6574 Strength in numbers: elevating the profile, reputation and effectiveness of clinical networks for infant, children & young people’s acute services

Objectives We explore the impact of developing a unified infrastructure and governance model for operating separate yet interdependent clinical regional networks across services for babies, children, young people and young adult. We consider whether this approach can elevate collaboration across pathway interdependencies and strength of the network voice for decision makers across the healthcare system. Methods A reflective study of a two-year journey to build a collective of Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs; neonatal, paediatric inpatient, surgical and critical care, congenital heart disease and cancer). We qualitatively examine the crucial steps of development, barriers to progress and the response to what has been developed. Results Unifying the infrastructure for clinically interdependent networks has led to a significant number of tangible benefits both operationally and in terms of increasing credibility and legitimacy of CYP needs amongst prioritisation of higher-volume adult services: Pooling resources economies of scale in network expenditure introduction of key functions (e.g. strategic leadership; analytics) diversity of experience/skills across the team shared across all networks Single governance mechanism economies of scale in the use of senior expertise and interest conception of a single oversight Board with Trust CEO chairmanship executive membership; Trusts and commissioners held to account against delivery of key care standards Operating with a single 'brand' elevates exposure increases impact and influence increases strength of advocacy for babies, children, young people and young adults Demonstration of respective network priorities across a single team facilitates working across clinical interdependencies highlights joint opportunities e.g. local echocardiography accessibility to prevent interfacility transfers of pre-term babies and children; line access; AHP led NHS England to commission regional 'Paediatric Sustainability Review') identification of opportunities for improvements and intervention based on multi-organisation collaboration (e.g. tertiary units supporting DGH anaesthetic skill maintenance) Conclusion Networks are commonly commissioned in isolation with limited resilience and exposure. Pooling resources has significant practical benefits; however, the compelling value proposition of this model is creating visibility of and interest in regional pathways of care across clinical interdependencies. This model presents an important opportunity within an NHS committed to planning both generalist and specialist CYP services on a locality 'integrated care' footprint – our patients are reliant on regional pathways of care and we encourage use of this model to better empower decision makers to honour this.