6 December 2022

Dear Parent / Carer / Guardian,

You may have seen reports in the national news of a small number of child deaths from invasive Group A Strep infection (iGAS). I am writing to provide you with information on this infection and to provide advice on keeping your children safe.

The Strep A bacteria causes a number of common childhood illnesses. These include scarlet fever, sore throats and skin infections such as impetigo.

A number of schools and nurseries in Brent have cases of scarlet fever at the moment. Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness but it is very infectious. Therefore, look out for symptoms in your child. These include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important. If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Possible warning signs include:

• your child is getting worse
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
• your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
• your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• your child is very tired or irritable 2 Call 999 or go to A&E if:
• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many germs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.

A copy of this letter can be found just below here:

NHS NWL Vaccination and Immunisations Team

V15 Marylebone Road

London NW1 5JD

Email: nhsnwl.c-19.vac.group@nhs.net

Website: www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk

10 October 2022

Dear Parent

REMINDER: Update from the NHS and Public Health in North West London to get your child vaccinated over half-term

We are writing to all parents of school aged children to remind you to keep up to date with their vaccinations.

Most children aged one to nine need to receive the polio vaccination to keep them safe from its devastating effects. Whilst it is urgent for your child to have the polio vaccination now, it is also important to check your child is up to date with their covid, flu and MMR immunisations as we enter the winter period.

Lots of half-term appointments are available through local pharmacies, walk-ins centres (no appointment needed) and booked appointments. You can find all the details of places to get your child’s polio vaccination here www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk/polio
Please check with the school about arrangements for the nasal flu vaccine in school.

Why is the polio booster so important?

Polio can result in life-long paralysis and other disabilities, and in extreme cases, even death. There is no cure for polio, immunisation is the only protection.

The additional booster vaccination for all children aged one to nine is being provided in response to the alarming findings that the poliovirus has been found in sewage samples taken in London. It provides the best possible protection, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have instructed that most children aged 1 to 9 in London should urgently get a booster dose to ensure they are fully protected.

We have not seen a live case of polio in the UK since 1984, and it is vital that we prevent any community spread.

More information and frequently asked questions about the polio vaccination programme for children can be found here: https://bit.ly/polio-faqs

Best wishes,

NWL Vaccination and Immunisations Team

Brent Public Health Service

Nursery - Year 2

Pop-up Bus Health checks - 4th July

                                                                                                   Public Health

                                                                        Brent Civic Centre

Engineers Way

Wembley

HA9 0FJ

            E-mail: marie.mcloughlin@brent.gov.uk

Phone no: 0208 937 6214

Mobile: 07919 553784

Tuesday 28^th June 2022

Re: Pop up bus at Outside the Granville Centre, 140 Carlton Vale, London NW6 5HE

Dear Parents,  

The last year has been very difficult for everyone, especially for children, so Public Health are organising a fun pop up bus at Outside the Granville Centre, 140 Carlton Vale, London NW6 5HE

We are setting up a bus and gazebos to create an area for families to come along with their children, so they can have a health/dental check and get involved in fun activities.

The bus is an opportunity to bring your child(ren) along to see a dentist, therapist, the oral health promotion, weight management, library and early years teams. Last year we took the bus to 8 sites across Brent and saw 395 children of which 158 (41%) had tooth decay.

We realise the last 2 years, the pandemic has made it difficult for children and families to see a dentist, but please come along to see out dentists on the bus. It’s free and we will also make you a follow up appointment for your child to see a dentist again, if required.

The oral health promotion team will be offering free tooth brush and tooth paste and demonstrating the correct way to brush your teeth. The weight management team will also be there giving advice on healthy eating. The library staff will talk to you about how to register and what programmes are available and the early years team will talk to you about Family Wellbeing Centres and nursery placements.

As you are aware, good oral health is integral to a child’s general health and well-being, and affects how children grow, enjoy life, look, speak, chew, taste food, and socialise. Pain, infection, and tooth loss can cause sleepless nights, poor concentration, time off from school, reduced nutrition and growth, and delays to speech development. Psycho - social wellbeing and self-esteem can also be affected by bad breath and the unsightly appearance of decayed or missing teeth.

Fortunately, tooth decay is almost entirely preventable. Therefore, establishing good oral health behaviours early is part of giving every child the best start in life.

We would love to see you on Monday 4^th July from 2.55pm – 5.30pm, please make an appointment on the link below

https://tinyurl.com/rfjsyrmd

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at marie.mcloughlin@brent.gov.uk

Kind Regards

Marie McLoughlin

Consultant in Public Health

Brent Public Health Service

Pop-up health & Dental Checks - 30th June 2022

                                                                                                                                                                Public Health

                                                                        Brent Civic Centre

Engineers Way

Wembley

HA9 0FJ

            E-mail: marie.mcloughlin@brent.gov.uk

Phone no: 0208 937 6214

Mobile: 07919 553784

Tuesday 28^th June 2022