§ 14. Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve children's services in health and social care; and if he will make a statement. [34714]
§ Jacqui SmithWe have already made significant improvements to health and social care services for children. The Quality Protects programme, an £885 million programme running from 1999–2004, has led to demonstrable improvements to the outcomes of some of the most vulnerable children in our society and children are benefiting from our strategy to invest in and transform the national health service.
But there is much more to do. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced last year the development of a National Service Framework for Children, which will encompass health and social care services for children.