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An editorial on the need to improve health services for children and young people is presented. According to the authors, the structure of the organizations within which clinicians work have an impact on the delivery of clinical care. They state the principles of a good health service for children and young people. They discuss the reports "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" and "Achieving Equity and Excellence for Children."

Aims: To pilot prospective data collection by paediatricians at the point of care across England using a defined terminology set; demonstrate feasibility of data collection and utility of data outputs; and confirm that counting the number of needs per child is valid for quantifying complexity.Method: Paediatricians in 16 hospital and community settings collected and anonymized data. Participants completed a survey regarding the process. Data were analysed using R version 3.1.2.Results: Overall, 8117 needs captured from 1224 consultations were recorded. Sixteen clinicians responded positively about the process and utility of data collection. The sum of needs varied significantly (p<0.01) by level of gross motor function ascertained using the Gross Motor Function Classification System for children with cerebral palsy; epilepsy severity as defined by level of expertise required to manage it; and by severity of intellectual disability.Interpretation: Prospective data collection at the point of clinical care proved possible without disrupting clinics, even for those with the most complex needs, and took the least time when done electronically. Counting the number of needs was easy to do, and quantified complexity in a way that informed clinical care for individuals and related directly to validated scales of functioning. Data outputs could inform more appropriate design and commissioning of quality services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]