Cerebral Palsy Clinical Network

The Cerebral Palsy Clinical Network was developed in 2019 and transitioned to the Neurodevelopment Clinical Network in July 2023.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood, affecting upwards of 1 in 500 children born in New Zealand each year. Caring for a child with CP is often complex, involving many clinicians and multiple services.

The CP Clinical Network is a quality improvement programme, with the aim of providing clinical leadership in the development and maintenance of a nation-wide clinical service for children and youth who seek services and support for CP care. An important feature of the work completed has been the ongoing input from and involvement with both individuals with CP and families of a child with CP, through representation in each work stream and through linkages with the Cerebral Palsy Society Inc. NZ

A number of work streams completed the following projects:

1. Best practice recommendations and resources for professionals, supporting timely diagnosis and early intervention.
   See https://starship.org.nz/guidelines/early-diagnosis-of-cerebral-palsy-cp-intervention-and-surveillance/.

2. An early therapy intervention checklist, references and additional information for therapists

3. Ensure that the voices of children and young people CP and their families/whānau are heard. https://cerebralpalsy.org.nz/the-voices-of-our-children-highlight-their-truth/

4. Improved transition of young people with CP from paediatrics into adult health services. Read an overview of current international guidelines relevant to transition in cerebral palsy and commentary about their relevance in New Zealand.
   See also action points for leaving paediatric health services for adolescents and youth with cerebral palsy

5. See an overview of the pathways currently accessed by New Zealand whānau considering SDR surgery.

If you would like to contact us for further information, please email neurodevelopment@paediatrics.org.nz.