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. ...

Dear members Please share this updated letter C0106 HPN COVID patient information_UPDATED_27 March  with families of children on home parenteral nutrition. It outlines plans that home care providers are putting in place and changes that families may expect.  Please be aware of the latest advice.   "Keeping yourself safe" "The government is regularly updating its guidance on at-risk groups. In light of the  latest information your hospital teams now consider that patients on HPN are a high risk group, as you/your child have significant organ impairment (GI) and a central venous access device in place. This advice is endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology. It advises you to follow the guidance on ‘shielding’ stringently, as outlined by the government, and you are strongly advised to stay at home and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks in the first instance.This can be challenging but the consensus is it is the best way to...

This is a challenging time but amid the concern, there are uplifting stories of how people are looking out for each other and communities pulling together. The children's rainbows of hope in windows and the national clap for carers to celebrate the work of the NHS and care workers on Thursday were much appreciated.    Information is useful—but too much information can be unhelpful. I have limited news updates to new information from consensus sources. We don't generally benefit from watching the news over and over. Try to focus instead on the things you need to get done. Value the rest of the time to relax with your family or friends and reach out to those who may not have such good support networks as you may have.  The bulletins below have some reassuring observations for our patients. I hope that these help guide your practice while working differently. 1 )Statement "Gastrointestinal endoscopy in children and COVID 19 pandemic" - ESPGHAN  Endoscopy Special Interest...