experience and the emotional well-being of mothers following the birth of their child. This paper focuses on the emotional well-being and health beliefs of Bangladeshi mothers during this period. An attempt was made ...
Application of health equity audit to health visiting
May 01, 2007; ... Catherine Pritchard BA MPH MCIEH PhD Specialist trainee in public health Charnwood and North West Leicesteshire PCT Blanca de Verteull BSc (Hons) MPH Public health information analyst Chamwood and North West Leicesteshire ...