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I spoke at the equivalent Journal of Family Health event last year and made the suggestion that there should be a similar day ‘up North’ rather than always in London. I was delighted to be invited to chair it this year in Manchester. The venue was the King’s House Conference Centre; they always deliver great service.

I was pleased to meet a wide variety of students and professionals from community and public health roles. The keynote address was by Dr Benjamin Jacobs, Consultant Paediatrician and Director of Children’s Services at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. I was shocked to hear that rickets, caused by insufficient Vitamin D, is rising in the UK. I thought it disappeared years ago. There are a number of reasons:

• less time outside
• stopping baby supplements
• population changes

I didn’t realise that the dark your skin is, the more sunshine you need to produce adequate Vitamin D for your body. Another key message is that if you are breastfeeding after your baby is 14 months, you must take Vitamin D. For more information please use the Vitamin D checker  and look at the campaign.

Next we heard from Jeremy Frankel from In-trac, who spoke about ‘Supervising to Safeguarding’. He explained how we all need to take time to allow us to move from intuitive to analytical thinking in response to certain situations. This enables us to understand and defend any decisions you may make and the reflective questions can then translate into professional evidence. Jeremy continued to explain how he recognises that the skills involved in effective safeguarding mirror those involved in supervision. The ability to ‘connect’ is vital in both situations.

David Parker Radford, Homeless Health project manager from the Queen’s Nursing Institute spoke next. He encouraged delegates to help people access their Health Rights – there is no need for them to have an address to be registered. Prevention is the much preferred Public Health role here. He challenged delegates to find out what their local families need and what they could do to help e.g. linking agencies. It is much better and cheaper to keep homeless families well rather than waiting for them to become ill. Take a look at some of their great schemes, resources and network opportunities.

At lunchtime, delegates were able to look at the exhibitors. A couple that took my eye were ERIC, who had some great resources and information on childhood incontinence;  I also tried some of the new nutrient bars for pregnant and new mums at Nutrimum. In the goody bag I noted some excellent publications for learning disability, social care and mental health from Pavilion. They have a new title due out this summer on maternal mental health. The current edition of the Journal of Family Health has a wide range of interesting articles, including Eczema, Vitamin D, supporting parents with learning disabilities and Female Genital Mutilation. Healthcare professionals can subscribe to free digital editions.

The first session after lunch concerned a subject that I admit I used to think was ‘foolish’. Before I had my postnatal mental illness, I judged people who self-harmed as ‘silly’. Having done it for a short while during my illness, I now have a level of empathy. The next speaker was fabulous in every way – Dr Pooky Knightsmith. Her website has a wealth of information and resources, including her latest book ‘Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Schools: A Guide to Whole School Support and Practical Strategies’. Pooky eloquently explained what self-harm is; why people do it and how we can help. She shared tips on what to say and what not to say. Her main message is to ‘listen’. If this is something you wish to know more about, I strongly recommend Pooky and her work. She also mentioned the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust that raise awareness around depression.

Our final speaker was Dr. Vaheshta Sethna from the Channi Kumar Mother and Baby Unit. She shared with us some examples of mother/baby interactions and how the work that they do on maternal sensitivity can greatly improve the long term effects for the child. Watching one of the video clips reminded me of how I had perhaps been ‘too much’ in dealing with my son, when I was ill with puerperal psychosis.

The main thread of the day that I wanted to encourage was that as individual healthcare professionals you CAN make a difference. We listened to some wonderful, inspirational speakers  and I hope delegates took away a desire to take actions!

Thank to to all involved in arranging and attending a stimulating day. On a personal note I was thrilled to meet up again with a lovely school nurse who supported me in my final days of teaching over 10 years ago!

I do hope Journal of Family Health return ‘up North’ next year!

Elaine 🙂