Renewable energy is growing at a rapid pace globally but as yet there has been little research on the effects of ground‐mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) developments on bats, many species of which are threatened or protected. We conducted a paired study at 19 ground‐mounted solar PV developments in southwest England. We used static detectors to record bat echolocation calls from boundaries (i.e. hedgerows) and central locations (open areas) at fields with solar PV development, and simultaneously at matched sites without solar PV developments (control fields). We used generalised linear mixed‐effect models to assess how solar PV developments and boundary habitat affected bat activity and species richness. The activity of six of eight species/species groups analysed was negatively affected by solar PV panels, suggesting that loss and/or fragmentation of foraging/commuting habitat is caused by ground‐mounted solar PV panels. Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Nyctalus spp. activity was lower at solar PV sites regardless of the habitat type considered. Negative impacts of solar PV panels at field boundaries were apparent for the activity of Myotis spp. and Eptesicus serotinus, and in open fields for Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Plecotus spp. Bat species richness was greater along field boundaries compared with open fields, but there was no effect of solar PV panels on species richness. Policy implications: Ground‐mounted solar photovoltaic developments have a significant negative effect on bat activity, and should be considered in appropriate planning legislation and policy. Solar photovoltaic developments should be screened in Environmental Impact Assessments for ecological impacts, and appropriate mitigation (e.g. maintaining boundaries, planting vegetation to network with surrounding foraging habitat) and monitoring should be implemented to highlight potential negative effects.

Feverish illnesses in young children are very common, with 20–40% of parents reporting cases each year ( NHS Choices, 2016a ). Most fevers indicate an underlying infection, which can be concerning for parents and carers. As a result, fever is one of the most common reasons for a child to be taken to the doctor. Feverish illness is the second most common reason for a child being admitted to hospital and, despite advances in health care, infections remain the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years ( National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2013 ). This article will focus on managing and treating fevers in children at home; when parents should be advised to attend A&E; and when to call an ambulance.

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The tonsils are two small glands that sit on either side of the throat. In young children, they help to fight germs and act as a barrier against infection. If the tonsils become infected, the infection is isolated in the tonsils and this stops it spreading further into the body. In most cases, tonsillitis gets better within a week; however, a small number of children have tonsillitis for longer or they develop recurrent tonsillitis. This article provides advice for health visitors and parents on preventing and managing the symptoms of tonsillitis.

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