Tackling early years "information overwhelm"; Digital tools can reduce maternity inequalities; New menopause resource

Campaign to help parents navigate misinformation

A new national campaign has been launched by the government to help parents navigate early years information and advice. The Best Start in Life campaign aims to help tackle the consequences of "information overwhelm". It will ensure parents have easily accessible, trusted resources to help cut through online noise and misinformation. Bringing together trusted NHS and government-backed guidance about everything from feeding time and sleeping to speech and language, child development and finding local childcare and family support, the campaign is part of the government's Plan for Change. 

It has been launched after research revealed 3 in 10 parents now scroll social media for support but more than 6 in 10 are battling with conflicting advice that they struggle to trust. The government says viral posts that push unverified "miracle" fixes or hacks, with short-form videos from sources offering no evidence to back their claims, are adding to the confusion. A new film featuring expert child psychologist Professor Sam Wass and a new collaboration with Hasbro’s Peppa Pig has also been launched.

Find out more about the campaign on the GOV.UK website here.

Opinion: Digital tools can reduce maternity inequities

In this opinion piece for Digital Health, Dr Jyotsna Vohra, from charity Tommy's, says digital innovation can help create a world where the risk of baby loss does not depend on your skin colour. Dr Vohra, the director of research, programmes and impact at the pregnancy and baby charity, writes that the poor care exposed by recent enquiries into individual trusts is the result of systemic issues spanning our health services. Dr Vohra adds: "Digital innovation is key to achieving our vision of a world where the risk of losing your baby to stillbirth or neonatal death – or of losing your own life during pregnancy, labour or soon afterwards – is not associated with the colour of your skin or postcode." 

She highlights how researchers funded by or associated with Tommy’s have developed digital tools to drive improvements and reduce inequities in maternity care. This includes Tommy’s Pathway Clinical Decision Support Tool which helps healthcare providers work out who is most at risk of giving birth prematurely or of developing pregnancy complications that can lead to stillbirth. 

Read the full article on the Digital Health website here.

Children facing unacceptable waits for community health services

In this QualityWatch briefing, Nuffield Trust fellow Jessica Morris looks at existing pressures and long waiting lists for community health services as the government looks to shift more care into communities. The briefing takes a closer look at the waiting list for NHS-commissioned community services to better understand what patients are waiting for and for how long. 

Data reveals that in July 2025, the waiting list for community services in England was almost 1.2 million. Waits for children and young people are much longer than is the case for adults, with almost 1 in 4 waiting over a year and 1 in 15 waiting over two years. Of the patients waiting over a year for children and young people’s services, the majority are waiting for community paediatric services. Jessica says: "The fact that thousands of children and young people have been waiting over a year for support is unacceptable, especially because long waits not only impact health but also their future life chances." Jessica warns that reducing the long waits is vital and addressing the pressures on community services will be essential if the government's 10 Year Plan "hospital to community" shift is to become a reality.

Read the full briefing on the Nuffield Trust website here.

New resource about staying connected during menopause 

The Menopause Charity has launched a new resource explaining why staying connected matters to help those experiencing menopause feel less alone and more in control. The new resource was launched ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October which this year highlighted "lifestyle medicine" and how small, everyday habits can help people feel stronger, calmer, and more in control during the menopause. 

PIF member The Menopause Charity says its new resource offers simple ways to start conversations, find support, and build confidence. Social connections can help in several ways such as:  

• Improves mental health: Talking to friends or peers reduces stress, loneliness, and anxiety. 
• Encourages healthy habits: Spending time with others can help you keep healthy routines.
• Provides perspective: Talking about symptoms helps you realise you are not alone. 
• Strengthens confidence: Knowing you have someone to turn to builds empowerment and self-esteem.

Find the resource on The Menopause Charity website here.

Study: The impact of self-help apps for pregnant women

Researchers led a study into the effectiveness of a self-help mobile app in reducing depression severity among pregnant women. With digital mental health interventions showing promise for addressing perinatal depression and anxiety, the research team developed Avecmom. It is a self-help mindfulness-based interventions mobile app that provides 10‐15 minutes of mindfulness training within a 4-week programme. 90 pregnant women with mild to moderate depression were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The findings indicated that the use of the Avecmom app significantly reduced depression severity and anxiety levels compared to self-monitoring alone. The use of the app also enhanced mindfulness, overall mental well-being, maternal-fetal attachment, and positive affect compared to self-monitoring alone. 

Read the study via the JMIR website here.

Fund for health projects is open for applications

The next round of a fund for projects supporting people in Scotland to self manage their health is open for applications. The Self Management for Life prioritises early intervention and health equity to support people to develop their resilience and wellbeing and to live well for longer. The Self Management Fund has been administered by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) on behalf of the Scottish Government since 2009, supporting 495 projects across Scotland since its inception. 

Round 3 of the fund is for projects supporting people to self manage at an early stage with their long-term condition, disability or unpaid caring responsibility, targeting health inequalities or supporting people on long waiting lists. Third sector and community organisations can apply for a small grant of up to £15,000 for up to 12 months or up to £150,000 for up to 36 months. 

Find out more and apply before 19 December on the ALLIANCE website here.

Study into earlier diagnosis of dementia using AI

A research study which combines blood biomarkers, genetic testing and artificial intelligence to speed up diagnoses of dementia and reduce waiting times has launched in Wales. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is the first in the UK to begin the SANDBOX study, which is supported by Health and Care Research Wales. Led by Imperial College London, the study is enrolling 1,000 patients to evaluate a new, biologically informed triage system that begins after GP referral. 

SANDBOX chief investigator Dr Ivan Koychev said: “We are at a turning point in dementia diagnosis. By combining blood biomarkers, genetic testing and artificial intelligence, SANDBOX is the first study in the UK to integrate these tools within real NHS pathways. Our aim is to give clinicians better, faster insights so patients get the right care at the right time. Earlier and more accurate diagnosis not only supports patients and families but also ensures timely access to new treatments as they become available.”

Read more on the study on the Health and Care Research Wales website here.