When someone you love, such as your child, is admitted to hospital it’s so important to feel that they’re in good hands. 

The Care Quality Commission has released the results of their first national children’s survey indicating that there are certain gaps in training regarding the treatment of disabled children. Whilst the report does not specifically criticize the way that clinical matters are resolved, the survey indicates a feeling amongst parents and carers that physically disabled or children with mental health needs are not as fully understood as they could be.Almost 19,000 children and young people who stayed in hospital overnight or were seen as a day patient took part in the survey. It represents the experiences of children and young people who received inpatient or day case care in 137 acute NHS trusts in 2014.

According to the study, less than half of parents and carers of children with a physical disability, mental health needs or a learning disability felt that staff definitely knew how to care for their child’s individual needs. (This compares to 72% of parents and carers of children without these conditions.)

 

Hospital visits can be difficult for everyone concerned and factors such as stress or worry are counter-productive to swift recovery. With this in mind, small but significant things can make a big difference, such as being sympathetic towards children that don’t like physical contact, bright lights or loud noises. These small considerations can prevent a hospital visit from becoming traumatic.

 

Just as seriously, 45% of parents and carers of children with physical disabilities and 49% of parents and carers of children with mental health conditions or learning disabilities thought staff were aware of their child’s medical history before caring for them or treating them, compared with 59% for parents or carers of children without these conditions.

 

This paints a worrying picture of physicians that are somehow surprised or at least wrong-footed by disabled children and again it needs to be asked if they receive adequate training in dealing with a variety of patients. If healthcare staff are unable to concentrate under such mildly stressful situations they obviously require better support in order to avoid errors in treatment.

 

Of course, not all circumstances can be prepared for but it would perhaps be wise to listen to young people, where appropriate, and certainly their parents and carers as a matter of course. Jolanta Lasota, CEO at Ambitious about Autism explains the need for better education for staff saying: “Parents and carers know their child better than anyone else so it is disappointing to see they don’t feel the understanding is there from those who look after their children. This is representative of a wider need for more understanding of the needs of those with special needs. Educating staff is the first step in solving this issue and we urge government to address this problem.”

 

Disabled people are likely to spend time in hospitals during their lifetime. A traumatic visit early in life can mean a life-long fear of clinical environments that will almost definitely have a negative impact on their health.

 

This issue isn’t one about staff numbers or money; it’s about staff taking the time to use the expertise of parents and carers as a further resource for better outcomes.