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We are now at the stage where urgent action is non-negotiable, or we will be failing our babies, children and young people. Despite some areas of improvement, this report highlights the stark and concerning reality of child health in Northern Ireland.
Since the first State of Child Health report in 2017, Northern Ireland has experienced several years without a functioning Executive. This turbulent political context, combined with an increase in the demands on paediatric services, has contributed to lengthening waiting lists, expanding inequalities and a system under immense pressure.
Day and daily I see the importance of prevention and early intervention, and it is critical that we have a sustainable system and workforce that prioritises these so that preventable health conditions do not become long-term challenges for our children and young people.
Headline recommendations
To improve child health outcomes in Northern Ireland, the Executive must deliver on these three priorities:
- Data: Strengthen the quality, collection, and sharing of child health data, ensuring a connected and data-informed child health system that enables better understanding of child health and paediatric services, identifies gaps and need early, informs future policy and service delivery, and delivers for children
- Targets: Embed an effective accountability framework that ensures appropriate action is taken in areas where progress is lacking. This includes establishing, monitoring, and reporting on specific targets aimed at improving children’s health outcomes
- Investment: Ensure equitable investment in child health services and sustained investment in the child health workforce, including the co-production and delivery of a Child Health Workforce Plan
Waiting times and access to services are a problem for children and young people with and without health conditions.