Reflections and thoughts from the President and Chair
Presidential reflection: The magic of digital search tools
Today, when we want to undertake a literature search for a paper or a review, or look up information about a practice-related topic, we turn to digital search tools. Google Scholar is often the search engine people turn to as a starting point, before moving on to more reliable indexing databases such as PubMed and CINAHL.
These databases provide search and retrieval functions for literature that we can easily take for granted. Access to information is fundamental for all children’s nurses regardless of whether they are working in practice, management, education, research or other settings.
However, as someone whose early days of searching (back in the 1980s) involved laboriously looking through paper index cards and microfiches, there is still an element of magic about how quickly I can search and often instantly retrieve a paper of interest.
I’ve been around long enough to be grateful that I no longer must rely on reading papers on a microfiche. For those of you who don’t remember microfiches, they are small sheets of plastic film containing many pages of printed matter (e.g., journal articles) that have been shrunk to fit on the film. The researcher then put the selected sheet into a machine that magnified the image. You really had to want to do a search to do a search!
The magic of searching a resource such as PubMed is that it has been free and available to the public since 1996. This has meant that anyone has been able to search for biomedical and life sciences literature and had up-to-date access to >39 million citations and abstracts and often links through to full text papers.
Free access to resources such as PubMed opens the door to information, and information can change the world. PubMed aims, among other things, to improve ‘health–both globally and personally’.
Thus, it came as a shock to me, when I was using PubMed to search for papers to include in this newsletter, to read that ‘due to a lapse in [US] government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted’.
Without getting overtly political, this lapse in funding reveals how fragile our taken-for-granted access to information is; the magic is dimmed.
Without reliable and contemporary databases, our access to knowledge becomes limited and the whole world is poorer.
Professor Bernie Carter, ABPN President, bernie.carter@edgehill.ac.uk
Words from our new Chair
I am delighted to contribute to this ABPN Newsletter in my role as the newly appointed ABPN Chair and to extend my heartfelt thanks to all ABPN officers and members for their warm and generous support.
In this contribution I offer reflections on representing the ABPN at the ‘Celebrating Children and Young People’s Conference’ hosted by Northumbria University in Newcastle (18th-19th September 2025).
Healthcare professionals are acutely aware that caring for babies, children, young people and their families across the whole range of healthcare settings requires a high level of commitment, energy, compassion and kindness. The work of caring is hard, especially under the many recent pressures on the healthcare service, but the rewards of our efforts are vast and can often be positively life-changing for the staff who are delivering care. This was evident at the ‘Celebrating Children and Young People’s Conference’ which the ABPN attended and found valuable.
A wide range of important issues were presented at the conference highlighting the impact of current service delivery on the quality of healthcare experienced by children, young people and their families.
Young people themselves asked direct and searching questions to a designated ‘expert’ panel of nursing and healthcare providers and looked for assurances of their voices being heard and acted upon in relation to service improvements.
Passionate and moving accounts of parents’ and children’s lived health experiences had a profound impact on the audience, with many of the delegates displaying high emotion and being moved to tears. There was a distinct momentum to take practice improvements forward in due consideration of the positive difference this would make to future healthcare.
Dr Jean A Davies, Chair jean.davies@bangor.ac.uk
Save the date
Meet the Team
Mary Brady, Member of the ABPN Enhancing Membership Working Group
I have had a varied and lengthy career with experience in a Coronary Care Unit, medical and surgical ward for infants, a Regional Neonatal Unit for neonates requiring surgery, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Regional Neonatal Surgery, and a general Children’s Ward. Three of these posts were as Sister / Ward Manager enabling the development of leadership and management skills.
Throughout my clinical career, I had always enjoyed mentoring and teaching others and moved into Higher Education to focus on facilitating the learning of a variety of students, (undergraduate and post graduate nurses, midwives, and paramedics).
Over 20 years involved in Higher Education, I gained an in-depth understanding by taking on additional roles (children’s nursing team branch/field leader, academic misconduct co-lead, assessments tutor, quality lead for children’s nursing team and most recently year 2 lead). Throughout, I was actively involved with developing five nursing curricula ensuring the inclusion of the voice and care needs of children, young people, and their families. Adult nursing predominates, so children’s, learning disability and mental health nursing need strong advocates within the academic staff. I also participated in the development of post-graduate and Masters level modules.
During my career, the importance of research-based care has been essential, initially evidenced by being awarded the Grant Memorial prize in 1987, then BSc studies, ward-based projects to enhance improved patient care, exploring the concept of the ‘good children’s nurse’, the needs of students in their first practice placement and improving mental health education for children’s nursing students.
Additional scholarly activity has included eight years as an active member of the RCN Professional Issues forum and external examiner at two different universities.
As a recently retired children’s nurse, I was keen to reignite my involvement with the ABPN and have been participating in the Enhancing Membership Working Group.
Jessica Semedo, BSc, RN (Child), Roald Dahl Transition Nurse Specialist for Barts Health, and member of the ABPN’s Communications and Raising the Profile Working Group
I am a registered children’s nurse. My aim is to bring warmth, determination, and a deep sense of purpose to my role as a Roald Dahl Transition Nurse Specialist. My journey into nursing has been anything but conventional, it has been shaped by resilience, a strong community spirit, and a passion for making healthcare more compassionate and inclusive.
When I moved to London, I did not speak English, but I began volunteering with vulnerable pregnant women, training as a Doula and Breastfeeding Specialist, and eventually becoming a volunteer coordinator and home assessor.
I completed my nursing degree at City University, with clinical placements across Barts Health NHS Trust. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I played a key role in mentoring and supporting fellow student nurses through an incredibly challenging time. My efforts were nationally recognised when I was awarded Nursing Times Student Nurse of the Year: Children’s in 2022 — a reflection of my commitment to care, leadership, and compassion under pressure. The judges crowned me their winner and said: “Jessica is a true inspiration in the children nursing profession…she empowers people around her to achieve the best that they can, and she shares her knowledge freely to support others”.
Now approaching three years as a registered nurse, I have worked in respiratory care and I now leads transition care for young people across the Trust. I champion person-centred, developmentally appropriate care and I work strategically to improve outcomes for children and young people.
I am passionate about sharing knowledge, spreading positivity, and supporting others through my active presence on social media, where I aim to encourage and inspire the next generation of nurses.
Updates from the ABPN
Update on our Enhancing Membership Working Group
The number of student members is increasing across 1st year, 2nd and 3rd Year students. Following the ABPN AGM, undergraduate students completing a programme to be a registered children’s nurse are eligible for free membership for the duration of their programme. Information has been circulated to Nurse Lecturers and via social media.
Engagement of retired members has been discussed with the proposal to develop a ‘chatter club’. The proposed development is on hold until logistic issues have been resolved. If you are interested in assisting with this development or joining an ABPN ‘chatter club’ please email abpnmembership@gmail.com
Would like to get involved in the Enhancing Membership Working Group or do you have suggestions about how best to engage with you? If so, email Fiona.smith15@yahoo.com who will pass your email to the chair Michael Tatterton, ABPN Fellow.
Update on our Policy Development Working Group
The Policy Development Working Group are pleased to confirm that two important documents relating to Community Children’s Nursing have now been published on our website: ‘A Blueprint for Integrated Community Children’s Nursing Services’; and the report from a World Cafe event held in March 2025. We hope that these resources will help develop essential services for babies, children and young people.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has now begun its progression through the House of Lords in Westminster. Over the summer members have written to Peers to raise issues to try to ensure the specific issues relating to young people are not overlooked during the debates.
Please do check out the series of documents on ‘safe staffing’ available on our website - which aim to provide you with the evidence-based nursing workforce requirements for health services accessed by children and young people.
If you’re interested in finding out more, please get in touch with the Working Group Chairperson katrina.mcnamara@icloud.com
Update on our Communications and Raising the Profile Working Group
The Communications and Raising the Profile working group has been extremely busy drafting both planned and proactive press releases such as ‘World Patient Safety Day’ and ‘Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day’. Other activities include gathering information for the newsletter and organising the ABPN ‘free’ and open to all webinar programme which is continually being updated with new presentations and discussions. If you have suggestions for future webinars, please email the chairperson fiona.smith15@yahoo.com
We hope to launch a student member webinar programme in 2026 once logistic issues have been resolved. If you have suggestions for topics of interest we would be delighted to hear from you.
We have warmly welcomed Jessica Semedo and Adaobi Okai to the Communications and Raising the Profile working group.
Jessica has, on behalf of the ABPN, established an ABPN Instagram account – so do follow us there.
Nicola Fielding has also set up an ABPN account on LinkedIn to raise the profile of the ABPN further across the UK and beyond.
We are seeking additional members to participate in our activities, particularly in relation to identifying and scheduling topical webinars, working with journalists, the development of podcasts, our website and social media activity. If you are interested in learning new skills and being involved, please contact the chairperson fiona.smith15@yahoo.com
Have you found other resources that maybe helpful to other ABPN members? If so, please let us know so we can share with others in future newsletters, please email fiona.smith15@yahoo.com
Free student membership
We want to welcome new students to the Association.
We offer free student membership for all students studying on an undergraduate CYP programme leading to RN Child registration. This free membership is for the duration of their programme.
This is a fantastic offer, so if you’re a student who meets the criteria, don’t hesitate to apply at membersabpn@yahoo.co.uk and/or check out our 'Become a member webpage
Update your details on the membership platform
The membership platform is a useful tool for all members. It is not only for administration purposes but also a way of linking members with each other. We would therefore encourage members to complete the biographical and interest sections. From this we will be able to build up collaborative groups and give you an opportunity to share your expertise or learn from others.
If you have not yet completed the registration process by responding to the invitation to join the platform, get in touch and we can send you a new invitation.
Press Releases and Media Activity
We have issued the following press releases since the publication of our last newsletter
Check out the ABPN website to keep up to date with further ABPN media activity
Update on our Social Media Drive
Since the previous newsletter we have launched an Instagram account for the ABPN. Please follow us.
Our full backlog of webinars are now live on our YouTube channel. We’ll be regularly updating our YouTube with each webinar as they come out so keep your eyes peeled for any you may have missed.
Have you got ideas on what you’d like to see on our social media pages, or you’d like to create your own infographic or video? If so, send an email to our social media lead Georgina at georgina.fg@sky.com to see how we can incorporate your ideas!
Don’t miss out on all of the content we’ve mentioned and much more. Follow us on:
Fellowship Talk
This section plans to bring you news about our Fellows
In this section Ray Mc Morrow, Fellow of the ABPN talks about the evolution of children’s mental health services.
The evolution of Children’s Mental Health Services and the implications for the nursing profession.
Ray Mc Morrow MA, RMN, RNMH, ABPN Fellow
It was a great honour to receive into a Fellowship from the Association of British Paediatric Nurses.
As a Mental Health Nurse/ Learning Disability Nurse it is a particular privilege to be recognised by my paediatric colleagues, as it represents my deep commitment to children and the nursing of children.
I have worked in Child Mental Health (CYPMH) and Safeguarding for most of my career.
CYPMH services have evolved enormously from my staring point in the 1980s. Our community Consultants didn’t prescribe medication, and formal diagnosis outside of hospital services, except for eating disorders, was uncommon. Psychoanalytical and Family Therapy were the main models of intervention. Indeed, a diagnosis was considered a stigma by many parents who arrived as a last resort to our services.
Since 2000 we have seen an evolution brought about by radical developments in our understanding of neurodevelopment, impacts of trauma, as well as person centred therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Cognitive therapies have provided frontline services that support the empowerment of our clients. Greater understanding of neurological presentations has led to increased use of medication in CYPMH and paediatrics particularly for ADHD and anxiety related to Autism Spectrum presentations. What is less clear is improvements for children with severe mental health conditions.
From a nursing perspective we are required to have good understanding of these presentations, and our education has to look at how to communicate and empower children. The recent rapid increase in autism diagnosis is most significant in young females and will be reflected within our own profession.
Current research still points to genetics as the main causal factor, and that it is diagnostic capacity and the understanding of the spectrum that has led to our current numbers. The increase would suggest that society and the nursing profession itself will always have had a large number of its members on the autistic spectrum and finding their best fit within our profession.
Supporting student nurses with neuro diverse presentations to find the best fit to their skills is an important element of the support we provide them as they launch their careers.
Nursing voices: stories from students, qualified and retired nurses
In this section we hear from Rochelle McTeague, who recently qualified with a BSc Children & Young People Nursing from Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, Libby Haynes, a final year BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) student, University of Plymouth, and from Leslie Robertson, a retired children's nurse and a past President of the ABPN.
“Walking beside Little Warriors: A Nursing Student’s Reflection on Clinical Placement in the Haematology Unit.”
Rochelle McTeague RN (Child), BSc Children & Young People Nursing from Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland
Having the opportunity to complete my clinical placement in the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Unit has been one of the greatest privileges of my nursing student journey. Being a friendly and familiar face to children during their cancer journey — supporting them through the highs and the lows, building trusting bonds and finding moments of laughter despite the challenges— has profoundly shaped my passion for a paediatric oncology.
Witnessing the emotional toll that childhood cancer opened my eyes to how it interrupts the simple joys of childhood. Many children experience isolation due to immunosuppression, where these hospital walls become their home and their “normal”. However, families met these challenges with courage and adapted to their circumstances, which was truly remarkable.
During my placement, I was inspired by the warmth, positivity and resilience within the Haematology Unit. I cared for incredible children and families who, despite the harsh effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments, displayed strength and infectious positivity. These experiences deepened my passion for preserving joy, normality and dignity amidst adversity.
The unwavering courage of the children and their families continues to motivate me to give my best in every aspect of care. The staff on the Haematology Unit are true inspirations—role models who embody compassion, skill, and teamwork. Through their guidance, I developed a deeper understanding of the importance of holistic, person- and family-centred care, which includes respecting family wishes, promoting shared decision-making, and addressing emotional as well as physical needs.
This experience has inspired me to continue advocating for children with cancer and to pursue a career in paediatric haematology and oncology nursing, enriching care for young patients and families in Northern Ireland as a newly qualified nurse.
Pursue opportunities, learn from experts and grow your passion to be a nurse
Libby Haynes, final year BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) student, University of Plymouth
As a student in my final year of child nursing at the University of Plymouth, I was given the opportunity to attend the Neonatal Nursing Association (NNA) Conference in Derby and help facilitate a workshop for neonatal nurses. I was very excited to be given this opportunity, where my growing passion for neonatal nursing began after a workshop in year two of my programme. The workshop I facilitated was about ‘supporting learners in placement’ with the focus on a neonatal setting. Therefore, I provided insight from previous paediatric placements of positive ways to support students and what I felt best to avoid. At the conference, I collaborated with another nursing student from a different university in this workshop, allowing me to share experiences and gain a different perspective of what helped them. I have been lucky enough to be given a NICU placement this year too, and I will ensure that I take what I have learned from the conference, including overcoming anxieties and building confidence in myself. Throughout the day, I attended multiple workshops and listened to many speakers and nurses who were very knowledgeable, and undeniably passionate about neonatal nursing.
The whole day inspired me to pursue my interest of this speciality further and I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of this day, where I had the opportunity to learn more from the experts, the neonatal nurses. If I could give any advice to students at any part of their programme, it would be to pursue any opportunities where you can and find what inspired you to become a nurse.
Celebrating 60 Years of Children's Nursing, Friendship and Legacy
GOSH Combined Children's and Adult Nurse Training – Reunion, September 29th, 2025
This 60th reunion was a heartfelt tribute to lasting relationships in honouring the journey we’ve shared - personally and professionally. Our original intake in 1965 was forty-two students, with only a few leaving the intensive four-year training. This enduring connection is rare and deeply respected.
This reunion photo marks a remarkable milestone: 60 years of friendship, professional growth, and shared history. On September 29th, 2025, we came together to celebrate six decades since we began our Combined Children's and Adult Nurse Training at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and other general hospitals on September 26th, 1965.
Thirty participants attended this special event, sharing memories, stories, and photographs that spanned generations. The display of old photos and memorabilia brought warmth and nostalgia, helping us remember not only those present but also those living further away (including in Australia) and those we have sadly lost. Members of our Set continue to attend funerals to represent and remember us all.
Reunions have been part of our story since 1977 and, since 2007, have been held annually for those who wish, and are able to attend. Over the years, we’ve marked key milestones: our 40th, 45th (held in Melbourne), 50th, and now our 60th celebration - many of them hosted in restaurants, most recently at Azzurro Waterloo. Naturally members also meet up informally around the country.
Our reunions have always welcomed partners too, and the presence of husbands has played an important and valued part in our gatherings. As time passes, we continue to support them and each other through loss and life changes, as well as through joy and celebration.
This year’s celebration sparked reflections on 60 years of life and families, love, and professional practice and careers. There was gratitude for GOSH, for the training we received, and for the deep bonds we forged. We touched on the immense changes in the NHS and in child healthcare since our days in training, but our focus remained on connection, legacy, and resilience.
We plan to continue meeting annually for as long as health and travel allow.
I have had the honour of being the Set Coordinator all these years - and it remains a privilege to help keep our Set connected and our memories alive.
Leslie Robertson (Past President ABPN)
ABPN Webinar Series
Details of our future webinars are presented below with the links for booking. It’s a simple process and it’s free, so please do look and join some fascinating sessions.
Links to our previous webinars can be found on our website
Why family centred care matters
- Date and time: 11th November, 16.00-17.00 (UK time)
- Presenter: Dr Michael Tatterton, Chief nursing officer at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Clinical associate professor, University of Bradford. Fellow of the ABPN.
The webinar will focus on why child-focused, family centred care is important, and how we, as children’s nurses deliver care that is relevant and meaningful to families. Michael will share some of his recent research, which explores on the delivery of family centred palliative care for babies, children and young people. Topics will include:
- What ‘family’ means in today’s society
- How we define family centred care, and how its evolved over time
- The impact and influence of families
- How family centred care makes a difference
Children’s nursing in the age of AI
- Date and time: 11th December 2025, 16.00-17.00 (UK time)
- Chair and Presenters: Dorothy Bean, Senior Clinical Lead, NHSE Transformation Directorate, Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Senior Lecturer, Kings College, London; Chris Dickson, Senior Clinical Lead at NHS Digital; Children’s digital specialist/clinical academic – TBC
Digital transformation, data utilisation and AI is heavily represented in ‘Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England’ (July 2025). But do they deserve to be? The term ‘digital’ gets 120 mentions, data, 183, and AI gets 90+ so technology is expected to make huge impacts. In comparison nursing gets 14 mentions, nurse 29 and GP 99.
This discussion will take a real-world view of how progressive digital technologies, data and AI has, might and will impact children’s nursing in its many forms. We will consider how AI will impact children, and young people perse and their access to health information and care, and we’ll consider this from public health, acute and community nursing perspectives. But how this will impact our professions and how will we need to practice in the future to remain effective and influential?
So, whether you’re a junior or senior children’s nurse, school nurse or health visitor working as a specialist, in acute, community, private or 3rd sector, in research or leadership roles, or digital services and even social care, this session will have something for you.
Bring your hopes, fears, gripes, questions and vision to the table. It will be an insightful and illuminating discussion.
Creativity in nursing
- Date and time: 21st Jan 2026,16.00-17.00 (UK time)
- Presenter: Dr Marie Clancy, Children's nurse, neonatal practitioner, nursing lecturer and researcher
Marie has been a children's nurse for 21 years and in nurse education for the last 15. She has used creative arts-based methods within her teaching and research. During this presentation she will give examples of how creativity can help children's nurses to understand complexity, problem solve, understand young people's perspectives and see the influence of historical perspectives for present care. She will give practical guidance and case studies to help others develop creative methods in children's nursing. Interested participants can see some of the research and educational practice which will be shared by accessing the following websites:
Different roles, one focus - promoting children's wellbeing
- Date and time: 27th Jan 16.00-17.00 (UK time)
- Presenter: Anne Harris, OBE
Further details to follow
Paediatric Urgent Care Module: Supporting Staff to Care for Children Safely in primary and secondary care settings
- Date and time: 5th February 2026 16.00-17.00 (UK time)
- Presenter: Ellie Forbes, MSc PGDEd PGDipPICU DipTropNurs RNChild FHEA Senior Lecturer/ Programme Lead for Children's Nursing
Managing children in primary care and secondary settings is challenging, complex and rewarding. Care may not always be delivered by paediatric trained staff but staff who are skilled in their clinical environments (ANPs, GP Practice Nurses, Paramedics, UCC, ED); increasingly, however, more paediatric trained staff are also wanting to refresh and update their skills.
This webinar will focus on the background to the module inception following poor CQC rating. Ellie will share how her prior skills and knowledge from PICU, Scotland and DGH management, led to the module conception and being developed for, and with, local staff.
Key topics will include:
- Global teaching and CYP priorities
- Moving away from didactic teaching delivery to partnership learning approaches
- Improving confidence in staff, leading to examples of improvement in practice
Supporting Children with Complex Disabilities: A 24-Hour Postural Care Approach
- Date and time: 9th February 10.00-11.00 (UK time)
- Presenter: Sarah Clayton, BSc PGCE
Does your child or the children you support struggle with poor posture, discomfort, or difficulty maintaining healthy positioning throughout the day and night? Join us for an informative and practical webinar on 24-hour postural care, designed for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children who have complex disabilities.
What you’ll learn:
- What 24-hour postural care is and why it matters
- How positioning particularly at night impacts a child’s health and well-being
- Practical strategies for improving posture
- How to identify poor positioning and make adjustments
- Common challenges and solutions for better support
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how simple postural care strategies can enhance comfort, reduce complications, and improve daily life for children with complex needs.
From clinic with love
- Date and time: 15th April 2026, 16.00-17.00 (UK time)
- Presenter: Mrs Jo Dalton (retired) RGN, RSCN. Diabetes Nurse Specialist for children and young people.
Jo will share some of the background to the Inspirational Postcards journey and how a 'note to self' can help and support a person to keep going with positive self-care.
She plans to share the idea of using Inspirational Postcards as an engagement tool with children and young people with any long-term condition where day to day self-care can feel like a heavy burden at times.
Training, Education and Other News
We welcome ideas and contributions to our training, education and other news pages.
So, if you’d like to share any training or education resources and updates, please contact fiona.smith15@yahoo.com
Journal of Child Health Resources
The Journal of Child Health Care is the Association's journal. It is full of brilliant articles. It makes for great reading and a good place to publish your own papers.
Apart from great editorials and high quality peer reviewed papers, the Journal of Child Health Care produces great JCHC podcasts, hosted by Associate Editor, Liz King. These podcasts focus on authors talking about their research and the papers published in the journal.
The latest Editorial from the JCHC focuses on the dangers of tribalism in practice and it can result in fragmented and disease-centric rather than patient centred care. Constantinos Kanaris discusses this important issue in an editorial titled ‘Tribalism in healthcare: see it, stop it, sorted. It is an interesting and challenging read.
The latest podcast is by Stephen McKeever, Liz King, Ritu Sampige and Leslie Ann Frankel and is called ‘The relationship between children’s food allergies and family mealtimes: a systematic review’
Reducing Inequalities in Breast Cancer Prevention & Treatment
November 7th (11:00 - 12:00 GMT)
Professor Emma Wilson will lead this session, exploring inequalities in breast cancer prevention, treatment and care and discussing how we can improve access to prevention and treatment for all women.
Born at the Right Time
Born at the Right Time’s vision is to ‘create a world where families of people with complex disabilities are valued and supported to thrive in a community where they belong.’
Born at the Right Time has courses for people working with parents and carers. For more details on the range of courses, visit their website. Examples include their:
- ‘Masterclass in Parent Carer Trauma’
Who Cares? Men in nursing: evolving narratives for a diverse workforce
7th November 15.00-16.00
This webinar will integrate insights from literature, workforce data, and personal narratives to examine prevailing perceptions of men in nursing. By unpacking gendered stereotypes and norms in relation to nursing, it underscores the benefits to the profession as well as society of transforming gender balance in nursing. This webinar is part of the Council's Equity Month 2025.
Three Ages of Child podcast
Three Ages of Child is a podcast series from paediatrician and broadcaster Dr Guddi Singh that ‘shines a light on children’s health and inequality’.
'Each episode connects personal stories with the bigger picture, giving us space to think and a chance to add our voices to a growing groundswell of change.’
HCUK Events
As a member you can get 20% off a series of great events and conferences events that are run by HCUK.
Any suggestions?
If you know of other training or education resources and updates that maybe helpful to other ABPN members, please let us know so we can share with others in future newsletters.
Email details to fiona.smith15@yahoo.com
Education and Development Grants
Update on policies, guidelines & reports
Diagnosing and managing pneumonia in children
NICE have produced updated guidance recommending ‘that babies and children between the ages of 3 months and 11 years with non-severe community acquired pneumonia without complications or underlying disease should be offered a 3-day rather than a 5-day course of antibiotics. This change is based on evidence that shorter antibiotic courses are equally effective and help reduce antimicrobial resistance.’
Reducing mortality in neonatal care
Data from the National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP) shows ‘a significant improvement in the adoption of a life-saving intervention for preterm babies. Find out how the audit has played a vital role in identifying neonatal care providers with lower-than-national-average rates of Deferred Cord Clamping, known to reduce mortality.’
Addressing inequalities in children’s intensive care
New research published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has ‘used data from the Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network (PICANet) to highlight inequalities for children admitted to intensive care in the UK.’
The Leng Review
This ‘Independent review into the physician associate and anaesthesia associate professions’ includes a recommendation for “ongoing national audit of safety outcomes in anaesthesia practice in conjunction with the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership to provide assurance of the safety of the physician assistant in anaesthesia role, in teams with and without physician assistants in anaesthesia’
Epilepsy12
This report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health looks at the ‘first year of care for children and young people following a first paediatric assessment.
Based on assessments in England and Wales between 1 December 2022 and 30 November 2023, it includes findings spanning mental health and care planning as well as the appropriateness of assessments and the professionals involved.’
HQIP: Life-limiting conditions, and palliative & end-of-life care
The National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) published a report in July about ‘service provision and policy recommendation learning relating to children with life-limiting conditions, and palliative and end of life care.
Based on data from April 2019 to March 2022 in England, it seeks to understand how services can be improved to provide the best possible care for children who were very unwell, had congenital anomalies, cancer, or other conditions that meant that they may have been expected to die earlier than usual.’
Flagship play centre for disabled children in Scotland
‘Three-year funding commitment supports expanded play and family support for disabled children and young people and their families in Glasgow, Dundee, Fife and Edinburgh’.
System focused engagement: good practice and meaningful assessment in health and social care
‘CQC commissioned research on what good public engagement looks like in health and care systems, and how it can be assessed. It focuses on integrated care systems (ICSs) and local authorities (LAs). The research found some common themes that show what good public engagement looks like in health and care systems. Using their experience to build on the research findings, 8 principles for good engagement in health and care systems have been created.’
Wales rolls out subsidy card for gluten-free food
‘The card will allow people with conditions like coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis to access a wider range of gluten-free foods in supermarkets and online instead of relying only on a prescription. The national gluten-free subsidy card scheme, a UK first, is an alternative way for people to access these foods.’
NHS in Wales to offer premature babies long-acting protection against common winter virus
RSV infects ‘up to 90% of children within their first two years of life and frequently reinfects older children and adults. Babies under one are at greater risk of hospitalisation with more severe RSV.
For children born very prematurely, the risk of contracting RSV in their first winter is high and can be extremely serious. RSV in infants can cause bronchiolitis, which leads to the inflammation of the small airways and significant breathing difficulties.
Nirsevimab provides protection with just one injection, replacing the monthly injections, which were previously offered to high-risk babies.’
Burdett Trust: Nurses galvanize global change post-State of the Worlds Nursing 2025
The Burdett Trust for Nursing and the Nursing Now Challenge hosted a series of online and in-person events, bringing together global nursing leaders and innovators to discuss the report data and recommendations.
The aim was for early-career nurses to be at the forefront of policy dialogue, to inform and influence decision-making for meaningful investment and policy change.
The Engage, Empower, Act video which captures key moments from this event. The Burdett Trust for Nursing, the Nursing Now Challenge, and its members urge nurses, policymakers, educators, and civil society organisations across the globe to explore the findings and recommendations in the SoWN report and use it as a tool for advocacy, collaboration, and action.
NHS to roll-out new ‘triple combination’ therapy for hundreds of children and adults with cystic fibrosis
‘Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, leading to breathing difficulties and serious infections – often requiring intensive treatment and regular hospital admissions. New ‘triple-combination’ therapy Alyftrek is taken daily at home, and works by correcting the faulty protein that causes the disease to reduce symptoms – helping people live more independently and reducing the time they need to spend in hospital. Alyftrek is a once-daily pill, offering greater convenience for some patients.’
National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training and Quality Criteria for an Effective Immunisation Programme
‘The UK Health Security Agency has published National Minimum standards and core curriculum for vaccination training which sets the standards and lists the essential topics which should be incorporated into immunisation training. Quality criteria for an effective immunisation programme has also been published which defines the key elements for the implementation and delivery of a safe, equitable, high-quality, effective and efficient immunisation service’.
Guiding principles and practices to enable systems to better support vulnerable children and young people
‘The framework for integrated care: a catalyst is a new resource by mental health charity Anna Freud and the NHS England Health and Justice Children Programme, bringing together guiding principles and practices to inform how services and systems need to work together in support of vulnerable children and young people.’
Understanding the workforce implications in the ten-year health plan
‘NHS Employers outlines the key workforce ambitions highlighted in the government's Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England.’
New Welsh language course to strengthen patient care
‘The course has been developed by the National Centre for Learning Welsh specifically for health and social care staff. It will introduce essential keywords and phrases staff can use in their everyday conversations with Welsh-speaking patients and service users. This includes expressions of comfort, offering refreshments, or pronouncing Welsh names – all of which can significantly enhance a person’s experience of care.’
350,000 Baby Boxes delivered
‘The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme (unique across the UK), opened for registration on 15 June 2017 with Boxes being delivered in August 2017.
Since the start of the programme, 350,000 Baby Boxes have been delivered across Scotland with 1,281 Baby Boxes being delivered to families in NHS Western Isles.
The 2025-2026 Programme includes a commitment to enhance the contents of the Baby Box by March 2026, building on feedback from parents and frontline practitioners working with families, which will strengthen support for early child development and to mitigate the impact of poverty on babies.’
Job boost for newly qualified nurses and midwives
‘Thousands of new jobs will be unlocked across the healthcare sector to make sure there are enough jobs for every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England.’
Resource to support autistic children's oral health
Resource to support autistic children's oral health
‘ToothPASTE is a free, online resource developed with parents and professionals to support autistic children’s oral health and also relevant to many children with additional needs. It includes small, practical steps to help with toothbrushing, reducing sugary foods and drinks, and attending dental appointments. The resources are autism-informed, non-judgemental, and easy to use.
NICE Childhood Immunisations has been updated in line with the current national immunisation guidance from the UK Health Security Agency.
Guidance now includes ‘details relating to eligibility for the influenza vaccine, changes to the vaccination schedule for meningitis B and pneumococcal vaccine, and the new 18 months appointment for those born on or after 1 July 2024. Details relating to the use of haemophilus influenzae type b and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) vaccine have been removed as production has been stopped and the vaccine is expected to be unavailable from the middle of 2025.’
New healthier food standards to give babies best start in life
‘Parents and carers across England will be able to shop for healthier food for their children with new guidelines for manufacturers to reduce sugar and salt in commercial baby foods. Labelling also to be made clearer to help parents shop more easily and make informed choices about what they feed their children. Reforms are part of Plan for Change to tackle concerning levels of sugar found in snack foods for young children’.
Updated leaflet for bereaved families
‘The National Child Mortality Database has announced that an updated version of When a Child Dies: A Guide for Parents and Carers is now available on their website.’
Briefing on child deaths from falls
A new briefing from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) has been published that sheds light on the deaths of children under 11 who have fallen from windows or balconies.’
Less time in hospital for newborns receiving antibiotics
‘An NIHR-supported pilot project in Devon has shown that babies with early-onset infections can safely complete their course of antibiotics at home, keeping families together and freeing up hospital capacity.’
Over 10,000 children and young people join DNA health resource
‘A national childhood DNA health resource, launched by the NIHR BioResource in 2023, has reached a significant recruitment milestone. The hugely ambitious DNA, Children + Young People’s Health Resource (D-CYPHR) was established to create the first nationwide health research movement for children and young people aged 0-15 in the UK’.
Northern Ireland makes giant strides in health and social care data research
‘Northern Ireland is transforming health and social care research through cutting-edge data infrastructure, strategic partnerships and patient-centred innovation, to improve public health and policy. A key digital transformation driver has been the region’s new encompass programme which is providing a single electronic health record for everyone in Northern Ireland (NI). Now adopted across all five hospital trusts in the region, this pioneering strategy makes NI the first devolved nation to comprehensively combine health and social care records.’
Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children
‘A free chickenpox vaccination will be offered for the first time to children across England on the NHS from January’.
Keeping children safe in education
‘Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2025, the Department for Education’s (DfE) statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance for schools and colleges in England, has now come into force (effective from 1st September). The NSPCC Learning CASPAR briefing provides a summary of changes to the guidance’.
Online safety: Pornography
‘The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a new report on children’s exposure to online pornography and the harms caused by this. The report discusses what children are seeing and where, before the Online Safety Act’s protections came into force in the summer of 2025. The research utilises a survey of 16- to 21-year-olds and a focus group with 16- to 17-year-old girls. Findings show: 70% of survey respondents had seen pornography online; the average age a child first sees pornography online is 13; X (formerly Twitter) remains the most common source; and 59% reported seeing pornography online by accident. The Commissioner calls for improvements in how online pornography is audited and for the government to explore options to ensure children can’t use VPNs to avoid the age assurance process.’
Online safety: social media
‘The Molly Rose Foundation has published new research on social media algorithms and young people’s exposure to harmful content online.
The research involved an analysis of content on Instagram and TikTok through accounts registered as a 15-year-old UK girl.
Findings show: the platforms continue to algorithmically recommend substantial volumes of harmful content to teens; high-risk design choices such as recommended search terms and AI generated search prompts continue to exacerbate the potential for cumulative harm; and algorithms continue to enable harmful content to achieve high levels of reach. Among other recommendations, the report calls on Ofcom to substantially revisit the scope and ambition of its regulatory approach.’
Online safety
‘CyberSafeKids has published a new report on children’s experiences in the digital world over the 2024/25 academic year.
A survey was carried out with over 9,000 children and young people in Ireland aged between 8- to 15-years-old.
Findings include: 26% of 8- to 12-year-olds and 36% of 12- to 15-year-olds used chatbots for homework, friendship and information; and a quarter of the children surveyed experienced content or unsolicited contact that ‘bothered’ them, including exposure to horror, violence, sexual material, threats, scams, and dangerous ideas. The charity makes calls for a digital society in which children’s rights are fully recognised and upheld.’
Former children’s commissioner to chair Wales-wide assessment of maternity and neonatal services
‘The independent panel of experts, led by Professor Holland, will provide the Health Secretary with recommendations about the future development and improvement of services. She will be joined on the panel by a range of experts with experience covering family engagement, obstetrics, midwifery and neonatology, all with a shared interest in improving the quality of maternity and neonatal services.’
Pilot test for rare condition in newborns
‘Screening of newborn babies to detect and treat a rare condition which causes progressive muscle wastage will begin early next year. Scotland will become the first country in the UK to begin national screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which affects movement, breathing and swallowing.
All parents will be offered SMA screening for their newborn babies through the existing blood spot test at five days old.’
New palliative care strategy launched in Scotland
‘Greater training and support for healthcare staff are among measures set out in a new strategy to improve palliative care across Scotland. Other measures include better integrating specialist palliative care into hospital and community services, as well as improving public information about living with life-shortening conditions.’
Number of students taking up nursing degrees in England has risen for the first time since the post-pandemic surge in 2021.
‘The increase is being driven by more than 11,500 (11,530) students aged under 25 accepting a place on a nursing degree – 6% higher than in 2024, when 10,850 students were under 25.
Overall, 18,640 people have so far accepted a place on an undergraduate nursing degree this year – up 1% on the same period last year. The calculations are based on data released by UCAS 4 weeks after the announcement of A-level and other exam results.’
All two-year-olds in Merthyr Tydfil can now receive free Flying Start childcare
‘The Welsh Government is investing an additional £25m this year to expand Flying Start childcare, bringing Wales closer to universal childcare for all two-year-olds. Flying Start provides fully funded, high quality childcare for two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week.
High quality childcare supports children's learning, growth and development during their crucial early years. All 24 childcare providers across Merthyr Tydfil have been approved to accept Flying Start children, helping drive quality improvements in childcare across the borough.’
HQIP: Transforming care for young people with epilepsy
‘The proportion of children and young people with epilepsy who have a school Individual Healthcare Plan (IHCP) within the first year of care has jumped 72.8%, from 38.9% in the 2024 annual report to 67.2% in the latest Epilepsy12 audit 2025 report.
This marked increase, after previously being broadly static for several years, highlights a major step forward in ensuring that children with epilepsy receive the support they need in school.’
Reducing risk of prescribing errors for children by more than 80%
‘New research shows that the digital ‘Touchdose’ tool can reduce the risk of prescribing errors by more than 80%, by avoiding the need for clinicians to use mental arithmetic or unregulated apps.’
Identifying restrictive practice
‘NHSE have produced this resource to support the reduction of restrictive practice within inpatient mental health services. Preventative measures to reduce the use of restrictive practices in mental health services can only be effectively designed and implemented if all types of restrictive practice and their contributing factors are identified and reported.’
Roundup of Reviews & Articles
In this section we pull together a roundup of reviews and articles that have been published in the last four months.
Assessing Clinical Deterioration in Children with Dark-Coloured Skin: a Scoping Review
This aim of this scoping review was to ‘explore available information on the assessment of clinical deterioration in children with dark-coloured skin and identify research deficits.’
Thirty-seven documents were included and ‘most sources (21) were low-level evidence’.
They noted 66 ‘unique terms were used to describe dark-coloured skin’. They reported that 18 documents used ‘a skin classification system, including race/ethnicity, established colour scales, cosmetic references and observer opinion.’ They report on considerations for ‘assessing jaundice, pallor, cyanosis, pulse oximetry, petechiae and signs of shock’ and note that ‘techniques to improve assessment included optimising the environment, identifying baseline skin colour, and involving families and patients in assessment.’
Prevalence of patient and public involvement in child health randomized controlled trials and impact on research quality, loss to follow-up, and dissemination
The objective of this bibliometric analysis was ‘to compare research quality, loss to follow-up, and dissemination for child health RCTs with PPI in the research process (PPI+) with trials that did not (PPI-).’
They identified ‘all child health intervention reviews in the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews between 2021 and 2023’ and randomly selected one ‘RCT from each eligible systematic review’ resulting in ‘sample of 199 individual trials.’
They found that only ‘12/199 RCTs (6%) reported PPI in the research process’. ‘Research quality was similar for PPI+ and PPI- trials.’ They conclude that ‘PPI was infrequent among child health RCTs’ and that ‘PPI may modestly enhance dissemination of research findings.’
They argue that the ‘lack of standardized reporting of PPI leads to inconsistency in describing involvement, potential misclassification of PPI in research, and prevents the definitive analysis of the impact of PPI. Improved reporting of PPI in child health RCTs is needed.’
Characterizing research partnerships in child health research: A scoping review
This scoping review aimed to ‘examine the scope of [knowledge users] KU engagement reported in published child health research, inclusive of health research partnership approaches and KU groups’.
They included 315 articles in the review.
They noted that ‘community- based participatory research was the most common approach used’ and that ‘most studies engaged multiple KU groups’; ‘children/youth, healthcare professionals, and parents/families’ were the ‘most frequently engaged’. Reporting of ‘barriers and facilitators and effects’ was variable.
They conclude that there ‘is ongoing need to optimize evaluation and reporting consistency to facilitate growth in the field.’
Child and Family Centred Care: A Three-Phased Principle-Based Concept Analysis
This study used a ‘three-phased principle-based concept analysis approach was used to analyse the concept of Child and Family Centred Care.’
Twenty three texts were included in the analysis.
Their findings reveal the primary common terms associated were ‘collaboration, participation, communication, and respect/dignity.’
They conclude that their concept ‘provides a theoretical definition of the Child and Family Centred Care approach. The definition emphasises the child as an individual and an active collaborator with healthcare providers and their family.’
Climate change and child health: The growing burden of climate-related adverse health outcomes
This review focuses on ‘children and adolescents as especially vulnerable targets of climate change, as well as the impacts of the climate crisis on pregnancy, a particularly critical period for child development’.
They report that ‘in addition to the effects of extreme weather on the physical and mental health of children, the perception and psychological processing of climate change by young people and its significance for mental and emotional integrity are gaining attention within the scientific community.’
They note that ‘current research and relevant literature demonstrate the decisive influence of social background on vulnerability to climate-related health impacts, and how climate change is likely to further exacerbate existing inequalities in the future.’
Consequences of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on child and adolescent mental, psychosocial, and physical health: A scoping review and interactive evidence map
The aim of this study was to undertake a s’coping review and produce an online Interactive Evidence Map (IEM) highlighting available literature around unintended effects of the pandemic on children's and adolescents' mental, psychosocial, and physical health’.
They included 826 articles.
They note that most ‘articles reported on mental health outcomes, particularly anxiety and depression’ and that ‘psychosocial outcomes related to lockdowns such as loneliness and impact on adolescent relationships with others were also reported. Fewer articles examined physical consequences, but those that did mostly focused on child abuse.’
Evaluating stress experienced by caregivers of children with special health care needs via biomarkers: A systematic review
This systematic review aimed to ‘synthesize and analyze scientific evidence available in the literature on biomarkers associated with stress in caregivers of CSHCN’.
Seven articles were included in the analysis.
They note that ‘most of the studies were experimental (RCT or NRCT) and most were ‘considered to be of high quality and presented a low risk of bias’.
They report that ‘cortisol was analyzed in all studies’ and their findings suggest ‘a tendency for lower cortisol levels upon awakening among caregivers of CSHCN children compared to caregivers of healthy children.’
They conclude that there ‘are important differences between caregivers of CSHCN and healthy children regarding biomarker measures.’
They also note the ‘importance of systematically assessing caregivers' needs in clinical practice and supports the development of public policies and future research initiatives that incorporate biomarker analysis.’
Evolution and Prognostic Variables of Cystic Fibrosis in Children and Young Adults: A Narrative Review
The objective of this narrative review was ‘to summarize the most recent information concerning the value and significance of clinical parameters in predicting outcomes, such as gender, diabetes, liver and pancreatic status, lung function, radiography, bacteriology, and blood and sputum biomarkers of inflammation and disease, and how variations in these parameters affect prognosis from the prenatal stage to maturity.’
They included 106 papers in the review. T
hey found that ‘it is crucial to customize CF patients' care based on their unique clinical and biological parameters, genetics, and related comorbidities.’ They concluded that the ‘predictive significance of more dynamic clinical condition markers provides more realistic future objectives to center treatment and targets for each patient.’
Holding and restraining children for clinical procedures: A scoping review of health professional reported and observed practice
This scoping review aimed to ‘locate, appraise and map the evidence related to health professionals reported and observed practice of holding and restraining children, from birth to 16 years, for clinical procedures.’
Thirty papers were included in the review.
They found that ‘14 different terms were used to refer to the act of holding or restraining a child for a procedure.’
They found that ‘professionals report the main factors influencing their decisions to use restraint and/or holding were the age of a child, with younger children being restrained or held most frequently; a child's behaviour; and concerns around a child's safety.’
They further noted that professionals can ‘perceive pressure from parent/carers to hold or restrain their child’ and that ‘holding practices can be influenced by service and organisational pressures’ and that ‘ethical and moral tensions [are] linked to their involvement in the restraint or holding of a child against their will for a clinical procedure.’
How to meet coping strategies and preferences of children during invasive medical procedures: perspectives of healthcare professionals
This qualitative study aimed to ‘gain insight into the experiences and needs of professionals involved in small invasive medical procedures to meet the coping strategies and preferences of children undergoing these procedures.’
Thirty-two participants (anesthetists, laboratory staff, nurses, and pediatricians) took part in online focus groups.
They identified one ‘overarching theme’ – ‘Balancing between different actors within the context of the hospital.’
They note that ‘they had to deal with different actors during a medical procedure: the child, the parent, the colleague, and themselves.’ They reported that participants were ‘aware of the child and parents’ priority to gain control and feel trust’ but perceived ‘organizational and personal aspects… hinder[ed] addressing these needs.’
They concluded that their findings ‘underscore the importance of a policy supporting HCPs in integrating patient-centered care into practice through practical tools and training initiatives such as scenario training.’
Identifying Common Patient-Oriented Priorities for Child and Adolescent Health Research and Care: A Systematic Review of Priority Setting Partnerships
The objective of this systematic review was to ‘explore top priority areas identified in [James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs] JLA PSPs across a range of child health conditions.’
They included ‘42 unique PSPs focused on child and youth health published from 2010 onwards.’
They reported that they analysed ‘578 priorities… across the top 10 priority lists.’
They note that ‘while the identified PSPs were conducted over a broad range of child health topic areas (e.g., general well-being, mental health, neurodevelopmental, and acute and chronic conditions), 18 common themes were identified across the top 10 priority lists.’
They conclude that their ‘study can guide health research funding, health system responsiveness and policymakers' actions for widescale improvement in child and youth health.’
The impact of child and adolescent health on adult respiratory health: the evidence, gaps and priorities
This study ‘reviewed the longitudinal evolution of common childhood respiratory diseases across the lifespan.’
Among other findings they note that ‘while previous studies report children with asthma frequently "outgrow their disease" by adolescence or early adulthood, recent data describe asthma trajectories that include relapse, early-onset adult-remitting, and early-onset persistent childhood asthma.
Evidence is emerging in adults of the negative impact of chronic productive cough, breathlessness and lower lung function on future respiratory and cardiovascular health and all-cause mortality.’
They also found that ‘in general, childhood respiratory health and adverse lung function trajectories are inextricably linked to adult respiratory health and cardiovascular events, as well as cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.’
They emphasise the ‘importance of childhood respiratory health and the need for interventions to reduce or manage disease burden, which require a whole-of-society approach across the life course.’
Insights into pediatric chronic disease education initiatives: Children, adolescents and families' perspectives. A scoping review
This scoping review aimed to ‘identify, examine, and conceptually map the literature on how children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and their families experience educational initiatives in healthcare, in order to uncover knowledge gaps and guide future research.’
Fourteen sources were included in the review.
They built three conceptual maps ‘1) Building confidence in healthcare: The role of training, peer-education, and multidisciplinary interventions. 2) Empowered together: Peer-education and support fuels motivation and success and 3) Beyond the diagnosis: How peer-education boosts health awareness.’
They conclude that their review ‘highlights the importance of integrating diverse educational approaches, optimizing parental involvement, and utilizing multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive health literacy education.’
Maternal Health Literacy (MHL) for Improved Maternal and Child Outcomes: A Scoping Review
This scoping review aimed to ‘understand the maternal and children's outcomes of maternal health literacy (MHL).’
Thirteen articles were included in the review.
They found that ‘MHL gives women the ability to get, comprehend, assess, and use health information, which has an impact on pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care.
Higher MHL may result in better mother and newborn health outcomes since studies link it to increased use of prenatal care, skilled delivery attendance, and postnatal care services.MHL may also have an impact on things like breastfeeding habits, vitamin supplementation, and warning sign knowledge.’
They conclude that ‘MHL investments are essential for enhancing the health of mothers and children.’
A rapid review exploring overnight camps for children with chronic or serious illness as a palliative care intervention for caregivers
This study used a rapid review methodology to ‘examine peer-reviewed literature on summer camp as a potential palliative intervention for caregivers of youth with chronic and serious illness and to identify opportunities for future research and policy initiatives.’
Eleven articles were included in the review.
They noted that ‘several camps focused on education and disease management skills, whereas others offered an environment of relaxation and reconnection for the caregivers.’ They also found that ‘social well-being and psychological impact’ were positive themes.
They conclude that ‘overnight camps may serve as a palliative intervention for caregivers of children with serious and chronic illnesses.’
Readmission and mortality among children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a systematic review
This systematic review aimed to examine ‘modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with readmission and mortality in infants, children, and adolescents on LTMV-T.’
They included 26 studies in their review.
They found that most study were retrospective cohorts and most reported ‘that at least 50% of readmissions occurred within the first two years post-discharge and respiratory-related issues accounted for 30-75% of readmissions.’
They found that ‘mortality within the first-year post-discharge varied as low as 0% to as high as 16%.’ They noted that ‘risk factors for readmission and mortality included age, lower income, discharge disposition, chronic conditions, lack of respiratory physiotherapy (cough assist, percussions), gastrostomy tube, and lower birth weight.’
They concluded that ‘readmissions are common occurrences among children on LTMV-T with considerable risk of mortality, especially within the first two-years post-discharge.’
Reframing paediatric mental health screening and assessment in emergency care through a biopsychosocial lens: A call for system-level integration
This scoping review aimed to ‘identify and map the range of paediatric mental health screening and assessment tools used within emergency care settings, including both hospital-based and out-of- hospital contexts, and to evaluate their alignment with a biopsychosocial model, and potential applicability to paramedic practice.’
They included 30 studies in their review.
There were ‘21 screening and 10 assessment tools, mainly used in hospital-based emergency departments. None were applied in paramedicine. Only five tools aligned with the BPS model.’
They noted that the key barriers included ‘time constraints, training deficits, care discontinuity, and limited inclusivity for culturally and linguistically diverse or neurodivergent populations.’
They concluded ‘an urgent need for BPS-informed, developmentally appropriate tools tailored for paramedic use to improve equitable, child-centred emergency mental health care.’
Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Asthma and Allergic Diseases: A Systematic Review
This systematic review aimed to ‘synthesize evidence of the influence of multilevel social determinants of health (SDOHs) on asthma and allergic disease outcomes and healthcare utilization in children and adolescents, with a specific focus on how these determinants generate or widen health inequities.’
Forty-four studies were included in the review.
They found that ‘disease outcomes covered incidence, severity/exacerbations, lung function, and healthcare use in asthma, and analogous measures also reported for atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy.’
The ‘most frequently studied domain of SDOHs was Neighborhood and Built Environment’ and ‘most studies found positive associations between the examined SDOH factors and asthma and/or allergic disease outcomes and healthcare utilization.’
They also noted that the ‘most frequently evaluated SDOH with positive associations were neighborhood and residential conditions, discrimination, parental education, housing quality, air pollution, and household income.’
They conclude that their findings ‘highlight the urgent need for coordinated interventions and policies addressing social, environmental, and economic factors to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes for vulnerable children, while stressing the importance of interventional studies to provide stronger evidence.’
Adolescent and caregiver perceptions of addressing mental health in inflammatory bowel disease
This qualitative interview study aimed to examine ‘adolescent and caregiver perspectives on addressing mental health in IBD’.
The findings report three main themes: ‘mental health stigma makes discussing it more difficult, physician–adolescent trust makes conversations about mental health easier, and asking about mental health directly can help adolescents feel comfortable.’
They note that ‘fostering trust with adolescents with IBD is vital to addressing mental health’ and conclude that ‘all providers encountering these patients should be equipped to discuss mental health non-judgmentally.’
Trends and future directions in childhood obesity research in the Nordic countries: a scientometric review
This scientometric review aimed to analyse the ‘patterns of childhood obesity research in the Nordic region to inform future strategic decisions for researchers and policymakers.’
They found that in the ‘Nordic countries, 4123 documents were published from 1981 to 2024. A consistent increase was identified in collaborative studies since 1981.’ They noted that ‘Sweden is playing a leading role in childhood obesity research.
They identified that ‘highly cited publications primarily focused on non-pharmacological public health interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.’ They found that ‘overweight, obesity, and metrics like body mass index have been extensively investigated, but no focus has been placed on medication as treatment.’
They conclude that ‘despite the increasing research in this field, knowledge gaps exist in genetics, molecular biology, emerging pharmacological treatment as well as behavioral and social sciences.’
Uncovering systemic barriers related to equity, diversity and inclusion in child health research: a scoping review addressing marginalised communities
This scoping review aimed to ‘scope and summarise research discussing systemic barriers influencing EDI in child health research, focusing on racialised and black individuals, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, Indigenous peoples, women and girls and individuals with disabilities (identified as priority communities in the Canadian government's research policy).’
They included 53 publications in the review.
They ‘identified more publications discussing racialised individuals and black individuals than women and girls, Indigenous peoples, children with disabilities or 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.’ They noted that ‘publications increased from 3 in 2020 to 15 in 2022, reflecting heightened awareness of structural racism and health inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic.’
They report that their ‘findings suggest systemic under-recruitment and tokenism.’
They conclude that to ‘foster a more equitable and impactful child health research ecosystem, institutions must address individual, interpersonal, organisational and policy-level barriers by embedding community-driven priorities, promoting diverse and inclusive practices, and ensuring long-term, reciprocal relationships with historically marginalised communities.’
‘We Were Empowered’: Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to Examine a Novel Paediatric Nurse Preceptor Programme in Malawi
This qualitative study aimed to ‘understand barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a novel paediatric critical care nurse preceptor programme in Malawi.’
Interviews were conducted by Zoom.
Their findings show that participants reported that the ‘preceptor programme was comprehensive, well designed and delivered effectively (innovation). Partnerships are essential to the programme's initiation and likely are important to the programme's sustainability (outer setting). Participants voiced challenges with the lack of physical and human resources, leading to prioritisation of patient needs over programme attendance at times (inner setting). Yet, preceptors were motivated by this programme and appreciated the advantage of this programme over previous programmes and gained confidence and competence in their ability to precept students (individuals). In terms of the process, participants felt they needed additional time to devote to this programme and fully engage (process).’
They conclude that this ‘paediatric critical care nurse preceptor programme had significant strengths across all five CFIR domains’ and that participants ‘voiced enthusiasm for the programme to be sustained and to expand within and beyond Malawi.’
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Health and medicine concept." • masyastadnikova - "A beautiful little boy with a disability walks in a wheelchair with his mom at sunset.,A child with disabilities" • Prostock-studio - "Composite set of smiling diverse multicultural men" • Brian Jackson - "Growing up" • David Lahoud/peopleimages.com - "Planning, idea and thinking child on beach for summer holiday by water, sea or ocean in travel location of Mexico. Face of youth, kids and girl planning fun, play and freedom game activity in nature" • Philipp - "Funding Folder Tab in Organized Office Filing System" • dimas830 - "X-ray of the lungs in a 5-year-old child who has pneumonia" • Rattanachat - "new born baby hand hold mum index finger. concept : Premature or preterm baby in hospital. relationship between mother and baby." • RFBSIP - "Neonatal Department a newborn in respiratory distress." • funkenzauber - "Anesthesia mask in operating room" • Nii Koo Nyan - "写真に撮られたくない3歳児_隙間から見る" • omar - "Fill frame with white flowers soft light " • Maria Sbytova - "Little boy having fun on a swing on the playground in public park on autumn day. Happy child enjoy swinging. Active outdoors leisure for child" • Joshua - "Colorful wooden figures connected by white lines on teal background connection network" • cantor pannatto - "boy with peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bre" • Masson - "little baby with X-ray board and drawing lungs and heart" • mcjanuald - "Colorful people figures in a circle on top of a world globe" • tutul_1410 - "cystic fibrosis colorful word" • สมเจตน์ หนูแก้ว - "Vaccination process healthcare facility medical image clinical setting close-up immunization importance" • EchoFrame - "Vibrant interwoven threads create a rich tapestry of color and texture a captivating close up shot showcasing artistic textile design and meticulous craftsmanship" • oksa_studio - "Colorful game pieces symbolizing a diverse team stand on a blue background, representing inclusion and teamwork in a business setting" • Africa Studio - "Cute little boy on color background" • Oksana Kuzmina - "pretty baby inside a box" • BullRun - "Happy young woman sitting at table with hands up in winner gesture" • wavebreak3 - "Cute biracial girl brushing teeth while looking away in bathroom" • Oksana Kuzmina - "Doctor give injection to boy's arm" • Андрей Журавлев - "Toddler baby eats fruits and berries with his hand, table close-up. Child hands take food from a beige plate. Kid aged one year and two months" • Svetlana Kolpakova - "Beautiful white tulips flowers for holiday." • mirsad - "fence. chrome stainless steel fence on balcony " • bnenin - "Adorable baby and her dad cuddling at home, portrait." • Alper AI - "A young boy smiles while holding a DNA model, representing science and genetics." • everythingpossible - "top view of businessman hand using on smart phone and laptop computer as concept" • Konstantin Yuganov - "vaccination to a child" • Syda Productions - "group of students writing school test" • Cmoso - "Digital glowing blue lock icon symbolizing cybersecurity data protection digital security technology concept cyber safety lock protection encryption privacy security system digital " • Pixel-Shot - "Teenage girl with mobile phone late in evening" • ImageFlow - "Kid boy with phone, cybersecurity hologram and padlock circuit" • Make_story Studio - "Birth." • tan4ikk - "crossed fingers of a newborn baby asleep, closeup" • lemacpro - "カスミソウ 白背景 右側にコピースペース" • Monster Ztudio - "Hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair on wooden table. Business concept for growth success process. Copy space" • Oksana Kuzmina - "Happy smiling babies kids are playing with educational toys in nursery" • Katsyarina - "portrait of a little child on purple background" • cherryandbees - "close up of mother pouring cough syrup. blurred baby boy in background" • andranik123 - "Sad boy" • WavebreakMediaMicro - "Young african american Boy in Hospital" • amorn - "African American child girl scientists learning science and doing analysis with microscope in the laboratory.,Science and education, researcher and discovery concept" • Johannes - "Happy diverse multiethnic kids junior school students group giving high five together in classroom.,Excited children celebrating achievements, teamwork, diversity and friendship with highfive concept" • Daniel - "Umbrella and wooden dolls with copy space.,Family protection and insurance coverage concept." • StockerThings - "Asian kid holding earth sign of environment friendly concept.,Little hands saving the world." • Raul Mellado - "child drawing coronavirus on a blackboard" • andreaobzerova - "Mother pushing wheelchair with her daughter, young girl living with cerebral palsy, on their way to therapy." • catalin - "a vibrant, interconnected network of cells representing the intricate cellular mechanism involved in both cystic fibrosis and the rare disease cystinosis" • kasto - "Small child being checked for heart murmur by heart ultrasound exam by cardiologist as part of regular medical checkout at pediatrician" • Dmitry Naumov - "Nurse disinfects arm of little girl before performing a venipuncture" • Vitalii Vodolazskyi - "Priorities list in the black notepad." • New Africa - "Little girl using asthma inhaler on blurred background" • Kropotkin - "Russian educational initiatives supporting international literacy programs" • Andrey Popov - "Pregnant Woman Group In Row" • rufar - "wild cabins" • Svyatoslav Lypynskyy - "A young boy with a tracheostomy tube smiles brightly while sitting on a couch, radiating pure joy and infectious happiness." • LimeSky - "Unhappy red haired teen gazing into a mirror Struggling with body image and eating disorders Mental health concerns" • Suraaj - "Teen Girl Using Asthma Inhaler Outdoors on School Steps - Health and Respiratory Care Concept" • Antonioguillem - "Teen suffering belly pms symptoms" • New Africa - "Overweight girl using scales near measuring tape on wooden floor, closeup" • len4foto - "Group of multiracial kids portrait in studio.Isolated" • MarekPhotoDesign.com - "yes, you can word abstract in wood type" • Harry - "Colorful Wooden Network People Figures Interconnected Global Business Teamwork Collaboration Concept Diverse Team Strong Network Social Media "