Dear members This week there is has been much to watch. We are uncertain what releasing of lockdown means in terms of keeping our patients and ourselves safe; what antibody testing of NHS staff may mean, if contact tracing, and wearing of surgical masks in public, and quarantine for travellers,  may contain a second wave of Covid-19.  We are watching out for the new paediatric multi system inflammatory syndrome, vaccine development , and the scramble for Covid-19 trial outcomes. What does seem certain is that harnessing new ways of working, planning the recovery of services and maintaining social distancing will be important to maintain for many months as we move out of lockdown and start to resume paused activity. Please do take the time to respond to the request the questions in the survey so that Bspghan can support members in capturing beneficial clinical changes Update to RCPCH advice - Shielding children BSPGHAN continues to work with colleagues in the RCPCH to...

Dear members,   Please find: 1. BSPGHAN Updated shielding guidance and advice on returning to school for children with gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional problems and 2. BSPGHAN IBD Working Group - Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19 in children with IBD- Position Statement: Guidance for Returning to School  Best wishes Sue Protheroe  BSPGHAN President  28th May 2020 

BSPGHAN awardI am delighted to announce that Kwang Yang Lee has been awarded a BSPGHAN award for innovation in recognition of his significant achievements. You will be aware that Kwang Yang has redeveloped the BSPGHAN web site to offer a professional appearance, high quality illustrations and ease of navigation, giving the site the refreshment that was due. The award was also given for appreciation of the Covid Information Hub, helping members stay informed during the pandemic and for organising the regular BSPGHAN endorsed Zoom teaching for trainees. I am sure you will wish to congratulate him on this award. Please also get in touch if you can offer remote teaching e-mail webmaster@bspghan.org.ukThank you.   Principles to help paediatricians talk to children and families about returning to school.  https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-talking-children-families-about-returning-school-guiding-principlesBSPGHAN has been working in partnership with the RCPCH on Speciality...

I hope this email finds you in continuing good health.  We are taking stock while coming through a "peak " of hospitalisations and set to enter the second phase in the NHS’s response to Covid-19. On April 29th we heard from the NHS CE and CEO about:- ​Increased Covid-19 testing capacity - a pilot followed by roll out of regular testing to asymptomatic staff, guided by PHE and clinical advice.  NHS to step up non-Covid19 urgent services as soon as possible with attention to infection prevention and control and start of some routine non-urgent elective care. Provisional plans to factor-in the availability of associated medicines, PPE, blood, consumables, equipment and other needed supplies.Expanded winter flu vaccination campaign alongside a school immunisation ‘catch up programme’. Now more than ever a safety and learning culture is vital. BSPGHAN has been working with the RCPCH, PHE and...

Dear all I  hope this finds you all well and spending time to rest and restore your batteries over the long weekend.  The anticipation of working in different ways and the pressure of making new judgements for patient care has been stressful.  The calmness of the NHS and other frontline carers and their leaders has been remarkable in the face of constant change and education. Their anxiety about risks, protecting themselves and their loved ones at home is real. We hope that increasing knowledge of the virus, on keeping a safe distance and being as well protected as possible, gives them some of the peace of mind that they need.    It is truly touching to see the tributes for key workers and the acknowledgement of the vital roles that all workers play.  Keep cascading the message to parents that we are open for "business as usual" as per the RCPCH recent campaign (see link) and keep good records of those who need to be seen later on. ...