PROGRESS WITH THE CHILD FRIENDLY HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE

Southall D, Nicholson S, Clarke A, Burr S, Radford A, Bull D

Child Advocacy International, England

UNCRC Article 42 states that it is the duty of the state to ensure children’s rights relating to health are made known.

Child = child or young person, from birth to 18^th birthday (WHO and article 1 UNCRC)

1. Children will be admitted to and kept in hospital or other residential institution only when this is in their best interests (collaborative network of child health services) – articles 2,3 & 24

2. The hospital/healthcare facility will provide the highest attainable standard of care and treatment for the new born and for all other children who attend or are referred (management & treatment) – Articles 2, 6 & 24

3. The environment will be secure, safe and scrupulously clean (safety) – Article 3

4. Child and family centred care will be delivered in partnership with parents, in areas dedicated to children and young people that are child and family friendly, by staff with “children’s” qualifications, or who are experienced. A parent/carer will be enable to stay with their child and support them, especially during procedures (care delivery) – Articles 7 & 9

5. Parents and children will be kept fully informed and involved in all decisions affecting their care (communication) – Articles 12 & 17

6. Children will be approached without discrimination as individuals with their own age appropriate and developmental needs and rights to privacy and dignity (rights/equity) – Articles 2,16,19,23 &37

7. The hospital or health care facility will have a multi-disciplinary tram to establish and maintain guidelines for the assessment and control of the physical and psychological pain and discomfort of children (pain) – Article 19

8. When children are severely ill, undergoing surgery or have been given systemic analgesia and / or sedation there will always be health care staff trained and experienced in the resuscitation of children immediately available, and the facilities to do this (resuscitation) – Article 6

9. Children will be able to play and learn while in a hospital or other health care institution (play / learning) – Articles 28, 29 & 31

10. Health care staff will be familiar with the signs and symptoms of child abuse and be capable of instigating appropriate and clearly defined procedures to protect the child (child protection) – Articles 19,20,32,33,34 & 39

11. Health will be promoted by example, education, immunization, growth, and developmental monitoring/assessment and multi-disciplinary collaboration when a pregnant woman or child is admitted to, or attends a hospital or health care facility (health promotion) _ Articles 17, 24 &33

12. The hospital or health care facility will comply with the appropriate “best practice” standards on the support of breast feeding and nutrition and will ensure that the nutritional needs of each child are met (breast feeding & nutrition) – Article 3

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