Advocacy

RCPCH and RCP unite to call for standardised packaging of tobacco products

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Physcians and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, have joined together to call on the government to push ahead with plans for standardised packaging of tobacco products.

Last published on 3 May 2013

RCPCH responds to measles outbreak

Commenting on the measles outbreak in Wales, Dr David Elliman, immunisation expert at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:

“The MMR vaccine safety scare back in 1998 meant many parents whose children were born in the early 2000s chose not to have their children immunised. This scare – which linked MMR to autism – was based on unfounded research, but the result is a generation of unvaccinated children left at risk of contracting the disease.

Last published on 8 April 2013

NHS changes come into force - Have Your Say

The structural changes to the NHS in England came into force on 1st April 2013. GP led groups (clinical commissioning groups) will now control local budgets, whilst the NHS Commissioning Board will provide general oversight of the day-to-day running of the NHS.

The RCPCH Health Reforms Your Say toolkit outlines that changes to the NHS, how this may impact paediatricians and asks for your say on what is happening in your local area regarding the reforms. Have your Say at:

Last published on 2 April 2013

MindEd e-portal

Last published on 23 April 2013

Turning the Tide launch

Hey guys, it’s been a while hasn’t it?

A lot has happened in the last 6 months, including the Turning the Tide launch which took place at the end of November 2012. This was a real push towards improving the way in which research involving children and young people is conducted, as well as encouraging those who should be undertaking research to do so.

Last published on 29 January 2013

RCPCH responds to new figures on child asthma admission rates

A study by researchers at Imperial College in London has shown a sharp fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma after smoke-free legislation was introduced in England.

The study showed a 12% drop in the first year after the law to stop smoking in enclosed public places came into force and the authors say there is growing evidence that many people are opting for smoke-free homes as well.

Last published on 21 January 2013

RCPCH launches vitamin D campaign

The RCPCH has today launched its position statement and campaign on tackling vitamin D deficiency.

Widely available and low-cost vitamin D supplements, fortification of foods, greater knowledge amongst healthcare professionals and better public awareness are amongst the steps needed to tackle the growing incidence of vitamin D deficiency amongst the UK population, according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

Last published on 14 December 2012

The price of alcohol

The government are in consultation to change the price of alcohol, increasing it to 45 pence per unit. The question is whether young people are actually going to be affected by price increases. In my opinion a lot of young people will act the same as adults: make a huge fuss about it and then get used to it. And in reality those that are under 18 actually have no leg to stand on as they shouldn’t be purchasing alcohol anyway!

Last published on 28 November 2012

Staff, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor (SAS) Committee Members' Page

This page exists to provide Staff, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor (SAS) Committee members with access to papers for the next meeting of the RCPCH SAS Committee.

This page is in the secure section of the College website and is only accessible to members of the RCPCH SAS Committee. Members are asked to treat this page and all its contents as confidential at all times.

Last published on 16 May 2013

Plain packaging on cigarette packs

If plain packaging will prevent children and young people from the lure of cigarettes, surely it’s a no-brainer?

I vividly remember my year five classmate bringing in some cigarettes for her and her friends to smoke and hearing her say ‘these are the good cigarettes’. She was only 10-years-old so there is no way she would be able to tell through experience that they were ‘good cigarettes.’ I can only imagine it came from hearing other people talking about them or seeing people with this particular brand.

Last published on 23 October 2012