Twenty years of research shows UK child development team provision still varies widely for children with disability

Abstract

This comprehensive survey of UK CDT service provision, as well as national studies of the healthcare experience of families with a disabled child, shows that improvements in provision are required.

Variation in health care for children and young people with cerebral palsies: a retrospective multicentre audit study

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] More specifically, our results concord with previous investigations regarding the association between GMFCS and the extent of hip migration and spinal scoliosis, [16][17][18] as well as the contribution of MRI brain scans to the detection of developmental anomalies. [19][20][21] To our knowledge, no previous studies have explored the prevalence of, or variation in, any of the following key care practices for children with CP: access to MRI brain scans; access to orthopaedic surgeons for those with hip migration as part of MDTs; recording of the state of the spine; access to spinal orthopaedic surgeons for those with spinal curvature as part of MDTs; recorded discussions about pain; and recording of a pain management plan in those who reported pain.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Applying and maintaining such standards, however, requires the collection and dissemination of high-quality data on existing best practice. The UK currently has no national data collection system to produce comprehensive population-based evidence of this kind.…”

Management of children and young people with vision impairment: diagnosis, developmental challenges and outcomes

“…Its relative rarity compared with other neurodevelopmental conditions means that some paediatricians (and ophthalmologists) may not be familiar with the input required to diagnose and optimally manage this long-term condition. The frequency of direct paediatric input in audiology services and the relative absence of ophthalmic and education professions in the child development centre1 may further compound the paediatrician's lack of familiarity with the child with a visual disorder.…”

Forty years of referrals and outcomes to a UK Child Development Centre (CDC): Has demand plateaued?

“…For example, since 2005, the social worker, occupational therapist, and educational psychologist have been withdrawn and no longer contribute to the assessment process. This would support Parr et al's () view when looking at 20 years of UK CDT provision that “government initiatives to improve interdisciplinary team working have been generally ineffective.” The NCDC has been forced to adapt to these changing circumstances, and we provide one such example. Early education professionals were routinely involved in assessments until September 2012, when changes to their service meant that this could no longer be supported.…”