'Hokey cokey' policy lets children down

16 September 2011 2 mins read Chris Hanvey Health

I was recently struck by what might be described as the "hokey cokey" nature of child care. First, we put things in. Then, we take them out. And then we shake them all about and invariably start again with no reference to what has gone before.

I have always been keen to emphasise the natural link between delivery of health services and social care, given that the two are so clearly connected as to be inseparable.

The importance of this link was vividly brought home to me on a recent visit to one of the few Accident and Emergency units in the UK uniquely for children and young people, run by an inspiring senior paediatrician.

Not only had he ensured that the unit was child-friendly (regularly inviting in local schools to learn first aid), and as unthreatening as twenty-first century medicine can be. But he knew all too well that the unit was often responding to social problems.

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