Listen to this episode below or wherever you get your podcasts, or find on our podcast website. You can download the full transcript at the bottom of this page.
About
Dame Andrea wants every baby to have the best start in life - a message shared by the College. She chaired the Government's Early Years Healthy Development Review and its March 2021 report, The best start for life, a vision for the 1001 critical days, outlines areas for action to improve the health outcomes of all babies in England, including new Family Hubs.
She now chairs the Start for Life Unit, a team of civil servants tasked with implementing the review's recommendations.
Dame Andrea talks with Camilla about her experiences of championing infant and child health in Parliament, and why she's so passionate and focused on this early period of life. Camilla asks how paediatricians can use their voice to support policy change, particularly where there are competing priorities, and how to consider poverty's impact on child health outcomes.
Family Hubs are going to be about ruthless focus on the outcomes for babies. We want generations of babies who are school ready, who are happy and secure in themselves.
We are grateful to Dame Andrea for sharing her views as someone with a central role in government policymaking on early years. Do keep an eye out on our podcasts for future conversations with policymakers from across the political spectrum.
Relevant links
Family Hubs and Start for Life programme (GOV.UK)
The best start for life: a vision for the 1,001 critical days (GOV.UK)
Rt Hon. Dame Andrea Leadsom website