Entitled The Prescription for Change: Transforming the Future of Child Health, the manifesto sets out five clear priorities to ensure every child in Scotland can grow up safe, healthy and supported:
- Data that Delivers – Harnessing high quality data to drive better health outcomes for children and young people.
- The Power of Prevention – Tackling deep-rooted health inequalities that persist across Scotland through early intervention and investment.
- Healing Young Minds – Confronting the emergency in child mental health and neurodevelopmental services.
- Bridge the Gap – Strengthening overstretched child health services.
- Building a Healthier Future – Investing in the child health workforce to ensure sustainable care.
Scotland’s children face several growing health challenges, from widening inequalities and rising mental health needs, to long waits for essential services and a workforce under intense strain. Fragmented data systems, overstretched community care, and underinvestment in prevention mean too many children are missing out on the timely, joined up care they deserve. Without urgent action, these pressures will continue to harm children’s health and widen the gap between the most and least advantaged.
Paediatricians in Scotland are clear: the next Scottish Government must act boldly, investing in prevention, data, services, and the workforce to build a resilient, effective, and sustainable child health system.
Dr Mairi Stark, RCPCH Officer for Scotland, said:
“Scotland stands at a pivotal moment. Child health outcomes are worsening, and crucial health services are operating under unprecedented levels of pressure and demand. Poverty remains the leading driver of poor child health, with nearly a quarter of children in Scotland living in relative poverty. Clinicians witness the impact of deprivation every day in rising rates of obesity, poor dental health, mental health challenges, and behavioural difficulties.
“The upcoming Holyrood elections present a vital opportunity for us to place children and young people at the heart of policymaking and to create a landscape in which their health, wellbeing and rights are not only safeguarded, but actively prioritised. This must include guaranteeing fair investment in child health services relative to adult care, recognising the growing complexity of paediatric needs.
“This manifesto is our prescription for change – a roadmap to a healthier, fairer future for every child in Scotland.”
RCPCH Scotland is calling on all political parties to commit to these priorities, recognising that investment in child health is an investment in Scotland’s future.