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Abstract
Aims To develop a set of standards and a peer review process for Children and Young People’s (CYP’s) ambulatory care.
Methods Development of the standards involved reviewing national, regional and local policies/best practise. Questionnaires were circulated and focus groups facilitated with multidisciplinary staff involved in CYP ambulatory care across a region. Professionals challenged and tested the standards as they evolved. This included CYP and family feedback and enagement.
All 17 acute trusts involved in CYP acute care in the region performed a self-assessment using the assessment service standard tool and participated in an external peer review visit.
The visit started with informal discussions with staff and service users. The team walked the patient pathway. A whole-system professionals meeting, involving senior Managers/Executives, Clinicians/Senior Nursing team, Play Specialists and Commissioners concluded the visit. The local team presented their self-assessment and the visiting team feedback their findings leading to a discussion/action planning for next steps.
The process was evaluated.
Each organisation showcased the good practise identified at a celebration event.
Re-visits to all trusts are arranged to review progress and assess against the national standards for CYP in the emergency department.
Results A supportive process for peer review for children and Young People’s assessment services and emergency and urgent care, including comprehensive standards have been developed and evaluated.
A poster summarises feedback from Children, young people and families. Figure 1
Current practise for ambulatory care across a region has been reviewed and key findings from the visits including the variety of models of care, good practise and recommendations summarised and shared.
The visits were evaluated as supportive and useful in raising the profile of CYP within Trusts. The standards gave a focus for organisations to review their services and plan improvements.
There was evidence the standards had driven improvements and good practise identified in every unit.
Conclusion There is already evidence showing standards and peer review improves quality of care.
We have developed a processes and tools that can be used nationally for CYP’s emergency and urgent care
These visits were not mandatory but 100% of Trusts participated in the self-assessment and peer review and booked re-visits.
