Child health in the UK is deteriorating – what are we doing about it?
CoramBAAF’s Annual Health Conference is as an essential event for health professionals dedicated to the care of children and young people in care. This year's theme, “hot topics and a step into the past,” encouraged rich discussions and highlighted key issues for medical staff working in the field.
We know that the NHS and children’s social care are facing significant pressures, with increasing need and complexity alongside shrinking budgets. This is a challenging environment for CoramBAAF’s members working to support children and young people in care and their families. But our discussions highlighted excellent practice and treatment improvements, and the commitment, passion and creativity that came through during the day was impressive and inspiring!
Exploring "hot topics"
In this context, “hot topics” encompassed:
- New developments in healthcare
- Emerging practices, ideas, and innovations
- Current conversations and challenges in our workplaces
- A broader view of the national landscape of child and youth healthcare
Our goal was to bring forward current, relevant practices and ideas that significantly impact the health of children and young people. The day’s content illuminated the immense pressures facing the NHS and children’s social care.
“Child health in the UK is deteriorating. In recent years, the infant survival rate in the UK has stalled and is worse than in 60% of similar countries. There is higher demand for children’s mental health services, an increase in the number of children who have obesity and a decrease in children having vaccinations, and tooth decay remains the leading cause of children’s hospital admissions.”
Addressing these issues is an enormous task for healthcare services working with children in care and care leavers. Despite these challenges, the eagerness to share new ideas and improve practices was evident among attendees, creating an environment of both optimism and determination.
Keynote speakers and major themes
Genomics
Genetic testing has seen significant advancements over the past decade, moving from research to mainstream NHS care for paediatric rare diseases and cancer. Dr Eleanor Hay, from Great Ormond Street Hospital’s research team, discussed the transformative potential of genomics in healthcare. Her presentation covered topics such as access to genetic testing for children, genomic learning resources, and the future of care through gene therapy and newborn whole genome sequencing (The Generation Study).
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Dr Alan Price provided an insightful overview of FASD. He shared how it is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that can co-occur with over 400 conditions. His talk covered prevalence, interventions, comorbidities, best practices for prevention and support, and future research directions.
Afternoon reflections and positive trends
The afternoon at the Foundling Museum allowed attendees to reflect on their practice against the backdrop of historical efforts in child welfare. This setting inspired a deeper connection to our shared challenges and the progress made over time.
Despite the concerning trends in child health, the day’s discussions also highlighted positive developments:
- Improved identification and meeting of needs by children in care health teams
- The evolving science of genomics changing individual outcomes
- Increased understanding and awareness of FASD
- The forthcoming update to the statutory guidance, promoting the health and well-being
- Exploration of new therapeutic approaches
- Resources from CoramBAAF aiding practitioners in navigating the digital world for children
Conclusion
The conference provided a platform for sharing the latest insights and strategies, whilst fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among professionals. Helen Little, Training, Consultancy, and Events Manager, reflected on the day:
“The sun was shining and there was a positive mood of anticipation as people arrived for this year’s Health Conference. After a day of engaging presentations and workshops, it felt like there was real energy in people as they left.”
This year’s conference underscored the commitment and innovation within the community of health professionals working with children and young people, setting a hopeful tone for the challenges ahead. We hope to see you next year!