Bromley’s child health service held up as model of steam-lining efficiency
By Hermia Rhodes
A child health service in Bromley has been shortlisted for a national award.
Orpington MP Gareth Bacon has nominated the Bromley Child Health Integrated Partnership Team (BCHIP) for an NHS Parliamentary Award in Excellence in Primary and Community Care.
The team is recognised for its multi-agency approach to children’s health services, which has reduced hospital admissions and improved access to care.
The BCHIP model is a new way of providing a network of services that families and children need, aided by a multi-disciplinary team from a range of Bromley services.
The programme, launched in 2023, aims to reduce hospital admissions and empower families to better understand their child’s wellbeing, so that they can access the needed services closer to home. It is currently available in seven of eight Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the borough.
Initial data shows fewer children attending hospital, shorter wait times, and 96 per cent saying they were satisfied with the outcome of an appointment.
Dr Andrew Parson, co-chairman and clinical lead for One Bromley Local Care Partnership said: “Once fully embedded across Bromley, we will begin to integrate additional services and professionals. This could, for example, include community paediatricians, asthma nurses or mental health professionals.
“It will serve as a blueprint for other areas seeking to improve services for children and families within neighbourhood locations.”
“Attending hospital can be daunting for children and families due to the unfamiliar environment, anxiety about medical procedures, fear of the unknown and the association with illness. The BCHIP has led to a significant reduction in hospital visits for children.”
The award winners will be announced on October 14.
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