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
Healthcare arrangements for children on the move and migrants
15 March 2019
In early 2019, we asked frontline professionals their views and experiences of NHS charging for children and pregnant women. The survey forms work we are undertaking to further understand the impacts of the charging regulations and wider migration policy changes in practice, and the results will con...
News
Emergency care audit deadline extended to 18 March 2019
1 March 2019
Get in touch with the Health Policy team if you require support in meeting the deadline to submit data to our emergency care audit.
Document
Young people's experiences of health transition
We asked young people about their experiences of the health transition process. They highlighted where services have worked well to support them and their wishes for the future - to recognise individual needs, get support on mental health and much more.... This page brings together young people's vi...
Resource
Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood - multi-agency guidelines for care and investigation
When a child dies, families desperately need to know what happened. To understand why an infant died, it is vital agencies work together, share information and keep families included at every stage. These guidelines were published in November 2016 by a multi-agency working group convened by the Roya...
Resource
Consultant paediatrician link with GP - Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital
This page provides a best practice example for standard 3 of Facing the Future: Together for child health standards, which describes how general paediatric referrals are seen in a community setting by a consultant paediatrician and a GP with a special interest in Aberdeen. The joint paediatric commu...
Resource
CYP representatives at senior meetings - Morriston Hospital
This page provides a best practice example for standard 11 of Facing the Future: Together for child health standards, which outlines how children, young people and parents are involved in meetings and decision making at Morriston Hospital. Children and young people have shaped service design and use...
Resource
Care pathways for common acute conditions - Luton and Dunstable Hospital
This page provides a best practice example for standard 10 of Facing the Future: Together for child health standards, which describes the clinical assessment tools used in Luton as common pathways for conditions in emergency care. The tools have been embedded in practice to increase confidence in cl...
Resource
Shared electronic record - Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record
This page provides a best practice example for standard 9 of Facing the Future: Together for child health standards, which describes the Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record (NIECR). Development and use of the NIECR has ensured effective communication and delivery of patient care, meaning that th...
Resource
Electronic discharge summary within 24 hours - PRSB eDischarge summary
This page provides a best practice example for standard 7 of Facing the Future: Together for child health standards, which outlines guidance developed by the Professional Records Standards Body on standards for organising information on discharge. This is a key component of improving patient safety ...
Resource
Twenty-four hours community children's nursing service - South Staffordshire
This page provides a best practice example for standard 6 of Facing the Future: Together for child health standards, which outlines the service provided by the South Staffordshire Community Children's Nursing team. The service prevents hospital admissions, facilitates early discharge and provides ca...