Department of Health sets out plans for doctors to cut UK child death rates

The government has announced a new drive to reduce the rate of child mortality in the United Kingdom, which is currently one of the worst in Europe.1

Doctors will be able to look at colour coded maps showing local health trends for conditions such as asthma and diabetes, while GPs may be offered more training in children’s health, under proposals from the government.

The Department of Health published its official response2 on 19 February to the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum, a body set up by the government last year to identify health issues important to young people, which reported back in July3 4 that there was a pressing need for improvement.

The new “pledge” by the Department of Health to cut child deaths is being described as part of …