Daily roundup 17 October: Health visitors, Childline, and sugary drinks

Vulnerable children could be put at risk as the number of health visitors working in the NHS fell by more than 900 in a single year, Labour has warned. The Independent reports that ministers have been accused of making "hollow promises" to boost dwindling numbers of the specially-trained nurses and midwives. Labour said the NHS has lost 75 health visitors a month since June 2016.


Last year Childline carried out an average of 62 suicide counselling sessions a day. The NSPCC said 22,456 counselling sessions were delivered to young people dealing with thoughts of ending their own lives - a rise of 15 per cent compared with the previous year. Childline's annual review for 2016/17, Not Alone Anymore, reveals that children as young as 10 got in touch about having suicidal thoughts and feelings. 


An increase in the price of sugary drinks in restaurants and the offer of healthier alternatives could encourage customers to cut back on sugar, a study has suggested. The BBC reports that researchers, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Cambridge found that in Jamie's Italian restaurants, sales of sugar-sweetened soft drinks declined by nine per cent following a 10p price rise.


A YMCA activity centre has been found guilty of failing to ensure the safety of a girl who was left hanging by her neck from a rope bridge during a school trip. The BBC reports that the then 11-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, slipped on a bridge at the YMCA Fairthorne Manor activity centre near Botley in 2012. Portsmouth Crown Court heard she was left hanging for several minutes by a safety lanyard looped around her neck.


Telling children to "sit still" sets them up for a lifetime of obesity, a report by MPs has warned. The Telegraph reports that research by the all-party parliamentary group on a fit and healthy childhood found that most children spend less time playing outdoors than prisoners are required to have outside by law. The group said parents and teachers should "treasure the young child's natural inclination to be physically active" instead of telling them to stop fidgeting or to be seated for long periods.


Blueberries boost children's reaction times by nine per cent, a study has found. The Daily Mail reports that researchers believe this is due to the fruit containing a specific antioxidant, known as flavonoids. Previous research has found that flavonoids boost communication between nerve cells and aid brain cell regeneration.