Dr Hilary Cass becomes President of the RCPCH

Dr Hilary Cass has taken the reins as President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), as Professor Terence Stephenson steps down after three years.

Dr Cass, a Consultant in Paediatric Disability at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, officially came into post at the RCPCH's Annual Conference Dinner in Glasgow.

She said:

'It's both a huge privilege and a huge responsibility to lead the RCPCH through what is set to be a challenging time for child health.

'We have to find a way to make children's health services safe and sustainable and make sure that all children are seen by the right healthcare professional - in the right place and at the right time. The only way we're going to achieve this is by reaching out and engaging members and other children's healthcare professionals. It is also essential that we give trainees a strong voice - as they are the future of our NHS.

'And we must invest early in children and give them best start in life. That means not only getting their clinical care right through effective paediatric training, but also tackling some of the big public health issues.'

Professor Stephenson will take up his role as Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on 25 July. He said:

'I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here and am proud to have seen the College advance the case for children despite an increasingly ageing population – and make huge progress in extending training support to doctors overseas.

'I want to wish Dr Cass the best of luck in her new role – and look forward to working with her and the College in my capacity as Chair of the Academy.'

Ends.

For more information and interviews with Dr Cass, please contact:

• Melissa Milner; melissa.milner@rcpch.ac.uk; 020 7092 6005 or
• Lauren Snaith; lauren.snaith@rcpch.ac.uk;  020 7092 6067

Dr Hilary Cass, short biography:

After qualifying at Royal Free Hospital, London in 1982, Dr Cass trained as a general paediatrician, and then went on to develop her higher specialist training in the field of disability.  Over a 15-year period she was Consultant in Paediatric Disability at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she also held a number of senior management roles, including Director of Postgraduate Medical Education and Deputy Medical Director.

She has held several regional and national roles in medical education and policy development, including Regional Adviser for the RCPCH, Registrar of the RCPCH, and Head of School of Paediatrics for London. She is strongly committed to bridging the gap between primary and secondary care health services for children, and addressing the fragmentation and poor communication that makes life so much harder for families caring for a child with a disability.