Med-Star Paediatric

A coroner has raised concerns after a 'dog-tired' first-time mother was advised by midwives to breastfeed her newborn baby lying down in bed, resulting in him choking to death. Ann Bradley, a teacher from Harwood, Lancashire, had given birth to her first child just a day earlier. After struggling with breastfeeding, midwives taught her a technique that involved lying side-by-side in bed with him. 'They said we could lay on our sides,' Ann said. However, after falling asleep, ...Ann woke up to find her baby white and lifeless. The coroner said that the technique to help mothers struggling to breastfeed went against national advice to avoid co-sleeping because mums are likely to be very tired after giving birth and are at risk of falling asleep. The Lullaby Trust issues the following advice regarding breastfeeding in bed or lying down: 'Breastfeeding reduces the chance of SIDS, so we would always try and help you work out a way to continue breastfeeding in the safest way possible. 'If you feel you might fall asleep because you are lying down, it might be worth trying to feed in a sitting position or step outside of bed to breastfeed. 'Make sure you know the advice on when never to bed share so you know when to take particular care. However, it is really important that you do not accidentally fall asleep with your baby on a sofa. If you think you might fall asleep, put the baby down in a safe place to sleep. 'If you are breastfeeding, have your partner stay up with you, breastfeed in a different position where you are confident you might not fall asleep, or feed the baby somewhere else.' The Lullaby Trust also says to never bed share with your baby when you're particularly overtired as this can increase the chance of SIDS.
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NEW FREE BAY CHECK APP FROM THE LULLABY TRUST
The Lullaby Trust have launched a free app that can help you if you think your baby may be unwell. The app will ask you a series of 19 questions about your baby, and will score each response you give, the score varying depending on the actual question being asked. At the end of the questions the app will provide you with your baby's score and the level of response needed (if any). The app also provides you with the answers you gave to each question for later reference. You can repeat the process later to see if there is any change in baby's condition. We would be very grateful for any feedback on this app as we are keen to include it on all Paediatric First Aid courses and Baby First Aid sessions.

A COUPLE OF TIPS THAT YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF TO HELP KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES HEALTHY ON HOLIDAY
1. When you arrive at your hotel/chalet etc, the pillow cases and sheets will have (hopefully!) been laundered. However, the same may not be true for any duvet covers, bedspreads etc, and the mind boggles at what lurgies may be laying in wait for your little one to pick up. It might therefore be a good idea to remove the bedspread etc before allowing your child onto the bed. 2. Give... the following a quick wipe with an antiseptic cloth or baby wipe: TV control - Possibly the dirtiest item in the room! Light Switches - including bedside lights Door Handles Taps Telephone handset 3. Give glasses in the bathroom a good rinse before using 4. If you are going self catering remember to pack your CO detector from home, especially if you are travelling abroad where gas safety standards may not be up to UK standards.
Happy holidays!
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SLEEP NESTS AND PODS
Sleep nests, cushioned sleeping pods, baby hammocks, cot bumpers and pillows are all products can all pose a risk to babies under 12 months, according to The Lullaby Trust. These items could cause overheating or obstruct the baby’s airway if they roll over or if their face becomes covered, which could lead to SIDS, the baby's sleep charity said. It's advised that a baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface, without any soft or heavy bedding.
... IMPOORTANT - A recent survey, commissioned by The Lullaby Trust, found that 41% of parents have bought or were planning to buy a baby sleep nest or pod - products which go against sleeping advice. Francine added: ‘When choosing sleep items for a baby there are actually just a few key essentials parents need and it isn’t necessary to spend a fortune on lots of products or choose more expensive brands.’ The trust advises that sleep items bought for babies should: Comply with British standards. Follow safer sleep guides. Be waterproof. Be firm, entirely flat with no raised or cushioned areas.
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People with asthma have been told to check their medication, after two brands of inhalers have been recalled. The Ventolin Accuhaler and Seretide Accuhaler asthma inhalers have been recalled due to the risk of a mark or tear in the foil strip of the devices, meaning the inhaler doesn’t give all the doses it should. The Medicines and Heathcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued the recall for the inhalers, manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome UK Limited, yesterday (21 Februar...y). The recall notes that people with affected inhalers may find that their symptoms are not relieved as normal, and they should take them to their pharmacy to get a replacement. Only the following inhalers have been recalled: Ventolin 200mcg - Accuhaler 1x60D, 786G, exp 05/2019 Ventolin 200mcg - Accuhaler 1x60D, 754P, exp 05/2019 Seretide 50/250mcg - Accuhaler 1x60D, 5K8W, exp 04/2019 However, other asthma inhalers, including the commonly used Ventolin Evohalers, are not affected. Charity Asthma UK stated on its website that people with the affected inhalers shouldn't panic, but stressed the importance of getting a new inhaler immediately: 'The fault hasn’t affected the medicine itself, so don’t worry – you’ve not been taking anything that could have harmed your health. The worst that could have happened is you weren’t getting the dose of medicine you need. 'It’s really important you get a new one, because this is the inhaler you need if you have an asthma attack. Go and get a new inhaler from your pharmacist right away.'
'Check your inhaler' Bernadette Sinclair Jenkins, MHRA’s Regulatory Assessment Unit Manager of the Inspections, Enforcement and Standards unit said: ‘It is important people check whether they have an affected inhaler. ‘We want patients and their families to be confident treatment will be safe and effective when required.’ Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP, said that the recall was ‘extremely worrying’ and ‘could put people's lives at risk.’ ‘The Ventolin inhalers are reliever inhalers and so are used by people while they are experiencing asthma symptoms such as a cough, breathlessness, wheezing or a tight chest. If someone's inhaler is faulty they may find it doesn't help, which could be frightening and mean they're more likely to have an asthma attack. ‘We'd urge everyone with asthma to check if their inhaler is from the affected batch by checking the number on the bottom of their inhaler. ‘If it is affected, they should get medical advice and return the inhaler to their pharmacist for a replacement.’ Information is available to patients and healthcare professionals by contacting GSK’s Customer Support Team via customercontactuk@gsk.com, or calling on 0800 221 441 (option 4). Find out more about asthma and medication at Asthma UK.
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AED PURCHASE SCHEME UPDATE
The DofE have just updated their "Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) - A guide for schools" document which was initially published in 2014.
Up until now, schools have been able to purchase AEDs at a considerable discount due to the arrangements that the DofE have with the NHS supply chain.
... THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO COVER MAINTAINED AND INDEPENDENT NURSERY SCHOOLS, PRE-SCHOOLS, PLAYGROUPS, OUT OF SCHOOL CLUBS AND HOLIDAY CLUBS.
You can download the guide from the www.gov.uk website ref. DFE-00568-2014
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FREE 6 MONTHLY CPR REFRESHERS Research clearly shows that as little as 6 months after completing any first aid course, your CPR skills are subject to "skill fade". In order to overcome this, we now provide free, optional, 6 monthly CPR refreshers for Med-Star customers. The sessions are held at your own setting and it only takes each of your first aiders a few minutes to complete the required practical "scenarios" (CPR, treatment of a child who is choking, looking after a ch...ild who is breathing normally but unresponsive). We also include the use of an adrenaline auto injector if applicable at your setting. Customers taking advantage of this free training receive a laminated Med-Star GOLD scheme certificate to display at their setting and as each first aider takes part in a session, they receive a personalised wallet card confirming the date of the refresher.
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FLU VACCINATION FOR 2 AND 3 YEAR OLDS Since September last year all 2 and 3 year olds became eligible for the free flu vaccination on the NHS. The child-friendly nasal spray provides a quick painless squirt into each nostril and is available from your GP surgery. If you have an older child who has a health condition that makes them at greater risk of flu, they are eligible too. EVIDENCE HAS SHOWN THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE HAD THE FLU VACCINATION ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER COMPLICATIONS REQUIRING HOSPITAL TREATMENT IF THEY ARE UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO STILL CATCH IT.

Asthma UK have warned that due to the expected low temperatures this weekend and the increased air pollution from fireworks and bonfires, asthma sufferers could be at risk from serious asthma attacks.Always ensure that children take their presenters as prescribed and thst they always have access to their reliever inhalr. Keep a special eye out for child asthmatics during and after firework events.

We are now holding FREE 2 hour "First Aid for Babies" sessions every Monday morning from 9.30 - 11.30 in the Community Space at Tesco, Tower Park, Poole. The Community Space has baby changing so feel free to bring little one with you. Sessions are suitable for new or expecting parents, grandparents, babysitters, in fact anyone who may look after your child during their first 12 months. Please phone 07810 116673 to book a place.

New Trainer Emerade adrenaline autoinjector pens have arrived in time for this Saturday's course.

We will have an information stall at the Canford Heath Summer Fete on Saturday 29th July at the Community Center behind Iceland. Starts at 11am. Visit our stall and learn how to treat a baby or child who is choking. See you there!

We have arranged with Tesco at Tower Park in Poole to be able to use their Community Room every other Monday morning from 9.30 to 11.30 for our 2 hour First Aid for New Parents course. The cost will be £10 per person or £15 per couple ( includes certificate and course booklet ). This course is for new or expecting parents, grandparents and anyone else who may be looking after your little one during their first twelve months. You are of course welcome to bring your babies with you. Please contact us to reserve your place either by telephone or via our website www.med-star.co.uk. Many thanks to Tesco for helping us to help you to care.