[Pediatric home care services in Belgium]

Abstract

In 1970 a home care service for children was started by the committee for public assistance in Brussells with medical supervision from the department of paediatrics of the University. The main features are as follows: - It is exclusively paediatric and its aims are to shorten or avoid hospital admissions, or to provide medico-social support especially for the underpriveledged. - The medical supervision is undertaken by the family doctor (15% of cases) or by the physician in charge of the home care service with the help of specialists in the department of paediatrics in necessary. - Social workers, nurses and physiotherapists look after social problems, give nursing care and appropriate treatment. - The service has its own secretaries.