We provided data in a digestible and engaging format to support discussions and decisions on children and young people’s services across the South West.
Objective
NHS England South West wanted data to underpin decisions on where new children and young people’s support services should be located, for example, how accessible each site would be to patients and varying demand for the service across the region.
What we did
We created a suite of applications that followed a ‘hub and spoke’ model – i.e. with a large central ‘dashboard’ map and smaller, satellite maps to drill down into specific areas. These resources bring together key information from lengthy Public Health England reports published for individual integrated care boards into more user-friendly formats.
The central ‘dashboard’ map displays the locations of all proposed new children and young people’s sites across the region, with colour-coded ‘travel analysis zones’ to give specific information on the coverage and accessibility of each site (e.g. 30-minute drive to the site). Ranked tables beneath the map display the demand for each proposed site – i.e. the number of children and young people within these zones that need the service. This was calculated using data on the numbers of children and young people asylum seeking, living in deprivation, with obesity, and with learning disabilities, among other factors.
An example of a smaller, satellite map consolidated data from three integrated care boards within the region and allowed direct comparison of the key indicators that affect demand for a service – for example, children receiving free school meals, children and young people not in school of employments, and ‘looked after’ children (i.e. those in the case of the local authority). Users can interact with the map to find and display specific pieces of data to support their decision-making.
Activity
Geospatial services (GIS)
Created mapping and visual output to give context to NHS England South West
Data driven decision making
Built a range of innovative online solutions to be used by programme leads / senior staff to enable engagement and decision-making
Planning and modelling
Outcome
The dashboard and interactive map display existing data in a more digestible and engaging format. This enabled NHS England South West to focus discussions on data and make evidence-based decisions regarding proposed sites for children and young people’s support services. This led to new sites opening in areas with the most need and the best access for patients across the region.
For example, pilot clinics to tackle obesity and promote healthy weight among children and young people were launched. Decisions on on-site locations for these were based on data such as the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among children and young people in the region, as well as levels of deprivation and health inequalities – all presented to NHS England South West within the suite of applications.
