FOREWORD
When Dr Bridget Oates and the steering group embarked on this work child health in remote and rural areas had already featured strongly in early days of the work of the Child Health Support Group. The issues identified in this report reflect, in a more focussed way, those challenges that are impacting on children and young people in Scotland and in particular how we maintain services for those that live in our more remote and rural communities.
When we received the presentation to the newly established Children and Young People's Health Support Group we endorsed the reports findings, the general direction of the conclusions and recommendations, and agreed to include them in our submission to Professor David Kerr's review of the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Executive subsequently included actions to resolve the issues identified in Delivering for Health, its response to Professor Kerr report.
In addition we have just finished consultation on the Action Framework for Children and Young People's Health in Scotland, which again emphasises the importance of dealing with remote and rural issues.
This report reflects an important step in identifying the challenges we face in ensuring that children and young people living in remote and rural areas have access to the best possible care in the future.
Malcolm Wright
Chair
Children and Young People's Health Support Group