Published at 11:12, Thursday, 05 July 2012

A SENIOR medic has admitted families can feel lost and confused by children’s health services in Cumbria.

But Dr Neela Shabde, medical director for children at NHS Cumbria, is confident improvements can be made.

She spoke ahead of a conference near Penrith tomorrow (Friday) at which improving health services for youngsters will be the focus.

Dr Shabde said: “This event is all about bringing together health professionals, local authorities and the third sector who work with children and families to discuss how we can make a real difference to way services currently run.

“To me it’s about pursuing excellence for the children of Cumbria.

“At the moment we know that children’s health services can be difficult for families to negotiate as often they involve moving between different organisations and professionals.

“This can sadly lead to some families feeling lost and confused and not really sure where to go or who to speak to, to get issues resolved.

“This is something we are keen to tackle and only by coming together to discuss these issues with those who work on the ground with families every day, can we build the relationships and find the solutions we need to improve things.”

The conference is being organised by the Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – made up of leading GPs – in partnership with Health Builders, an NHS collaboration bringing together experts and organisations that are involved in the health care of children locally.

Delegates at the Rheged event will hear calls for a transformation in the way health services are provided for children.

They will discuss what can be done to provide services which have a much stronger focus on the needs of children and their families.

They will also look at how those working in different organisations can take a more joined-up approach.

Cumbrian parent Zoe Beck will share her experience of caring for three children with disabilities and talk about what she believes those involved in healthcare can do to help families like them.

There will also be a keynote speech by Dr Hilary Cass, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, entitled ‘Child Health in the 21st Century’.

The event is open to GPs, paediatricians, acute and community paediatric health practitioners, children’s mental health professionals, children’s health commissioners, local authority Children’s Services and third sector children and family groups.

It is being funded by commissioning GPs from Cumbria’s Shadow Clinical Commissioning Group.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk