Press release: NHS Confederation Welcomes Children's National Service Framework

15 Sep 2004

The NHS Confederation today welcomes the Children's National Service Framework as an important step forward in delivering healthcare for children.

Nigel Edwards, Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation, said "This long-awaited framework sets out important policies for delivering better care for children.  We particularly welcome the commitment to improve access to Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS), while an integrated approach to care for children with long-term conditions is also an important step forward."

"The NSF is very ambitious and represents a major programme of work for trusts and PCTs.  It will be important to ensure that the resources and workforce will be available to implement the changes and ensure these ambitious improvements are achieved."

Nigel concluded: "The NSF is a major step forward for maternity and children's services but significant issues about the future pattern of hospital services and shortages of key staff will also need to be addressed."

ENDS

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

An ISDN line is available for radio interviews (020 7959 7283). To arrange an ISDN interview please contact The NHS Confederation Press Office on 020 7959 7240.

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