Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum publishes proposals

Responding to today’s proposals by the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum, Dr Hilary Cass, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:

'The very fact that a group of experts have come together to focus solely on how the NHS can be improved for children marks a significant step in putting children and young people at the heart of the NHS. We fully support the Forum’s proposals.

'We’re particularly pleased to see proposals for a measure of how joined-up health services for young people actually are.  We have openly voiced our concerns that vulnerable children may fall through the gaps in the new system, so this measure is crucial. If you get health services wrong for children then the effects can last for the rest of their lives.

'So whilst we applaud the proposals, we wait with anticipation to see how the Secretary of State will ensure that they are turned into action.'

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s Youth Advisory Panel, who met today to discuss the proposals, said:

'Politicians are always saying "no decision about me without me", but children and young people are constantly missed out of official surveys asking people what they think of their healthcare.  Today’s recommendations will help us get on the right track to creating an NHS fit for children and young people. What we want to know now is how these recommendations will become a reality.'