A major project will seek to pinpoint the delays responsible for the UK’s relatively high death rates of children from treatable infections, it was announced today.
Researchers say the UK lags behind countries such as Sweden and Italy in ensuring the survival of children with diseases such as pneumonia and sepsis.
The project, based in Northamptonshire, will investigate allegations of problems with the NHS 111 helpline and with diagnosis in general practice.
It is being led by Professor Sarah Neill, from the University of Northampton, and by GP Dr Amardeep Heer, from Lakeside Healthcare, a Northamptonshire-based practice claimed as the largest practice in the NHS.
The project will also include the universities of Leicester and Liverpool together with several charities.
Prof Neill said: “This project will be examining every stage in the child’s journey to see where delays may occur. This might be due to lack of easily accessible, reliable information for parents on symptoms, errors in information sharing between different parts of the NHS, or delays in being seen in an emergency department.
“Whatever it is, the information we gather will help us to design service improvements so that children get the help they need more quickly.”
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