Doctors assigned to children in care should see no more than four youngsters per clinic held, new guidance states.
A maximum of four ‘looked after’ children per session would allow a more comprehensive assessment of their needs and state of health, the guidance notes. In addition, such doctors should be allowed a minimum of four hours per week for every 400 ‘looked after’ children in their care.
Meanwhile, nurses specialising in childcare should hold responsibility for no more than 100 children in care.
NSPCC statistics show that children in care are more likely to have a range of developmental and health issues, including speech problems, asthma, and both hearing and speech impairments.
The new guidelines were jointly published by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Dr Vimal Tiwari is child safeguarding lead for the Royal College of General Practitioners. She said:
“Caring for children is a major part of a GP’s work and it is essential that we work together with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and paediatricians, to ensure they receive the best possible care throughout their childhood, whatever their situation.”
Looked after children: Knowledge, skills and competences of healthcare staff is available here.
