Young people and health

The Department of Health has published the NHS mandate for 2014-15, which has set priorities for improving young people's mental health services, safeguarding arrangements and outcomes for children with disabilities and long-term conditions.

To download the mandate, which will come in to force in April 2014, visit www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/256406/Mandate_14_15.pdf.

The Patient Safety team in NHS England are currently recruiting a number of patient and public voice representatives to sit on six Patient Safety Expert Groups, including Children and Young People.

The closing date for applications varies is Monday 2 December. For further information visit www.patientsafetyfirst.nhs.uk/Content.aspx?path=/About-the-campaign/patient-public.

The Chief Medical Officer has published the Annual Report for 2012, entitled Our Children Deserve Better, Prevention Pays.

Key statistics include that:

• 26.9 percent of children and young people, aged 0–19, are living in or at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared with the overall population rate of 22.6 percent; and
• Young men living in the poorest 10 percent of postcodes are almost five times more likely to attend an Accident and Emergency department as those in the richest 10 percent.

To download the report visit www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/252652/33571_2901304_CMO_All.pdf.

Research by the University of Sunderland, published in the British Medical Journal, has found that GPs often feel uncertain and anxious when working with young people with mental health problems.

These difficulties can result in GPs feeling unsure about the clinical care pathway and whether or not to refer the patient. The research recommends changes to the way in which medical students and GPs in training are introduced to young people's mental health needs.

For further information visit www.sunderland.ac.uk/newsevents/news/news/index.php?nid=2446.

The government has published Drug treatment in England 2012-13, which shows that the total number of people in treatment from 2012 to 2013 was 193,575, down from 197,110 from 2011 to 2012 and from a peak of 210,815 from 2008 to 2009; and the number of 18-24 year olds starting treatment for heroin or crack cocaine fell from 4,690 to 3,907.

To download the report visit www.nta.nhs.uk/uploads/adultstats2012-13.pdf.