Action for Sick Children: History and Achievements

Campaigning milestones

1961 - 2007

1961

Mother Care of Children in Hospital established.

1962

First visiting survey reveals widespread disparities and very limited access for parents.

1963

31 - member groups formed one national organisation. First national conference organised.

1965

Changes name to National Association for the welfare of Children in Hospital (NAWCH).

1967

Publishes "Coming into Hospital" leaflet which is still in demand.

1973

NAWCH publishes its national "Survey of Visiting Arrangements, Accomodation and Play Provision" and reports inadequacies to Regional Hospital Boards.

1974

NAWCH members appointed to newly constituted Health Aurthorities and elected to more than fifty Community Health Councils.

1983

NAWCH "Survey of Hospital Facilites for Parents" highlights continued restriction on visiting, especially on operaton day, and the lack of parental accomodation.

1986

NAWCH visiting hour's campaign considered won.

1989

NAWCH publishes "Setting standards for Children in Health Care"; the first in a series of Quality Reviews aimed at health professionals.

1990

NAWCH publishes "Setting Standards for Adolescents in Hospital".

1991

NAWCH changes its name to Action for Sick Children (ASC), reflecting the growing number of children being nursed at home. Its campaign promotes quality health care for sick children in hospital or at home.

1992

Action for Sick Children publishes "With Health in Mind", a review of mental health services for children and adolescents.

1993

Launches the "Too Dear To Visit" campaign in conjunction with contact a Family to establish a fund for hospital visiting costs. Action for Sick Children", publishes "Healthcare for all our Children", a guide to the provision of healthcare for ethnic minority children "When Your Child is Sick", a basic guide for parents on primary and hospital care: "Teenagers in Hospital", a young person's guide to staying in hospital.

1994

National Parent advice and information service set up. "Setting standards for Children Undergoing Surgery" and "Helping children cope with needles", parents booklet published.

1995

Action for Sick Children comments on the Department of Health's draft Children's Charter.

1996

"Health Services for Children and Young People" is published and targeted at commisioners and providers. Action for sick children gives evidence to Hospital of Commons Select Commitee on the care of sick children in hospital and in the community.

1997

Action for Sick Children publishes "Emergency Health Services for Children and Young People", the most recent report in its highly regarded Quality Review series.

1998

"Youth Matters", published as part of the Caring for Children in the Health Services Consortium, highlights evidence based best practice for teenagers in hospital. "Pictures of Healthcare - A Child's Eye View", published illustrating children's views of hospital through a collection of drawings and used as a valuable training aid in nurse education.

1999

Action for Sick Children provides evidence to the Bristol Royal Infirmary heart surgery Inquiry. Millennium Charter for Children's Health establishes ten targets for child health in the 21st Century.

2000

Action for Sick Children develops training programmes for health professionals on achieving best practice in children's health services in hospital and the community.

2001

Action for Sick Children promotes Best practice Awards recognising excellence in children's health services delivered by teams and units in hospital and the community across the UK.

2004

Action for Sick Children launches the Park the Car, Park the Charges Campaign.

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