I read with interest your story urging clarification on GP commissioning arrangements for children's health services.
There are an estimated 20,000 to 23,500 children in the UK who require palliative care, which represents a small population in commissioning terms.
Our experience of primary care trust commissioning suggests that local GP consortia are unlikely to be able to commission services effectively because of their low volume and highly specialist nature. In addition, very few GPs regularly engage with children with life-limiting conditions and their families, and very few are referred by the family GP.
Children's Hospices UK would welcome consortia commissioning specialist children's palliative care across larger populations on a more regional basis, accountable to the NHS Commissioning Board.
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