Children and young people suffering from cancer must be treated in wards designed to meet their needs, according to guidelines published last week by the organisation that helps to set NHS standards.

The guidance marks the first time the National Institute for Health andClinical Excellence (Nice) has called for age-appropriatefacilities.

The guidelines also state that other groups of ill children shouldreceive care tailored to their age.

Currently, care for children and young people with cancer is provided byeight specialist cancer units, fewer than half the number needed,according to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

But hospitals will now be expected to provide these services, alongsideappropriately trained staff to deal with all aspects of their care. Theguidance also states that each child should have access to aprofessional key worker who provides support to them and theirfamilies.

The guidance was drawn up by Nice and the National Collaborating Centrefor Cancer. Peter Littlejohns, who led the team that compiled theguidance, said children were better provided for than adolescents, whowere often placed on children's or adult wards.

Littlejohns, who is also clinical and public health director at Nice,said the move showed children and young people are now being recognisedas an important group in their own right.

"One of the difficulties has been that disease and illness has beenassociated with the very young and the elderly," said Littlejohns. "Butthere is now a recognition that young people have a unique set ofproblems, in terms of their emotional development, which need to bespecifically addressed."

He added that there would be "no reason" why children with other chronicillnesses in significant numbers, such as diabetes, should not receivesimilar treatment.

Simon Davies, chief executive at the Teenage Cancer Trust, described therecognition that teenagers had a right to specialist facilities asmarking a "monumental shift" in health strategy.

"The fact that Nice has recommended that age-appropriate, safe andeffective services are provided with the necessary training for healthprofessionals at every stage at all levels is music to our ears," headded.

- www.nice.org.uk.