Table 1

Healthcare contacts included in the cost analysis and their associated unit costs (expressed in 2015/2016 UK pounds)

Resource use itemUnit cost (£)Source
Primary care:
 GP clinic consultation36Per typical 9.22 min consultation. Section 10.3b, Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14
 Practice nurse consultation11Per typical 15.5 min consultation. Section 10.2, Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14
Community care:
 Health visitor contact visit59Weighted average of Community Health Services Health Visitor and Midwifery (HVM) codes N03F and N03G. NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Community nurse contact visit112Weighted average of Community Health Services Nursing (NURS) codes N06CF, N12 and N29CF. NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Community paediatrics contact visit278Community Paediatrics Outpatient Attendance (Code 290). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Optician contact visit21http://www.fodo.com/downloads/ofnc-sight-test-fee-statement---final.pdf35
 Orthoptist contact visit58Orthoptics Outpatient Attendance (Code 655). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Physiotherapist contact visit87Physiotherapist, Child, One to One Contact (Code A08C1). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Speech and language therapist contact visit94Speech and Language Therapist, Child, One to One Contact (Code A13C1). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
Secondary (hospital-based) care:
 A&E visit187Weighted average of all Emergency Medicine contact codes excluding cases DOA. NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Hospital day unit attendance749Weighted average of Day Case Paediatric Admissions for Unexplained Symptoms in children with comorbid condition score 0 (code PX56B) and comorbid condition score 1+ (PX56A). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Hospital outpatient attendance194Paediatrics Outpatient Attendance (Code 420). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Hospital inpatient bed day431Weighted average of non-elective Excess Bed Day Costs across all paediatric codes. NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Intensive care inpatient bed day1173Basic Paediatric Critical Care, code XB07Z. NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
Miscellaneous clinics/therapist sessions:
 Occupational therapist contact visit131Occupational Therapist, Child, One to One Contact (Code A06C1). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Parent support worker/special educational needs worker contact visit52Per hour of client-related contact for a Family Support Worker. Section 11.8. Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14
 Dietician contact visit81Community Health Services, Dietician Contact (Code A03). NHS Reference Costs 2015/2016.15
 Dentist contact visit54Per contact for a mid-band treatment (band 2). NHS Dental Charges. Section 10.7. Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14
 Educational psychologist contact visit85Per hour of client-related contact. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/servicesforschools/education-psychology/education-psychology-prices.htm.36
 Home Respite Team contact visit24Per family per hour for Home Support. Section 6.12 Short-break provision for disabled children and their families. Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14
 Social worker contact visit79Per hour of client-related contact for a Social Worker (Children’s Services). Section 11.3. Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14
 Support for physical disability contact visit24Per family per hour for Home Support. Section 6.12 Short-break provision for disabled children and their families. Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2016.14

  • A&E, accident and emergency; DOA, dead on arrival; GP, general practitioner.