An end of year review can turn into a month-by-month list of things. I could have churned this out for you today, but you would probably not get past May (or March) before clicking off. Instead, I thought I’d relate the story of the gestation and delivery of our new college strategy, which sets out our mission to advance child health practice, shape policy, set educational standards and empower paediatricians. I think this is a great example of how everyone across the college works together.
Conception of the strategy took place at a series of meetings between Halloween’23 and the dawn of 2024 where senior officers and staff attended, along with a facilitator. From here the embryonic strategy was presented, discussed and refined at meetings with many groups, including Council (where your elected representatives attend), the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. The strategy was reviewed (following the antenatal theme, was it scanned?) by the devolved nations committee members and by RCPCH &Us, our Children and Young People’s participation team. After several re-reiterations, the document was signed off and delivered in September. The four themes are:
- Workforce (skill, size and welfare)
- Child Health (at the centre of decision-making)
- Research, evidence and clinical standards
- International Impact
Whilst perfectly formed, this bouncing baby of a strategy still has some growing up to do! It will be reviewed regularly, with a complete (developmental?) assessment in 2027. The strategy can already be seen in our influencing of Government, in our Blueprint for transforming child health services in England, our response to Physician Associates and lobbying for Tobacco and Vapes legislation. Looking ahead to 2025, the strategy will underpin everything that we do, such as our refresh of Facing the Future: Standard for Paediatric Care, ongoing Education and career support and further influencing of Governments.
Many thanks to everyone who made this possible. And more broadly, many thanks to you for all your help and support of our College and to me in my first year in post. Festive best wishes to you and yours.
#WDYCD4Y - What Does Your College Do for You
Have you seen the latest version of Archives of Disease in Childhood? Just a reminder that the online editions are available to all RCPCH members as a membership benefit. I rather enjoyed getting the paper version but now enjoy accessing Archives in the 'flipbook' version. You can get current and past editions on the website (you’ll need your membership number and password). Happy reading!
Support our call for urgent action - sign our letter to the Health Secretary
Latest NHS figures show that 50% of children are waiting over 18 weeks for community health services compared to 15% of adults. As Government develop the 10 Year Health Plan, now is the time to remind the nation’s leadership not to forget about children and the child health workforce.
Please and join our call for action! While anyone can sign this e-letter, it is targeted at the UK Government about specific matters in England. We will be doing similar activities in future specifically for RCPCH Members in other nations of the UK in line with devolved election timelines and manifesto influencing.
Westminster Government launches Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The long awaited Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been introduced to the House of Commons. For too long and far too often, the needs of our children and young people have been ignored by national policymakers, so it’s good to see Government publish a Bill that they have said will create a ''.
This is an important ambition and one we have called for over many years. It also means the potential for the Bill to improve the lives of children and young people is huge. However, as with most initial drafts of legislation, it is by no means perfect. We’ll be working to support MPs and Peers scrutinise the legislation, calling for further clarity around the Single Unique Identifier (SUI) for improved data sharing, inclusions on Equal Protection and action on Child Poverty.
An update from our work in partnership with the Clean Air Fund
Have your say….
As part of our ongoing partnership with the Clean Air Fund, the RCPCH Clean Air Clinical Fellows are currently working with two novel Clean Air Clinics, currently run by The Royal London Hospital and Alder Hey Children's Hospital, to capture their impact, with a view to potentially supporting expansion to other sites. If you could spare a few minutes, we would be interested to hear your thoughts on how a Clean Air Clinic might be utilised in your Trust, and what the RCPCH could offer to assist in the design, rollout and maintenance of the service. .
…. and congratulations to RCPCH Clean Air network member Heather Lambert!
I am delighted to see Dr Heather Lambert named one of the Top 100 Women in Cycling for 2024. Earlier this year, Heather took part in a series of rides across the UK and Europe to highlight the widespread health issues caused by poor air quality. Her leadership as a founding member of Ride For Their Lives (RFTL) has made a significant impact in raising awareness about the climate crisis and the health risks of air pollution for children. .
Scottish Parliament petition on WHO Air Quality Guidelines
Asthma and Lung UK have lodged a petition calling on Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 by setting new limit values for nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter which align with the World Health Organisation air quality guidelines published in 2021.
This petition supports recommendations made in air pollution position statement. .
In case you missed it! Latest rota gaps report now live
On 10 December we published our latest rota gap report covering tier 1 and tier 2 rotas. Overarching findings show that there is an average 20% rota gap across the UK. Combined General/Neonatal rotas had the highest gaps at 23.4%. The findings are stark and has been reported in .
Huge thanks to those of you who responded to our survey. It’s crucial we have this type of information in order to raise concerns with governments across the UK and ask for more support for the paediatric workforce. You can find out more and read the reports here.
Best wishes,
Steve
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