NHS issues new guidance on child treatment

The NHS has issued new guidance to doctors advising them to take parents' concerns over their sick child's condition under greater consideration.

Doctors and nurses have been told to investigate if a parent tells them their child's health is getting worse, even if tests do not raise cause for concern, the Guardian reports.

National director of patient safety at the NHS Mike Durkin said it is "imperative that parents feel welcome and encouraged to speak up".

He noted that often, parents are worried they will be seen as wasting time if they repeatedly raise concerns with their child's doctor.

The recommendations come from NHS Improvement, which has investigated the standards of care given to children whose condition deteriorates while in hospital. It noted that as parents are at their child's bedside for long periods, they are well placed to identify any changes in their condition.