Early activity and impact of a neighbourhood multidisciplinary team that integrates health, and social support for underserved children and young people in Birmingham, UK: an observational study
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Objectives
The Sparkbrook Children’s Zone (SCZ) is an integrated model of care for children and young people in an economically marginalised area of Birmingham, United Kingdom. It is an early example of the National Health Service’s planned shift toward Neighbourhood Multi-Disciplinary Teams. This work presents early data on the uptake and impact of the three key components of the SCZ’s care offer: Preventative care, Clinical care, and Social support to help inform commissioners, social, and healthcare staff developing similar models.
Methods
Descriptive, observational study using routinely collected data to evaluate the activity and impact of SCZ weekly clinics (<16 years) in the three key care components.
Results
Demographics: From March 2022-December 2024, 2,265 CYP were booked into clinics (93.5% slots taken up); 45% <5 years; 89% of families from bottom IMD quintile. Preventative health care: Immunisation advice increased over the course of the opening months from 10.7% in 2023 to 40.2% in 2024 (compared to 1% in the surrounding primary care network); oral health promotion from 29.2% to 46.8%; smoking cessation advice from 1.8%% to 12.5%; 97% eligible children received Healthy Start vitamins; 70% had Body Mass Index measured. The Healthier Together health information app was delivered via text message to 100% of families after clinic visit. Clinical care: 73.8% of CYP discharged after clinical consultation, 3.8% referred to secondary care. 14.7% patients were not brought to appointments; Social support: 28.2%) CYP referred to family support worker, with the five most frequent reasons for referral being feeding issues, behaviour, activities, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and parenting skills.
Conclusion
Although preliminary, this initial data has offers valuable insight into patterns of disposition and referral including the increase in health promotion in a neighbourhood health offer. It has also raised awareness of the data set needed for long-term evaluation.
