Meeting a changing and increasing demand - President's update

Steve reflects on what Lord Darzi's report means for members and healthcare services, and encourages you to think about what you would improve in your service if given the chance. There is also an update on PA's, an invitation to take part in a digital skills survey and much more.
Professor Steve Turner, RCPCH President

Wherever in the world you are reading this, your healthcare system is highly likely to be struggling to meet a changing and increasing demand. Healthcare professionals in many healthcare systems across many countries are being asked to change their practice. 

Following the publication of Lord Darzi’s Independent Review of the NHS in England, the government has proposed three strategic shifts for the NHS. These are: moving care from hospital to community; upgrading technology (“analogue to digital”) and moving from a system providing treatment to one which champions prevention. All very sensible, and not particularly new, but relevant to many healthcare systems.

Clinicians can see the problem and the solutions, in ways that sometimes management and governments cannot. Have a think about it. If you would improve one thing about how your service provides care, what would it be? How would you change it? And when?   

Change does not always run smoothly and will require more or a different use of resource or “enablers”, including staff, IT and estate. There are many examples of positive change out there. We are always keen to collect more, to inform work such as our facing the future standards. You can contact our health policy team to share examples of change via health.policy@rcpch.ac.uk

If you are in England, shortly, you may find yourself taking part in an engagement session for the NHS 10 Year Plan. Over the autumn, the team leading this work will be going out to services across the country to speak to professionals and patients. This is an opportunity to influence the direction of the health service over the next ten years, so do take part if you are invited to. We want to ensure children are at the centre of this plan. Our recently published blueprint for child health services will provide you with a starter for ten. If you are invited to an engagement session, our public affairs team can send you some briefing materials to support you in the meeting. Get in touch via public.affairs@rcpch.ac.uk.

Other UK nations are reviewing the direction of their NHS, for example the Scotland Government have a new Population Health Framework and are reviewing their National Clinical Strategy, and our Nations team continue to engage with Government and Assemblies on a range of policy areas. 

#WDYCD4Y - What Does Your College Do for You

We have a new bursary! With generous support from the Williams Syndrome Foundation and in honour of Sir George and Lady Cynthia Cooper, its founders, the Williams Syndrome Cooper bursary recognises the best scientific paper relating to a paediatric learning disability. It’s open to pre-consultant grade doctors, including comparable grades, and the winner will receive a cash prize and funds for research expenses. In fact, we have a few other research awards now open for applications, plus prizes for medical students and foundation doctors - take a look at all our Fellowships and prizes

Oxytocin national patient safety alert – what you need to know  

A National Patient Safety Alert has been issued by NHS England on the risk of oxytocin overdose during labour and childbirth. Details can be found on our Patient Safety Portal

PAs in Child Protection Medicals  

We are aware of some concerns being raised that PAs are taking on roles in child protection medicals. The RCPCH is clear that PAs must not replace the role of paediatricians in the delivery of care to children and young people. Our intercollegiate guidance ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Paediatricians’(PDF), sets out that paediatricians responsible for child protection medical assessments, and their subsequent reports, must meet the Level 3+ Safeguarding Competencies. This guidance is currently undergoing an update as part of the regular review schedule, and the update will consider the competencies and skills of all roles supporting paediatricians in undertaking child protection medicals.

Our Child Protection Service Delivery Standards, published in 2020, further set out that child protection medicals should be delivered at by paediatric clinicians working at ST4 level or equivalent. 

We have put together a statement for the website and updated our PAs webpage which is the most up-to-date source for our current work relating to PAs.

Rostering best practice for postgraduate doctors in training 

We've just published guidance about rota design and rostering, which looks at what you should expect from your rota as a postgraduate doctor in training to ensure there's time for education and training. The guidance also has details on minimal staffing levels, flexible working and different types of leave. It's currently specific to England but will be updated to cover all the UK, so if you're in training, or supporting trainees, do take a look.

Digital skills survey 

You told us in the member survey how fundamental the technology and digital products you use in your work are. We also know that advances in technology and the evolving landscape in digital medicine will help deliver the best possible care to children and young people.

We therefore want to identify how we can best support members with digital skills in paediatrics and child health. To feed into this important work, please complete this 15-minute digital skills survey

A school nurse in every school  

Our friends at the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) have launched a petition calling for a school nurse in every school. As specialist public health nurses, school nurses have a key role in promoting health, preventing ill health, and providing early intervention for school aged children. In my view, this change could help make a world of difference for children and young people.

In case you missed it!  

Have you seen two of our latest blogs? Dinwoodie Fellow, Dr Jess Morgan, wants to empower us to take small actions that influence the wellbeing and working lives of our colleagues. And our Officer for Wales, Nick Wilkinson has called on members locally to tell us what is important to you, and what we should say to the Welsh Government.

Best wishes,
Steve


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