Single Unified Safeguarding Review (SUSR) in Wales - RCPCH consultation response June 2023

In June 2023 we responded to the consultation on SUSR, statutory guidance that aims to create a single review process incorporating all safeguarding reviews in Wales. The SUSR will ensure affected families can expect a swift and rigorous review process. It will eliminate the need for families to take part in several reviews, which will reduce the trauma and time in getting a decision.Our responseThe Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) welcomes this opportunity to respond to Welsh Government’s consultation on proposed statutory guidance on the Single Unified Safeguarding Review (SUSR) process. We welcome any initiative which strives to improve the safeguarding of vulnerable children, the protection and promotion of children’s rights, child protection per se, and outcomes for vulnerable children.For those reasons, we are pleased to see this work going ahead

Modifiable factors influencing parental decision making and organ donation: A scoping review

A global shortage of organs from children and adults available for transplantation is compounded by the failure of next of the kin to consent for organs to be donated after death. There are both non-modifiable and modifiable factors which influence decision-making. Modifiable factors can though be influenced and are therefore of interest when examining families’ decision making surrounding the donation of organs from their deceased child. A scoping review was undertaken to determine how modifiable factors influence parental decision-making in cadaver organ donation. Following thematic analysis two themes were identified, these were ‘interaction with healthcare professionals’ and ‘pre-disposition to organ donation’. Satisfaction with experiences of hospital care, the information provided and the way it was communicated as well as interactions pertaining to emotional support were all found to be modifiable factors that influenced decision-making. Likewise, a predisposition to organ donation and knowing the wishes of the deceased, are highly associated with the consent decision. Nurses working in critical care environments need to be able to support parents during this difficult time. This paper therefore aims to raise awareness of modifiable factors that influence decision-making, highlighting their relevance for children’s nursing practic

Clinicians in the classroom: The consultant midwife

This is the third in a series of articles exploring expert clinicians’ participation in teaching pre-registration midwifery students in the classroom setting. This article will consider sessions facilitated by Carolyn Rooth, Consultant Midwife at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The role of Consultant Midwife was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 2000 (Byrom et al., 2009) with post holders attaining key senior positions within maternity services to provide professional leadership and a senior level of clinical midwifery expertise (Coster, 2006). A key element of the role of the Consultant Midwife is education, training and development (NHS Executive, 1999). Redfern et al. have suggested that whilst these advanced practitioners are practice based, they should have a key role in creating and maintaining ‘partnerships between the NHS and local universities […] to enhance education and research functions’ (2003:154)

Provision of care for families affected by craniofacial conditions: The views of nonspecialist health professionals

Objective: A diagnosis of a congenital craniofacial condition can have a significant impact on the psychological wellbeing of the affected family. As the first health professionals likely to come into contact with families, non-specialists, such as diagnostic sonographers, midwives, and health visitors play a crucial role in facilitating familial adjustment. Yet, previous research has demonstrated parental dissatisfaction with the care delivered by non-specialists. The aim of this study was to investigate the provision of care for families affected by craniofacial conditions from the perspective of non-specialist health professionals, with a view to informing the development of educational materials.Design: Individual semi-structured telephone interviews (n = 14) were conducted with three diagnostic sonographers, two fetal medicine consultants, three midwives, four health visitors, and two children’s nurses.Results: Participants identified a range of barriers to the delivery of optimal care, including dealing with parental reactions, time pressure, hospital protocols and resources, a lack of contact with specialist craniofacial teams, and the emotional impact of delivering a diagnosis. Most participants had received no prior training in the area of congenital craniofacial conditions, while those who had felt current training materials were insufficient. All participants expressed a desire for further training and provided guidance regarding preferred content and format.Conclusions: This study provides insight into the challenges faced by non-specialists, as well as a range of information and training needs which could improve their knowledge and confidence. Suggestions for the development of educational materials for non-specialist health professionals are made

Bairro 25 de Abril da Meia-Praia: representações psicossociais das vivências em comunidade

Dissertação de mestrado em Psicogerontologia comunitária. Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Escola Superior de Educação, 2013.A comunidade que edificou o Bairro 25 de Abril da Meia-Praia, é proveniente de Monte Gordo, e que na década de 50 ali se instalou, para tentar melhorar as suas condições de vida. A escolha daquele local justificou-se pela proximidade ao local de trabalho, nomeadamente, a Ria de Alvor, permitindo a apanha do marisco, e a possibilidade de pescar na baía. Inicialmente, construíram barracas de colmo e de madeira para se instalarem, sem quaisquer condições de habitabilidade. Com a revolução política de 1974, foi iniciado o processo de construção de habitações, impulsionada pela vontade da própria população e de alguns partidários a favor da revolução. Este estudo pretende analisar a relação entre a demolição do bairro, e as consequências para as vivências desta população, nomeadamente dos mais idosos e do seu processo de envelhecimento. Constatou-se que, a concretizar-se esta situação, não será bem aceite pela grande maioria dos seniores da comunidade, visto que demolir o bairro é acabar aos poucos, com cada um deles, com a sua história e cultura, acabar com o espírito da comunidade, afastar as famílias, e, de uma forma geral, entristecê-los a todos