Recognise parents as experts and fully involve them in their children's healthcare

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

The 2001 National Service Framework (NSF) placed a strong focus on working in partnership with parents to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Please see Recommendation 2 on shared decision-making. NICE additionally publish guidance on what good patient experience looks like for babies, children and young people. People aged 16 or over are entitled to consent to their own treatment. This can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances. Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they're believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment. This is known as being Gillick competent..

Martha's Rule is supporting this recommendation.

The introduction of Martha’s Rule in the NHS in 2024-25 is taking place through a phased approach. Martha’s Rule is an initiative that gives patients and their families who are concerned about deterioration in their physiological condition the right to initiate a rapid review of their case 24 hours a day from someone outside of their immediate care team. Adult and paediatric acute provider sites that offer 24/7 critical care outreach capability were asked to formally register an expression of interest in being part of the first phase with NHS England. The first phase introduction of Martha’s Rule began implementation in April 2024 at 143 provider sites. This initial phase will inform the development of wider national policy proposals for Martha’s Rule.

In addition, the Paediatric Early Warning System codifies assessment of parental opinion as to a child's condition.

The Government agreed with this recommendation. In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said parents should normally be fully involved in the care of their children and that this would be reflected in the National Service Framework.