Community children's nursing services in Wales: will the NSF make a difference?

The 2006 edition of the RCN Community Children's Nursing Directory lists 239 services--16 of which are based in Wales, 12 in Northern Ireland, two in the Channel Islands, one in the Isle of Man, 23 in Scotland and 185 in England. This listing highlights the continued development and expansion of services across the UK, as well as the further developments that are needed to ensure equity of provision in many areas. The lack of UK or national strategies means that services continue to be developed in an ad hoc way. The National Service Framework for Children, Young people and Maternity Services in Wales (NSF) includes the need for community nursing services in every area of Wales in its recommendations (Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) 2005). As with previous policy recommendations dating back almost 50 years, no additional resources have been provided and no funding has been ring fenced to enable trusts to achieve this key action. With services competing for limited resources there is the risk that community children's services will remain under funded and continue to develop in an ad hoc manner.