CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: CONCLUSIONS
Some consultees provided additional comments, either on the Action Framework or on Child Health in general, or on the consultation itself.
22.1 OTHER ISSUES
The main general comment to emerge in relation to the Action Framework was that partnership working and the importance of other sectors in delivering child healthcare was not given enough emphasis in the Action Framework and that some important work in other sectors should have been referenced.
One Health Board commented "The document, as it stands, is NHS focused, despite the references within the introduction to the importance of a multi-agency approach. It should give greater emphasis to the need for an integrated approach to health improvement and health protection and to the important role of Community Planning partnerships in taking forward the framework.", and this theme emerged in responses from consultees in all of the sectors represented. Consultees reported that they felt there was a lack of synchronisation between existing initiatives, documents and policies from other sectors and that there should have been more focus on, or reference to, these in the Action Framework.
22.2 COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATION
Reaction to the Action Framework was very largely positive, and while there were a small number of comments from consultees on the length, layout and complexity of both the Action Framework and the consultation document, other consultees agreed with a Royal College who said "The document reaches its objective of being clear and user-friendly. It is comprehensive and cohesive, in that it brings lots of separate strands of policy and development together in an understandable whole." Specific suggestions on the Action Framework, including any areas where corrections were felt to be needed, have been identified to the Scottish Executive for consideration.
22.3 CONCLUSIONS
As shown in the tables throughout this report, there was widespread support for the targets, actions and milestones contained in the Action Framework with most comments reflecting specific areas where consultees felt there had been omissions or where there should be more focus. One NHS Board commented "The Action Framework helpfully brings together into a single document the many recent policy initiatives on children's services. This makes the links and interdependencies between policies and between different services clearer."
Responses were, on the whole, very detailed and technical in their content, however there were some general themes which emerged across sections and sub-groups:
Timeframes for some of the targets, milestones or actions attracted were seen as ambitious. This issue was closely linked to the need to ensure funding was in place to achieve the objectives set in the Action Framework. This was of particular concern for any point involving training, as was the need to ensure staff cover for those undertaking training programmes. Comments on the need for staff recruitment and retention also featured regularly across sections.
Specific groups of children were mentioned frequently throughout responses and these included:
- children with mental health or learning difficulties;
- LGBT young people;
- young carers;
- children with communication difficulties.
Ensuring that any information provided is in an easily accessible and understandable format was seen as important by consultees as was accessibility of the actual services for children.
Finally the need for partnership or joint working across agencies and sectors was highlighted on many occasions along with the need for clear communication between all those involved with child healthcare.
This consultation enabled a wide breadth of views to be aired on issues, both specific and general, relating to Child Health in Scotland. Comments from consultees suggested not only the complexity of the issues contained in the Action Framework, but also showed a desire to see child healthcare develop in an informed and integrated manner. A Royal College commented "The Action Framework for Children and Young People's Health in Scotland offers a unique opportunity to change the shape of delivering best possible clinical care to children wherever they are based."