NHS staff 'must get training' in care of children

The “mediocre” state of NHS services for youngsters needs attention after years of neglect, according to the report by Professor Sir Ian Kennedy.

He said paediatric training for GPs was “falling away”, adding that one GP told him some doctors “don’t even know how to hold a baby”.

“Many GPs have little or no experience of paediatrics as part of their professional training,” Sir Ian’s report for England said.

“Given that the majority of their patients are adults, caring for children and young people is low on most GPs’ priorities.”

Sir Ian, who was asked to carry out a review by the previous government, called for GP practices to be at the “hub” of care for children. Surgeries should be placed in schools, children’s centres and “other places where children have access”.

He added: “Services for children could and should be a lot better in the NHS.

“When they are good they are very, very good but too often they are mediocre or they vary.”

He said this was true particularly for children with long-term needs, disabilities or mental health problems.

One parent told him she had never been able to see two consultants on the same visit in the last 18 years, and had been forced to spend time and money attending numerous appointments.

“No 21st century health system, in my view, should require parents and children to go from place to place, or even worse go to the same place for multiple appointments to tell the same story,” Sir Ian said.

He argued services were designed around the needs of buildings, organisations and professionals, “with children and parents coming a poor fourth”.

And he said GPs, nurses and workers attached to GP practices should receive training “to make up the gaps” that exist.

Both initial training and doctor revalidation should include the comprehensive care of children, while each practice should ensure one GP has expertise in this area.

Sir Ian said A&E has become the “default option” for parents needing help with their children.

Half of youngsters under 12 and a quarter of older children attend A&E each year. Some 26 per cent of all people visiting A&E are children.

Sir Ian said cases like that involving Baby P were exceptions but did remind everyone to be vigilant and to ask what was it about the system that had allowed such tragedies to occur.

And on the issue of funding, Sir Ian said children “currently don’t get a look in” because the needs of adults trump those of youngsters.

Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said: “Sir Ian Kennedy’s review has revealed the true scale of the issues facing the health service.

“It tells us important things about the lack of effective, integrated and responsive services we have inherited.

“Sir Ian reminds us just how important the start of life is for children and young people’s future physical and mental development.

“In our new vision for the NHS, and in preparing for our public health White Paper later this year, we are determined to provide for children and young people as an essential and integral part of delivering better health outcomes.”