March 2003

Editorial - March 2003

CHILDREN

This months issue contains articles on some aspects of paediatrics. Tim Chambers is a leader in the area of organization of services. He has written an admirably succinct account of current thinking on the subject for us.

There are many professional and organizational barriers in the health-care field, for example hospital v community, doctor v non-doctor, GP v consultant, NHS v Social Services, Trust v Trust, and even hospital v hospital. The list is endless. What is clearly required is a network of patient-centred services which incorporate all these, and other, elements so that the boundaries/barriers are broken down. Tim Chambers shows how such a utopian ideal might work for children. Indeed paediatrics seems to be one of the leaders in this field. Clearly others must follow networks too for acute gastroenterology, urology, care of the elderly services, head injury and many, many others. This is an exciting time. At last we may get services that are truly patient-centred.

Simon Langton Hewer shows how integrated services are starting to work in practice.

Adam Finn provides a research focus on the important topic of respiratory infections a problem known to all parents of small children!

Maggie Somerset contributes her second article for usthis time on a service that is being developed for children with life-shortening conditions.

Lastly, we carry further news of a new palliative care unit in Bristol that will hopefully be established shortly.

Bob Horton was a much respected surgeon in Bristol. John Webb has written a carefully researched appreciation.

The papers continue to provide much information.

We hope to devote the next issue to some splendid contributions from students.