Comment: Accountability needed in disability provision

Laura Courtney, campaign manager, Every Disabled Child Matters
Thursday 18 June 2009

Disabled children use NHS services more than other children, yet they and their families consistently report poor experiences. The Healthcare Commission's 2008 State of Healthcare report found that "children with complex health needs do not always get the attention and care from healthcare services that they need".

On 22 June, Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) will publish Disabled Children and Health, a report highlighting the barriers to disabled children in accessing health services and gaps in provision for those with complex needs.

Contributor Adam Stafford said: "I had an operation when I was 10. The doctor prescribed me adult painkillers. The nurses couldn't give them to me and I suffered lots of pain." We also spoke to Belinda, who said: "It took me three attempts and two years to get the right wheelchair for my son."

In February 2009, Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures allocated £340m of primary care trust (PCT) baseline funding to improve services for disabled children, including short breaks, palliative care, wheelchairs and community equipment. In September 2009, PCTs will provide the Department of Health (DH) with a "local statement" of how they have spent their allocation.

Despite this, there remains a disparity between central government policy and local delivery. For example, many PCTs have told EDCM they don't disaggregate spend on equipment for disabled children from spend on adults, while others "do not expect to match" local authority investment.

In its report, EDCM will recommend the DH goes further by creating system accountability within PCTs and an annual requirement to publish information on money spent on improving services for disabled children. Ask your MP to attend the launch of Disabled Children and Health.

For more information, visit the EDCM website.