Service standards

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UK standards for paediatric endocrinology (BSPED)

These standards apply to all children and young people aged 0-18 years with an endocrine condition (including growth, hormonal, bone and mineral disorders). They are intended for healthcare professionals and for service commissioners to plan, deliver and quality assure paediatric endocrine services.

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High dependency care for children - time to move on

Published in 2014, this document outlines 69 recommendations to improve the management of high dependency care, placing the child and their complete critical care pathway at the focus of service delivery. It's intended for staff, management and commissioners seeking to deliver safe and high quality ...

Area of medicine

Intensive care medicine

Networks for health services

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Facing the Future - standards for acute general paediatric services

It is essential that paediatrics is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week specialty, with the most experienced doctors present at the busiest times. Our report sets out ten standards for high quality, safe and sustainable acute general paediatric services.

Area of medicine

General paediatrics

Facing the Future - acute general paediatric services

Measurement and performance

Service planning

Networks for health services

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Quality standards for specialist paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition

These standards aim to reduce variation in care, ensuring equitable services, and to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for all infants, children and young people with gastroenterology, liver or intestinal disorders in the UK. You can read our summary and download the full standards bel...

Service planning

Facing the Future - emergency care

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Facing the Future - standards for children and young people in emergency care settings

These standards outline how to deliver safe, high quality and integrated care for children and young people in Paediatric Emergency Departments in the UK. The 5th edition of the standards was published in October 2025. You can download the full standards document, the executive summary and the repor...

Facing the Future - care outside the hospital

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Facing the Future - together for child health

These standards apply across the unscheduled care pathway to improve healthcare and outcomes for children. They focus on the acutely mild to moderately unwell child.

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Facing the Future - standards for ongoing health needs

A vision of how paediatric care can be delivered to provide a high-quality service that meets the needs of infants, children and young people with ongoing health needs.

Facing the Future - ongoing heath needs

Measurement and performance

Networks for health services

Service planning

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Standards for short-stay paediatric assessment units (SSPAUs)

SSPAUs are hospital-based facilities where infants, children and young people with acute illness, injury or other urgent referrals from clinicians can be assessed, investigated, observed and treated with an expectation of discharge in less than 24 hours. Standards are vital to guide the development ...

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Bringing networks to life - a guide and resources to implement clinical networks

This report provides guidance for establishing and managing formal and informal networks within children’s health services. Evidence-based examples, tips and checklists support paediatricians seeking to develop effective networked care, with patients’ needs at the heart of delivery.