Children and young people
The rate of infant deaths has fallen to 5 per 100,000 but things are not improving as quickly for people in deprived areas. Children in these areas are more likely to be obese, suffer an accidental injury, experience mental illness and teenage pregnancy.
- Childhood obesity
- Smoking and drug use
- Diabetes
- Hospital and mental health services
- Meeting the needs of vulnerable children
- Child protection
- Transition from children's to adult services
- Our recommendations
Childhood obesity
Obesity in childhood is increasing, which presents a serious challenge for healthcare services, as obese young people become adults with more circulatory diseases, cancer and diabetes.
Smoking and drug use
The Government's long-term target for reducing smoking among 11-15 year olds in England to 9% has been achieved.
There has been a 29% increase in hospital admissions of under 16s related to alcohol in the last ten years.
Diabetes
All types of diabetes are increasing among children and young people
Some children and young people with diabetes do not get access to the support they need, and in a third of primary care trusts children and their families do not have access to an education programme. Transferring young people with diabetes to adult care does not always run smoothly.
Hospital and mental health services
Where children are treated by specialist paediatric services their needs are better met than where they are treated by more general services. Progress in meeting the broader needs of children was generally poor, and our review highlighted serious concerns about the quality and safety of care for children in a small minority of units.
More mental health services for children are needed and access needs to improve. The NHS is not currently planning and purchasing child and adolescent mental health services in an informed way.
Meeting the needs of vulnerable children
Vulnerable children include those with disabilities, young offenders and children in care. We found poor monitoring and assessment of the needs of vulnerable children.
Young people with physical or mental health needs, or needs related to drug and alcohol abuse, are not always appropriately referred.
Child protection
Child protection is still too weak in a minority of NHS trusts. In 2006/2007 one in 20 NHS trusts in England was not compliant with statutory child protection standards. Our review of children's hospital services found that levels of training in child protection were not adequate.
Transition from children's to adult services
According to our data, young people making the transition from children's to adult services are poorly served in:
- Diabetes
- Mental illness
- Services for children with disabilities
- Looked-after children and young offenders
- Palliative care.
Our recommendations
We have found that NHS trusts need to do more to make that they have effective systems for protecting children, and that staff who work with children have the right training. Particular attention should be given to the needs of adolescents.
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