News

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

Big story: down with social media?

The evidence around the ill effects of social media and long periods of screen time is not straightforward, writes journalist Juliette Astrup. She looks at the latest research on how young people can make the most of online positives and blot out the dark side of the internet.

Safeguarding, Mental Health

Help for HVs facing fitness-to-practise proceedings

Nurses, midwives and nursing associates involved in fitness-to-practise (FtP) proceedings can now access a new, free and confidential support service.

Regional/CountryProfessional

England: mother and baby app used by local maternity systems

The Mum & Baby app designed in London that provides women with information throughout pregnancy and new motherhood is being picked up by services across England.

Regional/CountryProfessional

NHS in Scotland struggles to stay in the black

The health service in Scotland could suffer a £1.8bn shortfall in less than five years without reforms, Audit Scotland has warned.

Regional/CountryProfessional

District nurse student numbers are on the up

The number of students enrolled in district nurse education is up by almost a fifth.

Regional/CountryProfessional

Northern Ireland: multidisciplinary teams roll out across the regions

The transformation of care at GP surgeries is stepping up with the regional roll-out of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).

Regional/CountryProfessional

England: ‘five praises a day’ leads to better behaved children

Children who are praised by their parents at least five times a day are better behaved, calmer and more attentive than those who are not.

Regional/CountryProfessional, Behaviour

Measles wipes children’s immune system

A new study has shown that measles damages the immune system, leaving children who recover more vulnerable to other infections.

Research Immunisation & illness

Children can understand counting at 14 months

Children can understand counting at 14 months Infants as young as 14 months understand the concept of counting before they grasp the full meaning of numbers, research has concluded.

Research Growth and development

The HV strikes: applying pressure

The Lincolnshire health visitors started their latest strike last week (Monday 18 November). 

Lincolnshire HVs strike for a month

Lincolnshire health visitors will strike for a month over the council’s ‘divide and rule’ jobs move, which could see some lose tens of thousands of pounds over their working lives.
 

Research Careers, Jobs, Professional

Big story: teaching the truth about FGM

Lessons raising awareness about female genital mutilation are to be taught in secondary school classrooms from next year. But is that too late, asks Journalist Juliette Astrup.

Regional/Country Safeguarding

China: Probiotics may help obese children shed weight

Probiotic supplements could help obese children lose weight, new research suggests.

Regional/Country Nutrition, Growth and development

Finland: Stress in pregnancy linked to child personality disorders

Children born to women who experience severe stress when pregnant are more likely to develop a personality disorder by the age of 30, a new study suggests.

Regional/Country Health and wellbeing, Behaviour

Sweden: Anaemia in early pregnancy is related to increased risk of children’s autism and ADHD

A cohort study looking at more than 500,000 children and their mothers has linked maternal anaemia early in pregnancy with an increased risk of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability in the child.

Regional/Country Vulnerability, Behaviour, Mental Health

England: Parental involvement unlocks children’s academic attainment

Parental engagement has a positive effect on a child’s academic attainment, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, according to a new report.

Regional/Country Education

England: Summer-born children are more likely to suffer depression in childhood

The youngest children in the school year are 30% more likely to develop depression than their older peers, according to analysis of data from more than a million UK children.

Regional/Country Mental Health
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