Safeguarding children in primary health care : an introduction

More than 90 per cent of contact the public has with health services takes place in primary care. Accordingly, primary health care and child health are currently at the centre of WHO vision and policies (Horton 2008a; World Health Organization 2007a). Primary health care in general, but also particularly when aimed at children, is seen widely as being the most promising vehicle to address today's most pressing health concerns, such as health inequalities, cost-explosions or access to high quality care (Horton 2008b). Children in countries with a less developed primary health care system had poorer health and survival outcomes than countries with better developed systems (UNICEF 2007). Primary care professionals are very well-placed to monitor children's wellbeing and safety and to liaise with relevant agencies within and beyond primary care (Carter and Bannon 2002; HM Government 2006).