I am raising this issue from a deeply personal perspective. I see 17 and 18 year olds, who are still in their period of adolescence, receiving adult treatment. This feels unreasonable, considering that human beings do not fully develop physically until they are around 24 years old. Given this fact, shouldn't we be providing the best possible treatment to our youngsters, which includes pediatric care?

In Scotland, our current policy restricts pediatric treatment to individuals under 16 years of age. Such a policy fails to acknowledge the ongoing growth and development that occurs after 16 and up to 18 years of age. It is universally acknowledged that providing healthcare that is age-appropriate enhances outcomes and patient experience. According to a study in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, extending age limits for pediatric care can lead to improvement in overall health outcomes in adolescents (The Lancet, 2018). Hence, it seems critical to reassess our age cutoff for pediatric care.

Our wish is simple: Increase the upper age limit for treatment in children's hospitals in Scotland from 16 to 18. This change would ensure that adolescent patients, who are not yet fully developed physically, receive the most appropriate and effective care.

Join us in voicing this much-needed concern. We need to put the health of our adolescents at the forefront, because they are our country’s future. Sign this petition today to advocate for extending pediatric care to all individuals under 18 in Scotland. If you belive in the right for chrildren, the right to a good healthcare that excludes cutting corners to save money than sighn this petition.