News | Page 2 | Community Practitioner

What’s happening in the world of public health? We take a look at the latest stories affecting the professions.

Wales: ‘Test and post’ sexual health pilot scheme extended

A scheme allowing self-testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at home has been extended for six months following a successful pilot.

Regional/CountrySexual health

England: New parents with mental health problems could be overlooked, says NSPCC

About one in four new parents in England are not seeing a health visitor when their baby turns one, increasing the risk of mental health problems going unnoticed, the NSPCC says.

Regional/CountryMental Health

UK loses measles-free status: health leaders to renew efforts

The government has set out measures to improve vaccination rates after the UK lost its measles-free status with the World Health Organization.

Regional/CountryImmunisation & illness

HV Band 7 clarification

Gavin Fergie, Lead Professional for Health in Scotland, explains…

Union

England: School starters at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases

One in seven five-year-olds may not be fully up to date with some routine immunisations, Public Health England (PHE) has cautioned, with the figure rising to around one in four children in London.

Regional/CountryImmunisation & illness, Growth and development

Big story: more harm than good

Rates of self-harm are rising steeply, especially among young women, but the majority are still not able to access the right medical or psychological care. Can you play a helpful role? Journalist Juliette Astrup investigates.

Regional/CountryHealth and wellbeing, Vulnerability, Mental Health

October news in numbers

A breakdown of community health news this month, in numbers. Download the PDF, here.

Regional/CountryVulnerability, Education, Mental Health

England: New digital technology will free up HVs’ time

A £14.3m digital transformation programme is set to save valuable time for health-visiting teams in Greater Manchester.

Regional/Country Jobs, Professional

Wales: Health and social care improvement service relaunching

The 1000 Lives Improvement service is to relaunch next month as Improvement Cymru.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing

Health visitor battle continues

The campaign for pay justice continues as Lincolnshire health visitors took centre stage at the TUC Congress in Brighton.

Round up Employment, Jobs, Professional

Scotland: Staff to receive psychological trauma training

More than 5000 workers are to be trained in recognising and dealing with psychological trauma, in a UK first.

Regional/Country Careers, Jobs, Professional

Denmark: Babies born to poorly educated women are more likely to die within the first year

A study shows that women with less than nine years of education, or no education, have an increased risk of their child dying during the first year, with premature birth and low fetal weight explaining 55% to 60% of cases.

Regional/Country Education

Finland: Countryside children have better motor skills than those in towns

Children living in the country spend more time outdoors and have better motor skills than those in towns, says a study of almost 1000 three- to seven-year-olds published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Regional/Country Growth and development

England: BMI is higher in children of separated parents

The body mass index (BMI) of children who have separated parents is significantly higher than that of children whose families have stayed intact.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing, Growth and development

England: Bullied children are at greater risk of depression

A mix of genetic and environmental factors could put some people at greater risk of depression if they are bullied as children, says a study in JAMA Network Open.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Mental Health

Wales: Scientists spot eating disorder early warning signs

Researchers have found a series of early warning signs that could herald the development of an eating disorder.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Safeguarding, Growth and development

Canada: Energetic play in early childhood can keep heart healthy in later life

Physical activity in children as young as three can prevent early risk indicators that lead to adult heart disease, research has found.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing, Nutrition