Children in Hospital - Standards of Care

Jennifer Trust Information Information Sheet N° 006.
Developed in conjunction with Health & Social care practitioners, parents of and individuals affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

At a recent workshop exploring issues in relation to the provision of Paediatric Care by the NHS a speaker from the organisation Action for Sick Children talked about the standards of care suggested by the European Association of Children in Hospital.

These are only recommendations and are not laid down in stone, so they are not something that can be demanded of the NHS. But never the less they are worth highlighting and give everyone something to aim for.

These are the major points The European Association of Children in Hospital has highlighted, which they feel make up a child in hospital's basic rights.

1. A child should only ever be admitted to hospital if the care is not available at home, or on a day patient basis.
2. The child has the right to have access to their parents or guardian at all times.
3. Accommodation should be offered to all parents and they should be encouraged to stay. The parents should not incur any extra costs as a result of their need to be with their child. Parents should be kept informed of all parts of their child's care and be actively encouraged to participate in its provision.
4. Information should be provided in ways that are appropriate to age and understanding. Steps should be taken to ensure physical and emotional stress is minimal.
5. Children & Parents have a right to informed participation in decisions relating to health care. They must be protected from unnecessary treatment and investigation.
6. A child should be cared for with other children, not in adult wards. No age restriction will be placed for visitors to children in hospital.
7. Children should have full opportunity for play, recreation and education. Should have access to staff, environment and equipment appropriate to their needs. The child should have access to a play specialist.
8. Staff training and skills should enable them to respond to physical, emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. The team caring should ensure continuity of care for children.
9. Children should be treated with tact and understanding, privacy shall be respected at all times.