Developing the framework for a borderlands strategy: a report produced by the Universities of Northumbria and Cumbria

The 2013 report, Borderlands: can the North East and Cumbria benefit from greater Scottish Autonomy?, recommended a new approach to boosting economic development across the Borderland area covered by Northumberland, Cumbria, Carlisle, Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders councils. The report highlighted that the Borderlands have much in common: a shared history; the daily cross-border flows of people for work, shopping or family visits; and also shared experiences of economic and social change which has produced a number of common challenges and opportunities which lend themselves to a collaborative response. In April 2015, The Institute of Local Governance (on behalf of Northumberland County Council and the wider Borderlands Steering Group) commissioned the Universities of Cumbria and Northumbria to produce a detailed Framework Document that would underpin the development of a collaborative approach to economic development in the Borderlands. This study would provide comparative economic and social data which would serve as an in-depth and independent evidence base on which a collaborative approach for the Borderlands could be developed and promoted by the combined efforts of the 5 councils and their partners. The study would review the wide range of existing economic strategies operating across the Borderlands, identifying: priorities; key sectors; assets; challenges, and opportunities for collaboration particularly in relation to Energy, Forestry, Tourism, and Connectivity

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Unknown Sitter

Alex Veness speculates about one woman's motives for having her portrait taken, and for whom the portrait was intended. His enquiry introduces questions about the role of sentiment and emotion in the interpretation of portraiture. Perhaps all portraits had sentimental meaning for some viewer, which is now lost - or is it? As temporally distant and impersonal viewers, can we respond sentimentally to the portrait

A learning outcomes framework for the accreditation, delivery and assessment of work-based learning Final report: volume one

Vol. 1 of 2SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:98/30835 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

A learning outcomes framework for the accreditation, delivery and assessment of work-based learning Final report: volume 2

Vol. 2 of 2SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:98/30841 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Role of Identity in Participation in Children's Centre Services: the Subjective Experience of Minority Groups, 2007-2008

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The objective of this study was to explore how the identity experiences of minority ethnic and gender groups affect levels of participation and engagement in Children's Centre services. The study looked at two urban Children’s Centre areas in Tyne and Wear (Areas A and B) which differed in terms of their ethnic make-up. The first area involved one Children’s Centre serving two communities with a relatively small black and minority ethnic (BME) population. The second area, which served three communities, had three Children’s Centres and also offered English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes, which provided a focus for minority ethnic groups. Interviews were conducted with staff at the Children’s Centres and allied local agencies, to investigate perceptions of the level of participation of minority groups, and the efforts being made to engage them. Interviews were also conducted with local parents and carers who were eligible to use the services to explore how they saw their place in the community and how this related to their use of Children’s Centre services. The parents' interview transcripts are not available form the UKDA but themes which occurred in these interviews are available in the form of a typology of perceptions document. Basic demographic data and key responses have been drawn out from both the staff and parents’ perceptions by categories (staff, ethnicity, relationship to child). Further information is available from the ESRC Award web page.Main Topics:The staff interviews cover the following areas:role in current jobfactors that affect how service users relate to staffstrategies used to engage with usersbarriers to integration of BME groups/fathersThe parents' typology of perceptions document includes summaries of the following areas: basic demographic informationdefinition of communityperception of community of residencereasons for using the Children's Centrewhether able to mix with other service usersgeneral perception of the Children's Centre</ul