What do winter pressures mean for paediatric care? As a paediatric registrar working in London, for me winter is synonymous with long and stressful shifts. Over the past decade there has been an increase in emergency admissions as well as A&E attendances, especially for infants. Those on the frontline are experiencing mounting workload pressures, particularly over winter months.
We offer good paediatric care in the UK, but it could be much better. Worryingly, we have one of the highest infant mortality rates in Europe, with poor health outcomes strongly linked to rising child poverty and social inequalities. Understaffing and service design issues exacerbate the problem.
To illustrate what this means for patients over winter, let’s consider the fictional case of baby Ollie, a nine-month-old who was premature and spent the first month of his life in a special care baby unit. The Health Foundation
We offer good paediatric care in the UK, but it could be much better. Worryingly, we have one of the highest infant mortality rates in Europe, with poor health outcomes strongly linked to rising child poverty and social inequalities. Understaffing and service design issues exacerbate the problem.
To illustrate what this means for patients over winter, let’s consider the fictional case of baby Ollie, a nine-month-old who was premature and spent the first month of his life in a special care baby unit. The Health Foundation
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