§ Lord Walton of Detchantasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they accept the case for children to be treated as a specific client group in the NHS; and whether their needs and interests will receive specific attention in the current review of NHS Priorities for research and development. [HL1637]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)We accept entirely that children's healthcare needs differ from those of adults and that provision should be made to address those needs. The needs and interests of children are receiving specific attention by topic working groups set up to advise on National Health Service priorities for research and development in primary care, mental health, cancer and heart disease.