Professor Terence Stephenson Vice President, Science and Research
use particular services and what can be improved.The findings will be available in Autumn 2009. In April 2008, the QPC and the Clinical Effectiveness team held its second Clinical Guideline workshop at the RCPCH Spring Meeting.The workshop provided information on how to develop an evidence-based guideline to College standards and the process of College endorsement. In addition, the event provided an opportunity to discuss issues surrounding guideline development using worked examples with experts in the field. In May 2008, the UK Guideline on Screening and Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a collaboration between the RCPCH, Royal College of Opthalmologists, British Association of Perinatal Medicine, and the premature baby charity Bliss was published. The guideline which is available on the RCPCH website, has been well received and has accompanying parents leaflets. Child Protection Research During the year the project to explore parents’ experiences when non-accidental injury (NAI) is suspected was completed. As part of this small qualitative project, which was jointly funded by the DCSF and the DH, 12 families who had been in the situation where professionals had initially suspected NAI in their child were interviewed about how concerns were communicated to them.The study has identified a number of key principles for paediatricians in relation to communicating with families in this sensitive situation which will inform child protection training. The research findings will be available from the RCPCH website in spring 2009. The review of the evidence-base for the physical signs of child sexual abuse was finished during the reporting year.The resulting publication was successfully launched in April to an audience of press and professionals, and Baroness Butler-Sloss was among the speakers. As well as the evidence review the publication outlines good practice in relation to the assessment, examination and STI testing in children where sexual abuse is suspected and has been very well received by child protection professionals, general paediatricians and members of the legal profession.
Workforce 07/08 The direction of the Workforce team’s work in 2007/8 was heavily influenced by the introduction of the MMC training scheme in 2007, the forthcoming implementation of the Working Time Directive WTD in 2009 and the consequent need to look at new models of consultant working. The team’s activity throughout the year included: n The College’s biennial workforce census which found that the growth in the paediatric workforce continued to slow. Publication of the full report is due in early 2009. n A joint study with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, funded by National Workforce projects, was completed and published in July 2008. This considered the level of WTD compliance in England and following visits to a number of trusts, provided a detailed set of criteria to assess solutions produced by an expert panel. n Workforce and service data was modelled as part of the Modelling for the Future Project in order to produce more effective and evidence-based forecasts for future workforce demand. n Work began on a survey of first year trainees.This study aims to improve workforce planning by understanding trainee career intentions, improve career advice to prospective trainees and influence the development of training programmes. It is hoped that this cohort of trainees will be followed throughout their training. British Paediatric Surveillance Unit The year saw the commencement of one new study, Intussusception (IS) in children less than 12 months of age. However during the year there were several more in preparation and these have now come on to the cards (anaphylaxis following immunisation; conversion disorder; sudden unexpected postnatal collapse and toxic shock syndrome). Details of all the current studies can be found on the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) website www.bpsu.inopsu.com . The highlight of the year was hearing in July 2008 that funding for the BPSU has been secured until 2012.This followed a significant amount of work preparing the
application to the Department of Health. During the year the unit also undertook a formal evaluation of its activities which supported the application to the DH and showed that the unit meets all the CDC Atlanta requirements for effective surveillance. Part of the evaluation involved a survey of paediatricians which established that the orange card continues to be a valuable epidemiological and educational resource with 45% of paediatricians stating that results had changed their practice. The BPSU staff continue to administer the work of the International Network of Paediatric Surveillance Units; supporting the networks conference recently held in Germany. At home the BPSU methodology continues to be used by other specialties; paediatric surgeons have been involved in the IS survey and autumn saw the launch of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Surveillance System. The BPSU work is overseen by an Executive Committee chaired by Professor Allan Colver. In 2009 Allan is stepping down from the committee after 7 years of service. Our thanks go to Allan for maintaining the high standards of the BPSU and helping to secure its financial future.
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