Integration of services for children

The year 2022 saw the establishment of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in England. According to the Health Foundation,1 ICSs are the centrepiece of the biggest legislative overhaul of the National Health Service in a decade. The aim is to bring together general practice, hospitals and local authorities. Local ICS initiatives will be developed by place-based partnerships.2 ICSs must say how they will address the needs of children and young people in their 5-year plans, with local consultation and the involvement of children and families. The National Children’s Bureau concluded that ‘taken together, we believe these steps will put the needs of babies, children and young people at the heart of integrated health and care services.’3 To some, these aims may sound familiar. The Court Report (1976) argued for integrated child health services, and an expanded remit of General Practitioners to include prevention and...

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - June 19, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Turner, S., Downham, M., Colver, A., Craig, M., Paynter, A., Pearson, P. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research