Background
REACH is a pan-London network devised, set up and led by non-Consultant Paediatric doctors. We coordinate multi-centre research, audit and service evaluation projects within the London region. To date we have set up five research, evaluation and audit projects with representatives operating across 26 hospital sites across London since 2020. REACH receives no regular funding and is entirely powered by the voluntary work of enthusiastic non-consultant Paediatricians.
Our aims are:
To identify emerging clinical and health equity questions relevant to our workforce and the Paediatric population in London
To collaborate across the whole London region to design and deliver robust, multicentre research, service evaluation and audit
To provide research, audit, leadership and management opportunities to non-consultant doctors in Paediatrics
To monitor and address issues of equality, diversity and inclusion in research and audit within the non-consultant Paediatrics workforce in London
To provide quarterly free, expert-delivered teaching on quality improvement and evidence-based medicine
Our projects include:
PEAR (complete 2023): A multi-centre, prospective, cross-sectional study evaluating research and quality improvement experience amongst London Paediatrics trainees. Unmet training needs and equality, diversity and inclusion gaps in experience were identified. Results were presented at the RCPCH and London School of Paediatrics 2023 annual conferences, published in the London Paediatrics Journal (https://journal.londonpaediatrics.co.uk/index.php/1/article/view/56) and disseminated on social media.
FIRE (active since 2022): A pan-London retrospective study of variation in management and outcomes in infants under 3 months of age presenting to Paediatric A&E with fever. The performance of local and national guidelines in identifying infants with serious bacterial infections will be evaluated. Data was collected on more than 2000 presentations to 19 hospital sites across London. Preliminary results will be presented as an oral abstract at the RCPCH 2024 Annual Conference.
PEAR DROPS (active since 2023): A multi-centre, cross-sectional study aiming to quantify rostered time for ‘supporting professional activities’ (SPAs) provided to Paediatric trainees in London by analysing work schedules and comparing them with RCPCH charter recommendations. Results will be used to support improvement of research and audit training and experience amongst the Paediatrics workforce.
BiliNEST (active since 2023): A pan-London, multi-centre observational study investigating the detection and assessment of jaundice in neonates of different skin tones. We aim to assess correlation of transcutaneous bilirubinometer (TcB) results with serum bilirubin measurements, describe variation in practice in assessment of jaundice, first bilirubin measurement, and short-term outcomes of neonates of different skin tones undergoing jaundice assessment.
REACH also invites submissions for quarterly quality improvement (QI) projects from local leads. We are currently overseeing an audit of oral fluid challenge guidance and practice in acute Paediatrics within participating sites.
PEDSIG Grant
In October 2023, REACH were the lucky recipients of a £300 grant from PEDSIG. This grant has been used to subsidise a professional zoom subscription for Network meetings, printing costs for the 2023 LSP Conference and a small budget for REACH Network merchandise. We plan to use the remainder of the grant to fund our communications budget for the year ahead, which includes our annual website domain fee and monthly website fee. Our website is our main channel for calls for project proposals, dissemination of work and general enquiries from the workforce.
2024 will be another big year for REACH as we disseminate preliminary findings from our first multi-site project (FIRE); launch our next two multi-centre projects (PEAR DROPS, BiliNEST); continue our quarterly QI project initiative; plan our next free education events, and, continue to highlight and address differential attainment in research and audit opportunities within our workforce. Details of our projects and outputs can be found on our website and social media channels:
https://www.reachnetworkldn.com/
https://www.instagram.com/REACHnetworkLDN/
Find us on X @REACHnetworkLDN
