Children With Complex and Continuing Health Needs: The Experiences of Children, Families and Care Staff

Hewitt-Taylor (child development, Bournemouth U.) focuses on accepting and nurturing every child as an individual rather than labeling them with their health conditions. This refreshing approach leads to consideration of families, health care providers and social workers to operate as a team centered on the child as a person and dedicated to maintaining the child's rights and identity. She explains how more children are living through complex health situations, and addresses the needs of those children and their parents. She then addresses such issues as premature babies, diagnosis, support, health care, education, place in society, and working with children and their families. Hewitt-Taylor provides lists of useful websites, including those for support groups, and comprehensive references. The result is a guide accessible for families that would also be useful for practitioners, social workers and teachers. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Jaqui Hewitt-Taylor is Practice Development Fellow for children with complex and continuing health needs at Bournemouth University. She initially specialised in paediatric intensive care nursing, then moved to working and engaging in research and practice development with children with complex and continuing health needs, their families, and the staff who provide support for them.