Paediatric health care in NI is a small speciality. Professionals know each other and communicate with each other on a frequent basis. Additionally, professionals within children’s palliative care, frequently liaise with the experts in this field in the UK, extending the network to beyond geographical boundaries. Such discussions take place on a case-by-case basis, which limits the sharing of knowledge to the wider field of practice. This ECHO Network, as it enters year 5 of it’s programmes,  will facilitate the dissemination of knowledge from ‘one to many’. In return, consultants will experience the ECHO model in practice, with the potential to grow interest and extend the model across the UK, Europe and further afield.

As the strategy for Paediatric palliative and EOL care is implemented across NI, there has been the appointment a Regional Consultant and 5 medical leads for paediatric palliative care. ECHO will continue to provide professionals with an opportunity to learn current approaches to managing complex symptoms from these expert clinicians, and will enable participants to present challenging cases for peer advice. Participating in this ECHO network will reduce isolation, enhance connectivity and strengthen and build capacity in this community of practice.

The establishment of a paediatric palliative care managed clinical network will see the consolidation of this community of practice, enabling it to promote the consistent delivery of best, evidence-based care. Enhancing education, training and research has been identified as a key enabler within the Strategy for Children’s Palliative and End of Life Care (DH, 2016a). The strategy calls for a joined-up approach, to enable all practitioners develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required within their role.

Frequency: Monthly

Network Lead(s): Grace Stewart, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice