Scottish executive issues standards for child health

The Scottish executive has launched a checklist of national
standards for child health for the first time across Scotland in an
effort to reduce the stress faced by children, and end the postcode
lottery for services.

The blueprint requires that health bodies provide: waiting and
play areas, unrestricted visiting, family accommodation, support,
and counselling and bereavement facilities.

Produced by the Child Health Support Group created by the
Scottish executive last summer, the checklist also provides a
framework for the planning of child health services in relation to
all agencies, including social services. The basis of this is an
analysis of the child health status of each area which will
highlight the most deprived communities. Tied in will be a service
profile, resource implications and a mandatory plan for bringing
services up to standard within a specified time.