Community Practitioner back issues from July 2009:
The line in the sand: rates of bankruptcy due to healthcare debts in the US underline the urgent need to fight the UK government's NHS privatisation agenda.(COMMENT)(National Health Service)
Jul 01, 2009; ... One reassuring comfort of visiting your GP is that personal bankruptcy will not ensue. Hold that thought! Bankruptcy could mean your home being repossessed, savings eradicated, unpleasant legal proceedings and relationships crumbling under pressure. While this scenario is far ...
Health [B.sub.4] profit: abolish NHS internal market: Unite calls for abolition of NHS internal market in England to prevent a financial shortfall.(NEWS)(National Health Service)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite has stated that the best way to save the NHS from a budget shortfall is to abolish the internal market, after an NHS Confederation report predicted severe constrictions in NHS finances in only two years, which could lead to a possible shortfall of 15 billion [pounds sterling]. ...
MMR: reassurance not compulsion.(NEWS)(measles, mumps and rubella)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite/CPHVA has stated that health visitors have a key role in reassuring parents who have anxieties about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Responding to BMA chairman Sir Sandy Macara's proposal that children should not be ...
Swine flu guidance for pregnant women.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department of Health (DH) has issued new guidance for the care of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with influenza A (H1N1) swine flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that pregnant women are at high risk, after it raised the influenza pandemic alert phase ...
Conference update.(NEWS)(Conference news)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Applications for the MacQueen Award 2009 for Excellence in Practice, to be presented at this year's Unite/CPHVA annual professional conference, are now open. Unite/CPHVA professional officer Gavin Fergie stated: 'In the present economic climate, members often say that their work ...
NI members over-worked.(NEWS)(Northern Ireland )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite/CPHVA's survey of community practitioners in Northern Ireland (NI) is expected to illustrate the dire working conditions that the workforce is facing. Unite/CPHVA professional officer Gavin Fergie stated: 'The survey's findings have highlighted similar professional ...
Nursing commission seeks views.(Future of Nursing and Midwifery Commission )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Future of Nursing and Midwifery Commission is seeking the views of nurses and midwives on what knowledge and skills are required for the delivery of 21st century services, what they would do differently in the future, what ...
NHS Teen LifeCheck.(National Health Service)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department of Health has rolled out its NHS Teen LifeCheck tool nationally. It provides a free online lifestyle self-assessment service in the ...
Protecting children from sexual exploitation.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published new guidance to help healthcare professionals, social workers, teachers and the police to identify children at risk, how to protect them ...
Lung cancer inequalities report card.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has published a 'report card', grading the government's performance across key areas of lung cancer management and patient care from 'A' to 'F'. It highlights substantial inequalities in care across the UK, giving the ...
Eczema: Parent of the Year Award.(National Eczema Society )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The National Eczema Society has introduced a new category for its National Eczema Society Award--the Parent of the Year Award. It aims to help support and inspire parents to manage their child's eczema. The five existing categories are healthcare ...
Know Your Limits 2009.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department of Health is finalising plans for this year's Know Your Limits campaign against binge drinking. It is calling on any organisations that are planning alcohol awareness activities to inform them of their plans. Alcohol Awareness Week will take place from 19 to 25 ...
Nurses to run 10k for QNI.(Queen's Nursing Institute )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) will be taking part in the London 10K Run 2009 in order to raise 150 000 [pounds sterling] in ...
DH advises against rice drinks.(Department of Health )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department of Health (DH) has advised that children aged under five years should avoid rice drinks, also known as rice milk, due to risks of exposure to inorganic arsenic. The Food Standards Agency found the ...
EYFS questionnaire.(Early Years Foundation Stage)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is seeking views from early years professionals on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, currently in its first year. The QCA is asking how well EYFS has been ...
New medicine leaflets.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Neonatal Pharmacists Group and national children's charity WellChild have produced a number of new leaflets on medicine dosages, side effects and ...
School nurse recruitment and retention.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite/CPHVA has stated that health and wellbeing groups being piloted in schools across Scotland can be expected to highlight a lack of school nurses. While welcoming the initiative, which aims to identify staffing requirements to improve the health of school children, ...
NMC whistle-blowing policy.(NEWS)(Nursing and Midwifery Council )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The NMC has agreed to improve its advice on whistle-blowing, after a meeting with Unite, RCN, RCM and Public Concern at Work to discuss how anxieties over upsetting management and career prospects could discourage nurses from reporting cases of misconduct ....
Children's commissioners.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite/CPHVA has rejected proposals to merge Scotland's commissioner for children with the Scottish Commission for Human Rights. Unite/CPHVA professional officer Gavin Fergie stated: 'Amalgamating the two would send worrying signals that the rights of children and young people ...
Netmums funding.(NEWS)(Netmums' Parent Support Service)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite/CPHVA has welcomed additional Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) two-year funding toward Netmums' Parent Support Service, where health visitors provide online support to parents. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unite/CPHVA lead professional officer Obi ...
ContactPoint training.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has started to train healthcare professionals in the use of ContactPoint, which it estimates could save five million hours of healthcare professionals' time spent trying to identify who else is working on the same child protection ...
Call for new minister to honour pledge.(NEWS)(Andy Burnham)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Unite/CPHVA has welcomed new health secretary Andy Burnham's prioritisation of public health, but stressed that he needs to follow up commitments to health visiting. Unite/CPHVA lead professional officer Cheryll Adams stated: 'We are delighted with the new appointment. Andy's ...
'Sticking plasters for children's souls'.(Member's corner)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust emotional and mental health advisor Deborah Bone and health visitor Julie Nash have won a Publication and Training Aids prize for Sticking plasters for children's souls, stories and poems targeted at five- to ...
Luton health visitor awarded a GP Enterprise Award 2009.(Member's corner)(Ann Francis )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Luton Primary Care Trust health visitor Ann Francis has won the primary care category of the GP Enterprise Award 2009 for childhood eczema clinics. Ann stated: 'I am delighted that I have won this prestigious award and I am glad to have been able to help and support so many families whose ...
Child poverty bill.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The government has made it a legal requirement for NHS organisations, local authorities and central government to work together in order to eradicate child poverty. Unite/CPHVA lead professional officer Obi Amadi stated: 'Addressing child poverty involves a multifaceted ...
Stop smoking roll-out.(NEWS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The Department of Health has announced that it will roll out a three-tiered smoking cessation pilot that includes its '3 As' approach, after receiving feedback that it has increased NHS stop smoking referrals by 49%. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unite/CPHVA professional ...
Stop 'patchwork privatisation': Unite's Health B4 Profit campaign is fighting privatisation in England's NHS--what can Unite/CPHVA members do to help save community services?(UNITE THE UNION)(National Health Service)
Jul 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unite is stepping up its fight to end the patchwork privatisation and fragmentation of the NHS in England with the launch of its Health B4 Profit campaign. As part of Transforming Community Services (TCS), local NHS trusts are now evaluating ...
Learning disabilities: able to love: people with learning disabilities face many barriers in getting sexual health advice and support, not least a reluctance to view them as sexual beings.(NEWS FEATURE)
Jul 01, 2009; ... The sexual health of people with learning disabilities can still be a taboo area, despite strategies to support them in developing and sustaining relationships, including sexual relationships. Community practitioners are key to providing sexual health advice to this vulnerable ...
Get the records moving: school health records need to be transferred and requested promptly.(PLATFORM)
Jul 01, 2009; ... I have often been frustrated by the delay in transferring and receiving school health records. Part of this relates to obtaining 'on/off roll' information from schools, which provides details of children new to the school and those who have left. Lists can be difficult to obtain and often ...
Representations of autism: implications for community healthcare practice.(PROFESSIONAL)(Report)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Introduction Autism is a much researched area, with many papers discussing both its manifestations and how best to approach these in clinical practice (for example, see Wing (1) for further discussion). Typically, academic research draws on Wing's triad of impairments to ...
Controversial questions (part two): should there be a direct-entry route to health visitor education?(PROFESSIONAL)(Report)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Introduction This is the second of a series of three 'controversial questions' papers. Questions may seem controversial because there is little consensus about the answer, or they may be considered hostile because they challenge established norms or stereotypes. Both of those ...
A pilot of the parents' evaluation of developmental status tool.(PROFESSIONAL)(Report)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Introduction The health visiting service in Milton Keynes reviewed its services in 2007 in conjunction with the local paediatric department. It introduced a pilot project to undertake a two-year review using the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (1) (PEDS) tool as ...
On hand, in school: school nurses in St Helens extended their Clinic in a Box sexual health service into schools in order to be more accessible to young people.
Jul 01, 2009; ... Teenage pregnancy rates in the UK remain the highest in Western Europe. (1) In 2006, there were 7330 conceptions to females aged 13 to 15 years, with 60.2% ending in legal abortion. (2) The under-18 rate of conception for England in 2006 was 40.6, in the North West region it was 44.2 and ...
Cleft lip and/or palate: clinical practice in the UK and the role of the clinical nurse specialist.(CLINICAL UPDATE)
Jul 01, 2009; ... One in 700 babies born in the UK has either a cleft lip and/or palate. (1) Babies may have both cleft lip and palate, or either on its own. Prevalence varies by ethnic group, geographic origin and sex--cleft lip and palate is more common in boys, and cleft palate alone in girls. (2) The ...
Atopic eczema in infants and children: working with children and their families to manage eczema and control flare-ups.(CLINICAL UPDATE)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Atopic eczema affects up to one in five children in the UK, and can begin in babies from about six weeks of age. (1) Although eczema is not often thought of as a serious medical condition, it can have a significant impact on the quality of life for both the child and the family. This ...
Call to change measles prophylaxis guidelines.(CLINICAL PAPERS)
Jul 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many infants born in the UK will become susceptible to measles before six months of age, according to the Health Protection Agency, which concludes that guidance on prophylaxis for infants exposed to measles should be changed. In the first year ...
Television noise results in decreased interaction between parent and child.(CLINICAL PAPERS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... For every hour spent in the presence of an audible television, parents speak fewer words and infants are less likely to make vocal responses, US researchers have found. The researchers studied 329 two- to 48-month old children. The infants wore digital devices on random days for ...
Blood pressure-lowering diet also reduces risk of heart failure.(CLINICAL PAPERS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... A diet designed to prevent and treat high blood pressure could also be associated with a lower risk of heart failure among women, according to a study. US researchers hypothesised that diets consistent with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)--which features high ...
Antidepressant ineffective in reducing ASD repetitive behaviours.(autism spectrum disorders )(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The antidepressant citalopram does not appear to reduce the occurrence of repetitive behaviours in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), according to a trial. Because of suggested similarities between repetitive behaviours in ASDs and obsessive-compulsive ...
Furniture-tipping injuries rising.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... The number of injuries involving televisions and other furniture tipping over onto children has increased since the early 1990s, a US study has found. Televisions have become larger and heavier, with the weight often disproportionately located toward the front. Televisions may be placed on ...
Gestational diabetes a risk factor for type-2 diabetes.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Women with gestational diabetes are around seven times more likely to develop overt type-2 diabetes than those who have a normoglycaemic pregnancy, London researchers have found. To assess the strength of association between the two conditions, researchers performed a systematic review and ...
Delayed hearing loss risk for extremely preterm infants.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Extreme prematurity is a risk factor for permanent hearing loss (PHL) that is often delayed in onset and progressive, according to a study. Canadian researchers studied PHL in 1279 extremely premature infants born at 28 weeks or less between 1974 and 2003. PHL was present in 40 children ...
Age-related eye disease linked with cognitive impairment.(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Mature adults with low cognitive function test scores may be more likely to have early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD has been thought to share a common pathway with Alzheimer's disease. Both involve similar changes in the brain and eye, and clinical studies suggest ...
Campaigning in the NHS.(YOUR RIGHTS AT WORK)(National Health Service)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Members campaigning for change in local services can access a great amount of advice, support and resources from Unite, including valuable new guidance on how to run an effective campaign in the NHS Unite has produced an excellent guide to campaigning in the NHS, (1) summarised ...
Key messages from policy, research and practice about young people who are NEET.(Book review)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Key messages from policy, research and practice about young people who are NEET Jo Tunnard, Tim Barnes, Steve Flood, Research in Practice (2008) ISBN: 9781904984282, 10 [pounds sterling] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This book describes emerging ...
'Trust me, I'm a health manager': the untold stories of great managers and leaders in the NHS.(Book review)
Jul 01, 2009; ... 'Trust me, I'm a health manager': the untold stories of great managers and leaders in the NHS Greg Sheridan, Charlotte Rastan, Dan Foulks, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement (2008) ISBN: 9781906535728, 5.99 [pounds sterling] Trust me, ...
Expectant fathers DVD: a resource to aid expectant fathers in the practical skills of fatherhood.(Video recording review)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Expectant fathers DVD: a resource to aid expectant fathers in the practical skills of fatherhood Trefor Lloyd, Working With Men (2008) ISBN: 9781900468091, 30 [pounds sterling] This 16-minute DVD is a resource for healthcare professionals who are running ...
The wonder year: first year development and shaping the brain.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
Jul 01, 2009; ... The wonder year: first year development and shaping the brain Siren Films (2008), 89 [pounds sterling] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This excellent documentary-style film follows a newborn baby called Orson and his family through his first year of life in his home ...
Attachment and holistic development: the first year.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
Jul 01, 2009; ... Attachment and holistic development: the first year Siren Films (2008), 89 [pounds sterling] This DVD also follows the first year of baby Orson and his family, but this time 20 clips show a wide range of development from Orson's first eye contact after birth through ...
Diary.(NETWORK)(Brief article)(Calendar)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Rhythm Kids Workshop On-going dates One-day fun-filled workshop for baby massage teachers. Enhances child's language, muscle, cognitive and vestibular development, as well as their social skills. Touch-Learn Ltd T 01889 566222 E ...
Noticeboard.(NETWORK)
Jul 01, 2009 ... Men's health and engaging fathers As a working party member researching men's health and engaging with fathers, I would be interested to hear from anyone who has researched this area. Margaret McDaid T 01942 775496 E ...
The line in the sand
Jul 01, 2009; ... Rates of bankruptcy due to healthcare debts in the US underline the urgent need to fight the UK government's NHS privatisation agenda One reassuring comfort of visiting your GP is that personal bankruptcy will not ensue. Hold that thought! Bankruptcy could mean your home being ...
Health B4 Profit: abolish NHS internal market
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite calls for abolition of NHS internal market in England to prevent a financial shortfall Unite has stated that the best way to save the NHS from a budget shortfall is to abolish the internal market, after an NHS Confederation report predicted severe constrictions in NHS finances in ...
MMR: reassurance not compulsion
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite/CPHVA has stated that health visitors have a key role in reassuring parents who have anxieties about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation. Responding to BMA chairman Sir Sandy Macara's proposal that children should not be allowed to go to school without having been ...
Swine flu guidance for pregnant women
Jul 01, 2009; ... The Department of Health (DH) has issued new guidance for the care of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with influenza A (HlNl) swine flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that pregnant women are at high risk, after it raised the influenza pandemic alert phase to six - ...
Conference update
Jul 01, 2009; ... Applications for the MacQueen Award 2009 for Excellence in Practice, to be presented at this year's Unite/CPHVA annual professional conference, are now open. Unite/CPHVA professional officer Gavin Fergie stated: 'In the present economic climate, members often say that their work is not ...
NEWS: IN BRIEF...
Jul 01, 2009; ... Nursing commission seeks views The Future of Nursing and Midwifery Commission is seeking the views of nurses and midwives on what knowledge and skills are required for the delivery of 21st century services, what they would do differently in the future, what barriers are stopping them, ...
NI members over-worked
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite/CPHVA's survey of community practitioners in Northern Ireland (NI) is expected to illustrate the dire working conditions that the workforce is facing. Unite/CPHVA professional officer Gavin Fergie stated: 'The survey's findings have highhghted similar professional concerns and ...
School nurse recruitment and retention
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite/CPHVA has stated that health and wellbeing groups being piloted in schools across Scotland can be expected to highlight a lack of school nurses. While welcoming the initiative, which aims to identify staffing requirements to improve the health of school children, Unite/CPHVA ...
NMC whistle-blowing policy
Jul 01, 2009; ... The NMC has agreed to improve its advice on whistleblowing, after a meeting with Unite, RCN, RCM and Public Concern at Work to discuss how anxieties over upsetting management and career prospects could discourage nurses from reporting cases of misconduct. Unite national officer for ...
Children's commissioners
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite/CPHVA has rejected proposals to merge Scotland's commissioner for children with the Scottish Commission for Human Rights. Unite/CPHVA professional officer Gavin Fergie stated: Amalgamating the two would send worrying signals that the rights of children and young people are not seen ...
Netmums funding
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite/CPHVA has welcomed additional Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) two-year funding toward Netmums' Parent Support Service, where health visitors provide online support to parents. Unite/CPHVA lead professional officer Obi Amadi stated: 'We are pleased that the DCSF ...
Correction
Jul 01, 2009; ... The title of one summary in last month's Clinical papers was incorrect, though the text of the summary was accurate. The title should have ...
ContactPoint training
Jul 01, 2009; ... The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has started to train healthcare professionals in the use of ContactPoint, which it estimates could save five million hours of healthcare professionals' time spent trying to identify who else is working on the same child protection ...
Call for new minister to honour pledge
Jul 01, 2009; ... Unite/CPHVA has welcomed new health secretary Andy Burnham's prioritisation of public health, but stressed that he needs to follow up commitments to health visiting. Unite/CPHVA lead professional officer Cheryll Adams stated: 'We are delighted with the new appointment. Andy's priority of ...