About us

Background

The RCPCH in collaboration with the Organisation of Paediatric Epilepsy Networks in the UK (OPEN UK), has developed a model for a comprehensive Quality Improvement (QI) programme. This is tailored to support paediatric epilepsy teams to work together to define their shared aims and develop practical interventions matching their capacity and resources. The Epilepsy Quality Improvement Programme is an NHS England funded project, commissioned by the HQIP and run by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health who also manages the national clinical audit Epilepsy12.

On 17 June 2019 we launched the first paediatric epilepsy QI collaborative pilot in England and Wales. The RCPCH EQIP has supported paediatric epilepsy service teams to identify sustainable improvements within their services for children and young people with epilepsy. Our pilot provided 12 paediatric epilepsy teams with practical training and support and helped them uncover the gaps in service provision and develop interventions that meet their specific needs. Since then, we have continued to train a further 40 paediatric epilepsy services, including integrated care systems (ICS) NHS Trusts.

RCPCH EQIP pilot

On 17 June 2019 we launched the first paediatric epilepsy QI collaborative pilot in England and Wales. The RCPCH EQIP has supported paediatric epilepsy service teams to identify sustainable improvements within their services for children and young people with epilepsy. Our pilot provided 12 paediatric epilepsy teams with practical training and support and helped them uncover the gaps in service provision and develop interventions that meet their specific needs.

Since then, we have successfully continued to train a further 40 paediatric epilepsy services, including integrated care system (ICS).

Programme aims and objectives

Our training package was created to help to build high performing ’service’ teams working together for continuous improvement in the care of children and young people with epilepsy.  We encourage teams to adopt attributes that make a high performing team.

Our aim is to support paediatric epilepsy services to identify and address gaps in care provision, including forging or strengthening links with other parts of healthcare service, schools and support organisations.

• assess the training and support needs of paediatric epilepsy services in order to optimise care over an eight-month period,
• provide free needs-based training to epilepsy teams to equip them with skills and capabilities to improve care,
• provide ongoing advice and support to teams implementing service improvements, ensure collection of intervention measures to assess impact,
• enable information and good practice sharing via local and regional OPEN UK network.

How do we achieve this

Participant teams are given the tools to successfully develop their service, so it delivers highly reliable person-centred care and sustained improvement in clinical outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Training facilitators provide support for each of the teams in designing, implementing and monitoring their project interventions alongside monthly coaching sessions Ultimately, each member of the teams will feel a sense of empowerment and gain leadership skills in spreading improvement in their networks, following the programme’s completion.

Programme benefits

Working with stakeholders such as national epilepsy charities, Epilepsy12 audit team, Open UK networks and the National Epilepsy Programme board the QI Facilitators and advisors are to develop relationships encourage change and offer support to unit’s multi-disciplinary clinical teams.

Specifically, the QI activity of the Audit and Facilitators should provide;

• Achieve new skills and knowledge on QI methodology and how to make incremental changes,
• Using local and national data to identify gaps in service provision,
• Gain a greater understanding of how to become a high-performing, cohesive team,
• Develop lasting sustainable practices that will help to maintain improvements within your paediatric epilepsy service,
• Learn new approaches and how to engage effectively with patients and families,
• Network and share learning with other teams in England and Wales in a safe learning space,
• Showcase your achievements via the EQIP end of programme shared learning event, RCPCH events and other channels.

Access presentations QI projects implemented by EQIP teams whilst on the programme

National reports and events

RCPCH EQIP has published updates on the team projects and outcomes and achievements within the Epilepsy12 2022 combined summary report, chapter 5, page 45, published on 15 July 2022. Epilepsy12 2020 combined summary report, chapter 5, page 46, published on 10 September 2020. Four EQIP teams presented their completed projects at the 2020 Epilepsy12 & Organisation of Paediatric Epilepsy Networks (OPEN UK)  national conference as a live webinar. which took place on 10 September 2020.