Press Coverage 22nd – 28th September

Worcester News. Toddler group: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/3688599.More_on_offer_at_Evesham_toddler_group/

Redhill & Reigate Life. Nearly new sale: http://events.redhillandreigatelife.co.uk/disp.asp?i=163424

Wiltshire Gazette & Herald. Nearly new sale: http://events.gazetteandherald.co.uk/disp.asp?i=159807

Harrow Times. Nearly new sale: http://events.harrowtimes.co.uk/m6/disp.asp?i=166809

Salisbury Journal. Nearly new sale: http://www.thisissalisbury.co.uk/display.var.2453363.0.recycle_and_reuse_with_nct.php

Kenilworth Weekly News. Nearly new sale: http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/news/Childrens-items.4526645.jp

West Sussex Gazette. Nearly new sale: http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/whats-on/Sale-of-nearly-new-clothes.4531657.jp

Broxbourne.gov Baby show. NCT mentioned: http://www2.broxbourne.gov.uk/press/News1.aspx?PressID=6466

Coventry Telegraph. Doula training: http://cv5.coventrytelegraph.net/2008/09/doula-training-course-at-alles.html

Times Online. Working mums shouldn’t feel guilty: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article4830969.ece

EDP24. Choice for mums to be: http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/commentary/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=Commentary&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=Commentary&itemid=NOED26%20Sep%202008%2008%3A47%3A29%3A547

Press Coverage 15th – 21st September

Community Newswire. NCT classes (Creating Confidence) : http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=5084816

Medical News Today. NCT classes (Creating Confidence): http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/121145.php

Q103 Cambridge. Breastfeeding classes: http://www.q103.co.uk/Article.asp?id=889061

Eparenting. NCT classes: http://www.eparenting.co.uk/news/nct_to_increase_number_of_classes.shtml

Bounty. NCT classes: http://www.bounty.com/Parenting-class-numbers-set-to-increase-.news/18781712

Midirs. NCT classes: http://www.midirs.org/midirs/midweb1.nsf/Z45/CDAD86EAFFF4F5C7802574C7003749BB

Children and Young People Now. NCT classes: http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Health/login/846471/

Medilexicon. NCT classes: http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=121145

Guardian. Penny Wade: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/sep/17/health.socialcare?gusrc=rss&feed=society

The Sun. Bisphenol A in plastics, NCT mentioned: http://rss.precise-media.co.uk/email/79391/40080631.pdf

The Advertiser. New exhibition on childbirth opens in Manchester: http://www.prestwichadvertiser.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1066919_show_is_a_labour_of_love

Henley Standard. Fete raises money: http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=484352

Press Coverage 8th – 14th September

Chronicle Live. Baby worries – Tommy’s poll: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/your-health/2008/09/08/baby-worries-72703-21692900/

Red Orbit. Breastfeeding stats in Capital: http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1546287/capital_babies_get_head_start_to_good_health/index.html?source=r_health

Banbury Guardian. Nearly new sale: http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Nearlynew-sale-.4466147.jp

Families Online. Mums the Word: http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/articleview/4057/1/229

The Scotsman. Wet nursing: http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Wetnursing-is–a-valid.4468009.jp

Sunday Express. NCT nearly new sales mentioned: http://www.express.co.uk/money/view/60751

UK Parenting Lounge. Creating Confidence media drive: http://www.ukparentslounge.com/index.php?pg=189&utwkstoryid=1705&title=NCT+boosts+number+of+its+antenatal+courses&ind=0

Report is published calling for more support for mothers or fathers who wish to stay at home when their children are very young

The Centre for Social Justice has published a report on the body of research which indicates that children’s experiences in the earliest years of their lives strongly influence their futures across a wide range of measures. The press release for “The Next Generation” policy report notes that a mounting body of scientific and sociological research shows that the foundations of happy and healthy lives are laid down in the early years of life by the formation of a close bond between parent and child.

The report says that policy is currently focused on dealing with the consequences of early adversity (neglect, abuse and dysfunction) which are strongly implicated in the dramatic increases in young people’s alcohol and drug use and mental health problems and in youthful knife and gun crime. However, it indicates that the most effective intervention strategy requires helping parents to get it right at the antenatal, postnatal and infant stages, long before such help is typically available. The report says that timely support for parents could help them do an outstanding job in raising the next generation. Recommendations include:

• An enhanced role for health visitors in intensive home visiting (to be available nationwide) as well as revitalization of their role in providing a universal service which is non-stigmatising and preventative and better able to assess where nurturing deficits are occurring.
• Relationship and parenting education with all individuals, couples and families entitled to draw down money from a personal ‘budget’ to access pre-marriage, antenatal, and parenting (of 0-5s, 5- 11s and teens) services. Additional streams also available for lone parents, prisoners, military and foster/adoptive parents.
• Front-loading child benefit making it flexible so that a larger proportion of the child’s total entitlement would be available during the first three years when parents most want to spend time caring for their children and when attachment and intensive nurture are most important. This would be linked where necessary to ameliorative services such as intensive parenting support, to greatly improve the life chances of children most likely to experience deficits in parental care.
• Genuine choice for families in paid work and childcare, with a change in the rules to allow the use of childcare tax credit to pay un-registered close relatives (albeit at a lower rate) to reflect parents’ preferences, and location, where possible, of childcare outside Children’s Centres. The aim being to free up Children’s Centres to concentrate on delivering family support services and creating a more level playing field for private, voluntary and independent sector nurseries.

The findings and recommendations represent the culmination of an extensive ten month consultation process, drawing in practitioners and researchers working in the early years field. The consultation process was undertaken by the Early Years Commission and instituted by the Centre for Social Justice. The Commission comprised a panel of experts in the early years covering psychology, neuroscience, professional practice and family policy. A wide range of views from those involved in social work, primary and secondary health care, daycare, education and mental health were elicited at evidence-gathering hearings. Over 50 individuals and organisations made submissions and visits were made by the Commission to projects and facilities in all three mainland nations of the UK.

To view the report, please visit the Centre for Social Justice website.

Caseload levels of Health Visitors questioned

Maria Miller MP, Shadow Minister for the Family this week asked the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department provides to primary care trusts on (a) the recommended caseload levels of health visitors and (b) the timing and frequency of visits made by health visitors to families with children under the age of five.

Minister of State for Health, Ben Bradshaw MP responded that there are no central recommendations for health visitor caseloads. He noted that while the updated Child Health Promotion Programme, launched on 17 March 2008, identifies health visitors as the lead practitioners in promoting the health of children below the age of five, it is for local commissioners to commission services according to local needs. There is no central guidance about numbers of health visitors or about the timing and frequency of visits in different circumstances.

Scottish Parliament debates Obesity Action Plan

MSPs this week heard that the Scottish Parliament would work to tackle the health inequalities surrounding obesity with a particular focus on helping children.

The Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison, proposed the motion on the Obesity Action Plan and the £56 million investment to be made over the next three years to implement it during a debate. She noted that this action plan would build on the work of previous projects to tackle obesity and told MSPs that the Government had issued advice to health boards on the allocation of £19 million over the next three years to support maternal and infant nutrition. Ms Robison explained this matter was also part of tackling health inequalities and that health boards would be promoting Healthy Start.

The Minister also spoke of the development of community-based integrated school health teams, which would encourage physical activity alongside good nutrition. She also announced a £6 million had been committed to health boards to support the introduction of child healthy weight interventions, which would target up to 20,000 children over the next three years.

Ms Robison also informed MSPs that Learning and Teaching Scotland would shortly publish new guidance for schools on health and wellbeing under the curriculum for excellence, including plans related to physical activity and the provision of at least two hours a week of PE.

She received support from SNP member Michael Matheson, who said the action plan successfully balanced the importance of good nutrition and physical exercise in combating obesity. He also stressed that the action plan should not been in isolation and that they should recognise the social and economic factors surrounding obesity. She also received support from the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Margret Curran, who agreed that obesity was an important issue that needed tackling and gave her party’s support for the actions and plans of the Scottish Government. However, she also called for a report to be issued on the free school meals pilot. In addition, she discussed the UK success in improving food labelling and preventing junk food from being advertised to children.

Ms Curran also moved the amendment that the SNP Government needed to outline how it was going to promote and increase levels of physical education in schools which was agreed to without a vote.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Health, Ross Finnie, also moved the amendment that progress in tackling obesity should be assessed and reported on a regular basis according to the 10 measurements set out in chapter two of the action plan. The amendment was agreed to without a vote.

Independent MSP, Margo MacDonald, also stressed the importance of addressing the issues of poverty and inequality surrounding obesity. She discussed the penetration of the market that junk food providers such as McDonalds had achieved and also called for cookery classes to be reintroduced into the school curriculum. The final amended motion was agreed to without a vote.

Department for Work and Pensions confirms research into providing employment for mothers

Tom Brake MP this week asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has conducted into the quality of the assistance and advice given to mothers seeking employment.

Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, stated that, given the importance of reducing child poverty, research on mothers’ employment patterns and their experiences of and attitudes to work is a key strand of the Department’s research programme. This includes a comprehensive programme of evaluation of employment programmes for which mothers are eligible, including the new deal for lone parents, work focused interviews for lone parents, and new deal for partners, as well as focussing on issues specific to mothers’ employment such as child care.

Press Coverage 1st September – 7th September

BBC News online. Tommy’s/Johnson’s Baby poll, Rosie Dodds quoted: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7592176.stm

Prudent Press. Chemical free bottles: http://www.prudentpressagency.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6103

The Baby Website. Toxic chemicals in baby bottles: http://www.thebabywebsite.com/article.1363.Toxic_Baby_Bottles.htm

Gazette Live. Response by NCT member: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/lifestyle/parenting-advice/2008/08/29/daughter-is-too-clingy-84229-21627291/

Healthcare Today. Poll shows confusion of new mums: http://www.hc2d.co.uk/news/article/Confusion+among+mums-to-be/

BBC News online. Caesarean section baby bond: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7594282.st

Fiji Daily Post. Caesarean section baby bond: http://www.fijidailypost.com/feature.php?date=20080905&index=605

Beirut Online. Caesarean section baby bond: http://www.beirut-online.net/portal/article.php?id=2976

This Is Local London. MRSA at Watford General hospital: http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/whereilive/northwest/borehamwood/3637149.Babies_exposed_to_superbug_at_Watford_General_Hospital/

Fundraising.co.uk. Great Swap up Challenge: http://www.fundraising.co.uk/blog/2008/09/02/nct-uses-trading-paperclip-house-idea

Community Newswire. Great Swap up Challenge: http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=5055472

Malvern Gazette. Bumps and babes group: http://events.malverngazette.co.uk/m6/disp.asp?i=150852

Wales online. Nearly new sale: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/09/02/club-launch-is-a-celebration-91466-21651142/

Henley Standard. Baby café opens: http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/business/business.php?id=478234

NCT Great Swap Up Challenge

Are you ready for a swap up challenge?

Do you remember the man who traded a paperclip for a house? The NCT is daring you to do better! Armed with only a pen, the charity is challenging fundraisers to trade up a pen, through a series of swaps, for a more expensive item. The final item will be sold to raise money for the charity.

Trading for the NCT Great Swap Up Challenge sponsored by Pregnacare starts on 1^st October 2008 and runs until 31^st October giving you a whole month to swap up, so are you ready?

The charity is looking for teams or individuals to take part – a sports team, scout group, pub quiz team, group of friends or a department at work to challenge another. The aim is to trade up a pen, step by step, for a higher value item each time. The item can be upgraded many times until it reaches an estimated value of £50. Teams can keep track of how other teams are doing by registering in the forum online.

After/by 31^st October the final swapped up item is to be sold by the team to raise funds for the NCT on a dedicated E Bay three-day auction, or for cash or a cheque.

The champion team who raises the most money from their final item will receive a fantastic mystery prize, so what are you waiting for? Gather your team, register for your pen and get swapping!

Register online by 26^th September and the NCT will send your team a pen ready to trade up for another item. Register at www.nct.org.uk/swapup or email events@nct.org.uk and help us get the challenge underway. Spread the word to potential team captains you know – or take on the bartering battle yourself.

Josephine Norman, Events Fundraising Officer, NCT, said; “This kind of challenge combines several elements – it’s about everyone bringing something different to the table and working together. When you’re up against a team you know and you’re supporting a charity, it’s even more fun. So start small, think big and enjoy!”

Money from the final sale of the items will go towards the NCT. The charity provides valuable services, counselling, information and support to over a million expectant and new parents each year. NCT’s vital work includes a range of services such as:-

£100 provides 20 hours of support to new parents at a local branch group

£250 pays for three months of training for one NCT specialist worker

£500 funds 10 hours of free NCT antenatal classes for young parents

The Canadian, Mr MacDonald, who traded his paper clip for a house – first swapped his paper clip for a fish-shaped pen. He then swapped his pen for a ceramic door -knob which turned into a camping stove and then a snowmobile and a recording contract! So see if you can do better and help raise money for charity.

The NCT is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood – we’re with parents all the way from bump to baby. Each year we support over 100,000 parents through an incredible life changing experience, offering information and practical and emotional support through 300 UK-wide branch networks and we campaign for better maternity care.

Ends

For more information contact NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk

Notes to editors:

The Great Swap up Challenge is sponsored by Pregnacare.

The NCT (formerly known as the National Childbirth Trust) is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Every year the charity supports thousands of parents through an incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information and mutual support through our network of over 300 local branches, UK wide helplines, antenatal and early days courses, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes.

Operating for over 50 years, the NCT is recognised as the voice of those expecting a baby and new parents throughout the UK. The charity works for improvements to maternity care and better services and facilities for new parents. We are viewed by many as independent experts in matters relating to pregnancy, birth and early parenthood and are an influential and trusted advisor to UK governments, royal colleges, private sector bodies and other charities. For more information visit www.nct.org.uk or call NCT Enquiries line at 0300 33 00 770.