Improving child health services in the UK: insights from Europe and their implications for the NHS reforms

There seems to be a desire in some parts of the NHS to take
paediatrics out of General Practice. This article supports this process
but lacks evidence to support its proposals and at times contradicts
itself.

The authors seem to assert that poor outcomes are due to poor primary
care but provide no evidence that it may not be due to poor patient
behaviour. The assertion that only 3% of patients have Asthma managment
plans is typical. I wonder how many plans are used in practice as opposed
to being left in the cupboard with the volumatic still in it's box.

They believe that new paediatric teams are the solution to the poor
outcomes but where is the evidence. They have already referred to the
multiplicity of services and access points as being an issue but then
propose a new paediatric service.

The risk of seperating paediatrics from general practice is
fragmenting the service,confusing patients and deskilling GPs. It is
disappointing that these recommendations come from 9 authors but only 1
appears to be working part time in General Practice.