Keynote speaker: Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Professor Emeritus of Child Health at University College London and former President of the British Medical Association.
The BMA in its work on end of life care and the major reports it published recently triggered a passionate debate on the management of dying adults. However, this work ignored the needs of children who are suffering grief through the loss of someone loved.
The long term consequences of unresolved grief are substantial and can include educational underachievement, joblessness, fractured adult relationships, adverse psychological and psychiatric consequences, together with poor physical health and demand on primary care services.
'Think adult - think child!' Needs to be the mantra for all managing a dying adult to encourage awareness of the impact of that death on children in the family.
It is time to expose the enormity of the issue and generate public and professional debate on how to improve attitudes and support for affected children and families alongside addressing and preventing long term consequences.
What can be done in the North East to address this issue? This 'action centred' knowledge exchange provides a unique opportunity for professionals to debate the issue, share insights and consider how to improve outcomes.
Who should attend? Grief in childhood is relevant to health services, especially public health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and adult mental health, as well as education and schools, social care and faiths. It is especially relevant to children in care and those in the Youth Justice system.
To register for the Seminar, please see the KE Seminar booking form September 2016