Ways to Healing, Children as Partners in Health: Introduced by Dr Neil McKerrow
Every year, over one million babies are born in South Africa, but many do not survive to celebrate
their fifth birthday or to go to school. South Africa is currently one of only twelve countries in
the world that has a deteriorating child mortality rate and the country is not on track to meet its
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
These MDG targets are an under-five mortality rate of 20 per 1,000 live births, and a maternal
mortality ratio of 38 per 100,000 women. It is, however, estimated that every year over 75,000
children die within the first five years of life, which equates to an under-five mortality rate of
about 70 per 1,000. This figure is distressing when compared to countries such as Brazil, Iran and
Venezuela with similar economic profiles and health expenditure to South Africa, but significantly
better health outcomes.
Parents tell of ‘battle’ to get basic healthcare for disabled children and of agencies routinely ‘passing the buck’
Campaign group Every Disabled Child Matters today launches a new report, ‘Disabled Children and Health’, highlighting the failure of the NHS to meet even the basic needs of disabled children
At a reception in the House of Commons, an audience of MPs, Primary Care Trust (PCT) leaders and commissioners and disabled young people and their families will hear about the battle disabled children and their parents face accessing healthcare services. Phil Hope MP, the Minister with responsibility for disabled children’s health services, will respond on behalf of the government.
The campaign report highlights a clear disparity between central government policy and local delivery. Despite recent policy and funding commitments for disabled children’s heath services, the campaign’s correspondence from PCTs reveals widespread confusion about the roles and responsibilities of the health service to support disabled children to lead ordinary lives.
Enter the small charity car draw - You could win a brand new Fiat 500
Buy a ticket - £2 each – and support ACT at the same time. The
draw is organised by FSI for small charities like ACT, enabling us to
raise funds and giving you the opportunity to win a fantastic new car.
If you would prefer not to buy online then call us on 0117 916 6422 or email
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and we can post you the required number of tickets.
Tickets are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis – so hurry.
Ticket sales close on August 21stand the draw takes place on October 1st 2009.
The GMC has launched a podcast calling on doctors, patients and the public to share their views on end of life care.
Barbara Myers, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Check Up, talks to Lady Christine Eames, chair of the GMC’s working group, about why it is so important that patients, the public and doctors share their views on this difficult subject. To listen to the podcast go to: http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/news_consultation/eol_care.asp
ACT announces extra opportunity to apply for Children’s Palliative Care Training Grants
National children’s palliative care charity, ACT is pleased to announce it has re-opened the successful Children’s Palliative Care Training Grants programme for a limited period, to allow professionals, carers and family members looking after children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, to access training opportunities.
The ACT Children’s Palliative Care Training Grant programme, funded by The True Colours Trust, aims to help support best practice and the development of specialist knowledge in caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions by providing small one-off grants of up to £250 to individuals and agencies who would otherwise not be able to access specialised training in the field of children’s palliative care.
Over the past year ACT has made training grants offers to 61 applicants – 51 professionals, nine parents and one young person. After a successful programme of training grants that closed in January, ACT has identified sufficient funding for one further round, closing on 28th August 2009.
This is the last opportunity for you to benefit from the training grants programme – if you have not already received an ACT Training Grant, apply before 28th August to enhance your skills and confidence in caring for a life-limited child.
