Sparkbrook Children's Zone

Today we have a very special episode, of an interview with Baroness Merron, the Minister for Women's Health and Mental Health. We chatted about: - What Baroness Merron does in her role as a Minister for Women's Health and Mental Health - The importance of making services work for patients, and ensuring services are culturally appropriate and accessible for women, especially those who are p...

In today's episode, Chiara and Jara Phattey from Umbrella Sexual Health, talk about the topic of FGM, often known as Cutting. For many communities this is a really common practice, and we want to shed some light on the harms and ensure people know that there is never any medical purpose for cutting. If you have experienced FGM or know someone who has - or believe you know someone at risk of FG...

Following on from our previous episode about what HIV is - this week Chiara continued the conversation with Jara Phattey from Umbrella Sexual Health, talking through what to do if you are worried about HIV, and how to get tested. We talked through: - How to get tested - What happens during a test - When you will receive your results after the test - What to do if the results are positive - A note...

In today's episode, Chiara sits down with Jara Phattey from the Umbrella Sexual Health Service to discuss all things HIV. In this episode, they discuss: - What is HIV? - How is HIV picked up? - What does it do to your body? - How do you prevent and treat HIV? - How do you support someone with HIV? Further Resources: HIV and AIDS - NHS SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk Inst...

Ever been invited for a Smear Test Appointment, and not known what this is, what it's for, and whether you even want to attend? Listen to this episode where Chiara and Nurse Vanita chat all things Smear Tests, including: - What does a Smear Test do? - Why do women need to get one? - Who gets invited for a test? - What happens during the appointment? Bump Ready Booklet: ⁠Pre-Conception :: Birmi...

In today's episode, we thought it would be helpful to give a brief overview of what actually happens when you are invited to a Sparkbrook Children's Zone Women's Health Appointment? Chiara interviews our Practice Nurse, Vanita Chumber on the following: - Why the Women's Health Clinics exist - Who is being invited to the Clinics - What you can expect from the appointment, including...

In today's podcast episode Chiara and Fran sit down to chat about Meningitis B, in order to shed some light on the bacteria, given the recent unprecedented outbreak in Kent. We chat about: - What the bacterial infection is - What the symptoms are and how to spot them - How to tell the difference between Flu and Meningitis B - How is spreads - What can be done to prevent the infection, includin...

Today, Chiara and Fran are chatting all things Chickenpox. A very common virus, particularly for kids - so be sure to know what to expect from it! In this episode we talk about what it looks like, what the different stages are of the virus, who the virus can be most dangerous for, and the newfound option of the Chickenpox Vaccine which has been newly introduced. SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookc...

In today's episode, Chiara and Fran sit down to chat about Hay fever. What are the different types, how does it affect people differently? How can we find solutions, and if these solutions don't work - what are the further steps we can be taking to solve the issue once and for all?! Tune in to find out. Allergy UK Link: Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis | Allergy UK | National Charity SCZ Li...

On this episode we talk with Deepthi Jyothish, co-creator of Bump Ready, about the Bump Ready Booklet, and we chat through some of the key top tips for how to have a healthy pregnancy. Make sure you read all the 10 Top Tip in the Bump Ready Booklet found HERE: Pre-Conception :: Birmingham and Solihull ICS⁠ SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk Instagram: www.instagram.com/sparkbro...

On this episode we talk with Deepthi Jyothish, co-creator of Bump Ready, all about why it is important to plan your pregnancy. This is such an important episode for anyone thinking of having a baby, and we hope it supports you! Bump Ready Booklet: Pre-Conception :: Birmingham and Solihull ICS SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk Instagram: www.instagram.com/sparkbrookchildrenszon...

In today's episode, we sat down with Mandy Tyler from the Umbrella Sexual Health Service to chat about what contraception is, what the different forms of it are, and what to do if you are exploring using contraception but are unsure about what might be right for you. We hope this episode is helpful for you! Umbrella Website Link: ⁠Umbrella Health⁠ SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszon...

In this week's episode we talk about the Umbrella Sexual Health Offer, which is unique to Birmingham and Solihull. We had Mandy Tyler, the Umbrella Community Partnerships Manager, to discuss: - What Umbrella Offers? - What can be expected from an Umbrella Pharmacy? - Who is it available for? - Umbrella's Confidentiality! Umbrella Sexual Health Website Link: Umbrella Health SCZ Links: Websi...

In today's episode, we cover the topic of Flu, a very popular topic this Winter, an issue which leads to over 8,000 hospital admissions for children each year. We chat with Nazmeen, our Family Support Advisor, and Doctor Chris, our Co-Clinical Medical Lead, where we discuss the topic going through issues such as: - How is Flu caused? - What are the symptoms of Flu? - Do children with Flu need...

In this episode on the Sparkbrook Children's Zone Podcast, we spoke to Nazmeen, our Senior Family Support Advisor, and Chris, one of our co-clinical medic leads about Winter Bugs. We talk about topics such as: - What are Winter Bugs? - How can Winter Bugs be Prevented? - How can Parents/ Carers Support Unwell Children? For more great health advice on Winter Bugs, check out the Healthier Togeth...

In this episode we chat with Abi Ellis, from the National Literacy Trust, about how parents and carers can support their children at home in the very early stages of a child's life, before the time they have even entered school! Check out this link for more tips and resources for how you can engage your children from an early age with language skills through different forms of play which will...

In this weeks episode we are joined by Hall Green and Selly Oak's Early Help Lead, Kirsty Arrowsmith. Kirsty's SEND journey with her son started at 9 months of age, and it was at around 2.5 years of age they started to notice challenges when it came to food. Listen in to this episode to hear how Kirsty navigated these challenges around food with her son, and how she created her toolbox of...

In this week's episode we break down the issue of Eczema with Doctor Houssam and Programme Manager Simarjeet. We discuss topics such as: - What is Eczema - Areas of Skin Prone to Flaring Up - Eczema Triggers - Discussions around Eczema Treatment Plans - The role of Damp and Mould on Eczema - How Eczema can affect Mental Health - Mythbusting around the fear of steroid use on skin SCZ Links: Web...

In this episode we chat to SCZ Doctor Houssam, and SCZ Programme Manager Simarjeet Kaur, around the issue of Asthma, which re regularly see in our clinics. Asthma can be exceptionally harmful for a child, but it is also preventable. In this episode, we unpacked what it is, common asthma triggers, and the impact of both Damp and Mould on asthma, and how to support a child with this issue. SCZ Links...

As a follow on from the previous episode, we sit down with our SCZ Doctor Houssam who shares his personal story of how he went from being addicted to smoking in medical school, to quitting smoking a few years down the line. We hope that this episode can be an encouragement to any and all who are on the journey of quitting smoking! SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk Instagram: w...

Hello! On this week's Podcast, we are joined by Doctor Houssam Abusibah & Early Help Family Support Advisor, Nazmeen Rahimi. We are chatting all around smoking cigarettes, the harm they bring the individual, and the hidden harms they bring those around them, including children. We discuss: - What's actually in them? - What are the real health implications of it? - Can it increase the c...

This week we were able to sit down with Mel Cox from Startwell and discuss all things Fruits and Vegetables and how important they are for a child's diet! We discussed practical's around how to get your '5 a day' in, how to introduce fruits and vegetables to children, portion sizing, and much more! Welcome to Startwell Birmingham - Startwell_2020 Get help to buy food and milk (Heal...

In this episode we chat to SCZ Doctor Fran Dutton & Programme Manager Simarjeet Kaur about all the benefits of exercise, for both children & adults! We discuss the benefits of exercise on: - Physical Health - Behaviour - Academic Performance - Recommendations for Children's Activity Levels - Practical ways Parents/Carers can increase their Exercise too! NHS Weight Bearing Exercise Reco...

Join the Sparkbrook Children's Zone team, Chiara Luxmoore, Doctor Fran Dutton, and Simarjeet Kaur, as they discuss all things School Readiness. This episode includes conversations around: - How to minimise and support tiredness - Routines - Supporting Children with Medical Issues - Much more! Healthier Together: www.healthiertogether.nhs.uk SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.u...

On this episode our SCZ Podcast host sat down with Summer Baillarger, Senior Early Help Development Worker for Hall Green and Selly Oak Early Help to discuss what the Early Help service is and how it can be accessed! Find out more about the Hall Green and Selly Oak Early Help Offer here: Families & Early Help – Hall Green Communities SCZ Links: Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk Insta...