
I’m thrilled to be joining RCPCH as the third Clean Air Clinical Fellow through the Clean Air Fund Partnership. In this role, I’ll be supporting the team in sharing best practices from Clean Air Clinics, exploring how monitoring and technology can enhance our advocacy and education efforts and trying to bring our learning from the UK to a global audience.
It’s a privilege to team up with my brilliant colleagues who are already making a significant impact in this space. Emily and Zara have already published the RCPCH position statement on air pollution, outlining the risks to child health and calling for urgent policy measures. I hope this brings much-needed visibility and energy to an issue that is critical for improving child health in both policy and clinical practice. Alice has worked hard to launch our Air Pollution Companion | RCPCH, a fantastic resource for building knowledge on air pollution and equipping all of us to discuss the benefits of clean air with children and families.
Alongside this RCPCH post, I’m working as a Paediatric Respiratory Medicine registrar at the Royal Brompton Hospital. This dual focus allows me to integrate my clinical experience with advocacy work, driving change in my own practice as well as addressing the more systemic challenges we face. In my clinical work, I confront the reality of health inequalities daily. Living and working in London, I see first hand how air pollution affects children and young people. However, many clinicians still struggle to grasp its impact or feel empowered to advocate for change. Air pollution is indiscriminate and pervasive, countering our efforts as paediatricians to promote physical activity and overall wellbeing. Sadly, those who most need the benefits of these interventions are often the least able to access them.
One of my key goals is to lead RCPCH's role as a collector of expertise, harnessing the incredible existing knowledge and research on clean air while making it more accessible in our curriculum and ongoing training. I believe that equipping our members with this information is essential for effective advocacy and education.
As a keen cyclist, I’ve spent the last five years commuting across London, which has given me valuable insights into the city’s "unique" transportation landscape. I navigate a mix of hectic cycle highways, leafy quiet routes and congested bus lanes. I've witnessed the return of school crossing patrols (lollipop people) and "walking buses," and observed the rise of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and clean air zones around schools. These initiatives provide real world examples for creating safer, healthier environments for all our children and the challenges we continue to face in doing so.
During my commutes to both Royal College and clinical work I’ll be tracking my pollution exposure on route via AirTrack from Air Aware Labs. Utilising the increasing monitoring network alongside live meteorological and traffic conditions, individuals can estimate their personal pollution exposure, plan cleaner routes and modify activities accordingly.
The rapid innovations and practice change implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated just how much can be achieved when we collectively recognise an emergency, whilst highlighting the obstacles we face in maintaining momentum and planning for inevitable future challenges. Whilst air pollution is a global issue, it also presents opportunities for local action. This role provides a vital platform to elevate climate change and the fundamental right to clean air in our discussions; driving systematic and tangible change.
I’m eager to get started and would love to hear from anyone interested in collaborating or sharing insights—please feel free to reach out at harry.apperley@rcpch.ac.uk