»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË

RCPCH responds to concerns over long awaited the health disparities white paper

We have been made aware of concerning reports that the health disparities white paper is no longer due to be published. While the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed no such decision has been made, the publication date for this essential paper is still unknown.
Quote mark

In response to the reports, RCPCH President Dr Camilla Kingdon said:

Hearing reports that the already delayed health disparities white paper is now at risk of being scrapped is deeply troubling. The paper, which was due to be published last spring, has been highly anticipated by paediatricians who have been desperately calling for action to tackle the widening child health inequalities and subsequent health outcomes that exist in the UK. Scrapping it now would be a disaster for children and young people from lower income families, who bear the brunt of health inequalities. 

If our government is truly committed to strong economic growth, then it must focus on the health and wellbeing of the nation. Health inequalities are estimated to cost the NHS an extra £4.8bn a year and recent findings from the ONS show that since early 2020, almost 400,000 people exited the jobs market with long-term health problems. Evidence has demonstrated the massive economic benefits for countries who place their children at the centre of their policies on health, education, and social care. By truly valuing all children, whatever circumstances they are born into, we create a healthier citizen, less dependent on the state in the future and more able to rise to the many challenges of modern-day life.

The Secretary of State’s promise to prioritise patients must include addressing the health inequalities children and young people face. We urge her to publish the Health Disparities White Paper without delay and ensure it includes a specific focus on children and young people. 

Over 155 members of the Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA), including RCPCH, have signed a letter to Dr Thérèse Coffey ahead of Conservative party conference this weekend urging the secretary of state for health and social care to maintain the commitment to publishing a Health Disparities White Paper (HDWP) by the end of this year. .