February
RCPCH response to 11 Million follow up report to -
The arrest and detention of children subject to immigration
control - 17 February 2010
Dr Rosalyn Proops, Officer for Child Protection, Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health:
"We welcome this follow up report by the Children's Commissioner
for England in particular the focus on healthcare and safeguarding.
We are very concerned about the health and welfare of children in
immigration detention. These children are among the most vulnerable
in our communities and detention causes unnecessary harm to their
physical and mental health. The current situation is unacceptable
and we urge the Government to stop the detention of children
without delay."
To view the Children's Commissioner for England's press
release and download the report in full visit the 11
Million website -
click here
National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) launches new
gentamicin safety guidance - 15 February 2010
The NPSA has issued new guidance to ensure safer systems are in
place for newborn babies needing treatment with gentmicin. The
guidance was developed folliwng a collaborative project between the
NPSA and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child
Health(RCPCH).
Professor Neena Modi, Vice President for Science and Research,
RCPCH:
"Newborn patient safety is an important issue. This project was
supported by a wide range of organisations and parent groups
concerned with newborn wellbeing. We are delighted that the
successful outcome of this joint initiative by the RCPCH and NPSA
is to be implemented by all NHS trusts."
To view the press release -
click
here
To visit the NPSA website - click here
The Audit Commission has published a new report about the
health of children under five - Giving Children a Healthy
Start - 03 February 2010
Professor Terence Stephenson, President, Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH):
"We are very concerned by the Audit Commission's findings that
health outcomes for under-fives have only improved marginally in
the last ten years.
"As a society we need to see child health as a priority and
improve frontline NHS services for children - the RCPCH has long
been in favour of integrated child health services. We also need to
look at improving factors that affect child health such as child
poverty, the advertising of unhealthy foods and second-hand
smoke.
"We also need to ensure we are supporting parents and that there
is sustained investment for the health of young children. Healthy
children grow into healthy adults and the importance of the early
years can not be underestimated."
Professor Terence Stephenson also wrote a comment piece for the
Guardian Society about the report -
click here
RCPCH reaction to Lancet Retraction of MMR paper - 02
February 2010
Professor Terence Stephenson, President, Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH):
"Measles, mumps and rubella vaccines have all been shown to be
safe and UK families are fortunate to have free access to these
which is not true of many parts of the world. The false
suggestion of a link between autism and the MMR vaccine has done
untold damage to the UK vaccination programme.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health hopes the
withdrawal of this publication on scientific grounds helps improve
uptake of the MMR vaccine for the UK's children."
To visit the Lancet website -
click
here
Department of Health launches new tobacco strategy - 01
February 2010
The Department of Health has today launched its new tobacco
control strategy that aims to dramatically reduce smoking rates
among adults and children.
Professor Terence Stephenson, President, RCPCH:
"We are pleased to see that children are a priority in this new
strategy. We are particularly concerned about the health
outcomes and effects when adults smoke in the presence of their
children. Second-hand smoke has been found to be strongly linked to
chest infections in children, asthma, ear problems and cot
death."
The RCPCH is a member of the Smokefree Action Coalition. To view
the Smokefree Coalition press release in full -
click here
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January
New Chief Executive - Royal College of Paediatrics and
Child Health - 26 January 2010
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is
delighted to announce that Dr Chris Hanvey will be joining the
College as the new Chief Executive.
Chris will be joining the RCPCH in mid February from his role as
Deputy Chief Executive at Barnardo's where he has helped lead the
organisation through a period of significant change, growth and
modernisation.
He has vast experience in children's services and related
organisations which include roles as Assistant Director of
Children's Services in Leeds, Director of Policy for NCH now Action
for Children and CEO of both the Thomas Coram Foundation and the
John Ellerman Foundation. He has also been an advisor to the
Cabinet Office.
Professor Terence Stephenson, President, RCPCH:
"I am delighted to welcome Chris into the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health. This is an exciting time for
the College and his considerable experience in children's services
is going to be a huge asset to us."
Dr Chris Hanvey:
"I have very much enjoyed my life at Barnardo's and was lucky
enough to help lead an important transition for the charity, with
radical modernisation in our children's services.
"What unites both these great organisations is a passionate
commitment to improving the lives of children and young people. The
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health will provide a fresh
challenge for me - and one to which I'm greatly looking
forward."
Election announcement - RCPCH Vice President
for Training and Assessment - 12 January 2010
The College is very pleased to announce the election of Dr Simon
Newell as Vice President for Training and Assessment. Dr Newell
will serve with immediate effect.
For information about College assessment and training: www.rcpch.ac.uk/training, www.rcpch.ac.uk/examinations
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For news from 2009 please - click
here