Children/Young People’s Health
Health Support (Children)
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
Most of the links below are to pages on the health support section for adults as a significant part of that information is relevant to children. However, there are some important differences which are covered below.
Medicines management
Importantly though children’s medication is similar to adult medication it comes in different doses and some adult medicine is not used with children. Children have a completely different drug formulary to adults. Clinicians will use the Children British National Formulary when prescribing a child or young person any medication The relevant drug doses, uses and side effects can be found under BNF for Children British National Formulary – NICE.
From Medicines for Children
“We provide practical and reliable advice about giving medicines to your child” Medicines For Children – We provide practical and reliable advice about giving medicine to your child
From the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Information intended for clinicians
Medicine Resources Medicines resources | RCPCH
The link to the adult medicine management page is provided here, as it can be helpful as children and young people cross over into adulthood. Also though the medication for adults may be different, many of principles are similar such as the concern with antibiotic resistance. See under
INVESTIGATIONS (INCLUDING BLOOD TESTS)
Blood tests are not commonly undertaken with children (compared with adults). The test which is most commonly done is a Full Blood Count (FBC) checking for anaemia. Some principles are similar between adults and children, such as the questionable value of doing routine vitamin D tests. Information on investigations including some of the tests you might see completed, particularly if your child is under the care of a hospital specialist, are covered under
From Great Ormond Street Hospital
Bloods are more likely to be done if children are attending hospital as explained.
Understanding your child’s blood tests Understanding your child’s blood tests | Great Ormond Street Hospital
BOOKING INVESTIGATIONS (INCLUDING BLOOD TESTS)
For information on how various tests outside your practice can be booked see under
Information to help with understanding
OTHER WEBSITES
The NHS website, Patient info and NICE offer different levels of information and cover a wide range of topics not all of which are covered on this website. In addition videos and podcasts can be a way of understanding health. This is all covered under
From the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health provides an extensive database of paediatric guidelines which though intended for clinicians some may be interested in.
Clinical guideline directory Clinical guideline directory | RCPCH
SYMPTOM CHECKERS
Symptoms checkers can be helpful understanding some health conditions. See under
Support for a health consultation
SHARED DECISION MAKING
Whether a consultation with a child or young person, involves a parent/ carer or is on their own as maybe the case with a young person, clinicians always like to involve children in the consultation. The principles of shared decision making apply as much with children and young people as with adults. There is more information under
Easy read
Easy read leaflets combine short, jargon-free sentences with simple, clear images to help explain health topics. They can be used before and after a consultation.
Broad support for children and young people's health
Children and young people’s physical health can on occasions be impacted by mental health and the social side of life. There is good local and national support in these areas and a summary with relevant links can be found under
