Our clinical networks raise standards
Two of our ten Clinical Networks – which are raising standards across key areas of healthcare – held successful launch events in December.
The Oxford AHSN Children’s Network is ideally placed to bring together clinicians, academics and industry to improve children's health outcomes, according to co-lead Prof Andrew Pollard. The Children’s Network launch event in Saunderton, Bucks, on 15 December brought together about 80 clinicians, researchers, patients and carers.
Prof Neena Modi, President of the Academic Paediatrics Association, described the new network as ‘trailblazers’. There was strong patient input, in particular, around meningitis and cystic fibrosis. Prof Pollard’s co-lead Dr Craig McDonald set out the Network’s key priorities:
- reducing variation in immunisation – with a particular focus on flu vaccination for 2-4 year-olds
- improving access to research across all hospitals within the Oxford AHSN area
- promoting adoption of innovation
- improving equity in service delivery by reducing variation in the assessment and treatment of children across the Oxford AHSN region.
 You can download Dr McDonald’s presentation here
Children’s nurses Julie Wild, left, and Liz Davis, who have joined the Oxford AHSN to lead the flu vaccination campaign in 2-4 year-olds, explained how they have produced best practice guidance based on the techniques used by the GP practices with the best take-up rates last year - and how this is helping to improve take-up in other practices.
The Anxiety and Depression Network was launched two days later by Lord Layard, Director of the Wellbeing programme at the London School of Economics, who congratulated the Oxford AHSN for prioritising mental health. The event focused on three priorities:
- Improving clinical outcomes in adult services – improving overall recovery rates and reducing variability for people having psychological therapies
- Disseminating clinical innovations
- Improving clinical outcomes in services for children and young people.
There were many presentations demonstrating good practice across the Oxford AHSN region – and there were opportunities to swap ideas informally at the end of the main event. The launch ended with a personal take on how talking therapies makes a difference to real lives.
Click here to see presentations from the Anxiety and Depression Clinical Network launch event
- The Oxford AHSN Early Intervention in Mental Health Clinical Network holds its launch event on 31 March 2015 – book your place here
|
The Oxford AHSN acted as ‘matchmaker’ bringing together innovative clinicians working on a rapid test to diagnose heart attack which has won £1m funding. Our Wealth Creation team helped Capillary Film Technology (CFT) – a new company linked to Reading University – make the right connections with the NHS including Bucks cardiologist Dr Piers Clifford. The heart attack test has now received £1m from SBRI Healthcare.
An online tutorial booking system connecting healthcare professionals, developed by an Oxford doctor and supported by the Oxford AHSN, has won an award. The Oxford AHSN’s Wealth Creation team has helped Dr Eugene Ong, pictured right, develop 
New Year's Honours for services to health and education
