Health of teenagers in residential care: comparison of data held by care staff with data in community child health records
A Bundle
Cheshire Community
Healthcare Trust, Unit 1, Winnington Hall, Winnington, Northwich,
Cheshire CW8 4DU, UK
Correspondence to: Dr Bundle annabelle.bundle{at}which.net
Accepted 3 August 2000
AIM
To identify whether there are
gaps in information available to care staff about the health related
needs of one group of teenagers in residential care which could be
addressed by reviewing the community child health records.
METHODSData were collected on the
residents of a children's home during a three month period, comparing
information from children's home records with information from
community child health records.
RESULTSData were collected from
children's home records for 36 residents and child health records
obtained for 29. Child health records provided the only information on
53% of child protection registrations and 17.5% of statements of
special educational needs. Most information on birth history,
developmental and early medical history, immunisations, growth,
hearing, and colour vision came from the child health records.
Immunisation uptake was below the national average, and particularly
poor for BCG and school leaver tetanus, low dose diphtheria, and polio
boosters. Emotional and behavioural problems were present in 100% of
the residents and this information was known to the home. Poor use of
"Looking After Children" records was identified, and there was a
paucity of information in the home records and child health records
about results of annual looked after medical examinations.
CONCLUSIONImportant
information about the health needs of looked after teenagers was
not known to the children's home staff. Community paediatricians
should be proactive in identifying and addressing these needs.
Keywords: looked after teenagers; residential care; health; community child health
© 2001 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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