Final Report > Chapter 29: The Care of Children > Leadership of children's healthcare services > Leadership in government

Leadership in government

35 The lack of clear leadership at the level of national government was demonstrated until recently by allocation of ministerial responsibility for children's health and healthcare services amongst Ministers in the DoH. A Minister of State had responsibility for `child and adolescent mental health services', and for `family issues'. A Parliamentary Under-Secretary had responsibility for `maternity and child health'. There was no Minister, of whatever status, charged with responsibility for all aspects of `health and healthcare services for children and young people'. Frankly, this is well nigh a national scandal. We note and welcome the shift in policy reflected in the unification of issues relating to children's health under the auspices of a single Minister responsible for `children's health, including Children's Task Force.' This development must now be reflected in a more integrated approach to children's healthcare throughout the NHS.