The following is one of a group of principles which recognise the particular needs of children and young people receiving health and disability support services. The principles describe what should be provided when your child or young person receives those services. They are based on expert opinion and a considerable body of literature in New Zealand and overseas and they have been developed after wide consultation.
See a listing of 14 principles guiding provision of health and disability services [1]
Principle: Accommodation, facilities and equipment should meet the needs of children and young people. Facilities and equipment should be designed, provided and maintained to ensure children and young people’s safety and emotional wellbeing. Accommodation for children and young people should be separate from that provided for adults.
Children and young people receive healthcare and disability services in many different settings, including:
Although in some of these settings, children and young people may make up a small fraction of the overall client group, wherever they receive healthcare or disability support services, the location, design and equipment must be considered to ensure their wellbeing and safety.
Children and young people receiving health and disability services need an environment which:
When children and young people are in hospital or another residential healthcare facility, the accommodation, facilities and equipment should:
Accommodation for children and young people should be separate from that provided for adults.
Children and young people need to be cared for with others of their own age. All children should be cared for in children’s services, with access to play and recreational facilities, age-related toys, activities and equipment. Staff, of all disciplines, should be trained in caring for children and young people. Despite this having been established as a principle, older children are still admitted to adult wards in hospitals at times, in particular for surgical specialities.
There should be:
See the references listed at the bottom of the page Introduction to principles guiding provision of health and disability services [2].
This page last reviewed 14 October 2021.
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Links
[1] https://kidshealth.org.nz/introduction-principles-guiding-provision-health-disability-services
[2] https://kidshealth.org.nz/introduction-principles-guiding-provision-health-and-disability-services
[3] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F239