One-fifth of child deaths in England & Wales are preventable, say researchers (8 September 2014)

A series of reports published in the journal The Lancet has shown that out of the 5,000 children and adolescents who die in England and Wales every year as a result of neglect, medical conditions and accidents, around 1,000 could be saved.

The Daily Mail reports that, between 2010 and 2011, a total of 20% of deaths involving children and teenagers aged 18 and under in England could have been prevented.

The figures have been described as a “wake up call” for healthcare professionals and the authorities.

The UK has a relatively low child mortality rate compared with other nations, but the reports suggest that more could be done to cut the child mortality rate in Britain further. The reports say that too many children in Britain are being failed by medics and social services.

For the purposes of the reports, preventable deaths were defined as “those in which modifiable factors may have contributed to death” – including child deaths relating to including accidents, suicide, self-harming, abuse or neglect, and acute medical conditions or infections.

Differences in the rate of child deaths varied around the country, the researchers found – there were higher child mortality rates in the Midlands and the North than in the South and East, but child mortality in northeast England was described as “relatively low”.

Among children aged between one and four years, the number of deaths per 100,000 of the population ranged from around 15 deaths in the southeast of England to 23 deaths in the northwest.

Among children aged between five and 14 years, the child mortality rate varied from around eight child deaths per 100,000 in east and southeast England to 10 child deaths in the northwest of England and the East Midlands.

Lead researcher Dr Peter Sidebotham from the University of Warwick said the figures suggest that more could be done to prevent child deaths in England and Wales across all age groups.

“Although some contributing factors are relatively fixed – including a child's age, sex and genetics – many environmental, social and health service factors are amenable to interventions that could lessen risks and help prevent future deaths,” he said.

“It needs to be recognised that many child deaths could be prevented through a combination of changes in long-term political commitment, welfare services to tackle child poverty and healthcare services,” he added.

The President of the Royal College of Paediatrics, Dr Hilary Cass, said that the figures show policymakers should act as a matter of urgency to save more children.

“We've known for some time that the UK performs badly compared to its western European counterparts when it comes to child mortality rates,” said Prof Cass.

“But this paper reveals the startling fact that one in five child deaths in England could be prevented.

“This is a serious wake-up call for both healthcare professionals and policymakers – and we have to act urgently.”

Duncan Lewis Children Lawyers

Duncan Lewis children lawyers can advise on a wide range of childcare matters, including:

• Care proceedings
• Child abuse
• Child contact and residence
• Children taken into Local Authority care
• Court of Protection
• Wills and trusts.

Duncan Lewis children lawyers are also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can advise on childcare matters under UK law and Islamic law.

For expert legal help with children law and childcare matters, call Duncan Lewis children lawyers on 020 7923 4020.