JAG guidance on undertaking paediatric endoscopy within an adult endoscopy environment is detailed in the document ‘Guidance for achieving a JAG compliant environment‘ stating that:
As best practice children should not be admitted or treated alongside adult patients but on a separate and dedicated list. The pathway should be child-friendly and support family-centred care throughout.
This standard has been informed by Department of Health and Social Care Guidance (National Service Framework) 2003, which refers to geographical separation of adults and children if alongside each other in an outpatient setting. This guidance in turn forms the basis for the recommendation in Health Building Notes (HBN 23) for separate facilities for adults and children as best practice.