Family-centred services within Accident and Emergency Departments

The concept of children and their families receiving family-centred care when the child is unwell is not new. Family-centred care has been examined extensively within children’s nursing curricula. However, recent policy documents have suggested that all child health services, not just children’s nursing, should be family-centred. The subtle differences between family-centred care and family–friendly care are identified. The skills for working with children are also examined in turn for all ED nurses. Whilst many ideas may not initially appear to be new or therefore innovative, a careful evaluation encourages individuals to rethink the services that they currently offer to children and their families.