Opinion statement on the minimal acceptable standards of healthcare in cerebral palsy.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Recent studies have shown a marked variation in the standards of healthcare for young people with disabilities in different regions of the UK and even within the same health district. Equity in the provision of healthcare is a fundamental principle of the NHS. However, this can only be measured against an agreed minimal standard of healthcare that serves as a benchmark for healthcare purchasers and providers. The aim of the present document is to develop a set of minimum standards of healthcare for children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The document was developed in two stages by a multi-professional and multi-disciplinary group of practitioners in the field of CP. Initially, members of the panel jointly formulated a statement of what they believed should be the minimal acceptable standards of healthcare in CP drawing on their own experience and the published scientific evidence. In the second stage the views of some of the relevant professional bodies and voluntary organizations on the draft statement were sought. The responses of these organizations were incorporated into the final document if agreed by the panel. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-two recommendations were made. These were considered the minimum standards of care in a district general hospital. The emphasis was on the organisation and delivery of healthcare for children with CP. The statement is intended to stimulate debate especially in relation to the equity of service provision throughout the country and may be used to inform purchasers of healthcare. Similarly, it may also be useful to providers of healthcare as an audit tool.