The award-winning 0-19 Research Network (Yorkshire and Humber), led by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, is using research to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people across the region.
On 24 October, specialist community public health professionals, including health visitors and school nurses, came together in Sheffield for an event to shape the future of public health research to help keep communities healthy and prevent illness before it happens.
Hosted by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and co-delivered with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), the event was an opportunity to connect, share best practice, and explore how research can shape the future of public health services for children and young people.
The day was opened by Pauline Williams, Head of the 0-19 Service at Sheffield Children’s, kicking off a packed agenda including keynote speakers, research showcases and discussions, with contributions from national leaders and local innovators.
The Sheffield Children’s 0-19 Service brings together health visitors and school nurses to support children and young people’s health and wellbeing from birth through to adulthood. It provides coordinated, family-focused care to support children not just in moments of need, but throughout their entire health and care journey.
The 0-19 Research Network was created to empower nurses and health visitors to undertake research, using it to inform evidence-based practice and widening access to under-represented patient groups.
Professor Jamie Waterall, Deputy Chief Public Health Nurse for England, said the Network was leading the way as a ‘beacon of best practice’ in research.
He said: “The achievements of the Yorkshire and Humber 0-19 Research Network are phenomenal. As a region, they are ahead of the game and demonstrating outstanding leadership in research as a true beacon of best practice. The teams have a deep understanding of their communities, and that local insight is vital in delivering change.
“There is also a real opportunity to shape and influence the national agenda, using their collective voice, data, and research to drive meaningful change and challenge thinking at every level.
“Public health is critical to the future of our nation’s wellbeing. There has never been a greater opportunity to act, with the growing national commitment to shifting from treatment to prevention. Public health has a vital role to play, and we are proud to be part of the solution in driving this change.”
Alison Morton, CEO of the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), spoke about the importance of driving change through evidence. There were also regional showcases from RDaSH, York, Hull, Harrogate & District and Sheffield, each sharing examples of how research is driving positive change in their communities.
Louise Wolstenholme, 0-19 Research Network co-chair and Lead for Research, Education and Development at Sheffield Children’s, said: “It’s fantastic to see how passionately our health visitors and school nurses are embracing research right across our region.
“Coming together in this way helps us to explore what matters most for the communities we serve and to use evidence to improve outcomes and create healthier futures for children, young people and families.
“We’re proud that others across England are looking to us for inspiration, and we’re excited about what’s next for the Network, and what we can achieve in the future.”
The award-winning 0-19 Research Network aims to support and increase the participation and recruitment of children and families in public health research, with a focus on underserved populations and to increase research engagement and capacity of public health professionals working with the 0-19 age group.