Available on the Learning Hub
This programme has moved to the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/KidzMed).
More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.
About the KidzMed programme
Kidzmed is a programme developed for members of the multidisciplinary team to teach children and young people how to swallow pills. It was set up at the Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle, and has won the NHS Sustainability Award, the HSJ Value Award for Pharmacy and Optimisation and the Bright Ideas in Health Award for Demonstrating an Impact upon Quality Improvement. The 15-minute elearning session is for all health and care professionals who want to teach children and young people how to swallow pills using an evidence-based, six-step technique.
More information
Pills have numerous advantages over suspensions for all parties concerned:
- For children and young people: pills are less sickly, contain less sugar and children who swallow pills tend to have better adherence to their medication regimens
- For carers: pills have a longer shelf-life, do not require a fridge for storage, are easier to transport and more readily available in local pharmacies
- For prescribers : less prone to errors when writing prescriptions and can prescribe larger quantities
- For pharmacists: pills are more commonly stocked in local pharmacies compared to suspensions
For the reasons above, and because most medicines are in pill form, swallowing pills is an important life skill for children to learn, an elearning session has been developed to help healthcare professionals and carers teach children and young people how to swallow pills. In addition, this website contains resources to accompany the elearning session to help you set up pill swallowing training at your local centre.
Resources
- Pill swallowing technique comic
- Here you can download our comic illustrating our six-step pill-swallowing technique in multiple languages
- Certificate for children
- Download a certificate to give to children upon completion of their pill swallowing training
- Leaflet for carers
- Download a leaflet to give to carers to assist with practising pill swallowing at home. It is useful to run through this leaflet with carers when initially counselling them.
Meet the team
Emma Lim
Consultant Paediatrician (Infectious Diseases), Great North Children’s Hospital
Yincent Tse
Consultant Paediatrician (Nephrology), Great North Children’s Hospital
Ravi Mistry
Paediatric Fellow, Great North Children’s Hospital
Ailsa Pickering
Paediatric Nurse Specialist, Great North Children’s HospitalNicola Vasey
Paediatric Pharmacist, Great North Children’s Hospital
Ian O’Donoghue
Education Lead and elearning Project Manager, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Jonathan Guy
Programme Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Dave Beardmore
Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Paul Kelly
Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
Alex Drinkhall
Communications and Stakeholder Lead HEE elearning for healthcare
Rashmi Chavda
Graphics Designer HEE elearning for healthcare
How to access
To access this elfh programme, you will require a Learning Hub account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below. Note that if you hold a full elfh account, you can sign into the Learning Hub using your existing login credentials.
To view the KidzMed programme, select the View button below. If you already have a Learning Hub account, you will also be able to login and access the resources within the programme.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.
If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are an HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the KidzMed programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the Learning Hub.