Child Health Tuesday – weekly email bulletin
| Every week we circulate a round-up of information we have been asked to distribute to our members, along with any other items of interest to share with you.
Contact us via the email address below if you have any items to request for inclusion, using the subject line ‘Child Health Tuesday’.
Email us: nencicb.northernchildnetwork@nhs.net Find us on LinkedIn and Bluesky
If you have been forwarded this email, join the Network now to receive future bulletins directly to your inbox.
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Lunch and Learn: Managing common childhood conditions and illnesses in preschool aged children
Wednesday 28th January, 12.30-1.30pm
A session to discuss common conditions and presentations in preschool children, led by Dr Alex Battersby, Consultant Paediatrician.
Join us online for an informative session all about tackling common childhood conditions and illnesses in preschoolers.
Information for professionals on managing conditions such as viral induced wheeze, chronic cough and recurrent wheeze, diarrhoea and vomiting management, lymphadenopathy in children and more. With pointers on when to refer and how to find guidance and pathways for parents and professionals.
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Lunch and Learn: Newcastle’s Bladder and Bowel Care Pathways
Thursday 19th February, 1-2pm
How to successfully care for children and young adults with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction and how we can support primary care.
Our clinical leads within Newcastle Paediatric Bladder and Bowel Service are hosting a lunchtime webinar to offer support and advice when children present with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction.
All healthcare professionals in primary care are encouraged to join as a huge volume of children and young people have underlying chronic constipation, soiling, daytime wetting, nocturnal enuresis, urinary frequency etc.
We can offer advice and treatment plans to support this cohort of children.
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Reminder: Healthier Together website changes
Our Healthier Together website has now moved to its new domain www.healthiertogether.nhs.uk as part of national work to align core content and improve consistency of sites across the country.
The new website will offer new features, an improved user experience, and easier access to trusted NHS health information and advice.
If you already have the Healthier Together website bookmarked, please update to the new address. Any old links will still be redirected to the new site for the time being.
In order to get the most from the site, complete the quick steps on the landing page to personalise the website content, advice and resources. It should only take a few seconds and you will not need to repeat it for future visits.
Explore Healthier Together now: www.healthiertogether.nhs.uk
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The 2025-26 Chris Drinkwater Creative Health in Primary Schools Awards – APPLY NOW The awards are back, celebrating the incredible collaboration between education and the arts to support children’s wellbeing in primary schools across the North East and North Cumbria. If your school or organisation has been championing creativity to make a positive impact on young lives, this is your chance to shine! Who can apply?
Applications are open now until Monday 2nd March 2026. Winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday 26th March 2026. Find out more and see the winners from previous years – visit the Healthier Together website.
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Know Our Impact youth fund opportunity
Our Know Our Impact (KOI) Youth Board are proud to launch Fund Your Future – An Inclusive Fund for Young People by Young People.
Their fund is a fantastic opportunity that gives young people the chance to apply for a small grant of up to £500 to create or adapt inclusive health and wellbeing opportunities that help:
Who Can Apply? (Criteria)
Link to apply by Friday 30th January: Fund Your Future – An Inclusive Youth Fund by Young People for Young People – Fill out form
Link to join the ICB Child Health and Wellbeing Youth Voice Network: Youth Voice Network Sign Up for the North East And North Cumbria
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Research shows no evidence of link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism
Last week, researchers from City St Georges published a ‘gold-standard’ paper showing there is no connection between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and having a baby that is autistic, has ADHD, or has a learning disability.
People may have picked up on statements made by the United States administration last autumn that taking paracetamol during pregnancy increases the chance of the baby becoming autistic. Misinformation like this may mean some pregnant people don’t take paracetamol when they need it, when paracetamol is the first-choice painkiller if someone is pregnant. Treating pain or fever is important. Avoiding treatment can sometimes pose risks to both the pregnant parent and baby. If you are pregnant, you should follow NHS guidance and the advice of qualified medical practitioners.
Read more on the Autistica website
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Poverty Proofing© Studies – Training Available on Boost
The Children North East Poverty Proofing© Studies offer is available on Boost, the free learning and development community hosted by NENC ICB and open to anyone interested in progressing healthcare. All resources are freely accessible and support action to reduce the impact of poverty on health and care experiences.
While our wider Poverty Proofing© offer continues, we are currently delivering two core training sessions via Boost:
The Poverty Awareness training introduces the Poverty Proofing© methodology and ethos, increases understanding of the diverse experiences of people living in poverty, and creates space for informed discussion. Dates: 21 Jan, 4 Feb, 18 Feb, 4 Mar, 12 Mar, 16 Mar: Boost | Learning Academy
The Stigma and Unconscious Bias training explores how stigma and unconscious bias are experienced by people living in poverty and encourages reflection on our own assumptions and preconceptions. Dates: 27 Jan, 10 Mar: Boost | Learning Academy
Feedback from previous sessions highlights the impact of the training:
“This learning has been an eye-opener. I have new awareness of how poverty can affect people. I hope to explore more about how finding help for my patients and advocate for them.”
“This session has made me motivated to make changes to practice and identify barriers to families in need and how we can make this better. I learnt how prevalent poverty is in the North East.”
Find Poverty Proofing© Studies on Boost and get involved. Full training catalogue available here : Boost | Learning Academy
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Talk, Trust, Treat: Getting adolescent and young adults health right
Friday 13th February, 10am-2.30pm Children North East, 89 Denhill Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6QE
Want to ensure your services and health support are engaging for adolescents and young adults? Not sure how to adapt your approach for the needs of this age range? In this one-day course, you’ll gain a greater understanding of the needs and barriers to care for adolescents and young adults.
In this course, you’ll explore how you develop trust and open communications, manage risk and support young people’s rights within your service and individual practice.
The course is co-designed and co-delivered by young people from the AYPH North-East England Young Trainers Hub in partnership with Children North East.
Who should attend?
There are fully subsidised places available thanks to funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation – just enter the discount code TTTFEBFREE to get a free place when you book.
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North East and North Cumbria MDT Cerebral Palsy Network – save the date
Friday 8th May, 1.30pm-4pm Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
The Great North Children’s Hospital Neurodisability and Orthopaedic multidisciplinary team are hoping to meet with interested colleagues to discuss how best to move forward with delivering high quality of care for Children and Young people with Cerebral Palsy and similar conditions. We are hopeful that Orthopaedic, Allied Health Professional and paediatric colleagues would join us to set up a network. Please save the date and further information will be sent nearer to the time. Please do forward to any colleagues who you may think would benefit.
The team can be contacted with any queries via nuth.PaedNeurologyAdmin@nhs.net
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Management and Care of Paediatric Tracheostomies
Thursday 23rd April, 8.30am-4.30pm Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
As the number of paediatric tracheostomies being performed rises, the need for staff caring for these patients also increases.
This interactive one-day course allows paediatric staff to gain an awareness of the anatomy and physiology of the paediatric airway, general care and management of patients who require a tracheostomy, from the point of insertion to discharge home and de-cannulation.
Delegates will benefit from 3 skill station group activities at alternate times, followed by 5 simulation scenarios led by our experienced paediatric clinical educators and SIM experts enabling them to assess the knowledge and skills delegates have learnt throughout the day.
They will also look at how successful multi-disciplinary team working contributes to high quality care.
Audience The course is aimed at both qualified and trainee medical staff as well as advanced nurse practitioners, AHPs and physiologists, and would be particularly suitable for those working in the following specialist, and in both acute and community-based settings:
Please note that this course has a pre-course assignment therefore tickets are only available up to 4 weeks before the start of the course (Friday 27 March 2026).
Click here to book online: Management and Care of Paediatric Tracheostomies
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Child of the North data showcase: how connected data can inform national policy and practice on SEND Monday 23rd February Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester
This one-day workshop is co-hosted by Child of the North, N8 CIR and the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA)
The event will bring together government policymakers, research leaders, and data and service experts from across the North of England to explore how connected data can help address the challenges of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
This provides an outstanding opportunity for the research community across the North of England and beyond to demonstrate its ability and willingness to work with central government to build a country that works for all children and young people.
The key aims of the event are to:
We are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from individuals and teams who wish to participate in the event and can showcase relevant expertise, projects, data assets or insights aligned with the workshop themes. EOIs will help us shape the agenda and ensure broad representation across disciplines and regions.
The workshop themes include:
For further details about the event and to access the EOI form, please visit: https://n8cir.org.uk/training-and-events/child-of-the-north-showcase/
The deadline for submitting an EOI is Friday 30th January. Applicants will be informed shortly afterwards whether they have a place at the workshop.
If you have any questions, please contact Emma Finch – Emma.Finch@manchester.ac.uk.
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Frontline paediatrics for GPs, paediatricians, trainees and other professionals on the frontline
Wednesday 11th March, online
Aims and Objectives: The first of the CHER refresher days in 2026 is being offered at low cost to facilitate all comers. There is no charge for medical and nursing students. The five talks are directed at bread-and-butter paediatric practice.
Teaching Methods: A series of talks delivered online with opportunities for questions and answers, directly or via chat box. Certificates of attendance following completion of a feedback form.
Talks include:
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Introduction to sustainable healthcare training
Wednesday 29th April, 9.30am-1pm Northumbria Health and Care Academy, Northumbria Way, Cramlington, NE23 6NZ
The Faculty of Sustainable Healthcare are working to increase awareness of sustainability and the environmental impact of healthcare to all staff working across the region. Embedding good practice across the local area will help organisations achieve climate impact reduction targets.
We are delighted to announce that we have a new date for our Introduction to Sustainable Healthcare course. This foundation course is intended to provide delegates with the opportunity to better understand sustainability in healthcare and help you to develop ideas of change, that can be introduced within your workplace – allowing greener, more sustainable healthcare to be provided.
This workshop is free of charge; however, registration is mandatory.
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Regional Paediatric Respiratory Conference ‘Little Lungs, Big Futures’
Wednesday 11 March 2026, 8.30am-4.30pm The Fed (Federation Brewery), Lancaster Road, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9JR
Join leading experts and frontline professionals for a one-day deep dive into the latest developments, challenges, treatments and strategies in paediatric respiratory medicine
What to Expect:
Whatever your area of interest, our panel of experts will share research, clinical insights, and practical guidance to help you stay informed. We will also have representatives from industry available during break sessions to help keep you up to date on the latest developments.
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your knowledge, network with peers, and enhance your knowledge of children’s respiratory conditions and treatments.
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Free Suicide Prevention Training for NHS Staff, Primary Care and Emergency Responders – Feb & March 2026
PAPYRUS have been contracted by the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board, to provide fully funded (free) suicide prevention training to primary care, emergency responders and NHS staff in the North East and North Cumbria.
This training is available free to all NHS staff, GPs, nurses, pharmacists, police, ambulance, fire & rescue and other frontline staff supporting individuals at risk within the NENC ICB catchment area.
Our 3.5hr training, SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Explore, Ask, Keep-Safe) is an introduction to suicide prevention skills, the key objectives are:
For all course dates and to book, sign up here
If you have any questions regarding these sessions, please get in touch at englandnorth@papyrus-uk.org
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NENC Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
Quick, Free & Confidential Support for You!
Free, confidential support for all health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria. We aim to offer you an initial appointment within seven working days, followed by up to three additional brief therapy or support sessions. All with no waiting lists! Most sessions are via videocall or telephone, at times that work for you.
Whether you’re facing challenges at work, at home, or both, we’re here to help. Our experienced NHS clinicians are ready to listen and support you with flexible, timely appointments.
Getting help is simple:
Click here and self-refer online with our confidential brief form Email us: hubstheword@cntw.nhs.uk Leave us a confidential voicemail: 0191 223 2030
Don’t wait. Reach out today!
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Wellbeing resource on Boost website
A free health and wellbeing offer is available on the Boost platform for all staff and volunteers across the North East and North Cumbria. It includes resources for emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing, plus resilience tools and useful apps. You can also explore support for organisational change. Perhaps start with the ‘Emotional Wellbeing’ section for quick tools you can use today.
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The following messages have been circulated by the Children and Young People’s Transformation Programme team for information and action where appropriate.
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Children and Young People’s Eating Disorders Commissioning Guidance Review
We are delighted to inform you that updated children and young people’s (CYP) eating disorders (ED) services commissioning guidance has now been published via the NHS England website.
Following a significant increase in demand for CYP ED services and a rise in acuity and complexity of ED presentations during and following the pandemic, the CYP & Perinatal MH Team have undertaken a comprehensive review of CYP ED Commissioning Guidance. The team has engaged extensively with internal and external stakeholders, policy leads, clinical experts and lived experience partners, including through a dedicated Task & Finish Group to co-produce the updated guidance.
The updated guidance draws on new and innovative ways of working, up-to-date clinical advice and evidence-based practices, to help ensure eating disorder provision best meets the needs of children, young people, their families, and carers.
The Commissioning Guidance will be accompanied by Technical Guidance which sets out the detailed recording and reporting requirements for local systems in respect of the CYP ED Access and Waiting Time Standard.
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Published: January 23