Children's Services

Variations in emergency hospital admission rates are highlighted in a report on commissioning children’s services. In 2008/9 emergency admissions for the age-group 0 – 19 ranged from 3,784 to 12,680 with a strong correlation between deprivation (based on Indices of Multiple Deprivation) and ill health. The report also considers the financial cost as well as routes to admission (Accident and Emergency attendances and referral from primary care). There is a particular focus on management of long-term conditions, especially asthma and the report provides the usual themed examples of good commissioning practice. A review of community children’s nursing services from DH examines also looks at care for children with long term conditions along with care for those with acute shorter term conditions, disabilities and those needing palliative care.