Heartbeat: Safety is at forefront of fun kids’ books
June 12, 2019
Children’s books which aim to prevent accidents and teach youngsters and parents about keeping safe were launched at our organisation earlier this month.
The range of stories feature the escapades of Dog, Duck and Cat, with a strong message about how children can stay safe in a way that is fun and age appropriate.
The event took place within paediatrics outpatients and the emergency department at Sandwell Hospital but the books will be available in all areas across our sites where children are treated.
The books have been produced by the Dog, Duck & Cat Trust, and funded by Your Trust Charity, after Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Maria Atkinson ran the Birmingham Half Marathon to raise money to pay for the printing costs. She had heard about the series through her work as the child death lead.
Dr Atkinson said: “I took over as the child death lead for our organisation last year. Part of this role involves sitting on the Sandwell Child Death Overview Panel where all paediatric deaths are investigated with an emphasis on learning and preventative work to address any themes which emerge. “Through that work I was told about Dog, Duck and Cat – a great resource developed by Jon Bull, Head of DECCA and Debbie Brown from Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group Child Death Lead.
“These stories and online resources address preventable causes of child death such as drowning, choking and safe sleeping.
“I ran the Birmingham Half marathon for the first time last year and raised £500 for Your Trust Charity for the printing of books and posters to launch the books within our workplace. Volunteers will carry out regular story time sessions in our paediatrics areas to promote this important preventative work.”
The books will be freely available within the paediatric areas for patients to take home and read. A cake sale also took place at the event to raise further funds to pay for more books to be printed, and regular fundraising drives be held in future.
Eddie Edmead, Major Grants Manager for Your Trust Charity, added: “This is an excellent initiative which we are proud to be supporting. The charity funds various projects which are focused around young people and our aim is to enhance the patient journey. These books will be an invaluable resource for youngsters and their parents and prove a great educational tool.”