26 January 2012

Together for Short Lives, the voice for children's palliative care across the UK, today welcomed the new forum established by the Government to develop a strategy for improving health outcomes for children and young people.

The Children's and Young People's Forum, launched today by the Secretary of State for Health, has been tasked with creating an outcomes framework specifically for child health, and with tackling long term systemic barriers that all children and young people face when using health services. Its recommendations will shape the priorities for child health within the Secretary of State's annual 'mandate' to the NHS.

Barbara Gelb, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives will sit on the Forum to consider the strategy and commented,

"I am delighted that the Secretary of State has recognised the unique needs of children and young people and the importance of a dedicated strategy to improve their health outcomes. Along with partners across the children's sector, we have been pressing Government to place greater emphasis on improving outcomes for children within the health reforms, so today marks an important step forward.

"We know that life-limited and life-threatened children and their families face particular challenges in accessing the services they need, when they need them. I believe that if we can get services right for these children with the most complex health needs, we will get it right for all children and young people. I am pleased that the Forum will move quickly to establish its strategy, and hope that action is taken as a result which enables these children get to make the very most of their lives".