Health project for Gateshead

A health initiative for looked after children has been launched
in Gateshead.

Declaring War on Health, a joint initiative between Gateshead
Health NHS Trust and the local council, will deliver health care
training for foster parents and staff at care homes and provide a
dedicated health professional on call to carers and young
people.

Linda Hubbucks, health co-ordinator for the trust, said the
initiative was a new approach to promoting the health of children
in care.

“In the past documentation and formal GP visits did not look at
health promotion. This way we look at health, not just ill health,”
she said.

The scheme was introduced in response to the Department of
Health’s 1999 consultation Promoting Health for Looked After
Children, which highlighted the problems children in care
experience in accessing health services.