Newsletters

Editor's report on this issue

Information, the lack of it or its unreliability, is
a common complaint in the NHS. Community
Paediatrics has a particular problem (and to a
lesser extent does all of paediatrics) as a lot
of what we do is unseen in respect of the
headline indicators for the NHS. If you work
for a PCT or an acute Trust, how many of the
performance indicators relate to what you do?
Very few, if any. Ian Kennedy in his report
on Bristol (the ‘Bristol Inquiry’) referred to
paediatrics as a “cinderella service”. In the
current climate of measurement, we continue
to be disadvantaged by our inability to
demonstrate what we do. Fawzia Rahman (p12-
17) takes us through some of the issues. I hope
this will be the start of a debate within the
newsletter, and encourage your contributions
on this topic. I have asked Fawzia to contribute
a regular column on this issue.

Elsewhere, the Public Health Group (p18-20)
report on a number of issues. Obesity is a
major public health issue, both for adults and
children. Rob Moy would like your views on
what can be done - write to him and help
influence the College’s position on this topic.

As I write this, I have two important documents
on my desk - Health for All Children and the
Climbié Inquiry. I hope the next edition will
carry some thoughts on both of these. If you have views (mainstream or otherwise), please get in touch - all your contributions are welcome.

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