1. Home
  2. Nations

Ireland

We manage external relations with stakeholders and policymakers including the Northern Ireland Executive and organisations with an interest in child health. Our friendly team is here to make sure members across Ireland have a voice.
Icon - megaphone

Policy and public affairs

Our team works with paediatricians in Northern Ireland and our Ireland Executive Committee. We provide the government and third sector with up-to-date guidance and we push for policy change to improve the health of children and young people.
About us and our policy work
Icon - dynamic child from RCPCH logo

Officer and other contacts

Dr Thomas Bourke is the RCPCH Officer for Ireland and Dr Rory Sweeney is the Deputy Officer for Ireland. These roles represent members in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at RCPCH Council.
About the Officers
Icon - group of people

Ireland Committee

This committee allows paediatricians to act as advocates for the College in relation to media, public affairs and health policy work. It offers input and advice on member-focused activity such as courses and events.
About committee
Grid of icons: hospital; children; bar graph; stethosocpe

Every child thriving: Advancing child health in Northern Ireland

Ahead of the 2027 elections, our manifesto sets out a clear and achievable roadmap for the next Executive to advance child health. With insights from both paediatricians and children and young people, we call for investment in the workforce, data, child health services and prevention.
Election manifesto
Icons: dynamic child, medical case, document with magnifying glass, computer with document and cursor

The state of child health in Northern Ireland

Our report, State of Child Health 2026, provides a clear overview of children’s health on 12 indicators such as infant mortality, obesity and immunisations. Our 'quick read' summarises the data and recommendations especially for Northern Ireland.
Quick read
Icon - document with folded corner

On paediatric waiting times

There is a large and growing number of children on paediatric outpatient waiting lists. Our 'Worried and waiting' report in April 2024 made policy recommendations to ensure children receive care in a timely manner and within the right service.
Worried and waiting report
Icon - dynamic child from RCPCH logo

On equal protection from assault

In Northern Ireland (and England), children are the only group of people not fully protected in law from physical assault. In April 2024, we outlined our recommendations for government policymakers.
Equal protection report
Icon - medical case

On collaborative healthcare

From 2020 to 2023, the waiting list for outpatient community paediatrics in NI had an 85.9% rise. We submitted FOIs and surveyed members to get a better understanding of the pressures, and set recommendations to the Government.
Collaborative healthcare report
Information sign in speech bubble

Contacting us

If you have questions or comments about our policy and public affairs work, we'd love to hear from you. Email enquiries.ireland@rcpch.ac.uk or call 028 9693 6901 or 028 9693 6902. Send any post to Northern Ireland Office, RCPCH, 5-11 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8SH.

Other staff teams at RCPCH can help with any questions about membership, exams or training.

Email RCPCH Ireland at enquiries-ireland@rcpch.ac.uk
Contacts for other RCPCH teams

Useful resources for RCPCH Ireland members

Ulster Paediatric Society
Irish Paediatric Association
Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency
Department of Health Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
RCPCH consultation responses

Latest news relating to Ireland

More news