Statement on child health: responding to annual report by CYPHOF

Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said:

“The National Children’s Bureau (NCB), welcomes the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum’s (CYPHOF) annual report, which shows that despite improvements, progress on child health outcomes has not been fast enough in children and young people’s health care services. Considerable progress has been made by the Forum to redress health inequalities by working with the health care providers, the voluntary sector, children and young people, practitioners and families, but more still needs to be done.

“The Forum’s report reminds us that there is far more to do. The UK has one of the highest under five child mortality rates in Europe.  If the UK had the same childhood mortality rate as Sweden, five fewer children would die every day.

“Like the Forum, we call on the next Government to urgently develop, and implement a strategy for improving the physical and mental health of children and young people. We want to see the voices of children and young people’s at the heart of that strategy. They tell us they want a greater say in decisions about their health services and individual care.

“The reports published by CYPHOF demonstrate the progress that has been made by the Forum – working with the health system, the voluntary sector and children, young people and families. NCB has been proud to play a leading part in this work.

“There now needs to be focused, coordinated effort on ensuring children are a priority within the health system, particularly in the context of an ageing population.”