National Child Mortality Database
We are collaborating with the University of Bristol, the University of Oxford and QES (a specialist web developer) to establish a national child mortality database.
Aim
This work aims to reduce the number of potentially avoidable child deaths by analysing data to inform improvements in health and social care, helping providers to learn how they can reduce child deaths.
Background
Around 4,000 children and adolescents die every year before their 19th birthday in England.
When a child dies in England, a Child Death Overview Panel is convened to investigate the cause of death. Over the last decade the Child Death Overview Panel process has gradually evolved to reduce variability.
In 2016, a review recommended the implementation of a national database to collate information gathered by Child Death Overview Panels. This recommendation received overwhelming support from parents and professional stakeholders.
Establishing a National Child Mortality Database
The National Child Mortality Database has been commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership and will collate data from Child Death Overview Panels at a national level, analysing this to facilitate learning to reduce child deaths.
We will contribute to this work by providing expert support with stakeholder engagement and guidance on Quality Improvement methodology to help implement change.
COVID-19
The NCMD have set up a reporting system for any child deaths where COVID-19 is suspected or a factor. For more information please visit the NCMD website.
Child suicide themed report
Estimates suggest that the number of child deaths in England is in excess of 70 per year, though the real number may be much higher. There is real concern that this number could increase in the light of COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions.
The Suicide in Young People and Children report gathers data and insights to help inform changes to policy and practice to deliver the interventions needed at this critical time. UCLPartners were part of the working group for the report.
For more information please visit the NCMD website.
Contact: childhealth@uclpartners.com
Programme lead
