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Services for children are diverse and complex and the range duplicates most of which already exists in adult services, with the addition of interfaces with our education and social services colleagues.
The vulnerability of children requires child protection measures to be built in at every stage. Addressing the needs of children as part of a family is vital. Children's healthcare spans the Health continuum ranging from screening and immunisation of all children, access to services for minor ailments through to specialist services for chronic or emergency health problems.
Children are not mini adults and their needs cannot be met by services for adults or by people unfamiliar with the specific needs of children. Historically services for children have not been specific, they have often been part of, or tacked on the back of adult services or facilities.
Now there is a National Framework for Services to Children (Children's NCF), which sets standards for how we should care for children wherever they are.
Health works in areas called Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). Since 1st October 2006 there is one PCT covering the Devon County Council area.
There is also a PCT in each of Torbay, Plymouth and Cornwall.
The PCT is responsible and accountable for the healthcare delivery to its population (including children). It decides how the Public Health Nurses (school nurses and health visitors) provide a service.
Much of the work relating to children is in conjunction with the local authority. This means that Devon PCT works closely with the Devon Children and Young People Service to provide integrated care.
Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon's population, however, use health services in Plymouth. Teignbridge use some of the health services provided by Torbay Hospital. It has to be said the boundary differences are a challenge!
Devon Primary Care Trust
There is a Children's Health Network where the PCT and hospital trusts come together to plan and co-ordinate children's services better across the network and implement the Children's NSF standards.
Miles Hapgood is Director of Children and Families at Exeter PCT. The arrangement being amongst the PCTs that Exeter take the lead for planning and commissioning Children’s Services on behalf of them all.
Every PCT has someone responsible for Children's Services:
The lead people for children in each PCT are:
These are the Trusts that provide services.
These are the organisations that employ the paediatricians, surgeons and psychiatrists, that provide specialist services, as well as working with the child development centres and the JATs.
It is likely they provide some of the other supportive professionals and services, eg therapists, audiology services, mobility centre.
These are owned and run by Health and form part of the service to Children with Special Needs so have close links to the Joint Agency Teams as well as the Child Health Departments.
Highfield House
Barnstaple Health Centre, Vicarage Road, Barnstaple, EX32 7BH
01271 377920
Honeylands Children's Centre
Pinhoe Road, Exeter, EX4 6AD
01392 207777/403157
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