Research Interest Group (0-19 Service)

In November 2016 a number of health visitors and school nurses came together with the intention of becoming more active in research. The group now meets every two months and members have been involved in a number of research projects.

We are interested in many aspects of child health and development, as well as maternal needs, and are keen to develop evidence-based practice for both health visiting and school nursing.

To develop our research skills we are taking part in research awareness training and have links with many individuals and organisations who are supporting us.

We are keen to gain further research experience and would welcome the opportunity to get involved with research projects where health visitor or school nursing input would be of value.

Please contact Community Research Academic Lead Louise Wolstenholme if you would like to discuss a project with us.

Current projects

NIHR clinical internships

Frances Shiel and Carrie Langham have both been successful in obtaining one of 25 NIHR/HEE-funded integrated clinical internships for the north of England. The internship is comprised of 38 funded days to explore how to undertake a small scale research project.

ActiveCHILD study

This is an NIHR-funded study by Newcastle University looking at the relationship between physical activity, health and functioning in children. The project seeks to find out how NHS therapists and health visitors can support children (0-5 years) with and without physical limitations to participate in daily physical activity.

Sheffield Children’s Hospital is one of the study sites for the project and participants are currently being recruited.

Paediatric allergy research

Health visitors Farhat Javed and Naheeda Rehman have obtained a research taster opportunity on a small study being led by Dr Sue Peckover (Sheffield Hallam University) in collaboration with Jo Cooke (CLAHRC/Sheffield Hallam University).

The study aims to explore South Asian mothers’ views and experiences of accessing paediatric allergy services in Sheffield for their babies and/or young children.

Farhat and Naheeda will be involved in recruiting and interviewing study participants, aspects of data analysis and disseminating findings.