Two pupils from a Merseyside Primary School have tragically died after an infection outbreak closed the school. The pupils, aged just 5 and 6, attended Millstead Primary School in Everton, Merseyside, which was tackling an outbreak of an infectious stomach bug. The infection outbreak related to Giardiasis, an infection of the digestive system caused...
Sugar tax halves children’s sugar consumption
A recent study found that the amount of sugar consumed by UK children from soft drinks halved within a year of the sugar tax being introduced. Experts argue that the tax has been so successful in reducing children’s daily sugar intake that an expansion to cover other sugary food and drink products is a...
Drive to recruit thousands more teachers
The new Education Secretary has announced a scheme to recruit thousands more teachers. In a letter to staff working at all levels of education, Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, outlined an intention to “reset the relationship” with the sector and put education “at the heart of change and the forefront of...
Thousands of young people seek support for gender and sexuality
Childline marked Pride Month by highlighting the “crucial” support it offers to thousands of children and young people with concerns about gender and sexuality each year. National children’s charity the NSPCC, which operates Childline, had a presence at Pride events in Britain to remind young people that it offers free, impartial and non-judgmental support...
Talk to us: annual campaign for mental health support
Talk to Us is an annual awareness campaign run by the Samaritans throughout July. Samaritans Awareness Day falls on the 24th July (24/7) each year to highlight the fact that the national charity helpline is there to listen to anyone who is struggling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year....
Diversity and inclusion must be a year-round effort
As Pride Month reached its conclusion, the message from workplace health and safety bodies was clear – we must push for equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace throughout the year to ensure that people can “bring their whole selves to work” and feel safe. In a blog article to celebrate Pride Month in...
Increase in work-related fatalities a ‘huge concern’
New figures published this week (3rd July) reveal that work-related fatalities have increased in Great Britain, with almost 3 workers now killed every week. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has said the rise of work-related fatalities is a “huge concern” and shows that urgent action is needed. The latest statistics for...
Deprivation of liberty court applications reach record high
Court applications made for deprivation of liberty reached record high numbers in the first quarter of this year. Minister of Justice (MoJ) figures show that the Court of Protection (CoP) in England received just over 2,000 applications regarding deprivation of liberty under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) from January to March 2024. This...
Skills for Care campaigns for integrated care
Skills for Care’s latest campaign focuses on making integrated care happen. The workforce development charity says that integration between our health and social care systems is vital if people are to receive seamless services that offer higher-quality, person-centred care. That’s why their ‘Making integration happen’ campaign aims to support social care providers to understand,...
Learning Disability Week 2024: challenge barriers and improve lives
It’s Learning Disability Week in the UK and the theme for this year is ‘Do you see me?’, which aims to challenge the barriers people with a learning disability face and ensure they are seen, heard and valued. Running each year during the third week of June (17th – 23rd June 2024), Learning Disability...
Men’s Health Week 2024: men urged to share health stories
This week (10th-16th June) is Men’s Health Week 2024, and this year men are being encouraged to share their health stories. Observed annually in the lead up to Father’s Day, Men’s Health Week is organised in the UK by the Men’s Health Forum and celebrated in many European countries as well as the USA,...
Childline warns about increase in emotional abuse
As Childhood Day 2024 approaches on 7th June, Childline has raised concerns about a spike in the number of children contacting them about emotional abuse. Operated by the NSPCC, the national charity helpline for children says it has seen a 5% increase in the number of counselling sessions it has delivered to children experiencing...
Child Safety Week 2024: Get safety sorted
Child Safety Week 2024 runs from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th June in the UK. Spearheaded by the Child Accident Prevention Trust, the annual community education campaign is focusing on the theme of ‘Safety. Sorted!’ this year. The national charity, which works to prevent death and serious injury to children from avoidable accidents, says...
IOSH urges next government to boost occupational health and safety
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is urging the next government to focus on improving occupational health and safety to reduce work-related illnesses and boost productivity. The world’s largest occupational health and safety body has surveyed its members and launched its own manifesto ahead of the upcoming General Election in the UK....
HSE issues farm safety reminder ahead of summer visits
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a reminder to farmers to ensure they are following strict farm safety measures to keep all visitors healthy and safe this summer. Britain’s health and safety watchdog said that many farmers host “open farm” events during the summer months, often as part of Open Farm Sunday...