Children and young people affected by severe disability, injury or illness will be better supported thanks to a new national framework to help local services make clinical assessments. The new framework was published today by Care Services Minister Phil Hope.

There are several thousand children in England who need care like long-term ventilation or dialysis. They, as well as children with neuro-degenerative conditions, such as muscular dystrophy and life-limiting and life-threatening conditions may get the care they need through existing mainstream and specialist services.  Sometimes, their needs may be so specific that local services will develop a bespoke package of continuing care for each individual.

The new framework sets a clear process for assessing the healthcare (nursing and clinical) needs and for local services to agree how these needs will be met. Usually, needs are met by the local NHS Primary Care Trusts but in some cases local authority social care services will also be required. The framework will help local services understand their responsibilities and make the whole process of creating a bespoke care package smoother.

Care Services Minister Phil Hope said:

“The slightest delay in getting the right support to children and young people with the most debilitating conditions can be very upsetting for them and their families. Very often local services do a great job and I want to keep decisions as close to each child as possible. This framework sets out a standard process for assessing needs so local services can focus on delivering support.”

For further information of the framework please see http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_114784