Ensure children are cared for in paediatric environments by qualified professionals

The Index has not yet recorded a verbatim government response to this recommendation.

Please see recommendation 181 for detail on paediatric specialised services. Each specialised service will have a service specification in place which defines the standards of care expected. Clinical Networks are, in turn, responsible for ensuring that these standards are implemented so that patients across the country have equitable access to high quality services.

Guidance on the standard for children’s hospital services is provided in Getting the right start: National Service Framework for Children and the National Service Framework (NSF) for Children, Young People and Maternity Services

In addition, the NICE guidance [NG204]:‘Babies, children and young people’s experience of healthcare, published on 25 August 2021, recommends that care for babies, children and young people takes place in an environment that:

• meets their clinical and personal needs

• takes into account their preferences about their place of care (or the preferences of parents or carers for babies or young children)

• is appropriate for their age and developmental stage, is physically accessible and has adaptations available, if needed.

The Government agreed with this recommendation.

The National Service Framework for Children: Standard for Hospital Services, published in April 2003, contained the standard “Care will be provided in an appropriate location and in an environment that is safe and well-suited to the age and stage of development of the child or young person.” The document went on to explain that this meant children should not be cared for on adult wards.