A health passport has been launched for children and young people, to assist professionals and avoid patients having to repeat their history and preferences.
The passport has been developed by young people, parents and carers and will include clinical information and key personal preferences, kept by the young person either on paper or on their mobile phone.
In an average class of 30 schoolchildren, three will suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder, NHS England said.
Dr Jackie Cornish, national clinical director, Children, Young People and Transition to Adulthood at NHS England, said: “No patient should need to repeat their history several times and innovations like this solve problems and make patients’ lives easier.
“We must do better to equip the next generation to cope with the challenges they will face, and if we get this right, as well as helping them achieve their potential we will be saving time and money for the future.”
The passports are written with the practitioner and can include as much or as little information as the young person likes, such as a summary of their issues, history, and preferences. It can be shown to professionals at any new service.
