Children’s Therapies colleagues from across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) came together last month for their annual Development Day, showcasing a range of innovative projects designed to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
The event marked the fourth year of service improvement projects and collaborative learning, bringing together therapists from physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to share best practice and explore new ways of delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
Among the projects presented was the introduction of a new neurological assessment tool for infants and young children.
Following an audit which identified inconsistencies in the use of outcome measures, Children's Physiotherapy has successfully piloted the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), an evidence-based assessment that supports the early identification of neurodevelopmental concerns.
The assessment provides clinicians with a standardised and reliable method of monitoring neurological and motor development in babies and young children, particularly those born prematurely or with identified risk factors.
The pilot demonstrated strong clinical value, high levels of agreement between clinicians and positive feedback from families. Plans are now underway to roll out training across the wider team and explore integration into electronic patient records.
Amy Black, Operational Team Lead for Children's Physiotherapy, said: "The Development Day demonstrated the passion, innovation and dedication of our Children's Therapies teams.
“Every project focused on putting children, young people and families at the centre of what we do and finding new ways to improve their experience and outcomes. It was fantastic to see colleagues sharing learning, challenging existing ways of working and developing practical solutions that will make a real difference to the families we support.
“The collaboration across services and with our education partners is helping us build more joined-up, efficient and sustainable care for the future."
Another project focused on modernising the delivery of home exercise programmes through the introduction of digital QR codes.
Traditionally issued in paper format, exercise programmes can now be accessed instantly by families and schools using smartphones, tablets or computers.
The initiative will improve accessibility and patient engagement while reducing paper use, printing costs and administrative burden.
It also supports the Trust's Green Plan and the NHS ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 by reducing waste and promoting sustainable working practices.
Trust Interim Chair Alison Marshall attended the event and joined discussions throughout the day, hearing first-hand about the work taking place across the service to improve patient experiences and outcomes.
The Development Day also highlighted progress with the new Integrated 0–5 Therapies Pathway, developed collaboratively by health and education partners, including Durham County Council.
The pathway brings together physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, Portage, educational psychology and early years services to provide more coordinated support for children with developmental needs.
The approach promotes joint assessments, shared outcomes and collaborative treatment planning, helping families receive consistent advice while reducing duplication of appointments and reports.
Following a soft launch in May, early implementation has already seen successful joint working across therapy services, improving communication and streamlining care for children and their families.
In addition, the team shared plans to continue developing digital systems through improvements to SystmOne, including enhanced reporting, diary management and data sharing processes to support more efficient service delivery.
The event showcased the service's ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and collaborative working, ensuring children and young people across County Durham and Darlington receive the best possible care and support.
