Improving Services for Children and Young People: From Gatekeeper to Navigator – The GP at the Helm?

Abstract

The Kennedy report,1 commissioned to look at the cultural barriers to good care for children and young people in the NHS, was recently described in The Back Pages as being ‘prejudiced and ill-informed’.2 Indeed there is scant evidence of consultation with GPs in preparing the report but I would suggest there are other interpretations of Kennedy's conclusions which might be read as a recognition of the ‘extraordinary potential’ of GPs as a catalyst in improving services. The report is premised on the finding that children and young people are ill-served by the existing structures. It would be hard to deny this given the conclusions drawn from the inquiries into the tragic deaths of children including Victoria Climbie, Tiffany Wright, and more recently ‘baby Peter’; all of whom were known to their local health …