Nottinghamshire County Council launch consultation on avoiding injuries amongst children

The councils are looking to improve health outcomes across Nottinghamshire by putting in place a strategy which will “reduce avoidable injuries in children and young people aged 0-17 years, to minimise inequalities and create safer environments for children”.

Avoidable injuries are a leading cause of death and hospital admission among children and young people across the UK and can lead to long term physical and emotional difficulties for children and their families. Avoidable childhood injuries also place a burden on the local health and social care economy, the impact of which would be limited by reducing the number of injuries that occur.

The draft strategy; Reducing Avoidable Injuries in Children and Young People: A Strategy for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire 2014-2020, looks outlines a proposed partnership approach to how this important Public Health issue can be addressed in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – and both Councils are seeking the views of the public, organisations and workers on the draft plans.

Coun Joyce Bosnjak, chairman of the Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “We can help bring down the number of children and young people suffering from avoidable injuries by taking a partnership approach, working together on a better system of education, engagement and awareness to help equip parents, young people and people they come into contact with, with the skills and knowledge to recognise risk of injuries and avoid them.

“I encourage anyone with a professional or personal interest in this to respond to the consultation.”