The reforms of the NHS are bringing fundamental, whole-system changes and represent a unique opportunity to address failings in the health system for disabled children. However, there has been no mention of disabled children - or even the child health system - within the Health and Social Care Bill.
A new report, Disabled Children and Health Reform is based on a series of interviews with families with disabled children and health professionals, revealing the system failures that stop disabled children getting the vital support they deserve. As one parent puts it: "Most of the public think that when you have a disabled child you get everything you need. You don't."
As peers debate the Health and Social Care Bill, EDCM and The Children's Trust at Tadworth are calling on them to ensure that reforms make child health as an NHS priority.
To help raise the profile of disabled children within health reforms visit www.ncb.org.uk/edcm
