Innovative research into paediatric pre-hospital care took centre stage at the fourth Clinical Research Summit, sparking lively discussions on how to improve emergency care for children.
Held on 21 November 2024 at the Holiday Inn, London Gatwick – Worth, and attended by over 50 colleagues, the event featured expert presentations on critical topics such as paediatric head injury management, early warning systems, and family-centred decision-making.
One of the stand-out sessions was led by Alyesha Proctor, Paramedic and NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow with the University of the West of England.
Alyesha talked about paramedic-centred intervention for assessing and managing paediatric head injuries, highlighting the need for evidence-based tools to support paramedics in the field.
Professor Will Broughton provided an update on the NHSE SPOT (System-wide Paediatric Observations Tracking) project, aimed at standardising paediatric early warning systems across England to improve responses to deteriorating children.
Additionally, Paramedic, Simon Robinson, presented his research on paramedic decision-making when interacting with families of acutely unwell children, exploring the emotional and clinical complexities of these high-pressure situations.
The summit also offered attendees opportunities to engage in thought-provoking debates and discussions, contributing to the ongoing effort to elevate paediatric care in pre-hospital settings.
Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to making the summit such a constructive event. Fantastic presentations sparked valuable debate, and we are already looking forward to the next summit in 2025!