Child and family health

On this page

1. Nominations
1. Deep brain stimulation for the treatment of dystonia in paediatric patients
2. Mobile paediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
3. Whole genome sequencing for the investigation of intellectual disability

Nominations

Deep brain stimulation for the treatment of dystonia in paediatric patients

In 2017, a nomination was received seeking support for the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy in children. DBS is an established therapy for tremor in adult patients. The Committee recommended that additional advice on this technology should be sought.

An evidence review was undertaken which is hosted on the Sax Institute website.

Actions

• evidence review completed
• DBS to be provided to paediatric patients with severe dystonia under an evaluation framework to support collection of long-term data.

Mobile paediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

In 2018 and 2019, nominations were received for mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for paediatric patients. This is a therapy used very rarely to transfer patients with potentially reversible, life-threatening heart or lung failure to a paediatric intensive care unit.

Actions

• The committee recommended that the network undertake a comprehensive analysis of the projected demand and unmet need for mobile paediatric ECMO in NSW.
• The committee referred this nomination to Intensive Care NSW, Agency for Clinical Innovation to develop a paediatric ECMO retrieval model of care.

Whole genome sequencing for the investigation of intellectual disability

In 2017, a nomination was received to establish a service for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for children with intellectual disability. The committee recommended that additional advice be sought.

Actions

• The committee referred this for further analysis by NSW Health.
• A hub and spoke service delivery model was considered an important initiative to develop and test new approaches to the delivery of genetic and genomic services.
• Funding was provided to assist in the development, piloting and evaluation of a NSW hub and spoke service delivery model for WGS.

Contact

New health technology enquiries can be emailed to: MOH-HealthTechNominations@health.nsw.gov.au