AdvocAid Sierra Leone’s Post

Watch-houses are short-term facilities where people are held in the early phase of detention. There are healthcare concerns within these facilities due to limited resources and individuals having complex health conditions. This leads to the need for emergency care, with 20-25% of presentations brought in by the police to the emergency department (ED) arriving from watch-houses. This EMF funded study led by Prof Julia Crilly OAM, alongside a research team from Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Police Service, aimed to understand the experiences and perceptions of ED doctors managing detainee transfers from police watch-houses to the ED. Fifteen ED specialists and trainees took part in the research, which summarised that the approach in the ED is equitable and responsive to specific circumstances, like the presence of guards or restraints. Emergency doctors reported successfully using various existing strategies to respond to detainee circumstances but also identified gaps and suggested additional strategies. The research concluded that there needs to be improved access to electronic health records and a better mutual understanding of the watch-house and ED environments. Link: https://lnkd.in/eUQjimHi Authors: Caitlin Brandenburg, Stuart Thomas, Cathy Lincoln, Annabel Somerville, Ed Heffernan, Stuart A Kinner, Joshua Byrnes, Paul Gardiner, Peter Davidson, Nathan Daley, David Green, Julia Crilly #EMFResearch #emergencymedicine #medicalresearch #emergencymedicineresearch

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and Lancashire Constabulary have been working together with The Boys and Girls Club at Mereside, with the aim of supporting young people and raising the awareness of the impact of knife crime. It is hoped the co-produced posters will help educate young people about the dangers of carrying a knife and let them know where they can safely hand them over using ‘surrender bins’ across Blackpool. Sally Oscar, an ED navigator at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is often the first point of call for any young person presenting with a knife-related injury at the Emergency Department. This is classed as the most reachable, teachable moment to offer that one-to-one emotional support. Working alongside Youth Justice Nurses, Exploitation Nurses, and the Safeguarding Children’s Team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals the Trust aims to ensure that young people are properly cared for and supported. Sally also provides talks and practical sessions in schools and groups within the community, like to the group at the boys and girls club at Mereside with the aim of preventing knife crime. Sally commented on the recent knife crime campaign, “It is great to see young people involved in projects like this and we hope to see an increase in the number of knives surrendered at the appropriate bins. The awareness sessions we run for young people focus on not only what happens to the body when someone is stabbed but what to do if you are with someone who is involved in a knife crime.” Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network, Serious Violence Sergeant, Dan Whitaker, has been the lead from Lancashire Constabulary and commented, “These young people’s artwork shows that knife crime impacts everyone. We’re proud to support the project and help share their messages to work towards safer streets.” Known as OP SCEPTRE, the campaign was launched earlier this month as part of a national initiative to reduce knife crime, for more information about knife surrender bins see the police website - https://buff.ly/3B0GZJd #OpSceptre image credit: Blackpool Police

What can you do to support the paediatrcians in Ukrain?

Workplace safety is a growing concern across the island of Ireland. From healthcare to education, staff are experiencing violence and harassment. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening – and why action is needed: 1️⃣ Healthcare: Between January 2023 and February 2024, over 4,000 nurses and midwives in Ireland experienced verbal, physical, or sexual assaults in the workplace. 2️⃣ Prisons: In 2023, there were 110 assaults on prison staff (Irish Prison Service). 3️⃣ Education: In the Republic of Ireland, 58% of primary school teachers reported being exposed to physical aggression within the past 12 months (INTO). 4️⃣ Retail: 7 in 10 retail workers across the UK and Ireland have experienced customer abuse (Usdaw). These incidents highlight the urgent need for better protection and proactive safety measures across all sectors. At Pinpoint Ireland, we’re dedicated to helping workplaces create safer environments for everyone. 🔗 Read more in our latest blog to learn how Pinpoint's solutions are designed to tackle these issues. https://buff.ly/3P5MYAa #WorkplaceSafety #ProtectOurPeople #PinpointSolutions #SaferWorkplaces

A broken system. As an occupational therapist who worked in prisons, I saw the critical role professionals play in preparing inmates for life beyond bars. We built links with housing, vocational training, and community support to help people reintegrate safely. But the problem isn't just overcrowding—it's the revolving door of prisons mainly due to lack of funding. The reality is that many of those have been released couple days ago face homelessness, no benefits, and poor mental health support. Mental health is a huge piece of this puzzle, and while—occupational therapists, housing providers, doctors, mental health professionals, and more are and have been doing their best, our systems are stretched to their limits. Without comprehensive, sustainable support, we risk repeating the cycle and letting down not only these individuals but our communities. It’s time we shift our focus from quick fixes to meaningful rehabilitation. #PrisonReform #OccupationalTherapy #MentalHealth #Rehabilitation #CommunitySupport #Recidivism #CriminalJustice

A broken system. As an occupational therapist who worked in prisons, I saw the critical role professionals play in preparing inmates for life beyond bars. We built links with housing, vocational training, and community support to help people reintegrate safely. But the problem isn't just overcrowding—it's the revolving door of prisons mainly due to lack of funding. The reality is that many of those have been released couple days ago face homelessness, no benefits, and poor mental health support. Mental health is a huge piece of this puzzle, and while—occupational therapists, housing providers, doctors, mental health professionals, and more are and have been doing their best, our systems are stretched to their limits. Without comprehensive, sustainable support, we risk repeating the cycle and letting down not only these individuals but our communities. It’s time we shift our focus from quick fixes to meaningful rehabilitation. #PrisonReform #OccupationalTherapy #MentalHealth #Rehabilitation #CommunitySupport #Recidivism #CriminalJustice

🚨 Did you know? Children involved in crime are more likely to reoffend. For the year ending March 2021, those with no previous offences had a reoffending rate of 16.4%, compared to 63.8% for those who had committed 11 or more previous offences. It's time to break the cycle! 💪 Investing in early interventions can save society £1.5 billion/year and create positive outcomes for our youth. The Arukah Project is delighted to be able to offer interventions to children and young adults across Portsmouth, ensuring every child has the chance to thrive and our communities stay safe. #BreakTheCycle #InvestInYouth #CommunitySupport 🌟#youthjustice #trauma #EFT #tapping #emotionalresilience #traumainformed #prison #rehabilitation #recoveryispossible #mentalhealth #portsmouth #aces #childhoodtrauma Ministry of Justice UK HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) NHS England Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB)

First aid for injuries encompasses a range of immediate actions aimed at stabilizing a person's condition and minimizing further harm until professional medical assistance can be obtained. It involves assessing the situation, providing appropriate care, and ensuring the safety and well-being of the injured individual. Watch Full Video- https://lnkd.in/dfAcWCvK #DrKhuranahospital #firstaid #firstaidtraining #injurytreatment #RICE #Rest #Ice #Compression #elevation #drravikhurana

The data should drive the standards and practice.