The Paediatric Neurosciences (PNS) Operational Delivery Network’s remit is broad. Our annual workplan will focus on specific areas relating to paediatric neurosciences such as development of guidelines (to ensure that the quality and provision of services across out network is maintained), to broader aspects such as pathway development and review.
Education events related to our workplan can be found in the education pages.
Cerebral Palsy
It is estimated that 1 in every 400 children will have cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong neurological condition caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. It primarily affects movement, posture, and coordination, but presentation varies widely between children.
The Paediatric Neurosciences ODN works in collaboration with acute and community providers to improve equity of access to services by working to improve consistency in assessment and the management of Children with CP to improve function and quality of life.
The Paediatric Neurosciences (PNS) Operational Delivery Network (ODN) has worked to promote the use of the Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathways (CPIP) assessment tool as good practice across both community and acute settings.
To further enhance its value as a clinical decision-making resource, the PNS ODN developed a neuroscience appendix to support more effective tone management. This work aims to improve consistency, confidence and quality in the assessment and management of children and young people with cerebral palsy. Download our CPIPS Appendix.
The PNS ODN is also a key stakeholder in national Cerebral Palsy workstreams and has contributed to the development of NHS England’s National Cerebral Palsy Framework.
AHP Education
Allied Health Profession (AHP) education is critical for the NHS to ensure a sustainable, skilled, and diverse workforce that can meet increasing service demands. It supports patient care by enabling evidence-based practice, improving patient flow through diagnostics and rehabilitation, and fostering innovation in new models of care
The PNS ODN designs, organises and delivers high quality evidence based online and face to face teaching to support individuals learning and development. Topics focus on service improvement specifically related neuroscience workstreams,
The PNS ODN delivers annual Allied Health Professional (AHP) study days to support workforce development and sharing of best practice. Topics covered have included:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Paediatric Spinal Cord Injury
- Paediatric Stroke
- Technology for Rehabilitation
These sessions support multidisciplinary learning and contribute to improved specialist care across the regional paediatric neuroscience network.
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
The prevalence of FND in Children is still unknown, it is an emerging condition which currently accounts for 2-10% of referrals to paediatric neurology.
FND is a disorder of brain network function, not structural brain damage. Symptoms are genuine, involuntary, and potentially disabling, and are diagnosed using positive clinical signs, not by exclusion.
Reports from colleagues across region identify that timely diagnosis for these children continue to present challenges, the lack of designated services and challenges with clinician confidence in diagnosis also have an impact on treatment being instigated in a timely manner to improve outcomes for these children.
The Paediatric Neurosciences ODN has established dedicated clinical forum to support the development of pathways and education for FND across the network.
Branching from the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) clinical forum working groups have been established, these have focused on improving data collection and strengthening education for clinicians.
The network is collaborating with providers across the region to develop a structured educational programme, including a series of webinars, alongside an assessment toolkit. These resources aim to support and empower clinicians by improving confidence in the diagnosis and assessment of FND and promoting consistent, high‑quality care across the region.
Paediatric Stroke
A review through the Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) process identified challenges in time critical decision making and the absence of a formalised, structured pathway for paediatric stroke.
In response, the Paediatric Neurosciences (PNS) Operational Delivery Network (ODN) worked collaboratively with the Paediatric Critical Care (PCC) ODN, the SORT network, and provider organisations across the region to adapt and refine a standardised decision-making tool. Which can be found within tools and resources tab. The stroke working continues to support the maintaining of standards and equity of services for CYP with stroke across region.
Supporting educational resources have been developed to accompany the rollout of the pathway. Next steps include simulation-based training, alongside audit and evaluation of implementation and guideline utilisation to support continuous improvement in care delivery.
This work is overseen by the Paediatric Stroke Working Group.
Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service (CESS)
Epilepsy surgery involves operating on the brain to stop or reduce seizures in children whose epilepsy does not respond to medication (drug-resistant epilepsy). It is a specialist, nationally commissioned NHS service aimed at improving seizure control, development, cognition and quality of life.
The Paediatric Neurosciences ODN is working collaboratively with providers and Commissioners to support the equity and sustainability of CESS services across region.
A pathway review was commissioned by NHS England following the identification of regional pathway challenges affecting the Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service. The review commenced in 2024 and involved all three commissioned provider organisations.
Following completion of the review, each provider was issued with a formal report outlining findings and recommendations. The Operational Delivery Network (ODN) has since taken responsibility for supporting providers and monitoring progress against the agreed recommendations.
Next steps include ongoing oversight of improvement actions, assurance against agreed timescales, and continued collaboration with providers to support consistent, high-quality delivery of the CESS pathway.