From successful advocacy on RSV vaccination, vaping regulation and child benefit reform, to influencing national conversations on school attendance, child poverty and child health policy, the College continues to ensure paediatric voices are heard where it matters most. We remain committed to representing, supporting and empowering paediatricians across all nations.
As individuals, organisations and societies we all hope our actions have a positive impact. While it can be hard to draw a straight line between action and impact, it is very human to take the credit wherever possible. And as a membership organisation, we make sure we are in the right rooms, at the right time to get your voices heard. I think we can take a lot of credit for the huge amount of focus on paediatrics and children and young people (CYP) at present. Our collective work will benefit our CYP and this will benefit our members.
Our College has successfully campaigned for roll out of the RSV vaccine and a ban on disposable vapes. This week we were delighted to see that the Chancellor has heard our calls to lift the two child benefit cap from April next year, a key call of ours in collaboration with the Child Poverty Action Group.
We hope the long-awaited child poverty action plan will follow shortly. At the College we are also raising awareness around school attendance, and the Westminster government has described how school absence has lifelong financial implications; each day of absence between years 7 to 11 reduces lifetime earnings by approximately £750.
As you can imagine, we don’t work alone in this space. Recently we have been pleased to support the work of think tanks – and it’s great to see them picking up the child health mantle. The Institute for Public Policy Research for instance, has now entered the CYP advocacy forum with their “It takes a village to raise a child” report (a phrase we have often used at RCPCH). Many thanks to the range of members and officers who were interviewed as part of the report. And the King's Fund are also a welcome partner in the CYP advocacy community with their latest report focusing on the state of children’s health in England (a title uncannily resonant with our work) and a dedicated conference on child health hosted last week with Barnardos, which I was pleased to attend and speak at.
In 2026, we need to build up the momentum on transforming care and outcomes for CYP; our members are key to delivering this change. We might be part of raising the healthiest generation ever. But I am mindful of Nicola Sturgeon’s 2018 pledge to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up has still to have impact. Carpe diem.
As we look ahead, it is also the time of year when we renew our commitment to one another as a professional community. Membership renewals are now underway, and I’m pleased to say our membership continues to grow year on year. Renewal letters will be sent out in the coming days, and I hope you will continue with us in this important work.
#WDYCD4U – RCPCH Learning
Our College continually invests in your professional development through a growing range of online courses, webinars, and CPD‑accredited training on RCPCH Learning. Whether you need to brush up on clinical skills, stay updated on emerging child‑health issues, or deepen your safeguarding and public‑health knowledge, these resources offer flexible, high‑quality learning. As a member, you get exclusive content, discounted rates, and on-the-go podcasts, helping you stay at the cutting edge while balancing a busy schedule.
Leaping forward in Wales
We’ve celebrated a number of College wins in Wales over the last few weeks, including the introduction of the Health Impact Assessment (Wales) Regulations and roll out of Baby Bundles. Wales is the first nation in the UK to introduce statutory Health Impact Assessments, a College Strategy ask. This will see public bodies having to consider the impact of their decisions on the population’s health from 2027, a useful tool to curb rising health inequalities. Wales has also followed Scotland’s example and rolled out Baby Bundles. These bundles will provide much needed support for vulnerable families. Both are examples of placing health and children at the heart of policy, a key ask of the College.
Northern Ireland - calling for action on child health
Last week we met with NI Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and called on him to prioritise the health of children and young people in NI. Our Northern Ireland Officer, Tom Bourke, and joint rep for Health Improvement Naomi Kirk highlighted the essential need to tackle waiting lists in hospital & community and called for action on prevention services including childhood obesity.
International affairs – calling for action in Sudan
Earlier this month I wrote to the Foreign Secretary calling for urgent action to protect children, young people, pregnant women and healthcare workers affected by the escalating crisis in Sudan. Health systems are collapsing, famine is spreading and more than 15 million children in Sudan now need humanitarian assistance, with over five million forcibly displaced, making this the largest child displacement crisis in the world. You can read our calls to the UK government here, and more about our international conflict position statement here.
New publication: RCPCH’s first ever national standards for children and young people's engagement in health services
We are proud to announce the launch of our new National Standards for Children & Young People (CYP) Engagement in Health Services, developed in partnership with the Association for Young People's Health (AYPH) These five standards are:
- Trust & Rights
- Inclusive
- Practical Arrangements
- Community Reach
- Take Action
These give NHS teams and child-health services a clear, rights-based framework to involve children, young people and their families meaningfully in service design, decision-making and quality improvement. Embedding these standards will help ensure every child’s voice is heard, contribute to better health outcomes, and build services that truly reflect the needs of CYP and their communities.
In case you missed it...
Early bird tickets are now open for RCPCH Conference 2026! Taking place at ICC Birmingham from 11-13 May, the conference promises to be an insightful and inspiring weekend. We have three days of keynote talks, specialty workshops, poster sessions, and networking with 1,800+ child-health professionals.
You can also join virtually if you’re unable to make it to Birmingham.
Professor Steve Turner
RCPCH President
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