We are looking to recruit professionals who currently practice at a senior level in an NHS or other applicable organisation to become an assessor for the CMACE confidential enquiry into head injury in children.

PANEL ASSESSORS: 

Do you practice as one of the following? 

• Emergency Department Consultant
• General Paediatrician (who participates in a rota for child protection) (from either a DGH or community hospital)
• Lead nurse for Child Protection
• Neurosurgeon who regularly operates on children in an emergency capacity
• Nurse with experience in the care of head injured children
• Paediatric Intensivist from a neurosurgical centre
• Paediatric radiologist from a neurosurgical centre or a neuroradiologist
• Police/Highways
• Pathologist
• Senior Ambulance Paramedic or senior manager in a prehospital care/ambulance service
• Senior Manager/Team Manager in Social Care  

 If so then we would like to invite you to apply to become a panel assessor for the confidential enquiry into head injury in children.

Further information regarding the role of a panel assessor and the panel assessment process is available to download - please click here. 

From 1^st September 2009 – 28^th February 2010 the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE) will be receiving data on children (up to 15 years old) who as a result of a head injury are transferred and/or admitted to hospital. Children who die as a result of their injuries will also be included. Approximately 75 confidential enquiry panels will review a sample of 300 of these cases. The panels will take place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland between September 2010 – December 2011. 

What are confidential enquiry panels?

The confidential enquiry panels seek to review care against current guidance (e.g. NICE) and determine the associated outcome for the child with a head injury. Panel assessors carry out a review of the case notes to assess where, how and why standards of care may not have been met and what the potential impact might have been. Panels also seek to identify avoidable factors, and highlight good practice.

Who can become a panel assessor?

Panels are formed of practicing clinicians and other professionals. Panel assessors must be in current practice at a senior level in an NHS organisation (or other professional body as appropriate). All potential assessors are asked to provide professional registration details and preferred contact information prior to being involved in the enquiry.  Panel assessors will be required to commit to prepare for and attend at least 3 half day meetings between September 2010 and December 2011.

We also welcome observers to panel meetings as this provides an excellent learning experience, however it is expected that observers do not contribute to the dialogue during the assessments.

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming a panel assessor or an observer for the head injury enquiry please complete and return this form to you local CMACE regional office or email it to headinjury@cmace.org.uk.  We would be very happy to answer any queries you may have - please contact Rosie Houston, Research Fellow for the project by email at headinjury@cmace.org.uk or call 0207 467 3223.