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IntroductionInjuries are a major public health problem which can lead to disability or death. However, little is known about the incidence, presentation, management and outcomes of emergency care for patients with injuries among people from ethnic minorities in the UK. The aim of this study is to investigate what may differ for people from ethnic minorities compared with white British people when presenting with injury to ambulance and Emergency Departments (EDs).Methods and analysisThis mixed methods study covers eight services, four ambulance services (three in England and one in Scotland) and four hospital EDs, located within each ambulance service. The study has five Work Packages (WP): (WP1) scoping review comparing mortality by ethnicity of people presenting with injury to emergency services; (WP2) retrospective analysis of linked NHS routine data from patients who present to ambulances or EDs with injury over 5 years (2016–2021); (WP3) postal questionnaire survey of 2000 patients (1000 patients from ethnic minorities and 1000 white British patients) who present with injury to ambulances or EDs including self-reported outcomes (measured by Quality of Care Monitor and Health Related Quality of Life measured by SF-12); (WP4) qualitative interviews with patients from ethnic minorities (n=40) and focus groups—four with asylum seekers and refugees and four with care providers and (WP5) a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative findings.Ethics and disseminationThis study received a favourable opinion by the Wales Research Ethics Committee (305391). The Health Research Authority has approved the study and, on advice from the Confidentiality Advisory Group, has supported the use of confidential patient information without consent for anonymised data. Results will be shared with ambulance and ED services, government bodies and third-sector organisations through direct communications summarising scientific conference proceedings and publications.

IntroductionUK ambulance services have identified a concern with high users of the 999 service and have set up ‘frequent callers’ services, ranging from within-service management to cross-sectoral multidisciplinary case management approaches. There is little evidence about how to address the needs of this patient group.AimTo evaluate effectiveness, safety and efficiency of case management approaches to the care of people who frequently call the emergency ambulance service, and gain an understanding of barriers and facilitators to implementation.Objectives(1) Develop an understanding of predicted mechanisms of change to underpin evaluation. (2) Describe epidemiology of sustained high users of 999 services. (3) Evaluate case management approaches to the care of people who call the 999 ambulance service frequently in terms of: (i) Further emergency contacts (999, emergency department, emergency admissions to hospital) (ii) Effects on other services (iii) Adverse events (deaths, injuries, serious medical emergencies and police arrests) (iv) Costs of intervention and care (v) Patient experience of care. (4) Identify challenges and opportunities associated with using case management models, including features associated with success, and develop theories about how case management works in this population.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a multisite mixed-methods evaluation of case management for people who use ambulance services frequently by using anonymised linked routine data outcomes in a ‘natural experiment’ cohort design, in four regional ambulance services. We will conduct interviews and focus groups with service users, commissioners and emergency and non-acute care providers. The planned start and end dates of the study are 1 April 2019 and 1 September 2022, respectivelyEthics and disseminationThe study received approval from the UK Health Research Authority (Confidentiality Advisory Group reference number: 19/CAG/0195; research ethics committee reference number: 19/WA/0216).We will collate feedback from our Lived Experience Advisory Panel, the Frequent Caller National Network and Research Management Group for targeted dissemination activities.

BackgroundAsylum seekers and refugees (ASRs) often experience poor health in host countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) requires hosts to ensure these sanctuary seekers have access to basic health care.AimTo identify barriers and facilitators that affect access to health care by ASRs in Wales.Design & settingParticipatory research approach using qualitative focus groups across Wales, which hosts 10 000 refugees.MethodEight focus groups were undertaken with ASRs, support workers, and volunteers (n = 57).ResultsSpecialist NHS-funded services and grant-aided non-governmental organisations (NGOs) facilitated access to health care, including primary care. Most ASRs understood the role of general practice in providing and coordinating care, but were unaware of out-of-hours services. Reported barriers included: language difficulties, health literacy, unrecognised needs, and the cost of travel to appointments. Participants recognised the importance of mental health, but were disappointed by the state of mental health care. Some feared seeking support for mental health from their GP, and few were aware they had the right to move practice if they were unhappy. Written information about health care was not as accessible to refugees as to asylum seekers (ASs). While some participants read such material before consulting, others struggled to access information when in need. Few participants were aware of health prevention services. Even when they knew about services, such as smoking cessation, these services’ difficulty in accommodating ASRs was a barrier.ConclusionThe main barriers identified were: availability of interpreters; knowledge about entitlements; and access to specialist services.

ObjectiveTo explore patients’ experience of receiving pain relief injection for suspected hip fracture from paramedics at the location of the injury.DesignQualitative interviews within a feasibility trial about an alternative to routine prehospital pain management for patients with suspected hip fracture.SettingPatients treated by paramedics in the catchment area of one emergency department in South Wales.ParticipantsSix patients and one carer of a patient who received fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB).InterventionFICB administered to patients with suspected hip fracture by trained paramedics. We randomly allocated eligible patients to FICB—a local anaesthetic injection directly into the hip region—or usual care—most commonly morphine—using audited scratch cards.OutcomesAcceptability and experience of receiving FICB, assessed through interview data. We audio-recorded, with participants’ consent, and conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts. The analysis team comprised two researchers, one paramedic and one lay member.ResultsPatients had little or no memory of being offered, consenting to or receiving FICB. They recalled the reassuring manner and high quality of care received. They accepted FICB without question. Partial or confused memory characterised experience of subsequent hospital care until surgery. They said their priorities when calling for emergency help were to receive effective care. After hospital treatment, they wanted to regain their health and mobility and resume the quality of life they experienced before their injury.ConclusionsThis study did not raise any concerns about the acceptability of FICB administered at the scene of injury by paramedics to people with suspected hip fracture. It adds to existing evidence about patient and carer experience of on-scene care for people with suspected hip fracture. Further research is needed to assess safety, effectiveness and cost effectiveness of this health technology in a new setting.Trial registration numberNCT60065373.

Breast cancer risk classifications are useful for prognosis, yet little is known of their effect on patients. This study clarified women’s understandings of risk as they “journeyed” through the health care system. Breast cancer patients and women undergoing genetic investigation were recruited (N = 25) from a large UK Health Board, 2014–2015, completing a “Book of Experience,” and Bio-photographic elicitation interviews. Stakeholder and Participant Feedback Forums were undertaken with key stakeholders, including patients, oncologists, funders, and policy developers, to inform team understanding. Thematic and visual frameworks from multidisciplinary analysis workshops uncovered two themes: “Subjective Understandings of Risk” and “Journeying Toward an Unknown Future.” Breast cancer patients and women undergoing investigation experienced risk intuitively. Statistical formulations were often perplexing, diverting attention away from concrete life-and-death facts. Following risk classification, care must be co-defined to reduce patients’ foreboding about an unknown future, taking into consideration personal risk management strategies and aspirations for a cancer-free future.

There are concerns that people seeking sanctuary (asylum seekers and refugees) in Wales, UK, have unmet health needs and face difficulties accessing services, but little collated evidence. This study addressed this gap to inform policy and practice in reducing health inequities. It aimed to: investigate the health, wellbeing and healthcare experiences of adults seeking sanctuary in Wales, including the views of healthcare recipients and providers; and establish what helped or hindered the healthcare experiences of those seeking sanctuary. It is the most comprehensive study of this population in Wales. A mixed-method approach was taken, including a literature search, a cross-sectional survey of 210 adults seeking sanctuary, telephone interviews with 32 health professionals and third sector support workers, and 8 focus groups including 57 people seeking sanctuary and those supporting them. Eight trained volunteer peer researchers, themselves asylum seekers or refugees, administered the surveys. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using a standard framework. The literature search identified 5 themes that help or hinder people seeking sanctuary to access healthcare. The survey found 79% of respondents attended an initial health assessment on arriving in Wales, with 94% currently registered with Primary healthcare. 64% reported difficulties in accessing health services. Awareness of services was mixed, with 66% having used healthcare in working hours (planned) and 28% out of hours (unplanned). Mainstream health professionals felt they lack capacity to deliver care effectively due to time and other pressures on the healthcare system and the need for appropriate translation/interpretation services. This study triangulates the experiences of people seeking sanctuary with those providing healthcare and general support. Peer researchers maximised sanctuary seekers’ participation. Many of its methods and findings have relevance to other countries in Europe. Key messages Improving health equity is key to realising Wales’ ambition to become a Nation of Sanctuary. Peer Researchers enabled participation by sanctuary seekers and revealed useful findings to steer future policy and practice.

Background In managing hip fracture, effective pain relief before admission to hospital is difficult without risking side effects. Although emergency departments routinely use fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB), there has been little evaluation of its use by paramedics before hospital admission. We aimed to assess whether a multi-centre randomised trial to evaluate FICB was feasible. Methods Volunteer paramedics used scratchcards to allocate patients with hip fracture at random between FICB and pain relief as usual. Primary outcomes were mortality and quality of life. We also measured adverse events, costs, final diagnosis, length of stay in hospital, pain scores and quality of care and collected qualitative data about acceptability to patients in interviews, and paramedics in focus groups. We pre-specified criteria for deciding whether to progress to a fully powered trial based on the recruitment of paramedics and patients, delivery of FICB, retrieval of outcome data, safety, acceptability, and diagnostic accuracy of hip fracture. Results We effectively met all progression criteria: we recruited 19 paramedics who randomly allocated 71 patients between trial arms between 28 June 2016 and 31 July 2017; 57 (31 experimental arm, 26 usual care arm, 80% overall) retrospectively consented to follow-up. Just over half (17/31) of experimental participants received FICB; all others had contraindications, including nine taking anticoagulants. Four of the 31 participants assigned FICB and six of the 26 assigned usual care died within 6 months of hospital admission. Serious adverse events were also similar: 3/35 experimental versus 4/36 in usual care. Paramedics’ recognition of hip fracture had sensitivity of 49/64 (77%) with a positive predictive value of 46/57 (81%). We received quality of life questionnaires for 30 of 49 patients (61%) at 1 month and 12 of 17 (71%) at 6 months. Patient satisfaction was similar: experimental mean 3.4 (n = 20) versus 3.5 (n = 13) for usual care. Conclusions RAPID met all progression criteria within reasonable limits. As equipoise remains, we plan to undertake a fully powered multi-centre trial to test clinical and cost effectiveness of paramedic-administered FICB at the scene of hip fracture. Trial registration ISRCTN 60065373 sought 5 November 2015. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40814-019-0454-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ObjectivesTo explore paramedics’ experience of delivering fascia iliaca compartment block(FICB) to patients with suspected hip fracture at the scene of injury.DesignFocus groups within a randomised controlled trial.SettingParamedics based at ambulance stations in the catchment area of one Emergency Department in South Wales, recruited and trained in a feasibility study about an alternative to routine prehospital pain management for patients with suspected hip fracture.Participants11 paramedics.InterventionParamedic-administered FICB to patients with suspected hip fracture. We randomly allocated eligible patients to FICB, a local anaesthetic injection directly into the hip region—or usual care, most commonly morphine - using audited scratch cards.OutcomesParamedics’ experiences of administering FICB gathered through thematic analysis of interview transcripts by two researchers, one paramedic and one lay member.ResultsRespondents believed that FICB was a suitable intervention for paramedics to deliver. It aligned with routine practice and was within people’s capabilities. They said it took up to 10 minutes longer than usual care to prepare and deliver, in part due to nervousness and unfamiliarity with a new procedure. They praised the training provided but said they were anxious about causing harm by injecting into the wrong location. Confidence increased after one paramedic team successfully treated a patient for local anaesthetic toxicity. Reported challenges related to the emergency context: patients often waited many hours for ambulance arrival; moving patients exacerbated their pain; family and neighbours were present as paramedics administered treatment.ConclusionsParamedics are willing and able to administer FICB to patients with suspected hip fracture before ambulance transport to hospital. Feasibility study findings will inform further research.Trial registration numberISRCTN60065373; Pre results.

Protocol deviations in the RAPID feasibility study. (DOCX 15 kb)

Paramedic pathway to perform a landmark guided fascia iliaca compartment block as part of the RAPID Trial. (DOCX 362 kb)

Aim Pain relief in prehospital care is a challenge in trauma, especially for those with hip fractures, whose injuries are difficult to immobilise and whose long term outcomes may be adversely affected by administration of opiates. Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is routinely undertaken by hospital clinicians, but has not been fully evaluated for use by paramedics in prehospital care. Method Nineteen paramedics were trained; they randomly allocated eligible patients to trial arms using audited scratchcards. Patients were followed up to assess availability of outcomes including quality of life, length of admission, pain scores, and adverse events. Findings were analysed against pre-specified progression criteria. Results Seventy-one patients were randomised by paramedics (28/6/16 – 31/7/17); 57 consented to follow up. The only outcome which reached a statistically significant difference between groups was the proportion of participants who received morphine (38% difference between groups 95% CI: −61.88 to −15.79). There was a difference of approximately nine days in the length of admission between trial arms (mean difference 9.12 (95% CI: −20.51 to 2.27). Conclusion RAPID met its pre-specified progression criteria; a funding application for a fully-powered RCT will therefore be submitted. We will consider the use of length of stay as the primary outcome, as findings indicated a difference between groups without reaching statistical significance. Conflict of interest None Funding Health and Care Research Wales, Research for Patient and Public Benefit.

Background Adequate pain relief at the point of injury and during transport to hospital is a major challenge in all acute traumas, especially for those with hip fractures, whose injuries are difficult to immobilise and whose long-term outcomes may be adversely affected by administration of opiate analgesics. Fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) is a procedure routinely undertaken by doctors and nurses in the emergency department for patients with hip fracture but not yet evaluated for use by paramedics at the scene of emergency calls. In this feasibility study, we aim to test whether FICB administered by paramedics at the scene of participants’ hip fractures is feasible, safe and acceptable. This will enable us to decide whether to proceed to a fully powered, multi-centre pragmatic randomised trial to evaluate whether the procedure is effective for patients and worthwhile for the NHS. Methods/design In this study, we propose to recruit ten paramedics in an urban area of South Wales. We will train them to carry out FICB when they attend patients with hip fracture. We will randomly allocate eligible patients to FICB or usual care using audited scratch cards. We will follow up participants to assess measurability of key outcomes including quality of life, pain scores, adverse events, length of stay in hospital, acceptability to patients and compliance of paramedics. We will assess whether the findings meet specified feasibility criteria and, if so, plan a full trial. Discussion This study will enable us to recommend whether to undertake a definitive trial of FICB by paramedics for hip fracture. Trial registration ISRCTN60065373

BackgroundNumbers of asylum seekers and refugees living in Wales have increased sharply. Many are liable to have unmet health needs and difficulty accessing services. We investigated the experience of, and access to, unplanned and emergency health services by asylum seekers, refugees and those refused asylum living in Wales.MethodWe surveyed 210 asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees and conducted eight focus groups with 57 participants (with interpreters present when necessary) to explore experiences. We used descriptive statistics to analyse survey data and framework analyses to analyse interview data.ResultsSurvey data showed awareness of unscheduled health services was mixed. Best known was the 999 ambulance service (72% reportedly had heard of and could contact this outside daytime hours). NHS111 was familiar to 36% but just a quarter (26%) had heard of and could contact GP out-of-hours services. Fewer than half of respondents (44%) knew of the Emergency Department. 26% reported using a health service out-of-hours. Focus group respondents with little English reported difficulty explaining their health needs, particularly in emergencies and when seeking telephone help through 999 and 111 calls. Others said they used emergency services if they did not know how to access routine and out-of-hours care or if they felt their efforts to see a GP did not resolve their problem.ConclusionLanguage barriers and poor knowledge of UK health systems mean asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees use emergency health services to meet needs which could be seen and treated in routine primary services. Language barriers using phone lines may also result in paramedic attendance or conveyance to Emergency Departments because health needs are not clearly identified. Better information and support may help this population access services which match their needs and support their health more effectively.

BackgroundRoutine pre-hospital pain management for hip fracture is inadequate, with risk of potentially fatal complications, particularly from morphine. Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is used in Emergency Department and orthopaedic wards. The RAPID trial tested feasibility of paramedics administering FICB to patients with suspected hip fracture at the scene of injury.ObjectiveTo explore paramedics’ experience of delivering FICB pre-hospitally.MethodsWe held three focus groups with 11 paramedics serving one district hospital, audio-recorded with participants’ consent. We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Two researchers, one paramedic and one lay member were in the analysis team.ResultsRespondents believed FICB was a suitable intervention for paramedics to deliver. It aligned with their routine practice and was within people’s capabilities to administer, they reported. They said it took up to 10 min longer than usual care to prepare and deliver, in part due to nervousness and unfamiliarity with a new procedure. They praised the training provided but said they were anxious about causing harm by injecting into the wrong location. Confidence increased after one paramedic team successfully treated a patient for toxic reaction. Reported challenges related to the emergency context: patients often waited many hours for ambulance arrival; they sometimes needed to be moved from awkward locations which exacerbated pain; family and neighbours were present as paramedics administered treatment. Most respondents treated few or just one patient with FICB. Although uncertain whether FICB reduced patients’ pain more effectively than other pain relief options, respondents believed it was safer for elderly people at risk of pneumonia.ConclusionsParamedics are willing and able to administer FICB to patients with suspected hip fracture before ambulance transport to hospital. Feasibility study findings will inform a research proposal for a definitive multi-centre trial of paramedic administered prehospital FICB.

BackgroundAdequate pain relief in prehospital care is a major challenge in all acute traumas, especially for those with hip fractures, whose injuries are difficult to immobilise and whose long term outcomes may be adversely affected by administration of opiate analgesics. Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is routinely undertaken by clinicians in the emergency department for patients with hip fracture, but has not been fully evaluated for use by paramedics in prehospital care.We aimed to test whether FICB for hip fracture pain relief carried out by paramedics in prehospital care was feasible, safe and acceptable, and whether trial Methods were viable, so that we could decide whether to proceed to a fully-powered RCT to evaluate clinical and cost effectiveness.MethodsNineteen paramedics were trained to administer FICB. They randomly allocated eligible patients to FICB or usual care using audited scratchcards. Patients were followed up to assess availability of key outcomes including quality of life, length of hospital stay, pain scores, and adverse events. Findings were analysed against pre-specified feasibility criteria to determine whether it was appropriate to progress to a fully-powered trial.ResultsSeventy-one patients were randomised by paramedics between 28/6/16 and 31/7/17; 57 of these patients consented to follow up. The only outcome which reached a statistically significant difference between groups was the proportion of participants who received morphine (38% difference between groups 95% CI −61.88 to −15.79). There was a difference of approximately nine days in the length of stay between trial arms (mean difference 9.12 (95% CI −20.51 to 2.27).ConclusionsRAPID met its pre-specified progression criteria; a funding application for a fully-powered RCT will therefore be submitted. We will consider the use of length of stay as the primary outcome measure, as feasibility study findings indicated that there was a difference between groups without reaching statistical significance.

BackgroundUp to 40% of patients with suspected hip fracture report inadequate or no pre-hospital pain management. Morphine may raise risk of complications and may be avoided by paramedics. Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is used in Emergency Department and orthopaedic wards. The RAPID trial tested feasibility of paramedics administering FICB to patients with suspected hip fracture.ObjectiveTo explore patients’ views and experience of care received for suspected hip fracture and in particular FICB before ambulance transport to hospital.MethodWe interviewed six patients and the daughter of a patient who received FICB to manage their suspected hip fracture. Interviews, by telephone or face-to-face, were audio-recorded with consent. We conducted thematic analysis of transcripts. Two researchers, one paramedic and one lay member were in the analysis teamResultsRespondents’ memory of prehospital care was dominated by their experience of extreme pain. While they recalled events before falling, they only had partial memory of care prior to hip surgery. Although they recalled paramedics’ arrival, which they reported was up to six hours after their injury, respondents said they remembered little else. Just one recalled consenting to receiving FICB and could describe the process. Other respondents said they were in too much pain to comprehend what occurred or respond coherently. They explained their priority was to receive pain management and they expected the paramedics to treat them safely and effectively. Respondents appeared to be a stoical and trusting group who accepted the treatment they were offered. They did recall high quality of care and praised paramedics for their reassuring and calm manner.ConclusionsHip fracture patients’ overwhelming memory of injury and treatment was of pain and their priority was to receive pain relief. The quality of care, reassurance and administration of pain management was more important to patients than the mechanism of delivering the intervention.

INTRODUCTION:Adequate pain relief at the scene of injury and during transport to hospital is a major challenge in all acute traumas, especially for those with hip fractures, whose injuries are difficult to immobilize and long-term outcomes may be adversely affected by administration of opiate analgesics. Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is a procedure routinely undertaken by clinicians in emergency departments for hip fracture patients, but use by paramedics at the scene of emergency calls, is not yet evaluated (1).METHODS:We undertook a randomized controlled feasibility trial using novel audited scratchcard randomization to allocate eligible patients to FICB or usual care. Paramedics are recruited and trained to assess patients for hip fracture and carry out FICB. We will follow up patients to assess accuracy of paramedic diagnosis, acceptability to patients and paramedics, compliance of paramedics and also measures of pain, side effects, time in hospital and quality of life in order to plan a full trial if appropriate. The primary outcome measure is health related quality of life, measured using Short Form (SF)-12 at 1 and 6 months. Interviews and focus groups will be used to understand acceptability of FICB to patients and paramedics. This study was funded by Health and Care Research Wales (1003).RESULTS:We have developed: •paramedic pathway to assess patients for hip fracture and FICB•paramedic training package, delivered by Consultant Anaesthetist•randomization scratchcards.To date we have recruited nineteen paramedics; ten are fully trained and recruiting patients, the remainder are being trained. Fifty-four patients have been randomized and thirty-five have consented to follow-up. Thirteen 1-month and five 6-month follow-up questionnaires have been received.CONCLUSIONS:This study will enable us to recommend whether to undertake a definitive multi-centre randomized controlled trial of FICB by paramedics for hip fracture to determine if the procedure is effective for patients and worthwhile for the National Health Service.

Objective To estimate the direct healthcare cost of infants born to overweight or obese mothers to the National Health Service in the UK. Design Retrospective prevalence-based study. Setting Combined linked anonymised electronic data sets on a cohort of mother–child pairs enrolled on the Growing Up in Wales: Environments for Healthy Living (EHL) study. Infants were categorised according to maternal early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI): healthy weight mother (18.5≤BMI

Background Adequate pain relief at the scene of injury and during transport to hospital is a major challenge in all acute traumas, especially for those with hip fractures, whose injuries are difficult to immobilise and whose long-term outcomes may be adversely affected by administration of opiate analgesics. Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is a procedure routinely undertaken by clinicians in emergency departments for hip fracture patients, but use by paramedics at the scene of emergency calls, is not yet evaluated. We report on study progress following six months of patient recruitment. Methods We undertook a randomised controlled feasibility trial using novel audited scratchcard randomisation to allocate eligible patients to FICB or usual care. FICB is only administered to patients without contraindications. The primary measureable outcome is health related quality of life, measured using SF-12 at 1 and 6 months. Secondary outcome measures include mobility scores at 6 months (using Rivermead Mobility Index); patient satisfaction; pain scores; patient safety and length of hospital stay. Interviews and focus groups will be used to understand acceptability of FICB to patients and paramedics. We will also assess the accuracy of paramedic hip fracture recognition (using sensitivity and positive predictive value as indicators). Results We have developed paramedic pathway to assess patients for hip fracture and FICB paramedic training package, delivered by Consultant Anaesthetist randomisation scratchcards To date we have recruited 19 paramedics; 10 are fully trained and recruiting patients, the remainder are being trained. Twenty-two patients have been randomised and 16 have consented to follow-up. Discussion This study will enable us to recommend whether to undertake a definitive multi-centre randomised controlled trial of FICB by paramedics for hip fracture and the procedure is effective for patients and worthwhile for the NHS.

Objective: To estimate the direct healthcare cost of being overweight or obese throughout pregnancy to the National Health Service in Wales. Design: Retrospective prevalence-based study. Setting: Combined linked anonymised electronic datasets gathered on a cohort of women enrolled on the Growing Up in Wales: Environments for Healthy Living (EHL) study. Women were categorised into two groups: normal body mass index (BMI; n=260) and overweight/obese (BMI>25; n=224). Participants: 484 singleton pregnancies with available health service records and an antenatal BMI. Primary outcome measure: Total health service utilisation (comprising all general practitioner visits and prescribed medications, inpatient admissions and outpatient visits) and direct healthcare costs for providing these services in the year 2011–2012. Costs are calculated as cost of mother (no infant costs are included) and are related to health service usage throughout pregnancy and 2 months following delivery. Results: There was a strong association between healthcare usage cost and BMI ( p

Background\ud \ud This study examines the effect of low daily physical activity levels and overweight/obesity in pregnancy on delivery and perinatal outcomes.\ud \ud Methods\ud \ud A prospective cohort study combining manually collected postnatal notes with anonymised data linkage. A total of 466 women sampled from the Growing Up in Wales: Environments for Healthy Living study. Women completed a questionnaire and were included in the study if they had an available Body mass index (BMI) (collected at 12 weeks gestation from antenatal records) and/or a physical activity score during pregnancy (7-day Actigraph reading). The full statistical model included the following potential confounding factors: maternal age, parity and smoking status. Main outcome measures included induction rates, duration of labour, mode of delivery, infant health and duration of hospital stay.\ud \ud Findings\ud \ud Mothers with lower physical activity levels were more likely to have an instrumental delivery (including forceps, ventouse and elective and emergency caesarean) in comparison to mothers with higher activity levels (adjusted OR:1.72(95%CI: 1.05 to 2.9)). Overweight/obese mothers were more likely to require an induction (adjusted OR:1.93 (95%CI 1.14 to 3.26), have a macrosomic baby (adjusted OR:1.96 (95%CI 1.08 to 3.56) and a longer hospital stay after delivery (adjusted OR:2.69 (95%CI 1.11 to 6.47).\ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud The type of delivery was associated with maternal physical activity level and not BMI. Perinatal outcomes (large for gestational age only) were determined by maternal BMI.

BackgroundThis study examines the effect of diabetes in pregnancy on offspring weight at birth and ages 1 and 5 years.MethodsA population-based electronic cohort study using routinely collected linked healthcare data. Electronic medical records provided maternal diabetes status and offspring weight at birth and ages 1 and 5 years (n = 147,773 mother child pairs). Logistic regression models were used to obtain odds ratios to describe the association between maternal diabetes status and offspring size, adjusted for maternal pre-pregnancy weight, age and smoking status.FindingsWe identified 1,250 (0.9%) pregnancies with existing diabetes (27.8% with type 1 diabetes), 1,358 with gestational diabetes (0.9%) and 635 (0.4%) who developed diabetes post-pregnancy. Children whose mothers had existing diabetes were less likely to be large at 12 months (OR: 0.7 (95%CI: 0.6, 0.8)) than those without diabetes. Maternal diabetes was associated with high weight at age 5 years in children whose mothers had a high pre-pregnancy weight tertile (gestational diabetes, (OR:2.1 (95%CI:1.25-3.6)), existing diabetes (OR:1.3 (95%CI:1.0 to 1.6)).ConclusionThe prevention of childhood obesity should focus on mothers with diabetes with a high maternal pre-pregnancy weight. We found little evidence that diabetes in pregnancy leads to long term obesity 'programming'.

Nurses need to be adequately prepared to practise competently in increasingly ethnically diverse communities. This study explored nurse educators' views regarding the extent and nature of pre-registration nursing education intended to prepare students for multi-ethnic practice in Wales. A qualitative approach was taken with a purposive sample of programme directors ( n = 6), branch leaders and lecturers ( n = 25) and practice mentors ( n = 35). Data were collected through focus groups, interviews, questionnaire and documentary review. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and three themes were identified: curriculum design and content, a theory–practice gap and personnel and material resources. Findings indicated that knowledge of the most effective way to prepare pre-registration nursing students for practice in multi-ethnic communities is ‘work in progress’ in Wales. Our findings raise questions about the extent to which the curriculum prepares students to engage with the Welsh social justice agenda. Improved clarity regarding what constitutes an adequate curriculum and improved preparation of nurse educators and mentors to competently and confidently prepare students for working within ethnically diverse communities is required.

Background Childhood injury is the second leading cause of death for infants aged 1–5 years in the United Kingdom (UK) and most unintentional injuries occur in the home. We explored mothers’ knowledge and awareness of child injury prevention and sought to discover mothers’ views about the best method of designing interventions to deliver appropriate child safety messages to prevent injury in the home. Methods Qualitative study based on 21 semi-structured interviews with prospective mothers and mothers of young children. Mothers were selected according to neighbourhood deprivation status. Results There was no difference in awareness of safety devices according to mothers’ deprivation status. Social networks were important in raising awareness and adherence to child safety advice. Mothers who were recent migrants had not always encountered safety messages or safety equipment commonly used in the UK. Mothers’ recommended that safety information should be basic and concise, and include both written and pictorial information and case studies focus on proactive preventive messages. Messages should be delivered both by mass media and suitably trained individuals and be timed to coincide with pregnancy and repeated at age appropriate stages of child development. Conclusions The findings suggest that timely childhood injury-related risk messages should be delivered during pregnancy and in line with developmental milestones of the child, through a range of sources including social networks, mass media, face-to-face advice from health professionals and other suitably trained mothers. In addition information on the safe use of home appliances around children and use of child safety equipment should be targeted specifically at those who have recently migrated to the United Kingdom.