News

Action for Sick Children visited Vernon Primary School in Poynton as part of the school's Circle of Life project. Action for Sick Children helped to promote children's dental hygiene through play. You can see further information here:

http://clc2.uniservity.com/Grouphomepage.asp?GroupId=135238

 

Regional Co-ordinator Teresa Dooley holding the Dental Playbox Session at Vernon Primary School in Poynton.

The Forum, launched on Thursday 26th January by the Secretary of State for Health, will operate as an equivalent to the NHS Future Forum ‘listening exercise’ for children and young people.

It has been tasked with creating a set of health service outcomes for child health and addressing longstanding system issues that prevent children from accessing universal and specialist healthcare.

It will also ensure that children’s health needs are central to government thinking during the final phase of development work on Health & Social Care Bill reforms.

Action for Sick Children is an invited Stakeholder. Christine Lenehan, Director of Council for Disabled Children and Professor Ian Lewis, Medical Director at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, will jointly chair the forum.

 

There is a wonderful article in the news at the moment about Charlie - a little boy who at the age of five was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. The killer brain tumour that strikes down about 50 children in the UK every year.

 

This brave boy has written a letter describing his fight with cancer which highlights all the issues children worry about when they are ill and undergoing treatment. In his letter Charlie describes his ordeal:

'Imagine several days of not being able to put anything, even a drop of water, in your mouth'

'Needles aren't the nicest thing in the world, and I used to be petrified of them' 

'Parents may seem unfair or not let you do things you want, but they will always help you. They feed you, they clothe you and they give you a home, but most of all they help you when you are hurt. My mum and dad sat with me day after day in the hospital, and watched me being pulled about, having all kinds of medical treatment I couldn't stand.'

Charlie adds,

'At Addenbrooke's Hospital I had to endure medical treatments that included radiotherapy, which involved me going into a cylindrical tunnel for about half an hour, which is quite scary for a 6 year old, as I was at the time. I also had several MRI scans, also in a cylindrical tunnel, with all kinds of noises while you are inside'.

'The chemotherapy was through a drip which was inserted into my body, in my upper chest, like a transfusion, and went on for a few hours at a time every month. I also had to have lots of blood transfusions'.

Charlie describes the naughty children at school, those who misbehave and distract the class when he is trying to learn, Charlie says,

'I wonder if those children, who don’t care and don’t behave, all had cancer one day, like me. Would it change them?'

 

Charlie has since been given the all-clear. He writes

'Now you have heard from a real life cancer survivor, I hope my story has shocked you in some way into thinking about your own lives.'

 

The full article can also be read here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2089334/Charlie-Williams-shares-battle-cancer-help-others.html

 

"For over 50 years Action for Sick Children has been trying to help everyone to understand how a child and his family's life is turned upside down by illness - this account describes this brave little boys fight - please help us to help them".

Pamela

Chairman, Action for Sick Children

 

 

The 16th December was the twentieth anniversary of the UK ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Above is a photo of the delegation to 10 Downing Street – delivering thousands of footprints with children’s messages from all across the country.

Unfortunately, one young person was poorly and could not attend, otherwise there would have been a delegation of 20 – one child / young person for every year since ratification.

There were so many footprints, boxes had to be delivered to the Department for Education after Downing Street.

Action for Sick Children Trustee, Marcelle De Sousa, was recently awarded the Chief Nursing Officer's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nursing Times Awards held at London's Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, on 2 November. The award is judged by the Chief Nursing Officer's for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.

 

The award recognises an inspirational nurse leader who has made a significant positive impact on the nursing profession at regional or national level over a sustained period.

 

Marcelle with her award.

 

For the full press release, please see the Nursing Times website, at:

http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-specialisms/childrens-nursing/lifetime-award-for-leading-childrens-nurse/5037468.article

 

Please also see the Nursing Times Awards listing at:

http://www.ntawards.co.uk/328616

 

We would like to give congratulations and thanks to Marcelle for all her hard work over the years.

 

Amber Wade from Essex is six years old. She is a long term patient at The Portland Hospital for Women and Children and has been having major Urology surgery there since she was eighteen months old. She has had more than her fair share of hospital admissions.

Amber was one of the attendees at The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health in London on Wednesday 26th October, she went to collect a prize. She entered into Action for Sick Children's art competition, to mark the charity's 50th anniversary earlier this year. The competition was open to all children and young people who were inpatients in hospital at the time.

Amber's artwork won first prize in the under eight category. Amber even got to visit the House of Commons, thanks to David Rutley MP for Macclesfield.

 

 

Amber's family all say of Amber, "She is like a member of the Portland family, she loves visiting the hospital and she especially loves her 'sleepovers'. We are extremely proud of Amber for winning this art competition".

 

Action for Sick Children is reg. charity no 296295.

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Action4SickCh

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/Action4SickChil

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Action4SickChildren

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Action4SickChildren

 

Please direct all enquiries to: enquiries@actionforsickchildren.org

Michael Ralph from the Isle of Man was flown over to The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health in London on 26th October, to be awarded a prize. Michael's artwork came highly commended in the under eight's category in Action for Sick Children's art competition, to acknowledge the charity's 50th anniversary earlier this year.

Action for Sick Children's affiliated charity in the Isle of Man, the Manx Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital, were able to pay for his flight to the awards ceremony and this became an all expenses paid trip for Michael and his family. Michael even got to visit the House of Commons, thanks to David Rutley MP for Macclesfield.

Michael had been diagnosed with Leukaemia and was coming to the end of his three year treatment when a fever and infection resulted in him being admitted to Noble's Hospital in the Isle of Man. He drew a lovely bright sunny picture of his hospital. Michael has since completed his treatment and is now under monthly observation.

 

 

 

Michael's father, Mark Ralph says,

"Michael was thrilled that his picture won him the trip to London. He was very excited to get to go on the Underground!"

 

Action for Sick Children is reg. charity no 296295.

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Action4SickCh

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/Action4SickChil

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Action4SickChildren

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Action4SickChildren

 

Enquiries, please email enquiries@actionforsickchildren.org

 

Olivia Sarah Vickery was among the children who visited London's Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health to be awarded a prize in October. Her entry was highly commended in Action for Sick Children's art competition, to mark the charity's 50th anniversary earlier this year.

Olivia, twelve years old from Surrey, was an inpatient at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London at the time. Children were asked to draw a picture of their hospital including a favourite member of staff. Olivia chose to draw her play specialist who keeps her entertained during her weekly four hour infusions.

Olivia has Morquio Syndrome which is a rare inherited disease in which an enzyme is missing causing progressive damage to the skeletal system. She has to be seen regularly by a team of experts at the hospital. Olivia's case is classed as mild, doctors only realised something was wrong when a fall caused her to need an x-ray. She was eight years old at the time. Many children's symptoms are noticed much earlier. Olivia's brother Luke was just three years old when he was diagnosed. The disease is progressive and at present there is no cure.

Olivia started taking part in a trial of an enzyme replacement drug at Great Ormond Street Hospital on her 10th birthday. The hospital kindly re-scheduled Olivia's treatment so that she could attend the recent awards ceremony in London.

 

 

Olivia's mum, Ita Vickery says,

"I’m not sure we would still be going [for the infusions] if it wasn’t for the lovely staff there but for now I feel Olivia must persist with the trial in order to give other families hope. It's great that her artwork has won a prize, we are really proud of her".

 

For further information on volunteering or donating please click on the 'Donate or Volunteer' tab. To donate by text: text code AFSC00 £ with your amount, to 70070

 

Recycle to raise funds http://www.eachonecounts.co.uk/page/charity/132

 

SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Action4SickCh

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/Action4SickChil

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Action4SickChildren

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Action4SickChildren

 

Enquiries, please email enquiries@actionforsickchildren.org 

Action for Sick Children hosted an awards ceremony at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in London on Wednesday 26th October.

 

Action for Sick Children - the UK's leading children's healthcare charity, celebrated its 50th anniversary in April and held a children's art competition open to all children and young people who were inpatients in hospital at the time. The winners and those whose artwork was highly commended, were lucky enough to visit the Royal College in London to accept a prize. Numerous family members were present as were invitees from various health professions. Although not part of the prize, children also visited the House of Commons, thanks to David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield.

Madison Stewart's work was highly commended & Max Bufton won 1st prize in the 8-12 yr category.

 

Megan Walley's artwork was highly commended in the over 12 category.

 

All winners! (left to right): Amber Wade, Olivia Vickery, Madison Stewart, Megan Walley, Michael Ralph & Max Bufton. Back left: Linda Dean & right: Helen Thorpe (Norah Rees Award Winners).

 

To acknowledge the charity’s five decades of ensuring children receive the highest standard of healthcare possible, there were two Norah Rees Awards of £500 prizes presented during the ceremony. These awards promote research and development and are awarded for postgraduate dissertations which further the charity's aims and values.

 

Helen Thorpe with her Norah Rees Award.

 

Action for Sick Children's Chairman Pamela Barnes, spoke about Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Lecture ‘Speaking Out For Sick Children and Young People - Where to Now?' held at the Royal Society of Medicine. Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green is Professor Emeritus of Child Health at University College London and also a patron of Action for Sick Children. He was also the first Children’s Commissioner in England.

 

Action for Sick Children Chairman Pamela Barnes with our Patron Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green at the Awards Ceremony in London.

 

Pamela Barnes said "We are delighted that all the children enjoyed the day so much".

 

Reeves kindly donated art materials packs as prizes for the winners in the highly commended category.

 

Reeves continues to lead innovation within the fine art, hobby & craft, education colours, grounds and accessories - making them the fastest growing art brand in the world.

 

Specialist Crafts Limited kindly donated the art pack prizes for the 1st prize winners.

 

Their range of creative products have for many years been selected and compiled in consultation with educationalists, including Advisors, Heads of Department, and Technicians to ensure that the range is relevant to the curriculum!

Senior professional nurses from Japan visited the new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in October to see the play facilities on offer and the new environment created for children. 

The breakaway club

 

Action for Sick Children arranged the visit and Chairman Pamela Barnes visited the hospital, meeting with the Japanese senior health professionals and hospital staff.

 

Multisensory room

 

Non pharmacological pain management

 

Teenzone

 

Outdoor tropical oasis

 

Pamela thanked the hospital for their comprehensive tour and said the visit, seeing all the facilities for children, was delightful.

 

The play services team

 

All in all the day was a great success and we would like to thank the Japanese Health Professionals for their generous donation of £100.

 

Action for Sick Children now has a Flickr page. View photos of our awards ceremony, fundraising events and more on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/Action4SickChil

 

Action for Sick Children now has a Twitter page. Follow our activity on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/Action4SickCh

 

Our recent 'Tramble' (Sponsored Walk) fundraising event took place on Tuesday 4th October, starting at 9.30am.

 

Mums & Tots were out on the day in support of Action for Sick Children.

 

The walk started at St. Mary's Church car park in Disley and ended at 11.30am at Lyme Hall in Lyme Park for a much needed coffee break.

 

Chairman Pamela Barnes (right) with some of the Tots from Disley Baptist Tots Group & Disley Methodist Toddlers.

 

Friends & relatives were sponsored on the day to walk the distance in aid of Action for Sick Children. Families took part with pushchairs and buggies and helped to raise £250, for which we are very grateful.

 

Action for Sick Children Chairman Pamela Barnes (left), says "Thanks very much to all who took part and those who sponsored us".

Our Children's Art Competition was a great success with entries coming in from inpatients in hospitals both near and far. Action for Sick Children's Chairman, Pamela Barnes will be among the attendees hosting a prestigious Prize Award Ceremony for the three age group winners on Wednesday 26th October at The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in London. Prizes will be presented by Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Patron of Action for Sick Children.

We produce an online quarterly newsletter that features articles for parents and carers, health care professionals & researchers. Take a look at our latest newsletter by clicking on the link below.

Newsletter Autumn 2011

Sally Carroll who is a member of Action for Sick Children, took a stand for Action for Sick Children at a Family Fun Day in Dover in aid of Tommy's Childrens Charity. This was an opportunity to promote the charity and we thank Sally for her time and effort.

Action for Sick Children is greatly honoured that Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green has agreed to become a Patron as he has offered so much support to the charity. He stated that he is looking forward to being able to offer real input into the charity. 

 

 

Sir Al started his career in medicine at Guy’s Hospital in London then trained in paediatric endocrinology in University hospitals in Oxford and Switzerland. He was Clinical and then University Lecturer in Paediatrics and Fellow of Green College in Oxford, before being appointed James Spence Professor of Child Health and also Head of the School of Clinical Medical Sciences at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He then became Nuffield Professor of Child Health and Board level Executive Director for Clinical R&D at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the Institute of Child Health in London.

Sir Al has been involved in the political arena of Children’s Services since 2000. He was Chair of the first NHS Children’s Task Force, and first National Clinical Director for Children in the Department of Health during which time he was responsible for producing the first National Service Framework for children’s health services. He was appointed to be the first Children’s Commissioner for England in 2005, stepping down after his five years of tenure in 2010.

He is now Professor Emeritus of Child Health, University College London, and Director, Aynsley-Green Consulting acting as an advisor to governments and institutions in Europe and Canada. He is also Patron of the Childhood Bereavement Network and the Association of Young People’s Health, and President of Contact-a-Family. He is a lay canon of Salisbury Cathedral and Chair of the Salisbury Diocesan Education Board. He was knighted for his services to children and young people by Her Majesty the Queen in 2006, and has received many national and international indicators of esteem. He is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren.

In response to the review, carried out by the government, of the NHS plans for England, Action for Sick Children would like to make the following comments.

Many of the issues that were of concern to Action for Sick Children still remain unanswered, however, the changes made are welcome.

Action for Sick Children represents a vulnerable group of people in our community. They have little voice and no vote.

Action for Sick Children welcomes the plan to increase the voices of children and young people in promoting health services they need and, as a charity, is working towards this happening through its own training programme.

The charity is aware that there are overwhelming issues surrounding the care of the elderly. If the government, however, does not take on board the needs of children’s health, who will care for us in our "old age”?

In the new document, children are seldom mentioned. Action for sick Children has been campaigning for over 50 years for a high standard of service for this group of children and young people. The very environment and the training of the staff who work with this group is also of high importance. There are many fine aspects of the reviewed document, however, there does appear to be a switching of services between local authorities and the GP Consortia which will inevitably delay decisions for children. Children need decisions made quickly as they are unable to wait. Perhaps there could be some clarification regarding Health and Wellbeing Boards – how can the charity be assured that children’s needs will be accommodated on these Boards? Those commissioning services for children and young people need depth of experience and understanding of their healthcare needs. Action for Sick Children wants to see that there will be experts in child health represented on all commissioning groups and also on Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Action for Sick Children will continue to follow the Bill and ensure that the needs of children and young people are included.

 

Pamela A Barnes

Chairman

Action for Sick Children

7 July 2011

The Birmingham branch of Action for Sick Children held a ceremony of dedication in memory of Pat Moseley MBE on Friday 20th May at Birmingham Childrens Hospital. Professor McNeish unveiled the Memorial Plaque and Pamela Barnes National Chairman spoke about Pat's dedicated work on behalf of sick children through her leadership of the Birmingham branch.

 

 

Professor McNeish and Pamela Barnes

The first of the twenty 50th Anniversary Hospital Parties planned for 2011 was held by Play Specialists at the Women and Children's Hospital, Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust on 5th April.

 

Young patients at Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust's celebration for Action for Sick Children's 50th Anniversary being entertained by Bruce the POD magician.

 

50th Anniversary Cake made by Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust Catering Department, which was shared with children, parents and staff on their wards, A& E Department and the Children's Out-Patient Department.