Primary, community and acute services
This workstream focused on children and young people who are ill, as well as those with either long-term conditions or complex health needs.
A guide for commissioners (Meeting the health needs of children and young people) has been produced for London commissioners that outlines a vision for the way children’s and young people’s healthcare is delivered in London and provides commissioners with tools to help make this vision a reality.
The guide sets out the case for changing the way health services are delivered for children and young people in the capital. The case for change includes a detailed analysis of where current services are not adequately meeting this group’s needs and require improvement.
The guide also sets out a new model of care for children and young people who require acute, primary and community services. The model has been developed to address issues raised in the case for change and provide a seamless journey for children and young people through the traditional care settings by:
- Delivering health services locally, including out of the home, where this is clinically appropriate and delivers value for money
- Creating more appropriate access points for unplanned, urgent and unscheduled care
- Creating more appropriate facilities in all hospitals for observation and treatment of children and young people, without the need to admit to an inpatient ward in all instances
- Creating multidisciplinary teams of health professionals who work towards moving care closer to home by providing more planned care locally and investing in community teams to provide care for children who are ill, have long-term conditions or complex health needs.
