scholarly journals How do we engage people in testing for COVID-19? A rapid qualitative evaluation of a testing programme in schools, GP surgeries and a university

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniella Watson ◽  
Natalia Laverty Baralle ◽  
Jawahr Alagil ◽  
Krithika Anil ◽  
Sandy Ciccognani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
City Council ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Testing Programme ◽  
Programme Development ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Roll Out

Abstract Background The UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) emphasises the need for high levels of engagement with communities and individuals to ensure the effectiveness of any COVID-19 testing programme. A novel pilot health surveillance programme to assess the feasibility of weekly community RT-LAMP testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using saliva samples collected at home was developed and piloted by the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council. Methods Rapid qualitative evaluation was conducted to explore experiences of those who took part in the programme, of those who declined and of those in the educational and healthcare organisations involved in the pilot testing who were responsible for roll-out. This included 77 interviews and 20 focus groups with 223 staff, students, pupils and household members from four schools, one university, and one community healthcare NHS trust. The insights generated informed the design and modification of the Southampton COVID-19 Saliva Testing Programme and the next phase of community-testing. Results Conversations revealed that high levels of communication, trust and convenience were necessary to ensure people’s engagement with the programme. This suggests community leaders and stakeholder organisations should be involved throughout programme development and implementation to optimise these features of the testing. Conclusions Participants’ and stakeholders’ motivations, challenges and concerns need to be understood and these insights used to modify the programme in a continuous, real-time process to ensure and sustain engagement with testing over the extended period necessary.

scholarly journals How best do we engage the general population in testing for COVID-19?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniella Watson ◽  
Natalia Laverty Baralle ◽  
Jawahr Alagil ◽  
Krithika Anil ◽  
Sandy Ciccognani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
City Council ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Surveillance Programme ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Programme Development ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Roll Out

AbstractThe UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) emphasises the need for high levels of engagement with communities and individuals to ensure the effectiveness of any COVID-19 testing programme. A novel pilot health surveillance programme to assess the feasibility of weekly mass RT-LAMP testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using saliva samples collected at home was developed and piloted by the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council. Rapid qualitative evaluation was conducted to explore experiences of those who took part in the programme, of those who declined and of those in the educational and healthcare organisations involved in the pilot testing who were responsible for roll-out. This included 77 interviews and 20 focus groups with 223 staff, students, pupils and household members from four schools, one university, and one community healthcare NHS trust. Conversations revealed that high levels of communication, trust and convenience were necessary to ensure people’s engagement with the programme. This suggests community leaders and stakeholder organisations should be involved throughout programme development and implementation to optimise these features of the testing. Participants’ and stakeholders’ motivations, challenges and concerns need to be understood and these insights used to modify the programme in a continuous, real-time process to ensure and sustain engagement with testing over the extended period necessary.

scholarly journals An evaluation of community-managed libraries in Liverpool

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Smith
Keyword(s):  
Local Authority ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Large City ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
City Council ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Authority Control ◽  
Community Organisation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Community libraries now constitute a significant proportion of library provision in the UK; however, there is relatively little research on how the transfer to this model has affected those libraries and the wider balance of provision. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the discourse and understanding about the impact of changing libraries to community models. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a qualitative evaluation of all the libraries transferred to community-managed models within a large city council region in the UK. Structured research visits were made to appraise each library. These are discussed in the context of published literature and data, both specific to the study area and nationally. Findings Transferring the management of libraries to community organisations is often reactive and perceived with negative associations. This study uncovers increases in use and diversification of services following transfer; however, support from the local authority and the previous experience of managing organisations are significant factors. The paper also reveals how the successful transfer of a library to a community organisation led to more being moved out of local authority control, but that the support they receive from the local authority can be inconsistent between them. Originality/value The paper provides a study of community-managed libraries across a large city council area, affording an in-depth understanding of their impact on overall provision over one region. It will be of value to those involved in library management and service provision at both local and strategic levels, including local authorities and community groups considering library transfer.

National Astronomy Meeting, Portsmouth (United Kingdom), 23rd–26th June, 2014

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-137
Author(s):  
Pamela Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Annual Meeting ◽  
Solar Physics ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Physics Community ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Around six hundred astronomers and space scientists gathered at the University of Portsmouth in June 2014 for the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting (NAM). NAM is one of the largest professional astronomy conferences in Europe, and this year’s gathering included the UK Solar Physics annual meeting as well as attendance from the magnetosphere, ionosphere and solar-terrestrial physics community. Conference tracks ranged from discussion of the molecular universe to cosmic chronometers, and from spectroscopic cosmology to industrial applications of astrophysics and astronomy.

The Tower Mill: An archaeological excavation of Queensland's oldest extant building

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Hall ◽  
Jonathan Prangnell ◽  
Bruno David
Keyword(s):  
City Council ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of ◽  
The University

The Tower Mill, Brisbane's oldest extant building, was excavated by the University of Queensland to determine for the Brisbane City Council the heritage potential of surrounding subsurface deposits.  Following the employment of GPR, excavation revealed interesting stratifications, features and artefacts.  Analysis permits an explanation for these deposits which augment an already fascinating history of the site's use over the past 170 years or so.

scholarly journals EPEN-24. SIOP EPENDYMOMA II: CENTRAL EPENDYMOMA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP – THE UK EXPERIENCE

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii312-iii312
Author(s):  
Donald C Macarthur ◽  
Conor Mallucci ◽  
Ian Kamaly-Asl ◽  
John Goodden ◽  
Lisa C D Storer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Str Analysis ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Pathological Review ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Paediatric Ependymoma is the second most common malignant brain tumour of childhood with approximately 50% of cases recurring. It has been described as a “surgical” disease since patients who have undergone a gross total surgical resection (GTR) have a better prognosis than those who have a subtotal resection (STR). Analysis of the UKCCSG/SIOP 1992 04 clinical trial has shown that only 49% of cases had a GTR, with 5-year survival rates for STR of 22–47% and GTR of 67–80%. As part of the SIOP II Ependymoma trial the UK established a panel of experts in the treatment of Ependymoma from Neuro-oncology, Neuro-radiology and Neuro-surgery. Meeting weekly, cases are discussed to provide a consensus on radiological review, ensuring central pathological review, trial stratification and whether further surgery should be advocated on any particular case. Evaluation of the first 68 UK patients has shown a GTR in 47/68 (69%) of patients and STR in 21/68 (31%) of patients. Following discussion at EMAG it was felt that 9/21 (43%) STR patients could be offered early second look surgery. Following this 2nd look surgery the number of cases with a GTR increased to 56/68 (82%). There has been a clear increase in the number of patients for whom a GTR has been achieved following discussion at EMAG and prior to them moving forwards with their oncological treatment. This can only have beneficial effects in decreasing their risk of tumour recurrence or CSF dissemination and also in reducing the target volume for radiotherapy.

scholarly journals The BabySaver: Design of a New Device for Neonatal Resuscitation at Birth with Intact Placental Circulation

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 526
Author(s):  
James Ditai ◽  
Aisling Barry ◽  
Kathy Burgoine ◽  
Anthony K. Mbonye ◽  
Julius N. Wandabwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Neonatal Resuscitation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Skilled Birth Attendants ◽  
New Device ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Premature Babies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

The initial bedside care of premature babies with an intact cord has been shown to reduce mortality; there is evidence that resuscitation of term babies with an intact cord may also improve outcomes. This process has been facilitated by the development of bedside resuscitation surfaces. These new devices are unaffordable, however, in most of sub-Saharan Africa, where 42% of the world’s 2.4 million annual newborn deaths occur. This paper describes the rationale and design of BabySaver, an innovative low-cost mobile resuscitation unit, which was developed iteratively over five years in a collaboration between the Sanyu Africa Research Institute (SAfRI) in Uganda and the University of Liverpool in the UK. The final BabySaver design comprises two compartments; a tray to provide a firm resuscitation surface, and a base to store resuscitation equipment. The design was formed while considering contextual factors, using the views of individual women from the community served by the local hospitals, medical staff, and skilled birth attendants in both Uganda and the UK.

The RUMA Alliance targets: an overview

Livestock ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 176-179
Author(s):  
Chris Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Task Force ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Codes Of Practice ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Ongoing Support ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Roll Out

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) was established to promote the highest standards of food safety, animal health and animal welfare in the British livestock industry. It has a current focus to deliver on the Government objective of identifying sector-specific targets for the reduction, refinement or replacement of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The creation and roll out of sector specific targets in 2017 through the RUMA Targets Task Force, has helped focus activity across the UK livestock sectors to achieve a 50% reduction in antibiotic use since 2014. This has been realised principally through voluntary multi-sector collaboration, cross sector initiatives, codes of practice, industry body support and farm assurance schemes. This article provides an overview of RUMA's work to date providing insight into the methods used to create the targets, why they are so important, the impact they are having and how ongoing support and robust data are vital components in achieving the latest set of targets.

scholarly journals First-of-a-kind muography for nuclear waste characterization

2018 ◽  
Vol 377 (2137) ◽  
pp. 20180048 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mahon ◽  
Anthony Clarkson ◽  
Simon Gardner ◽  
David Ireland ◽  
Ramsey Jebali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Laboratory Facility ◽  
Waste Container ◽  
High Resolution Images ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

In the last decade, there has been a surge in the number of academic research groups and commercial companies exploiting naturally occurring cosmic-ray muons for imaging purposes in a range of industrial and geological applications. Since 2009, researchers at the University of Glasgow and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) have pioneered this technique for the characterization of shielded nuclear waste containers with significant investment from the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd. Lynkeos Technology Ltd. was formed in 2016 to commercialize the Muon Imaging System (MIS) technology that resulted from this industry-funded academic research. The design, construction and performance of the Lynkeos MIS is presented along with first experimental and commercial results. The high-resolution images include the identification of small fragments of uranium within a surrogate 500-litre intermediate level waste container and metal inclusions within thermally treated GeoMelt® R&D Product Samples. The latter of these are from Lynkeos' first commercial contract with the UK National Nuclear Laboratory. The Lynkeos MIS will be deployed at the NNL Central Laboratory facility on the Sellafield site in Summer 2018 where it will embark upon a series of industry trials. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.

scholarly journals University students’ understanding and perceptions of schizophrenia in the UK: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e025813
Author(s):  
Charlotte Cadge ◽  
Charlotte Connor ◽  
Sheila Greenfield
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
African Caribbean ◽  
Lay Understanding ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

ObjectiveTo explore lay understanding and perceptions of schizophrenia in university students.DesignQualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.SettingThe University of Birmingham, West Midlands.Participants20 UK home students of white British (n=5), Indian (n=5), Pakistani (n=5), African Caribbean (n=4) and dual white British and African Caribbean ethnicity (n=1).ResultsFindings revealed a lack of knowledge about schizophrenia, particularly the negative symptoms that were not mentioned. There were mixed ideas on the causes and sources of available help for schizophrenia; however, positively many said they would consult their general practitioner. While there was a general misconception among the students that schizophrenia caused multiple personalities and was a dangerous illness, there were some differences in perceptions and understanding between ethnic groups, with more Indian students perceiving upbringing as a causal factor in the development of the illness and more Pakistani students perceiving possession by a spirit as a cause.ConclusionsThe university students interviewed lacked knowledge about schizophrenia and stigma was widespread, both of which may delay help-seeking. Public health campaigns educating young people about schizophrenia are required to improve early identification and intervention and improve outcomes. Further research exploring ways to effectively tackle stigma is also required.

Can you measure IT? The UK experience of TechQual+

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Hall ◽  
Jessica Stephens ◽  
Sarah Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Technology Services ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Purpose – The University of York Library, part of its Information Directorate, has successfully run an annual user survey using LibQUAL+ since 2008. The tool has proven invaluable in understanding user needs and measuring improvements. The ability to benchmark performance has been well received by university senior managers. Following this positive experience, the Directorate piloted the TechQual+ survey to assess its technology services. TechQual+ is a total market-survey tool developed on the same principles as LibQUAL+. York was the first university in the UK to do this. The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the experience and its relevance to information services. Design/methodology/approach – A team was established to co-ordinate the distribution of the survey, which was e-mailed to all university members. The survey was conducted over a period of three weeks in December 2011 using their web-based tool. The team worked with the survey providers to make amendments in order to comply with UK Data Protection legislation. Findings – The TechQual+ tool provided a rich set of data on the IT needs of University of York students and staff, including a wealth of comments. As the first use of the tool in the UK, a number of outcomes arose from the pilot: methods for running the survey in order to meet UK data protection requirements; feedback on the tool itself, with some questions not understood from a UK context; a rich set of results data, with some similarities (and several differences) to those available through LibQUAL+. Originality/value – The paper presents the first application of the TechQual+ survey in UK and discusses the issues faced when implementing it in a UK context. The case study will be of interest to libraries or converged services interested in assessing their IT provision.

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