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Abstract
Child health matters remain low on the government agenda, and present reforms of the
NHS are overtly concerned with financial aspects rather than the quality of care.
Pediatric nurses must therefore become more assertive and pro-active in their role
as advocates for children and their families. However, pediatric nurses are extremely
fortunate in the UK because they have (a) a nurse education system that has always
recognized that the nursing needs of children are different to those of adults. (b)
the opportunity to work with medical and voluntary organizations committed to improving
children's health, and (c) a professional organization that is not only large and
powerful, but since 1984 has been committed to advancing the art and science of pediatric
nursing. It employs a full-time adviser to assist its members and publishes the only
pediatric nursing journal.
Pediatric nurses have assisted in advancing the art and science of pediatric nursing
with caring for children and their families in a holistic fashion, with families supported
and participating in their child's care. But there are still many opportunities to
improve the quality of health care to children and their families.
Quality caring is what children and their families want and deserve, but is not as
easy to measure as quantity care. At a time when in so many countries, health service
managers concentrate on quantity, pediatric nurses must use every opportunity to shape
the health policy of their nation for the benefit of children. We all live in interesting
times and it would be interesting to see what we make of them on behalf of children.
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References
- A Quality Review of Mental Health Care for Children and Young People.Action for Sick Children, London, England1992
- Child poverty and deprivation in the UK.National Children's Bureau, London, England1990
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- The Health of the Nation.HMSO, London, England1991
- Welfare of Children & Young People in Hospital.HMSO, London, England1991
- Overview of Research on the care of Children in Hospital.University of Warwick, Coventry, England1989
- Multiple Admissions under 2 years of age.Arch Dis Child. 1991; 66: 938-940
Article info
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Copyright
© 1992 Published by Elsevier Inc.
