eTIPS

Overview

eTIPS is funded through a National Institute of Health Research Fellowship to Dr Basu. A Newcastle-based charity, Tiny Lives, supported the development of a website and videos to help deliver and explain the approach for parents.

Around 1 in 3500 babies has a stroke before or around the time of birth. Some babies go on to have permanent weakness and stiffness affecting one side of the body – this is called hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Perinatal stroke is a common cause of this condition.

The project started with a review of current and recent practice in management of perinatal stroke in the Northern region. We then developed materials for parents of infants affected by perinatal stroke, using focus groups to help us listen to feedback from parents and therapists and then improve the materials in response. We are currently undertaking a pilot study of the eTIPS approach in the Northern region, with Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust as the sponsor.

eTIPS involves a multidisciplinary team, with representation from paediatric neurology, neonatology, paediatric occupational therapy, neonatal and paediatric physiotherapy, qualitative research.