England | RCPCH

Resource

Spotlight on the child health workforce in England 2025 - policy briefing

Paediatricians are working hard to provide high quality care for an increasing number of children, but without proper support they continue to face an uphill battle. In this policy briefing, we set out principles and recommendations to support the development of a new long-term workforce plan in Eng...

Workforce

News

From reform to opportunity? What the NHS England merger and ICB reform could mean for child health

18 June 2025

Child health outcomes have been allowed to decline for too long. But, argue Liam Sollis, Associate Director of Policy & External Affairs and Dr Mike McKean, RCPCH Vice President for Policy, here is an opportunity to reshape the future of child health in England.

Course

Talk, Trust Treat: Getting adolescent and young adults health right (online)

16 October 2025

Want to ensure your services and health support are engaging for adolescents and young adults? Not sure how to adapt your approach for the needs of this age range? During this two-session course (over two consecutive mornings), you'll gain a greater understanding of the needs and barriers to care fo...

Engaging children and young people

News

RCPCH welcomes the latest urgent and emergency care plan

6 June 2025

The urgent and emergency care plan 2025/26 is a strategy aimed at addressing the increasing demand on emergency services in England.

News

RCPCH responds to the expansion of free school meals in England

5 June 2025

The Government has announced plans to expand free schools meals to all children in reciept of universal credit.

News

Paediatricians welcome the implementation of disposable vapes ban

31 May 2025

The ban brings the UK one step further towards a smokefree generation, but children’s doctors warn Government to not become complacent.

News

Assessment - the rationale for change

30 May 2025

Since the release of Progress+, our two-level paediatric specialty training programme, we have begun to review the programme of assessment within the curriculum to ensure it is fair, fit for purpose and sustainable. RCPCH Vice President for Training and Assessment, Dr Cathryn Chadwick, explains the ...

Resource

Engagement Academy - our courses on engaging children and young people

As a paediatrician, child health professional or worker in the voluntary sector, how can you effectively and confidently involve children and young people - and their families - to share their views and wishes on their health service? The RCPCH Engagement Academy offers bespoke training, coaching an...

Engaging children and young people

Continuing professional development

News

Standing up for children’s health - President's update

23 May 2025

Steve updates members on our calls to UK Government about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He highlights opportunities to contribute to a review of children's hearing services, a national play strategy and our own campaign to strengthen community child health services, with two briefings now publish...

Topic page

Strengthening community child health services

Services in all four nations of the UK are facing significant challenges in delivering care to children and their families. We have been analysing data where available and gathering insights from our members, and are calling for change.