Govt To Focus On Health 'Outcomes' For Children

Improving health care for children and young people will receive a boost later this year, according to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

Revealing the ‘Children’s and Young People’s outcomes strategy’ on Thursday, Mr Lansley said the plan will focus the health service on improving health results for children, including those needing primary, hospital and urgent care, and children with long-term conditions.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Our ambition for the Children’s and Young People’s Health Outcomes Strategy is a simple one - to improve outcomes for children and young people's health.

“We will bring together people and resources from across the NHS, social care and wider children’s services to develop a clear set of goals to give all children the right start in life.

"By intervening early we will be to able to influence patterns of behaviour and can ensure that children and young people get the quality of care, services and support that they deserve."

A group of independent experts from Local Government, the NHS and charities will hear views from children, parents, carers and wider families as well as health professionals, in an effort to develop the strategy.

The Children’s and Young People’s Forum will be jointly chaired by Professor Ian Lewis, Medical Director at the Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, and Christine Lenehan, Director at the Council for Disabled Children.

Prof Ian Lewis said: “This is a welcome opportunity to focus on children and young people in order to ensure that the modernisation of health services work well for them.

“It's a genuine chance to make a difference to improve the availability and quality of healthcare provided to them by the NHS. We look forward to working alongside other experts as part of the Children's and Young People’s Forum.”

(DW)