Engaging with front line care, re-named diploma and ban on single use vaping - President's update

The first delivery was a hugely enjoyable visit to meet the paediatric team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital (BVH) on 16 May. Many thanks to Jane Brookes and the team for their hospitality, time, comments and for laying on some glorious weather. This visit follows on from the RCPCH Wales team’s visit to Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl in January earlier this year. We plan to do regular visits each year to hospitals across the UK.

The aim of these visits is to meet members in their place of work, to hear how the College can help them and also to let them what the College is doing to help. Members at BVH made several helpful suggestions which could help members, and some of these are already available; the College lists examples of best practice (you can see some already collected here) and survey newly appointed consultants asking how their training had prepared them (which was done very recently, many thanks to all who took part). I think these hospital visits are good examples of how members and the College can work together. There is plenty of work for the College to do, but we are on the way! If you would like to host a visit please email dawn.stokes@rcpch.ac.uk.

The second delivery was supporting the South West Paediatric Club’s (SWPC) relaunch which took place on 4 June in Taunton (pictured below). The SWPC went into hibernation during the pandemic and was in need of a mailing list to reawaken. There was a healthy piece of GDPR pie to consume, but the College team have a good appetite and were able to use RCPCH membership details to contact SWPC members and let them know about the meeting. The day was filled with enthusiasm as we explored the Darzi shifts and spent time together. Many thanks to Miles Wagstaff, Anna Baverstock, Gita Modgil and SWPC colleagues for all their energy.

If you would like the College to alert local members to a planned meeting of your local paediatric club please email membership@rcpch.ac.uk.

I am pleased to announce that RCPCH is exhibiting at NHS ConfedExpo 2025! Drop by stand 39 on 11-12 June at Manchester Central as we showcase the latest cutting-edge innovations driving improvements in health and care. NHS ConfedExpo is the leading health and care conference in the UK, bringing together over 5,000 leaders, professionals and partners from across the health and care sector to collaborate, share insights and develop innovative solutions to deliver high quality care for all.

#WDYCD4U – RCPCH response to NHSE review of postgraduate medical training

In February, NHS England launched a review of postgraduate medical training led by Professor Sir Stephen Powis and Professor Sir Chris Whitty. Working with the RCPCH Trainee Committee and Education & Training Executives, the RCPCH has submitted a response to the call for evidence. This review will conclude in July and may have four nations impact. Find out more and download the full submission.

Leading health organisations write to the UK Foreign Secretary regarding worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the International Child Health Group (ICHG), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), and Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have written a public letter to request a meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary to discuss how the Government can best help children and healthcare workers in Gaza. You can read the full letter.

The College is aware of disrespectful and unprofessional activity previously directed towards members who opposed the recent AGM motion on child health in Gaza. The College continues to condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms.

Introducing the Theory Diploma of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

I am pleased to announce that the Exams Board and Council have both approved the new terminology of the Theory Diploma of the RCPCH (TDRCPCH). This is the overarching qualification for members who have passed the College’s three theory exams. This is a qualification name but cannot be used as a post-nominal; members can only cite MRCPCH or FRCPCH as postnominals.

This new qualification has been introduced in response to feedback from more than 1000 members, many of whom are international members. Some of our members only plan to take the three theory exams and not proceed to the clinical exam. Instead, many take their own national Clinical examination.

Paediatricians welcome the disposable vapes ban

The start of June saw the UK-wide ban on disposable vapes coming into force. For more than two years, the College have been calling on the Government and devolved administrations to take action against the growing issue of vaping among children and young people, fuelled by disposable vapes.

Almost one in ten secondary school students vape regularly, whilst at least five million disposable vapes are discarded weekly in the UK, causing significant environmental harm. Last week our Vice President for Policy, Dr Mike McKean, appeared on Newsround to discuss these harms with children and young people directly. You can watch that interview on the BBC.

Advocacy in Northern Ireland

I’m delighted to report that members of our Ireland Executive Committee met with the NI Assembly Health Scrutiny Committee on 5 June to discuss factors relating to excessive waiting times for care. This is the first time we’ve been able to compel the scrutiny mechanisms in NI to focus on paediatrics and child health for some time given long-term political dissolution.

The committee has committed to holding the Department of Health to account on a range of service barriers which result in our disproportionate waiting times for children. My thanks to our advocates in NI. 

Join the walk to Parliament for Clean Air Day!

Our colleagues at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) are coordinating a walk from the hospital to Parliament Square on the morning of Clean Air Day (19 June) in collaboration with Global Action Plan. Healthcare professionals, parents, children and campaigners will hand over their clean air asks to policymakers at midday. Do consider joining if you are free – see full event details and registration.

Not in London? The team at Ride for Their Lives have put together information about how you can still get involved, including information about joining or organising a local event or adding your name to the Clean Air Day joint letter.

​Best wishes,

Professor Steve Turner, RCPCH President