AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
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Junior doctor contract: we must negotiate The junior doctor contract dispute has continued to be the focus of considerable public and media attention over the last months.
An interactive tool to support health professionals in the assessment of the acutely sick child www.spottingthesickchild.com
A new wave of strikes was announced by the BMA in September, following the rejection by members of the negotiated contract, and the statement by the health secretary that it will be imposed nonetheless. A dispute is always best resolved through mature and honest discussion. I have called upon both parties to withdraw from entrenched positions and resume negotiations. In this difficult time it might help to remember that paediatrics is and will always be a wonderful and
rewarding profession. Trainees can count on consultants, other senior staff, colleagues, family and friends to provide support. Consultants were once trainees, although in a very different era, and trainees will one day be seniors. I hope today’s trainees will use the experiences and reflections of this turbulent period to help them take ownership of shaping a future health service in which they will be proud to work, and where patient health and wellbeing will be placed first and foremost. PROFESSOR NEENA MODI president@rcpch.ac.uk See page 2 for more “From the President”
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1 News Junior doctor contract: we must negotiate 2 From the President
Dr Simon Newell - In Memoriam
4 Your RCPCH Our role in Sierra Leone’s health sector recovery
Doctors urge neonatal units to share best practice to drive up care
We’re not stopping at 65!
RCPCH awards its first Global Programme Development Grant
Giving children and young people a voice
I’ve had a more than usually busy time recently with trips to lecture in Washington, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Brussels, Sydney, and Colombo, and a very enjoyable visit to Vancouver to represent the RCPCH at the 28th Congress of the International Paediatric Association (IPA), with CEO Judith Ellis and VP Education, Andrew Long.
Celebrating RCPCH’s 21st birthday
with style Research awards
New Disability Matters learning packages
MindEd for Paediatric Trainees
Measuring change at a local level
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Education and training
New exam text books published
RCPCH Annual Conference 2017
Affiliate Membership to overseas child health professionals
Courses and events 2016
10 Your views
New UK government
In The Twittersphere
11 Committee news
From the President
Training matters
Q&A with the new Officer for Assessment
The Congress visit included bidding successfully against Amsterdam, Delhi, Rome, and Taiwan, to host the 30th IPA Congress in Glasgow in 2021. We won the final round by a 2:1 majority, supported by colleagues from the City of Glasgow, and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre to say nothing of tartan, bagpipes, kilts, shortbread and whisky, and received a resounding burst of applause for the response “We are European” when quizzed about the impact of Brexit on a UK Royal College. While away, events back home continued to demand attention despite some large time differences. I’ve joined research discussions at 3am, Skyped and FaceTimed with broadsheet correspondents, and taken phone calls from the Department of Health at other strange hours. The accidental death of Simon Newell, immediate past
RCPCH Vice-President for Training and Assessment was a tragedy that made my heart go out to his family. You can read our tribute to Simon on the following page. We launched our consultation, during my travels, on interactions with infant formula companies. This is a timely moment as RCPCH actively supports actions that improve breast-feeding, and we are in discussion with WHO to extend these activities. We oppose the promotion of formula for healthy babies, but do wish to see high quality products developed for babies with special needs and those whose mothers cannot or choose not to breast feed. We want accurate, unbiased information made available to help women make informed choices, and healthcare professionals to counsel accurately. To assist in reaching a decision on any changes to the existing RCPCH code, Council asked to obtain the views of members
Members are invited to submit ideas for content (for planning purposes, please send proposals only) to focus@rcpch.ac.uk
Editors: Jo Ball Michael Giardino Published by: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 5-11 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8SH Tel: 020 7092 6000 Website: www.rcpch.ac.uk RCPCH is a registered charity: no. 1057744 and registered in Scotland as SC038299
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His Excellency the Honourable Maithripala Sirisena President of Sri Lanka, Professor Neena Modi, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Dr Ramya de Silva, President of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians at their 19th Annual Scientific Meeting, Colombo August 2016.
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on the basis of their personal expertise, without undue influence or pressurising. With your help, we will lead the way in promoting open, honest and ethical standards of engagement with industry. Jeremy Hunt retained his job in Teresa May’s new cabinet but was revealed to have ignored the advice of his own civil servants in justifying his imposition of a new contract on junior doctors on a dubious interpretation of studies investigating the so-called “week-end” effect on mortality, and failing to accept the need for adequate ancillary services as well as staffing, for a truly 7-day service. And at the end of August, I returned to headlines signalling the beginning of the systematic withdrawal of heath care provision in England, with plans for hospital closures and suspension of children’s Accident and Emergency services in Stafford and Greater Manchester. This truly shocking situation has been blamed on a lack of funds, staffing shortages, and growing demand driven by an aging population crippled by chronic long-term conditions. The logic of this argument doesn’t quite stack up though. The NHS has delivered unsurpassed value for money since its inception, with the UK spending a smaller proportion of GDP on health than many another European country and less than half the expenditure of the USA (Commonwealth Fund 2014). If we’re so short of funds for healthcare, why for example, has Spire Healthcare, the UK’s second-largest private hospital chain, found itself in a position to announce a 13% rise in profits to £56.9M for the six month period to June 2016? Why is England wasting between £5-10bn (yes, billion) pounds on an internal market rejected by Wales and Scotland, and which the 2010 Health Select Committee called “20 years of costly failure”. Why aren’t Private Finance Initiative hospital schemes that cost the nation £2bn this year being renegotiated? Why has funding for Health Education England to commission the training of more doctors been reduced yet further while bills for expensive locums spiral out of control? Perhaps tacking obesity might also be sensible, given that this chronic condition currently affects one-in-five
five year-olds, and one-in-three ten year-olds, and costs the health service around £47bn a year - “a greater burden on the UK economy than armed violence, war and terrorism” and “the second-largest economic impact on the UK behind smoking, generating an annual loss equivalent to 3% of GDP” (McKinsey Global Institute, 2014). Yet, also while I was away, the longawaited UK Government Child Obesity Strategy in England was finally released, no longer the promised “brave and bold action” but a weak “plan with no teeth” resting on physical activity, personal responsibility, and voluntary product reformulation by the food industries
“…evidence of a government walking away from its moral duty to protect the health of children, and its fiscal duty to protect the NHS from the consequent costs” (Lancet 2016; 388:853-4). The clinical professions have accepted the wisdom of healthcare that is both moral and informed by evidence. Isn’t it time that Government did likewise?
PROFESSOR NEENA MODI president@rcpch.ac.uk
Dr. Simon Newell: In Memoriam A gifted communicator, with boundless energy, passion, compassion, wisdom, charm and humour - a few words that could be used to describe Simon. Tragically, Dr Simon Newell died in August to the dismay of his patients, fellow paediatricians, and RCPCH staff, who all respected and loved him. Simon was a consultant neonatologist in Leeds, as well as a supportive colleague and friend who contributed selflessly to transform child health for a healthier future for children and young people across the world. Simon was heavily involved in the College. As Vice President for Training and Assessment and Officer for Exams, he led the development of innovative assessments. He also served on both the Council as an RCPCH trustee and the Executive Committee. Simon played an important role in leading and supporting the evolution of the RCPCH and was a strong advocate for paediatrics. He helped inspire the next generation of paediatricians by recruiting medical students into the specialty and mentoring them throughout their training. He was always willing to help others and give his time. Everyone has their own memories of Simon – in his clinics, at the RCPCH and the many conferences and meetings he attended and spoke at. His spirit and achievements will live on in the work of trainees, paediatricians, RCPCH staff and all others whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.
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Our role in Sierra Leone’s health sector recovery In 2014 and 2015, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia suffered a devastating epidemic of the Ebola virus. The free transmission of Ebola in West Africa was due, in part, to the weakness of the healthcare systems in those three countries. The damage caused by Ebola further undermined those systems. Now the RCPCH is helping Sierra Leone to rebuild. Since October 2015, RCPCH Global Links volunteers have been based in Ola During Children’s Hospital, the tertiary paediatric centre for Sierra Leone. The team of volunteers has helped hospital staff rebuild clinical and training systems, starting with the development of emergency care using WHO ETAT+ principles.
You remember that every day we had to carry five or six pikins [children] out of here who died. Now every day we are saving more lives!” The team has reorganised the outpatient department and built a dedicated resuscitation area. They have also helped a group of nurses work in an enhanced role, directing the management of sick children and prescribing emergency medications. The team has provided ongoing training and mentoring for the nurses, including the delivery of two ETAT+ courses at Ola During to help the nurses further improve their skills. March 2016
June 2016
Nurses at Ola During Children’s Hospital caring for a newborn.
The team’s work has transformed the provision of emergency care at Ola During (see table). In October 2015, children presenting with emergency signs waited an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes until their first treatment (antibiotics or antimalarials) was given. By June, that time had come down to 19 minutes. It led one of the local Sierra Leonean nurses to comment, “You remember that every day we had to carry five or six pikins [children] out of here who died. Now every day we are saving more lives!” Working in partnership with RCPCH, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health is committed to rolling out similar improvements to all district hospitals in Sierra Leone.
Mean times
November 2015
Triage to assessment
49 minutes
18 minutes
7 minutes
If you are interested in volunteering on this exciting project, please email peter.nash@rcpch.ac.uk.
Triage to first IV treatment
2 hours, 55 minutes
42 minutes
19 minutes
Further information: rcpch.ac.uk/global-links-programme
Triage to oxygen (severe respiratory distress)
3 hours, 35 minutes
18 minutes
8 minutes
PETER NASH Global Links Manager
Doctors urge neonatal units to share best practice to drive up care Experts are urging neonatal units to form partnerships with neighbouring hospitals in a bid to reduce variation and drive up standards of care for very sick babies. The call comes as the latest National Neonatal Audit Programme report (NNAP), published in September, found that very little or no improvement had been made over the last year in meeting several important service standards. Commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), the NNAP assesses whether babies requiring specialist neonatal care receive consistent high
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quality treatment. The report found that progress had stalled on several measures including ensuring that babies’ eyes were screened for an important complication of prematurity on time, their temperature management and that parents received timely consultation with a senior member of staff. A new NNAP online reporting tool has been launched alongside the report to identify good practice and form links with other units. Doctors leading the NNAP say that by using the tool, neonatal teams will be better equipped to learn from one another and adapt ways of working to improve the levels of care delivered to babies in their own unit. For a copy of the report visit: rcpch.ac.uk/nnap
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We’re not stopping at 65! The Invited Reviews team has been busy working alongside members and paediatric teams to help provide the best care for infants and children and their families. Local reconfiguration discussions, workforce changes, team problems and new models for community services ensure the need for independent expert advice and examples of alternative, proven models of service. Since launching the service in 2012, the Invited Reviews team has worked with over 90 members to review acute, community, neonatal and emergency services across England, Scotland and Wales. We’re still waiting for the first in Northern Ireland! It aims to support healthcare organisations and clinical teams to resolve service, practice or individual concerns, review service model options or benchmark their service provision. This can include issues around safety, training, compliance with standards, and proposals for reconfiguration, expansion or service design. Reviews bring together our expert members and members from other Royal Colleges such as the RCN, RCOG, or RCEM. Our reports and recommendations are supported by the latest standards and guidance. This means we help paediatric teams work with managers, commissioners and regulators towards realistic, safe service models. Most review requests come from managers and commissioners. But they often originate from clinical teams or networks. We have helped members with adverse events, staffing problems and difficult relations between clinicians or between clinicians and managers. We also carry out simple ‘health checks’ to ensure services and teams are responding to local need. Reviews provide reassurance to members and management as well as to patients and the local population. They offer a unique opportunity for members to provide children and young people with the best care possible. If you would like to find out more about our work or becoming a reviewer, please email invited.reviews@rcpch.ac.uk. Further information: rcpch.ac.uk/invitedreviews MELISSA ASHE Invited Reviews Assistant
RCPCH awards its first Global Programme Development Grant After much deliberation, the RCPCH Global Team awarded its first two Global Programme Development Grants in July 2016. The Programme offers funding of up to £5,000 to RCPCH members who may be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to deliver small-scale health interventions in resource poor settings. The first grant was awarded to the ABAaNA project in Uganda. It will provide training to community and facility-based care workers to detect early signs of neurodisability amongst high-risk infants. The second was awarded to NeoTree. This intervention is a mobile phone app for health workers who care for neonatal patients in Malawi. It aims to collect data and give a suggested diagnosis and treatment plan. The grant will be an annual award and the RCPCH Global Team is now inviting applications for July 2017. Further information: rcpch.ac.uk/global-programme-development-grant MARCUS WOOTTON Project Manager
Have you activated your account? Paediatric Care Online (PCO UK) is a powerful new tool that supports daily clinical practice by providing immediate information to inform decisions at point of care. PCO UK is accessible on all devices and available as part of your RCPCH membership. It provides a wide range of resources, including: •
Key Practice Points that offer a clinically assured ‘roadmap’ for diagnosis, to help inform decisions at point of care, and linking to National Clinical Guidelines
•
the RCPCH Child Protection Companion covering guidance on all forms of abuse
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BNF for Children which offers advice prescribing, monitoring, supplying and administering medicines for childhood disorders (UK-based members only)
•
other resources including the Public Health England Green book, MedsIQ and quick links to National Clinical Guidance.
Start using PCO UK today! Activate your account at rcpch.ac.uk/pcouk 5
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Giving children and young people a voice
To continue placing children and young people at the centre of everything we do, a new committee has been created to help them shape child health policy and practice. The Infants’, Children’s and Young People’s Engagement Committee is an exciting new development for the RCPCH. Members include children, young people, parents, carers, paediatricians and the voluntary sector. Facilitated by Dr Ian Maconochie, the Committee will meet four to six times a year. It will give them the opportunity to review the RCPCH Voice Bank (consultation responses), identify good practice to be shared via the Engagement Collaborative eBulletin, look for gaps in knowledge or practice and with the Children and Young People’s Engagement Team, work together to create solutions. They will also provide information, advice and guidance
to other RCPCH committees and Special Interest Groups on the views, wishes and needs of children and young people in the UK. A Voice Report will be produced twice a year to share the latest trends, themes and ideas from children and young people. The committee will be a very different type of RCPCH meeting. They will take place during weekends and school holidays and delivered in a workshop style, with more children and young people than adults. All papers will be in plain English and membership will start at age 10. The focus will be on creating a meaningful and accessible opportunity for committee involvement for children, young people, parents and carers. Please visit rcpch.ac.uk/nominations for vacancies for paediatricians. EMMA SPARROW CYP Engagement Manager
Celebrating RCPCH’s 21st birthday with style To celebrate paediatricians in all stages of their careers, we would like to give your children and young people the chance to recognise the work they do on a daily basis. We’re asking children, young people, parents and carers to share their stories with us by completing the statement “my paediatrician is amazing because…” Stories can be in the form of art work or a short statement (under 150 words) explaining why their paediatrician deserves to be celebrated and recognised. These will be used throughout the 21st birthday year including a showcase at the RCPCH Conference 2017. The submission deadline for stories is 31 December 2016. To find out more and download a poster for your clinic or setting go to: voices.rcpch.ac.uk/tagged/amazing
RCPCH Research Awards Donald Paterson Prize
Sparks – Young Investigator of the Year
If you are a pre-consultant grade medical practitioner who has published a paper in paediatrics or child health in the last two years you could be the recipient of this award consisting of a monetary prize and expenses paid day attendance to the RCPCH Annual Conference. Apply by 30 November 2016.
The Sparks Prize recognises an outstanding young, medicallyqualified researcher in paediatrics with a £2000 prize (£1000 for the individual and £1000 for their department) and expenses paid day attendance at the RCPCH Annual Conference. Those eligible for the prize are nominated by their Head of Department. Apply by 30 November 2016.
Further information: rcpch.ac.uk/donald-paterson-prize
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Further information: rcpch.ac.uk/sparks-young-investigator-year
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Free High-Quality Disability E-learning for all Paediatricians
The RCPCH is proud to launch MindEd for Paediatric Trainees
Following the launch of the RCPCH’s flagship disability e-learning programme in 2015, the College has created two learning packages for paediatric trainees, SAS and consultants. Each package was co-developed by disability clinicians, disabled young people and family carers and covers physical and intellectual disabilities.
MindEd for Trainees is a short learning path designed to improve trainees’ knowledge of the most common mental health presentations in children. It gives them the confidence to discuss concerns around mental health with young people and their families. This learning path is particularly helpful to ST1-5 paediatric trainees in relation to the Good Clinical Care Standard 8 of the paediatric curriculum and covers:
Disability Matters for the Paediatric Workforce (Basic): •
highlights the importance of listening to young patients and their families provides a reminder of disability rights identifies challenges disabled people face and personcentred ways to overcome them.
• •
• • • •
The sessions, written by international experts in child mental health, will improve baseline knowledge of children’s mental health and provide material for discussion with teams and supervisors.
Disability Matters for the Paediatric Workforce (Advanced): •
sleep difficulties unexplained physical problems self-harm eating problems.
examines more advanced communication techniques: • planning in advance for future care • consideration of complex conditions • transition • advocacy.
Start your free e-learning today! Further information: minded.org.uk
Further information: rcpch.ac.uk/disability-matters Tweet: @disab_matters
Measuring change at a local level: quality improvement measures for acute general paediatric services The RCPCH has published Service Level Quality Improvement Measures for Acute General Paediatrics Services. The report is the first step in a programme of work to develop a set of service level measures designed to support acute paediatric services and to facilitate quality improvement. The report sets key principles for the development of quality improvement measures and makes recommendations for measurement domains and indicators to be taken forward for further development. The programme of work aims to: •
enable and support child health services to monitor the effect of service interventions at a local level
•
provide a strong evidence base for the development and revision of service standards, such as the Facing the Future suite of standards
•
identify and share examples of best practice, to aid the improvement of child health outcomes across the four UK nations.
The RCPCH will be collaborating with key partners to fully develop each of the recommended domains and to establish long term data collection. To find out more and to download the report, visit: rcpch.ac.uk/outcomes RACHEL WINCH Workforce Projects Lead
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This comprehensive textbook is the definitive revision resource for candidates preparing for the DCH Clinical Examination.
The official resource for the MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice Examination, provides essential learning points and information that will equip readers with the tools and knowledge required to achieve a pass.
Conference 2017
Healthy child, healthy future. 24-26 May 2017, Birmingham. Book your discounted early-bird place
Help shape the conference programme
Early bird registration is now open for next year’s RCPCH Conference 2017. Taking place at the ICC Birmingham from 24-26 May 2017, it’s where paediatric and child health professionals come together to share best practice and discuss the latest issues in child and adolescent healthcare.
A vital part of our Conference is the contributions made by the clinicians who are willing to share their knowledge and experience to help craft a first-rate programme.
The theme for next year’s event is ‘Healthy child, healthy future’ and will offer you access to a top line-up of speakers, great networking opportunities and a choice of sessions so you can create the conference that’s right for you. Reserve your discounted earlybird place today!
Abstract submissions for the 2017 event are open. The Organising Committee invites you to submit an abstract for the opportunity to share your research and experiences with fellow specialists and become an integral part of the UK’s largest paediatric and child health conference. All abstracts must be submitted online and will be considered for oral or poster presentation. The submission deadline is 19 December 2016.
To register or submit an abstract, visit the Annual Conference page at www.rcpch.ac.uk/conf17 8
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Introducing Affiliate Membership to overseas child health professionals Do you work with someone who has a professional interest in child health who is not a doctor? The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have opened up the Affiliate Membership category to include applicants who are based outside of the UK. Affiliate Members have access to a range of membership benefits including the innovative online support system, Paediatric Care Online (PCO UK), discounts to RCPCH events and courses and a heavily discounted subscription to the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal. Membership costs just ÂŁ61 per year.
For further information and to apply: rcpch.ac.uk/affiliate-membership-non-doctors
RCPCH courses and events 2016 EVENTS TEAM
email: events@rcpch.ac.uk
tel: 020 7092 6000
web: www.rcpch.ac.uk/courses
How to Manage: Child mental health in general paediatrics 4 November 2016 RCPCH London
Effective Educational Supervision 15 November 2016 RCPCH London
How To Manage: Children with benign haematological problems 20 January 2017 RCPCH London
Safeguarding: Statement and report writing (level 3) 8 November 2016 RCPCH London
How to Manage: End of life care and bereavement 28 November 2016 RCPCH London
How to Manage: Paediatric sickle cell disease 14 November 2016 RCPCH London
MRCPCH Clinical Exam Preparation Course (2 days) 8 December 2016 RCPCH London
Progressing Paediatrics: Working together to improve the diagnosis, treatment and management of asthma in children and young people 8 March 2017 RCPCH London Dates correct at time of going to press. Limited places available.
Join the conversation on Twitter #RCPCHcourses
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New UK Goverment and its impact on child health The morning of 24 June heralded not only the result of the Brexit referendum, but also the resignation of David Cameron, the UK’s Prime Minister for most of this decade and the man who led the Conservative Party to victory in last year’s general election. In the political fallout that ensued, one clear successor to Cameron began to emerge and on 13 July, Theresa May was sworn in as Prime Minister. The appointment of a new Cabinet followed with a few familiar faces, including Jeremy Hunt, who has remained as Secretary of State for Health.
So what does this new Government mean for children? It’s still early days, but here’s what we know so far: •
•
Theresa May does not have a notable background in health policy. When the Conservatives were in opposition, she spoke in Parliament on a few occasions about the importance of tackling obesity but spent the years in Cameron’s Government concentrating on her brief as Home Secretary. In May’s first speech as Prime Minister, delivered on the steps of 10 Downing Street, she appealed directly to those families who are “just managing”, saying, “we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us”. Many commentators consider this a commitment to the forthcoming Government life
chances agenda, but further details remain to be seen. Despite no change at the top of the Department of Health, we do have a new team of junior ministers taking on a range of varied responsibilities: •
•
Nicola Blackwood MP is the new Minister for Public Health and Innovation. Her remit includes children’s health and school nursing, health protection and improvement, global health security and mental health services. New Minister of State Philip Dunne MP has responsibility for, among other areas, maternity care, health visiting, patient safety and hospital care. The portfolio of David Mowat MP, Community Health and Care Minister, includes physical and learning disabilities, community health services and long-term conditions.
Despite having one of the most advanced health systems in the world, child health outcomes in the UK are startlingly poor. We have written to Theresa May and the new Department of Health Ministers urging them to reverse this worrying trend and put children at the very top of the political agenda through the development of a comprehensive and robust cross-departmental child health strategy. For more information on how you can get involved with the RCPCH’s political lobbying work, visit: rcpch.ac.uk/parliamentarypanel or contact the public affairs team at public.affairs@rcpch.ac.uk. MARGARET DONNELLAN Public Affairs Lead
In the Twittersphere The RCPCH’s twittersphere presence continues to gather pace. Here’s a highlight of our activity over the last few months, what’s coming up and how you can support us via our social media channels.
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#childhealthmatters
Keep up to date with College activity
@RCPCHtweets followers top 9,800
RCPCH teamed up with the Child Poverty Action Group to ask paediatricians about the relationship between family incomes and children’s health. The survey results will inform our public engagement and policy work and help us put a halt to health inequalities.
From the latest courses and events to the top child health news of the day, social media is the quickest way to keep up to speed.
The RCPCH twitter account is less than 200 followers away from hitting the 10,000 mark. Followers include members, journalists, campaigning organisations and politicians.
Follow @RCPCHtweets on Twitter and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/RCPCH
Are you following us?
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Training matters Morale. How’s yours? Don’t worry if it’s not great. It turns out you’re not alone. With growing pressure on rotas and the on-going saga of the junior doctor contract, it might feel pretty tough being a paediatric trainee right now. We are aware of this and are doing everything we can to try to make things better. Steps include: • • •
revisions to the training programme that reduce the burden of assessment on-going effort to improve the e portfolio our new review of support offered to senior trainees and new consultants.
These are all potentially positive interventions to improve the structure of training around us, but what about improving the ‘feel’ of what we do? You may remember a little while back I wrote about the importance
of recognition and appreciation, from high up in Government to us on the shop floor talking to one another. Well we are taking appreciation up a gear and are delighted to announce the first national Paediatric Awards For Training Achievement (PAFTAs). These awards, originally designed in the Wessex Deanery and since built on in the East of England are designed to reward those who go the extra mile in their training or in training others. By the time you read this you will have heard from your regional rep about how they will be awarded in your area so start thinking about great trainees, trainers and units. The winners will be awarded at the
Annual Conference Dinner next May. We can’t all win awards though, so please start thinking about how we recognise those who do great work in your team or department. I recently heard about the great work being done at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in ‘Excellence reporting’, both rewarding good care and also learning from it. Built on a similar platform to existing incident reporting, there is no reason this could not work across the country. If you have any other morale boosting ideas please let me know. DAVID JAMES Chair, Trainees’ Committee rcpch.ac.uk/training-examinations
Q&A with the new Officer for Assessment “I am looking forward to working with the talented team at the College in this role. I am lucky to have already worked with David Evans, VP for Training and Assessment and my predecessor, who has laid a strong foundation on which to build.”
- Dr Ashley Reece, Officer for Assessment
Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your career?
What are some issues affecting the assessment of paediatrics in the UK?
I studied Medicine in Leeds and spent my early paediatric training around Yorkshire before moving to London for Calman training. From my early days as a Medical Student I have held an interest in Medical Education. I am a General Paediatrician and have been a Consultant at Watford General Hospital since 2005. Over 10 years ago, as a senior trainee, I was invited to join the College’s examinations boards and have contributed to Membership Part 2 questions, communication scenarios and DCH structured oral questions and the ST7 pilot. From exams, I moved into assessment and was appointed as the first RCPCHStart Chair in 2012, steering the assessment through its first 5 years and 8 diets. This role seems like a natural step.
I believe the College leads the way in assessment. We have a coherent assessment strategy which continues to evolve with the needs of today’s trainees. Workplace based assessments are embedded, but there is still work to do refining and supporting their use to ensure they remain fit for purpose. The curriculum is due for a review and the new e-portfolio needs nurturing through it’s infancy. Our novel RCPCHStart assessment is envied by other Colleges and is, too, embedded, but we need to evolve it further and work with the specialities to ensure it works across the paediatric speciality spectrum. How do you hope to solve these issues as the new officer for assessment? The work to do includes mapping
our curriculum to the GMC’s Generic Professional Capabilities, continuing our successful speciality recruitment programme and continuing to evolve e-portfolio to ensure it is as functional as possible. We must support trainees in evidencing their training in the most effective way and develop tools for Consultant readiness, building on the formative RCPCHStart assessment to further support the preparation of senior trainees for Consultant working. I hope I can continue all the great work of my predecessors, College Tutors, Regional Advisors and Head of Schools to ensure Paediatrics continues as a speciality renowned for its high quality assessments. Feel free to get in touch. Twitter: @drashleyreece
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BNF for Children 2016-2017
Guiding health professionals on all aspects of paediatric drug therapy
About the BNF for Children (BNFC) The BNFC provides essential, practical information to all healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing, dispensing, monitoring and administration of medicines to children.
Significant new content updates to the 2016-2017 edition include: ■ Updated guidance on the management of asthma, obesity, coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome ■ New safety information including: - Risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes with sodium valproate and valproic acid - Risk of osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal with bisphosphonates - Risk of uterine perforation with intra-uterine contraception ■ Addition of new preparations including Orphacol® (cholic acid) and Intuniv® (guanfacine), and more ■ Significant dose changes including nystatin, diamorphine hydrochloride, colistimethate sodium, and more ■ Guidance on suspected or confirmed drug allergies Book: 978 0 85711 247 7 • September 2016 • £49.95
Order your print copy now – www.pharmpress.com/bnfc Online: For pricing information contact our sales team at pharmpress@rpharms.com
www.bnf.org
Pharmaceutical Press is the publishing arm of the