Child healthcare deteriorating despite investment

The government has failed to “significantly improve” children’s health despite spending more than £10bn and producing a policy every six months over the last decade, according to the Audit Commission.

While the health of under-fives in England improved in some areas, the progress has been ‘disappointing’ given the level of investment and in some things the situation has actually worsened, a report by the Commission has concluded.

According to the report, the gap between rich and poor has not improved and the number of health visitors has dropped by 10 per cent.

The spending watchdog found that childhood obesity has risen from 10.1 per cent to 13.9 per cent between 1995 and 2008. While infant mortality rates have declined, Britain still has the highest number of deaths per 1,000 live births in western Europe, higher than countries such as the Netherlands, France, the Republic of Ireland and Spain.

Meanwhile dental health has worsened and obesity rates have risen.

The average five-year-old in 2005/06 had 1.47 decayed, missing and filled teeth, compared with 1.43 in 1999/00.

Childhood obesity rose from one in 10 to one in seven between 1995 and 2008, although the rate of growth may now be slowing, the report goes on.

The report – Giving Children a Healthy Start – said: ‘More than £10billion has been spent, directly or indirectly, on improving the health of under-fives in England since 1998. But results are disappointing considering the level of investment.’

”Some health indicators have indeed worsened – for example, obesity and dental health – and the health inequalities gap between rich and poor has barely changed.”

Summing up, the study said that between 1999 and 2008 ‘health outcomes for the under-fives, on the whole, have only marginally changed’.

Of the £10.9billion spent, more than £7billion has gone through Gordon Brown’s flagship programme to help poorer children, Sure Start.

The programme includes children’s centres, maternity grants to cover essentials and family lessons on areas such as health and nutrition.

Some parents are not using Sure Start children’s centres because they are unaware of them, or they dislike the ‘judgmental nature of health professionals’, the report said.

It said such investments have ‘not produced widespread improvements in health outcomes’.

Audit Commission chief Steve Bundred said: “Overall, the findings are disappointing.”

“Children need a healthier start in life and policies are not delivering commensurate improvement and value for money.

“Large inequalities persist. Despite progress, our infant mortality rate remains higher than countries such as the Netherlands, France, the Republic of Ireland and Spain.
Even before they are born, for many, place and parents’ income determine their quality of life and their lifespan.”

The Audit Commission calls for councils and the NHS to be clear about how much they are spending on the under-fives.

The cash should be targeted at improving the lives of the most vulnerable and progress must be monitored.

Norman Lamb Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: “This report paints a picture of patchy improvements and missed opportunities despite significant investment.

“Effective action now will not only save the NHS money in the future, it will change people’s lives. Efforts to build a fairer society are doomed if health inequalities continue to grow.