We aim to influence public policy at all levels to improve health outcomes for all infants, children and young people in the UK. We work with members and officers to develop evidence based policy and healthcare standards with clear asks and actions to influence key decision makers.
Our priorities:
- Influence key research decision makers so that child health research, including the areas of health, wellbeing services and mortality, is given the same parity as adult health research.
- Improve health outcomes through advocacy, empower children to be in control of their own health and wellbeing and putting children and their families at the heart of what happens
- Reduce the number of children who become ill or whose illness progresses unnecessarily due avoidable factors.
- Shape policy and practice in the NHS so that it provides high quality and sustainable healthcare services for all children regardless of the setting in which they receive it and to ensure long lasting improvements to services and systems to improve health outcomes for children.
- Work in partnership with other organisations to implement early intervention strategies and reduce health inequalities for children.
Contact us on health.policy@rcpch.ac.uk
Recent content
News
What about the emotional wellbeing of staff and patients? Planning for major incidents
1 November 2018
The threat of major incidents has increased anxiety among young people and emergency care health professionals. In this blog, we discuss the impact of major incidents on mental health and outline how health professionals can make sure they are prepared.
News
Have increased winter pressures made it more challenging to deliver paediatric emergency care?
25 October 2018
We have surveyed our members to understand their experiences of winter pressures in Emergency Departments that treat children.
Resource
Our vision for the NHS Long Term Plan: An NHS that plays a leading role in improving children and young people's health
The development of the NHS Long Term Plan provides an opportunity for NHS England to truly place the needs of children and young people at its heart. It is an historic opportunity to reset the social contract between the NHS and children and young people in England.
Document
The case for investing in children and young people's diabetes services
This information bundle on diabetes presents interventions to improve the quality of paediatric diabetes care and patient self-management through data collection, quality improvement measures, diabetes networks and investment in technology. This information was presented to NHS England to inform the...
Document
The case for investing in children and young people's epilepsy services
This information bundle on epilepsy presents interventions to ensure that children and young people with epilepsy receive high quality care and appropriate mental health support. This information was presented to NHS England to inform the development of their long term plan.
Document
The case for investing in early childhood interventions
This information bundle on early childhood presents interventions to ensure that all children have a healthy start in life and their parents are supported to do this. The interventions in early childhood aim to reduce the number of children who become ill or whose illness progresses unnecessarily du...
Resource
Child health in England in 2030: comparisons with other wealthy countries
The health of today’s children and young people (CYP) will be one of the key factors in determining whether England is healthy and prosperous over the next 50 years. In our reports, published October 2018, we used long term historical data on key CYP health outcomes and various projection modelling ...
Resource
NHS long term plan - Health & Justice, Armed Forces and SARCs
We have submitted evidence to NHS England on the populations of Health & Justice, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and Armed Forces in the long term plan for the NHS. In developing our response, we have consulted with our Child Protection Standing Committee and the NSPCC.
Document
The case for investing in integrated child health services for the acutely unwell child and long term conditions
This information bundle presents a model for how an integrated children's service (ICS) within a primary care network could improve child health outcomes. This information was presented to NHS England to inform the development of their long term plan.
Resource
NHS long term plan - Mental health
We have submitted evidence to NHS England on how mental health should be considered within the long term plan. Our response focuses on the mental health needs, support and services available for the 0-25 age group.