Local authorities have the power to introduce changes in their communities that will make the biggest difference
I am proud to work in one of the most advanced and fairest healthcare systems in the world. Despite recent challenges, our NHS is still admired and imitated around the globe, and it is because we value what we have that we must be mindful of where and how our NHS could do better.
Childhood mortality rates in Britain used to be broadly in line with the rest of Europe. We always strive for excellence, not adequacy, but over the past 15 years or so, we have slid down the ladder.
More children die every year in Britain than in almost any other comparable country in Europe. The care for children with conditions such as asthma, diabetes and epilepsy could also be much better in many parts of our country.
Children's health must not be an afterthought, and our NHS can't do everything on its own. One of the keys to improving children's health is providing much more community-based care and support for children with disabilities and long-term medical conditions. It is local authorities that often have the power to make the local changes that will make the biggest difference.
That's why, together with a coalition of experts I wrote to local authorities to say that bold and brave decisions need to be taken in each and every council to improve children's health.
Local authorities need to make big decisions and challenge the status quo. There needs to be a real focus on children and young people, which must start with properly engaging with and talking to them.
I want every local authority to sign up to the government's pledge on making children's health a priority, and to publish and share good examples of what they are doing in their own areas. This will help councils learn from each other as they strive to be as good as the best.
Crucially, local authorities must work in tandem with our NHS – it's simple common sense that to tackle a problem as big as this one, everyone needs to work together rather than in silos .
Take breastfeeding as an example. It has clear health benefits for both mums and babies – improving life chances, as well as health and wellbeing. Rates of initiation and continuation of breastfeeding can be most effectively increased by local authorities working closely with the local NHS. They may work with the NHS to set up peer support schemes where mums can chat with each other to share advice, help and experiences. The government is doing our bit by training thousands more midwives and health visitors to support new mums and families with breast feeding and other ways of giving their child the very best start in life.
We also recently published data that shows the link between breastfeeding and reducing hospital admissions for children with diseases like asthma and gastroenteritis in different areas, to help professionals and the public see how their area is performing. It is for local authorities and the local NHS to use this information to intervene and make improvements.
Every single local authority has received a real terms increase in its public health funding, which they are able to use to make the necessary and important changes to give children the best start in life .
In the past couple of years we have made great strides on children's health — we now have more midwives and health visitors, and we have invested in the family nurse partnership programme, which helps some of the most vulnerable mums, families and children . But there is much more for everyone to do if we are going to continue to improve the outlook for our children and young people. We must have a joined up and integrated system for health and care, and local authorities agreeing to prioritise children's health is one more important step on the way.
Dan Poulter is parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department of Health.
• Want your say? Email sarah.marsh@guardian.co.uk to suggest contributions to the network.
*Not already a member? **Join us now** for more comment, analysis and the latest job opportunities in local government. * Reported by guardian.co.uk 12 hours ago.
I am proud to work in one of the most advanced and fairest healthcare systems in the world. Despite recent challenges, our NHS is still admired and imitated around the globe, and it is because we value what we have that we must be mindful of where and how our NHS could do better.
Childhood mortality rates in Britain used to be broadly in line with the rest of Europe. We always strive for excellence, not adequacy, but over the past 15 years or so, we have slid down the ladder.
More children die every year in Britain than in almost any other comparable country in Europe. The care for children with conditions such as asthma, diabetes and epilepsy could also be much better in many parts of our country.
Children's health must not be an afterthought, and our NHS can't do everything on its own. One of the keys to improving children's health is providing much more community-based care and support for children with disabilities and long-term medical conditions. It is local authorities that often have the power to make the local changes that will make the biggest difference.
That's why, together with a coalition of experts I wrote to local authorities to say that bold and brave decisions need to be taken in each and every council to improve children's health.
Local authorities need to make big decisions and challenge the status quo. There needs to be a real focus on children and young people, which must start with properly engaging with and talking to them.
I want every local authority to sign up to the government's pledge on making children's health a priority, and to publish and share good examples of what they are doing in their own areas. This will help councils learn from each other as they strive to be as good as the best.
Crucially, local authorities must work in tandem with our NHS – it's simple common sense that to tackle a problem as big as this one, everyone needs to work together rather than in silos .
Take breastfeeding as an example. It has clear health benefits for both mums and babies – improving life chances, as well as health and wellbeing. Rates of initiation and continuation of breastfeeding can be most effectively increased by local authorities working closely with the local NHS. They may work with the NHS to set up peer support schemes where mums can chat with each other to share advice, help and experiences. The government is doing our bit by training thousands more midwives and health visitors to support new mums and families with breast feeding and other ways of giving their child the very best start in life.
We also recently published data that shows the link between breastfeeding and reducing hospital admissions for children with diseases like asthma and gastroenteritis in different areas, to help professionals and the public see how their area is performing. It is for local authorities and the local NHS to use this information to intervene and make improvements.
Every single local authority has received a real terms increase in its public health funding, which they are able to use to make the necessary and important changes to give children the best start in life .
In the past couple of years we have made great strides on children's health — we now have more midwives and health visitors, and we have invested in the family nurse partnership programme, which helps some of the most vulnerable mums, families and children . But there is much more for everyone to do if we are going to continue to improve the outlook for our children and young people. We must have a joined up and integrated system for health and care, and local authorities agreeing to prioritise children's health is one more important step on the way.
Dan Poulter is parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department of Health.
• Want your say? Email sarah.marsh@guardian.co.uk to suggest contributions to the network.
*Not already a member? **Join us now** for more comment, analysis and the latest job opportunities in local government. * Reported by guardian.co.uk 12 hours ago.