Birmingham and Solihull Chief and Deputy Medical Officers visit Sparkbrook Children’s Zone

Last week, Sparkbrook Children’s Zone, a pioneering service we deliver in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Hospital and a local Primary Care Network of nine GP surgeries, received a visit from Dr Clara Day the Chief Medical Officer for Birmingham and Solihull and Dr Renarta Rowe who serves as her Deputy.  

Sparkbrook Children’s Zone is funded by NHS England to address health inequalities in children and young people. This is a unique early intervention service for offering families integrated health and social care in one place. Together our children’s doctors, nurse and family support team offer three clinics a week to children under 16 and their families.

The visit showcased the work of our service at our main site in the Sparkbrook Community and Medical Centre and learn about the University of Birmingham evaluation. 

The Chief and Deputy Chief  Medical Officers had the opportunity to talk with families who have benefitted from services at the Sparkbrook Children’s Zone before walking across to our partner, Concord Youth Centre, to learn about the Healthy Habits workshops they are delivering with young people.

Dr Caroline Wolhuter, Head of Innovation, Impact and Early Help Lead within our Community Involvement and Investment Team said: “Sparkbrook Children’s Zone offers children and young people living locally the opportunity to have rapid access appointments with a children’s doctor, nurse, and family support advisor.

“It was a privilege to receive a visit from the Chief and Deputy Chief Medical Officers for Birmingham and Solihull at Sparkbrook Children’s Zone.  I was proud to be able to share, in detail, about the work we do to address the underlying causes of poor health and proactively support children to live happy healthy lives across the communities of Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Sparkhill in Birmingham.”

Sparkbrook Children’s Zone runs weekly clinics for children and young people in addition to providing outreach activities and workshops in schools and community settings.

Find out more about Sparkbrook Children’s Zone here.