The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7244 p526
12 April 2003

Society summary

Comments sought to support design and implementation of Children's NSF

The Society's practice division is seeking comments, predominantly from community pharmacists, in order to support pharmacists currently involved in the design and implementation stages of the Children's National Service Framework.

An article published on the practice section of the Society's website lists several questions and topics for respondents to consider. It says that the questions are not intended to be restrictive and extended comment is welcome, as is any additional advice. It also asks for examples of services currently run by community pharmacists that demonstrate an impact on children's health.

The article says that the overarching question to be considered is "How can community pharmacists help improve the health care of babies, children and pregnant women?" It says that the following points in particular should be borne in mind:

• What changes are required?

• What changes would deliver most benefit?

• What would help achieve these changes?

• What are the barriers and constraints?

• What, if any, are the educational needs of community pharmacists to enable them to deliver an improved service in this area?

• What examples of good practice already exist?

Seven of the external working groups and topics for consideration are listed. They are:

Healthy children and young people The management of minor illness and ailments, reducing teenage pregnancy and health promotion, for example, substance misuse, smoking cessation and reducing obesity.

Maternity The health of pregnant women and care of the newborn.

Disabled children and long-term conditions Improving concordance and compliance, the role of medication review, the role of supplementary prescribing by pharmacists and medicines in schools (mainstream, special and school trips).

Children in special circumstances Residential care homes, foster care, asylum seekers and pre-school care (nurseries).

Child and adolescent mental health and psychological wellbeing

The acutely ill child Differentiating minor illness from major disease, responding to symptoms and referrals from NHS Direct and NHS 24.

Medicines Unlicensed and "off-label" medicines, home care (high technology home care such as parental nutrition, hospital outreach services, palliative care, oxygen therapy and mobility), provision of information to carers and children, and empowering carers and children to make decisions about treatment.

The article asks that comments should be received at the Society by 30 April 2003. E-mail communications are welcome and should be sent to aharrington@rpsgb.org.uk