Background National lockdowns in England due to COVID-19 resulted in rapid shifts in healthcare provision, including in primary care where most contraceptive prescriptions are issued. This study aimed to investigate contraception prescribing trends in primary care during the pandemic and the impact of socioeconomic deprivation. Methods Prescribing data were accessed from the English Prescribing Dataset for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2020–28 February 2021) and the year prior (1 March 2019–29 February 2020). Data were analysed by geographical region (London, Midlands and East of England, North of England, South of England) and contraceptive type (progestogen-only pill (POP), combined oral contraception (COC), emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) and contraceptive injections). Differences in prescribing rates were calculated using Poisson regression. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores for each Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC). Results Contraception prescribing rates decreased overall during the COVID-19 pandemic in England (Poisson regression coefficient (β)=−0.035), with a statistically significant (p0.05). Conclusions Contraception provision was impacted by COVID-19 with an overall decrease in prescribing rates. The deprivation results suggest that this may not be a significant contributing factor to this decrease. Further research is recommended to better understand these changes, and to ensure that services respond appropriately to population needs.

Preconception obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and deprivation. The postnatal period provides an opportunity for preconception intervention. There is a lack of published postnatal behaviour and weight data to inform intervention needs. Secondary analysis of the GLOWING study explored postnatal diet, physical activity (PA) and weight among women living with obesity in deprivation. Thirty-nine women completed food frequency and PA questionnaires and provided weight measurement(s) between 3–12 months postnatal. Women’s diet and PA fell short of national guidelines, especially for fruit/vegetables (median 1.6–2.0 portions/day) and oily fish (0–4 g/day). PA was predominantly light intensity. Patterns in weight change across time points indicated postnatal weight loss compared with 1st (median −0.8 to −2.3 kg) and 3rd-trimester weights (−9.0 to −11.6 kg). Weight loss was higher among women without excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) (−2.7 to −9.7 kg) than those with excessive GWG (2.3 to −1.8 kg), resulting in postnatal weight measurements lower than their 1st trimester. These pilot data suggest preconception interventions should commence in pregnancy with a focus on GWG, and postnatal women need early support to achieve guideline-recommendations for diet and PA. Further research in a larger population could inform preconception intervention strategies to tackle inequalities in maternal obesity and subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

Understanding the burden of pertussis and pertussis-related mortality is important in enabling better understanding of population vulnerability and supporting vaccination programme planning. However, changes in laboratory practice can have important implications for public health surveillance. This study considers the impact of increasing use of multiplex panel testing for respiratory pathogens on ascertainment of pertussis-related deaths, drawing on multiple surveillance data sources from England. Information was sourced from Office of National Statistics cause of death records, public health case management records, laboratory results collated nationally, and death notifications received via General Practices. Figures covered the period 2023/24, coinciding with a large, national outbreak in England, and were compared with data from 2012 – the last major outbreak in England. Of 34 deaths identified among individuals aged >12 months in 2023/24, 11 ultimately met pre-defined criteria to be classified as pertussis-related deaths; none of the 5 possible cases identified in 2012 did so. A total of 25 of the 34 (74%) tested positive for pertussis via multiplex panel testing, of which 18 (72%) were ultimately excluded as pertussis-related deaths. Findings highlight significant challenges in attribution of pertussis-related mortality in an era of widespread multiplex panel testing.

Background: Parent-infant psychotherapy is a therapeutic intervention intended to address problems in the parent-infant relationship. In Newcastle Upon Tyne, a family-centred charity, Children North East, began delivering parent-infant psychotherapy in 2017, to support parents and infant relationships by addressing unconscious elements of behaviour which can create relational trauma.Objective: A formative service evaluation explored parents' experiences of the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Parent-Infant Partnership service, alongside wider healthcare professionals' perspectives of service delivery and impact on the parents and relationship with their babies.Methods: Interviews were undertaken with parents (n = 10) who had previously engaged with the service and healthcare professionals (n = 6) who had referred parents to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Parent-Infant Partnership.Results: The interviews highlighted a flexible and relational approach to therapy sessions, which created a positive experience for families. However, there is a need to improve public and professional awareness of infant mental health, parent-infant psychotherapeutic and relational approaches.Conclusions: The service proved effective in supporting the relationship between parent and infant identified through the parent-infant psychotherapy approach, which was fluid, open and nurturing, relative to other experiences of therapy and mental health support available in the North East. Service providers would enhance their impact on families by building and strengthening partnerships with the multiple health and social care organisations and systems involved in supporting families, and ensure their services become more inclusive. Further research is required to identify specific needs in local contexts, long-term outcomes, and to define relevant outcome measures in families with relationship concerns.