Flamingo study will help shape sick children services

A multi-disciplinary team including nursing, paediatric and GP colleagues from the Universities of Aberdeen, Stirling and Edinburgh Napier are taking part in a FLAMINGO (flow of hospital admissions in children and young people) study to help shape sick children’s services.

This Scotland-wide project seeks to get a fuller understanding of parents’ and carers’ experience when a sick child requires a short admission to hospital. The research team is keen to hear the experiences of parents and carers in Ayrshire and Arran.

Parents and carers of children who have had a short, unplanned stay in hospital within the last five years are being asked to help share their experiences and provide information to shape the future of sick children’s services across Scotland.

Dr Christine Findlay, a consultant paediatrician at University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock explained that researchers are interested in speaking to parents or carers whose child has had an urgent or unplanned admission due to illness (not accidents or broken bones) and has stayed in hospital for less than 24 hours.

Dr Findlay said: ‘These are confusing and worrying times for parents of young children, who can be uncertain about the best thing to do if their child becomes sick.

‘The NHS is continuing to see children as normal and parents are advised to seek help as they usually would if worried about their child.

‘Covid-19 has increased family anxieties and is changing the way we all respond to symptoms of illness. We’re asking families and healthcare workers, when this pandemic has passed, ‘what would you like services kids to look like?’

‘We are keen to involve the public and NHS staff to help improve how we deliver services, so that children in Scotland get the right care at the right time, and the best possible start for their future health.’

In addition to interviewing parents and carers the study is also keen to learn from the experiences of healthcare workers involved in providing short-stay emergency care for children and young people. Anyone who is a parent or a professional working with sick kids, can have their say in shaping future services in Scotland.

Parents or NHS staff who are interested in taking part and talking to a researcher can contact Emma King (emma.king@stir.ac.uk) or Steve Turner (s.w.turner@abdn. ac.uk). for sick