SPRING 2016 NEWSLETTER
Fo us focus@rcpch.ac.uk @RCPCHtweets www.facebook.com/rcpch
The child refugee 24 May 2016 Westminster London
Book now: www.rcpch.ac.uk/insight
Advancing child health in Kenya’s slum settlements The RCPCH Global team, in collaboration with the Kenya Paediatric Association, has secured almost £100,000 from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission to implement a 12month capacity-building programme in Nairobi, Kenya starting in April 2016.
Information to help parents and carers give medicines to children confidently and correctly. www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.
The new project is built on lessons learnt from the successful delivery of a three-year Emergency Triage, Assessment and Treatment Plus programme (ETAT+) in six hospitals in Kenya, from which it was agreed that the best way forward would be to extend the intervention by building referral linkages to the most vulnerable communities. The proposed intervention will be delivered at Mbagathi Hospital, one of Nairobi’s busiest referral hospitals, and at four smaller healthcare facilities located in Africa’s largest slum settlement, Kibera. There has been
considerable social and economic progress in Kenya in the last two decades, including significant advances in health policy and care. However infant and under-five mortality in the capital city’s major slums is still more than double the Nairobi average and, strikingly, greater than for rural Kenya. This RCPCH programme will aim to reinforce quality of care at both referral and community levels, through the implementation of ETAT+ training and refresher courses, the dissemination of ETAT+ guidelines, and quality improvement initiatives (including CME and mentorship). All to enhance access to good quality emergency care and improve referral pathways for the poorest inhabitants of Nairobi. For more information contact: Marie.Bontoux@ rcpch.ac.uk MARIE BONTOUX International Programme Coordinator
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News Advancing child health in Kenya’s slum settlements
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From the President Tipping point or trivia? Launching the child health curriculum for medical students
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Education and training Forthcoming publications Become a Mentoring Champion
From the President
Annual Conference 2016 Courses and events 2016
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Your views Child health debates In the Twittersphere Governance reforms
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Tipping point or trivia?
Your RCPCH A rare occasion MindEd for Families Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution Paediatric Care Online (PCO UK) new Key Practice Points We were taken over!
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Committee news Training matters New Officer for Scotland
Members are invited to submit ideas for content (for planning purposes, please send proposals only) to focus@rcpch.ac.uk Editors: Jo Ball Sarah Quinlan 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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How will the 2016 conflict between Government and junior doctors in England be viewed in times to come? Will the historians of the future judge this to be a mere ripple, of little consequence in the great tide of events, or as a tipping point in the trajectory of the National Health Service? Human progress down the centuries has been hallmarked on the one hand by great endeavour and achievement, but on the other by actions that are incomprehensible, illogical or devastating in their impact. The formation of the National Health Service in 1948 was ahead of its time, and like so many great concepts, striking in its simplicity and clarity of purpose: healthcare for the people, free at the point of need, funded through general taxation. So I am dismayed by the protracted and damaging dispute between Government and junior doctors, the loss of morale across the health service, and the crippling imposition of a savage financial straitjacket that is compromising both public health and front-line care, while simultaneously billions are being wasted, for example in administering an unnecessary internal market, supporting the profit margins of a growing number of independent providers, and procuring information technology that is not fit for purpose. I remain however uplifted and heartened by public support for the founding principles of the National Health Service, and a workforce that continues - as it has always done - to deliver for patients, putting them first and foremost, despite every current travail. Several members have written to describe what is happening on the ground and the consequences of the current situation for
children’s health services. They have pointed to a decline in the breadth and quality of services for children following successful bids by for-profit organisations, token tendering consultations and commissioners that are ill-prepared to assure quality and safety. I’m not going to repeat the arguments and counter-arguments that have played out in the press over the last months, but I will ask you to reflect upon what the role of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health should be in advocating for social justice, among which without question is the health and wellbeing of children. Please do continue to let me have your views. Child health across the UK The UK is no longer united with the health service in England, now differing from that in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales abolished the internal market in healthcare in 2004 and 2009 respectively, and the imposed junior doctor contract affects only England, leading to the extraordinary spectacle of advertisements inviting junior doctors across the borders. In May, voters in the devolved nations will take to the polls to elect their legislative representatives. The RCPCH has been campaigning for child health to be enshrined in the policies of political parties across the nations since we launched Securing better health for Northern Ireland’s infants, children and young people: a vision for 2016, Vision 2016: Securing better health for Scotland’s infants, children and young people and Child health matters: a vision for 2016 in Wales. Debates were held in the Welsh Assembly in November 2015 and Holyrood
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Launching the child health curriculum for medical students On 4 November, paediatricians, parents and medical students gathered at RCPCH London for the launch of the national undergraduate child health curriculum. This was the culmination of a two-year national collaboration to identify the core components of child health for medical students.
The curriculum was developed through interviews, parent and student focus groups and finally a Delphi consultation, with participants voting on what was key in child health for medical students. The launch featured speakers including former RCPCH President Hilary Cass and UCL Medical School Director Professor Deborah Gill, as well as Damian Roland, Consultant Paediatrician and social media whizz kid. The audience also heard from paediatric trainee Hannah Jacob, who led the project, along with
Consultant Paediatricians Caroline Fertleman and Will Carroll. The curriculum, which is available on the RCPCH website (www.rcpch.ac.uk/ careers/medical-students), identifies the core knowledge, skills and attitudes in child health for medical students. It has been used by three medical schools so far in redesigning their child health curriculum with considerable interest from a number of other medical schools. For more information please contact childhealthcurriculum@gmail.com
have 12 members, comprising an independent chair, members external to the RCPCH to provide financial, legal, and other expertise, and a majority of RCPCH members, including the President, Registrar and Treasurer. The new Council will have 21 members chaired by the President, and will include representation from the English regions, devolved nations, trainees, SAS doctors, Academic Paediatric Association, and senior members. The proposals have been scrutinised, and agreed by current Council and our regulators.
and Stormont in March 2016 where party representatives were questioned by RCPCH members, stakeholders, children and young people (see page 6). In all devolved nations we are urging the next governments to be bold and use their powers to introduce a number of measures, including a 20mph speed limit in built up areas to encourage children to walk or cycle to school, a minimum price for alcohol, and coordination of research, service development and patient safety initiatives to reduce waste and duplication. Rest assured that, come May, we will be hot on the tails of the new governments to ensure that they keep their promises for children.
A Royal College fit for the 21st century Changes to RCPCH governing structures to bring us in line with guidance from the Charities Commission will be discussed at a general meeting later this year. Further details about the general meeting will be publicised on the RCPCH website in due course. The purpose of the changes are primarily twofold; first to strengthen the oversight of RCPCH charitable status through the creation of a new Board of Trustees separate from Council; second to strengthen the ability of Council to direct RCPCH strategy through strong regional representation without the constraints of trusteeship. The new Board of Trustees will
Informed judgement springs from debate and discussion so I urge you to attend the RCPCH Annual Conference in April 2016 in Liverpool. Thanks to the efforts of VicePresidents Andrew Long (Education) and Anne Greenough (Science and Research), and the RCPCH team led by Amit Kotecha, this promises to be a sterling meeting, mixing the very best of UK science with state-of-the-art clinical practice; it is also an opportunity to get together with friends, discuss the burning issues of the day with colleagues and RCPCH officers. . I look forward to seeing you there.
PROFESSOR NEENA MODI president@rcpch.ac.uk
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Education and training
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Forthcoming publications...
Now available for pre-order, the Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse, provides essential background preparation for the MRCPCH Theory and Science examination. The textbook features an up-to-date review of the application of science to everyday practice, exam-format questions, diagrams, illustrations and over 50 case scenarios. www.rcpch.ac.uk/MRCPCH-mastercourse
Become a Mentoring Champion
RCPCH is launching a new network of Mentoring Champions to embed the concept and practice of mentoring across the paediatric workforce, from trainee to consultant level. Mentoring is recognised by the College as a process which can provide valuable support to paediatricians throughout their careers, facilitating personal and professional development according to the mentee’s agenda. A Champion will be, or will become, active in their organisation in promoting mentoring and supporting paediatric mentors and mentees. Typical activities for a RCPCH Mentoring Champion may include:
RCPCH launches its new CPD guidelines following an 18-month review. We considered members’ views, consulted with an expert in medical education to ensure we are following best practice, reviewed other colleges’ schemes and met with the GMC to ensure we are aligned with their expectations and plans. www.rcpch.ac.uk/cpd-resources
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championing the concept of mentoring and engaging paediatricians locally with mentoring in practice
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engaging with other RCPCH Mentoring Champions and RCPCH to share good practice
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developing new mentors by delivering local mentor development and training days and promoting mentoring among paediatricians
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working with local mentors, mentees and RCPCH to develop and feed
back new ideas and experiences to contribute to the evolving RCPCH mentoring programme. A full description of the role is available at www.rcpch.ac.uk/mentoring-champions If you are already active in promoting and supporting mentoring, or if you would like to become involved in developing mentoring capacity among paediatricians in your organisation, we would be delighted to welcome you to our network. Email Katoushka.Larbey-Douglas@rcpch.ac.uk outlining your interest in mentoring and any relevant experience and skills. A one-day course for Mentoring Champions will take place on 14 September 2016. Full details will be released in May 2016 but the day will provide advice and guidance on development and delivery of mentoring schemes and training programmes, sharing good practice, and where to access resources and further training materials. DRs ALEX BRIGHTWELL AND SARAH EISEN RCPCH Mentoring co-leads
One-day mentoring skills course - dates for your diary: 26 May 2016 | 20 September 2016 | 15 March 2017. Find out more at the RCPCH Annual Conference 2016 mentoring workshop on Thursday 28 April 2016, 11.45 – 13.00. Further information: www.rcpch.ac.uk/mentoring-support
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RCPCH Annual Conference 26-28 April 2016, Liverpool
The UK’s largest paediatrics and child health conference
In association with the RCN Children and Young People Nursing Conference
We’ll see you in Liverpool! This month’s RCPCH Annual Conference is almost upon us and excitement is starting to build for the big event. Have you reserved your place yet? The UK’s biggest paediatric and child health conference will play host to a top line-up of speakers, plus a wide range of workshops, personal practice sessions, and exclusive networking events.
Book your place: www.rcpch.ac.uk/conf16
It’s not too late to book your place To reserve your Conference delegate place go to: www.rcpch.ac.uk/conf16 where you can also view the full programme. Alternatively, you can turn up and book on the day.
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: Paediatric Nutrition 3 May 2016 RCPCH London
Effective Educational Supervision 17 May 2016 Radisson Blu Cardiff
Effective Educational Supervision 13 June 2016 RCPCH London
How to Manage: Paediatric Allergy 9 May 2016 RCPCH London
How to Manage: Safe Prescribing in Paediatrics 17 May 2016 RCPCH London
Effective Educational Supervision 29 June 2016 Exeter
Female Genital Mutilation in Children: Overcoming Challenges Faced by Healthcare Professionals 10 May 2016 RCPCH, London
Safeguarding: Statement and Report Writing (level 3) 7 June 2016 RCPCH London
Safer in Our Hands: Inspiring Safer and Better Care in Child Health 7 July 2016 TBC
Dates correct at time of going to press. Limited places available.
Join the conversation on Twitter #RCPCHcourses
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Child health debates Child health matters were top of the agenda at the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly on 1 March, as the College hosted our child health debates in Holyrood and Stormont. With the 2016 elections just around the corner, the RCPCH is calling on all political parties to place child health firmly on the agenda for the next devolved administrations as part of our Vision 2016 campaign. Political representatives from across the party spectrum were therefore assembled for ‘Question Time’ style panel discussions on all aspects of children and young people’s health. A set of questions devised by RCPCH members were put to the panels before opening to the floor, where stakeholders, members and young people probed their political representatives on a wide range of issues.
Scotland In Holyrood, the debate chaired by Former Officer for Scotland Dr Peter Fowlie focused on inequalities, reducing mortality and aiming to make the NHS a better place for young people. Welcoming Vision 2016, Cara Hilton MSP spoke of Scottish Labour’s aim to tackle health inequalities and move child health to the top of the political agenda. The panel agreed and noted the importance of early intervention, with Public Health Minister Maureen Watt MSP outlining the Scottish Government’s intention to continue expanding the Family Nurse programme towards 2018. Capturing everyone’s attention were the children presenting questions at the debate – Charlotte, Ella and Ben. Charlotte asked about improving mental health services, which prompted Liberal Democrat Jim Hume MSP to call for equal parity between physical and mental health and an end to children being placed on adult wards. Conservative Mary Scanlon MSP’s response to Ella’s question on the new PSHE course
encouraged us to end the stigma around mental health.
intervention would have for long term health spend.
A question from Ben on how children could be healthier prompted a lively discussion. “Make streets safer so children can be more active”, said Cara Hilton. The Eat Better Feel Better campaign was promoted by the Minister, and the Green Party’s Alison Johnstone MSP stressed the importance of ensuring that all children are given the chance to find a sport they love.
With child mortality rates among the worst in Europe, the issues of inequalities, mental health and suicide were high on the agenda at the debate. Youth representative Corey challenged the panel on the need to improve CAMHS services. The speakers agreed, with Sinn Fein’s Maeve McLaughlin MLA noting that the mental health budget needs to be ring-fenced and a crossdepartmental child poverty strategy established.
Northern Ireland Over in Stormont, workforce planning was at the forefront of discussions chaired by Dr Karl McKeever (Northern Ireland Committee Chair). The UUP’s Roy Beggs MLA expressed concern about cases of patients in constituencies being turned away due to not reaching criteria needed for treatment. When talk turned to public health and prevention, Alliance’s Kieran McCarthy MLA noted that mental and public health promotion should begin from infancy. The SDLP’s Fearghal McKinney MLA agreed, noting the clear benefits that early
Staff and attendees - child health debate held at Holyrood, Scotland
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What about Wales? Following the success of the Vision 2016 launch at a Welsh Assembly event back in November, we decided to pilot a “virtual debate” in Wales, putting members’ questions to the party spokespeople electronically. Visit www.rcpch.ac.uk/child-health-debate to see their responses! MARGARET DONNELLAN Public Affairs Lead
Child health debate in session at Stormont, Northern Ireland
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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. lobby candidates and political parties (see facing page).
@RCPCH_and_Us To mark children’s mental health week @RCPCH_and_Us created a Buzzfeed article with 10 top tips to promote children and young people’s mental health resilience. View the Buzzfeed here: www.buzzfeed.com/rcpchandus #childhealthmatters As part of our efforts to ensure child health is a priority for the devolved assemblies and parliaments after the elections in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales on 5 May, we’re continuing to
Social media plays an important role in engaging with politicians and getting support for our political asks. For the latest news on campaigning activity and to tell us what the child health priorities are for politicians, use the hashtag #childhealthmatters and follow us: @rcpchWales @rcpchScotland @rcpchIreland Keep up to date with College activity
the top child health news of the day, social media is the quickest way to keep up to speed. Follow @RCPCHtweets on Twitter and visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RCPCH @RCPCHtweets followers top 8,000 The RCPCH twitter account now has over 8,000 followers including members, journalists, campaigning organisations and politicians. EMILY ARKELL Head of Media and External Affairs
From the latest courses and events to
Governance reforms Members may be aware that, subject to the approval of our regulators, the Privy Council, a 2016 general meeting will be considering reforms to the College’s top-level governance structures. Some quick questions and answers about these reforms: What problem are the reforms trying to solve? The College’s current Council has two very different functions – as a representative body for members and as a Board of Trustees charged with legal and oversight functions. In addition, at a maximum of 51 members it is too large for effective decision-making. It arguably does not have the skills it needs to oversee an organisation of our size (£16m turnover, 16,000 members – very different from when Council was established in 1996.) As a result, our regulators have made it clear RCPCH governance needs to be reformed. (Other Medical Royal Colleges have done or are doing the same.) What solution is the College proposing? We are proposing to split the current Council into two, and separate its functions accordingly: we will create a Board of
Trustees (with 12 members, including external experts on finance, legal issues, etc.) and a 21-member Council. We are putting in place a number of safeguards to ensure that members’ interests are preserved. The Board of Trustees retains a majority of paediatricians (RCPCH members), and the quorum also requires a majority of College members be present at every meeting. Council is entirely composed of RCPCH members, and remains chaired by the President. We have sought to follow best practice in the charity sector throughout. How can I express my views on these proposals? The changes require alterations to three of the College’s governing documents (Royal Charter, Bye-Laws, and Regulations). The 2016 general meeting will be asked to vote on three separate motions approving these changes. All three will need to be
approved (each by a 2/3 majority) for the changes to come into effect. Further details about the general meeting will be published on the RCPCH website shortly. If you cannot attend, there will be an option for ‘remote voting’ via post/email. If you have further questions, please email governance@rcpch.ac.uk GRAHAM SLEIGHT Head of Governance and Contracts
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A rare occasion Celebrating 30 years of the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) This past year has seen the BPSU holding events to mark its 30th anniversary. From the time it was set up, this internationally regarded collaboration has been quietly but effectively protecting the health of children in the UK and Ireland from a wide range of rare but serious illnesses.
Party in Birmingham that focussed upon the child’s journey from diagnosis through transition and end of life care, and where the young people of Alström Syndrome UK presented their newly designed T-KASH transition resource (find out more at www.rcpch.ac.uk/bpsu/rdc16).
The Unit was founded in 1986 and provides an invaluable infrastructure for the surveillance of rare childhood conditions. From very early on, following the emergence of diseases such as HIV and E.coli 0157, the Unit has had a major impact on health policy as well as supporting evidence for screening and informing on clinical practice.
There are further events planned, one being the forthcoming seminar to be held at the RCPCH Conference in Liverpool on 27 April, so please do join us and raise a glass to the success that is the BPSU.
Many of you would have joined in the BPSU celebrations at our recent conference and Rare Disease Day Tea
PROFESSOR JOHN NEWTON Chief Knowledge Officer Public Health England and chair BPSU governance board RICHARD LYNN BPSU Scientific Coordinator
“British and Irish paediatricians can feel justly proud of themselves as pioneers and key enactors in this unique reporting system” Sir Cyril Clarke
MindEd for Families MindEd, a free e-learning site for children’s mental health (www.minded.org.uk), has recently added 35 new sessions for families, parents and carers, filling a large gap in provision for this group. MindEd comprises over 300 modules of 20-30 minutes duration. Site usage in the UK is increasing steadily, with latest figures showing over 1.2 million hits on the site.
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As a general paediatrician I have found myself recommending the site in outpatients even before the advent of the new e-learning sessions. I am confident I shall use it even more with these added topics. It is not just relevant to general paediatrics — any sub-specialty in which children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health are affected will find evidence-based guidance from a wide range of expert authors, delivered in an engaging way, of use and relevance to them and the families they look after.
Free eLearning to support young healthy minds If you do not know MindEd already, please have a look. Then recommend it to your peers, juniors, nursing staff – all who work with children – and your patients’ families! DR ALISTAIR THOMSON Consultant Paediatrician and Consortium Executive, MindEd
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Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution Report of a working party February 2016
New Key Practice Points Available through your RCPCH membership*, PCO UK is a decision support system that is underpinned by clinically assured guidance and users can now access four newly introduced ‘Key Practice Points’.
Approximately 40,000 deaths in the UK are linked to air pollution every year. Outdoor and indoor pollutants have been found to play a role in many major health challenges, including asthma, cancer and obesity. This is why the College, in conjunction with the Royal College of Physicians, has produced a landmark report revealing the dangerous impact that air pollution has on our nation’s health. The report, produced by a working party vice-chaired by the RCPCH’s Professor Jonathan Grigg, reveals that from a baby’s first few weeks in the womb through to old age, air pollution can affect anyone, at any time. The youngest children can be particularly vulnerable because they grow so rapidly – not only can air pollution harm vital organs, it can also impact on brain development and the immune system. Overwhelming evidence has been found linking asthma – which currently affects one in three children in every classroom – to air pollutants. With the report’s findings gaining momentum, it is clear that we must act without delay to safeguard the health of current and future generations. For a copy of the report and full list of recommendations, visit www.rcplondon. ac.uk/projects/outputs/every-breath-wetake-lifelong-impact-air-pollution.
Report recommendations Act now, think long term. As a community, we must act now, and with urgency, to prevent air pollution and tackle its harmful effects. Educate professionals and the public. The NHS and patient charities must educate health professionals, policymakers and the public about the serious harm that air pollution causes. Health professionals, in particular, have a duty to inform their patients. Promote alternatives to cars fuelled by petrol and diesel. Government, employers and schools should encourage and facilitate the use of public transport and active travel options like walking and cycling. Put the onus on the polluters. Political leaders at a local, national and EU level must introduce tougher regulations, including reliable emissions testing for cars. Monitor air pollution effectively. Air pollution monitoring by central and local government must track exposure to harmful pollutants in major urban areas and near schools. These results should be communicated proactively and clearly to the public. Protect those most at risk. Public services must take account of disproportionate harm through planning policies for housing and schools and equalities impact assessments. Healthcare professionals should help vulnerable patients protect themselves from the worst effects of air pollution.
Covering common signs, symptoms and critical care situations in children and young people, the newly added ‘Key Practice Points’ are: • Dizziness/Vertigo • Headache • Rash (Neonatal) • Rash (Infants and Older Children) Additional resources available through PCO UK include access to the Child Protection Companion, Public Health England’s Green Book, the British National Formulary for Children**, plus the popular Text Book of Pediatric Care from our colleagues at the American Academy of Paediatrics. ‘It covers a wide variety of resources to help support decisions.’ - PCO UK user On desktop, tablet and smartphone devices, PCO UK is available anytime, anywhere.
Have you activated your account? Thousands of RCPCH members have already started to use their PCO UK account. If you have not yet activated your account, simply visit www.rcpch.ac.uk/pcouk *Excludes Honorary Fellows and Student Affiliates **BNFC is only available to users in the UK
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We were taken over! Children and young people are the best placed to tell us about different ways we can improve child health and healthcare for young patients. The RCPCH England Takeover Challenge on 15 January was a fantastic pportunity to create dialogue between the College and young people. Young people influenced eight strategic areas of work during their challenge, making a real impact on the policy and practice of staff across the RCPCH. Read more from the attendees at www. rcpch.ac.uk/news/weve-been-takenover and see quotes and pictures below. The Children and Young People’s Engagement Team are working within the College to champion the voices of children and young people so they are at the centre of what we do to improve outcomes for child health.
improve child health experiences and services. The voice of children and young people extends to other areas of College work including education and training, research and policy, business development, health promotion, media and publications. Coming up… •
Takeover Nations Challenge in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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& Us® roadshows across the UK giving children and young people the chance to share ideas and views through consultation workshops in their settings
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development of the Engagement Collaborative QI Hub
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launch of the Infants, Children and Young People’s Child Health Research Charter.
Our aims are to: •
ensure that children’s rights are understood, protected and promoted
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create opportunities for children and young people (aged 10 – 25) and their families to inform and influence all aspects of College work
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collaborate with networks of children, young people, families and professionals across the UK to
EMMA SPARROW Engagement Manager
® How you can get involved: Promote & Us® to children, young people and families. We can send you flyers and posters, come to events and send you an example of the monthly & Us® newsletter.
Participate Meet with children, young people and families to share your experiences as a paediatrician, take part in & Us® or Engagement Collaborative events, projects and support children and young people’s voice in child health and healthcare.
Partner Join the Engagement Collaborative (www. rcpch.ac.uk/engagement-collaborative) and become a child and young person’s health champion supporting children and young people’s voice to be heard and influence policy and practice.
Contact Twitter: @RCPCH_and_us Facebook: RCPCHandUs Website: www.rcpch.ac.uk/and_us Email: and_us@rcpch.ac.uk Tel: 020 7092 6076/6079
We asked the young people what they most enjoyed about Takeover Day — they said:
Students discuss what they think should be child health priorities
A group shares their thoughts about a new child health initiative
“My best thing today was speaking to real life paediatricians” “I was able to make my ideas heard to improve the department”
One group presents ideas for a College event
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A group presents their recommendations for policy makers to College staff
“They gave us the freedom to share our views openly and the group work was excellent”
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Training matters What does it mean to be a trainee? What does it mean to be trained? When or even does ‘training’ stop? These are questions that have increasingly been on my mind as I approach the ‘end’ of my training and am increasingly called a ‘senior’ trainee (despite my youthful looks!). The term ‘trainee’ has somewhat been blurred out in the debate about ‘junior doctor’ contracts but for most of us, we train until CCT and are then released as autonomous beings ready to lead and to manage not only clinical situations but also everything else, the mysterious things that consultants do when they are not visible on the shop floor. We love hierarchy in medicine, the F2 looks down on the F1 who within two weeks has forgotten that they were ever a medical student in the first place but perhaps the precipice from trainee to
consultant feels the biggest and most daunting. We are all however engaged in a career in which life long learning is essential and the transition from trainee to consultant does need softening. Some of you may know that the RCGP has the First 5 scheme, in which those within the first five years from the end of GP training receive additional educational resources and support. The trainee committee along with the support of College staff are now starting to explore
how we build a similar resource and incorporate the evolving work of our mentoring network (discussed earlier in focus). We will be establishing a working group over the coming months and are keen to hear thoughts and suggestions for additional education, training or support that new consultants feel that they would benefit from. DAVID JAMES Chair, Trainees’ Committee www.rcpch.ac.uk/training-examinations
Interview with the new Officer for Scotland - Dr Steve Turner I am delighted to be the incoming RCPCH Officer for Scotland and look forward to being the eyes, ears and mouth of College members in Scotland. Many thanks to Peter Fowlie for representing us over the last five years. Peter, you have done a great job, which I hope to be able to match. What do you think is the single biggest issue in child healthcare in Scotland currently, and how do you hope to make an impact on that issue in your new role? To be honest I don’t think it is as easy as there being a single most important issue. There are a number of issues which are all correlated, with money/ poverty being core to most, and I will not be able to influence many of these. However, at the end of my term I hope to be able to look back and say that I made an impact by being a strong advocate for children, for parents and professionals dedicated to child healthcare. What other areas do you hope to have an impact on during your time as Officer for Scotland?
I plan to continue to make the College relevant to its members; many issues are generic and are not especially relevant to us in Scotland so don’t need highlighting twice. I also would like to allow more colleagues in Scotland to share their views, eg providing feedback on clinical pathways or guidelines. How have the challenges facing child health changed since you first started practicing as a paediatrician? I qualified in 1992 and started as a consultant in 2003. Looking back over the years, three observations come to mind. First, training is a lot more educationally robust. Second, public expectations have changed the opinion ‘there must be something you can give him’. Third, we have networks and
guidelines in place which help deliver children a better quality of specialist care. The next five years promise to be eventful with increasing devolution of NHS Scotland, pressures on finances and middle grade trainee numbers, one more new children’s hospital opening and the ever-changing face of childhood illnesses. I think that effective and prompt communication is essential in responding as a professional body to these known changes, and also the changes that we cannot anticipate. I really look forward to working with you. DR STEVE TURNER, RCPCH Officer for Scotland www.rcpch.ac.uk/scotland
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BNF for Children 2015-2016 Guiding health professionals on all aspects of paediatric drug therapy Improved format – easier access To make it even easier to find the information you need, the content in the new BNF for Children has been restructured. You’ll find improved consistency and clarity in the print version, and purposedesigned online content through our MedicinesComplete platform. See www. bnf.org to find out more, along with sample pages and a clear guide on how to use the improved BNF for Children.
Significant new content updates to BNF for Children 2015-2016 include: Q Updated monographs with links to ‘Medicines for children’ leaflets, which provide parents and carers with information about how to use certain medicines in children Q New safety information about reducing the risk of QT interval prolongation and Torsade de Pointes for hydroxyzine Q Further guidance on the restricted use of codeine for cough and cold symptoms in children Q Updated dosing information for the use of tramadol in the treatment of acute and chronic pain Q Update on the scheduling of sodium oxybate under the Misuse of Drugs Regulation 2001 Q Guidance on the use of domperidone for the treatment of gastrooesophageal reflux disease in children Q Updated dosing information on the use of nifedipine for the treatment of hypertensive crisis, acute angina and Kawasaki disease or progeria Q Advice about the risk of hepatotoxicity and phototoxicity with voriconazole treatment Book: 978 0 85711 164 7 • September 2015 • £39.99
Online: For pricing information contact our sales team at pharmpress@rpharms.com Order your print copy now at www.pharmpress.com/bnfc
www.bnf.org