Dr Mike McKean was appointed as Vice President for Policy in December 2021, and took office in March 2022.
He has worked as a paediatrician specialising in respiratory disorders at the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle for 20 years. During this time he has been clinical director of children's services, developed and led the North East and North Cumbrian Child Health and Wellbeing Network and is clinical advisor for the North East and Yorkshire regional Child Health Oversight Board.
In spring 2022 he writes:
My recent work has opened my mind to gaining a better understanding of the wider determinants of health and especially, how early adverse events and circumstances in childhood can have long lasting negative consequences.
I am honoured to be elected as Vice President for Policy at the RCPCH. So many aspects of children's health and wellbeing are now being challenged as I have never seen before and I truly believe that if we are to see a healthier population it is time to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. The College is so important in setting standards and driving positive changes for the health of children and I hope I can help this vital agenda over the next few years.