Hospital to community: how the CHILDS programme brings care closer to home
The government’s 10 Year Health Plan focuses on three major shifts for the NHS: moving more care from hospitals into the community, moving from analogue to digital, and moving from treating illness to preventing it.
Across south east London, we’re already seeing these shifts happen. Our new video shows how one programme is bringing care closer to home for children and families in Southwark.
The CHILDS programme
The Child Health Integrated Learning and Delivery System (CHILDS) brings together GPs, paediatricians and community nurses in neighbourhood teams. These teams use advanced analytics and NHS data to understand the local population’s needs and deliver care tailored to individual children and families.
Children with long-term conditions, such as asthma or eczema, benefit from joined-up support. The programme also helps with emotional wellbeing, giving children access to early advice when they need it.
Bintou and Zaiba’s story
The video features Bintou and her daughter Zaiba, who has eczema and has been diagnosed with autism. Their first contact with the CHILDS team came when on the waiting list for a specialist autism assessment. With support from the consultant and GP practice, the family had a clear route into care.
Bintou explains how the joint clinic at the GP practice has made life easier. She says it feels “amazing” to see both doctors in one place. The setting also helps her daughter feel calmer and more at ease.
During the joint appointment, Zaiba sees her GP and consultant together. This helps the team agree a plan in the moment and saves the family repeat visits.
Making it work
Dr Chloe Macaulay, Consultant at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, explains that CHILDS uses data to offer “proactive care, before problems get worse”. She says that when the GP and consultant work side by side, they can reach more children and keep them out of hospital. She highlights how much easier it is to make quick decisions when everyone is in the room and can talk directly.
Dr Nicola Hanson, GP at Villa Street Medical Practice, describes how joint clinics build confidence and speed up care. She says that, instead of sending a child to hospital, GPs can turn to a consultant they know and trust. As she puts it, “you’ve got a friend you can call”. The shared clinic helps families feel supported and helps staff agree a clear plan.
Building on success
This work only happens through strong collaboration. Local teams share data, share learning and design services together. The result is care that’s earlier, more coordinated and closer to home.
Southwark’s new Children and Young People Integrated Neighbourhood Teams are building on the CHILDS model. These teams aim to improve outcomes for children across the borough and reduce health inequalities by making support easier to reach.