FIONA SMITH, RCN CYP Adviser, gives us an overview of an important new document for nurses in England.
Healthy lives, brighter futures: The strategy for children and young people's health
This joint strategy between the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families cements standards and ambitions from the NSF for Children, Young People and Maternity Services; High quality care for all (the NHS Next Stage Review); Every child matters; and The children's plan: building brighter futures.
It reflects the concerns people raise as children and young people, parents and carers, practitioners and the PSA priorities to:
- reduce inequalities in infant mortality
- reduce teenage pregnancy
- increase uptake of breastfeeding and reduce obesity
- reduce experience of bullying
- reduce hospital admissions for children's injuries
- reduce preventable child deaths
- improve services for CAMHS and disabled children.
Four principles underpin improving users' experience of services from birth to 19 - Informed users, Healthy opportunities, Responsive services and Targeted support.
Actions: School-age children + young people
- develop the Healthy Child Programme for school-age children
- strengthen the national Healthy Schools programme
- increase PE and sport in schools (Olympics)
- extend free school meals to more children
- improve and make PSHE education statutory
- roll out "You're Welcome" standards
- increase young people's knowledge of effective contraceptive services in a range of settings.
Download the strategy from the Department of Health's website.