GP Business: GPs join the battle to end the poverty cycle.

GENERAL practitioners; CHILD care; POVERTY; SOCIAL marginality; POOR children; CARE of people; MEDICAL practice

Schemes to give disadvantaged children a good start in life need general practitioners if they are to succeed, writes Joy Persaud. Other services include toy libraries and advice on communicating with children, nutrition, stopping smoking and breastfeeding. Sure Start is a government programme that aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by increasing the availability of childcare for all children. Local authorities are developing children's centres as part of Sure Start that will provide services, including health, to children under five and their families.