The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has published their recent research in a report ‘spotlight on the child health workforce,’ which reinforces urgent calls from paediatricians for government action to tackle the current child health services crisis by providing greater support to the child health workforce.
Today’s report from the College builds on a landmark ‘Blueprint’ report from September 2024, which outlined four key areas for government to focus on to recover child health services and outcomes, including support for the workforce. Almost a year on, the College is reiterating what is now an urgent call for government action to address the pressure that paediatricians are facing, so that they can effectively tackle worsening health outcomes and growing inequalities.
As part of the research, RCPCH undertook a snapshot survey of the UK paediatric workforce in May 2025, with over 400 of its members taking part. The survey revealed that:
- 82% of respondents feel there isn’t sufficient staffing to meet the needs of children and young people,
- 63% of respondents have experienced burnout in their career, with 44% experiencing it in the last year.
- 75% of respondents have felt pressured to work additional shifts (or hours) over their job plan or rota more than once in the last 12 months, with 11% saying this is always the case.
- 71% have gone to work despite not feeling mentally or physically well enough, with 55% saying this has happened on more than one occasion in the last year.
The significant strain due to staff shortages is leading to heightened levels of stress. As a result, services struggle to meet demand, and staff are left feeling unable to perform their duties effectively against a backdrop of rising demand and growing complexity in paediatric care.
The stark consequences of shortages are seen across the child health system. In the last two years the number of children waiting over 52 weeks for treatment has risen by 60% for elective services and 94% for community health services. One paediatrician said that persistent shortages of community paediatricians are significantly affecting patient care, particularly for those awaiting neurodevelopmental assessments.
In 2019, RCPCH found that the demand for paediatric consultants in the UK was 21% higher than it was in 2017. Since then, the gap between demand and supply has widened significantly. The picture is similar among paediatricians in training - in December 2024, RCPCH reported a 20% shortage of resident paediatric doctors, leaving the workforce operating under immense pressure.
Ahead of the publication of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and an expected refresh of the NHS long-term workforce plan later this summer, our document ‘Spotlight on the child health workforce’ sets out a series of recommendations including:
- Review and update the long-term workforce plan.
- Develop a comprehensive child health workforce strategy.
- Invest in the community child health workforce in order to realise the government’s ambition to shift care from hospital to community.
- Fund new models of joint working between primary care and paediatric teams to ensure coordinated and continuous care.
Investment in the child health workforce is vital for the Government to realise its ambition of creating the healthiest generation of children ever. Early intervention reduces future healthcare demand, eases NHS pressure, and ensures children grow into healthier adults.
RCPCH President, Professor Steve Turner, said:
“For too long, child health has not been a priority across the UK healthcare systems. The lack of focus in policy at local and national level has led to our children and young people now having some of the worst health outcomes in Europe. This unacceptable reality demands an urgent change.
As a paediatrician, I understand the importance of timely, high-quality care for children and young people. Insufficient numbers of healthcare staff, many of whom are overworked, unappreciated and burnt-out, is a huge concern to me. The pressures paediatricians are working under poses serious risks to patient care, delays treatments and creates stress for children, their families and the whole NHS staff.
Without real change, the child health workforce will continue to struggle to meet mounting demands. The UK government must act now. With NHS reform and the new 10-Year Health Plan, we have a chance to strengthen the child health workforce and ensure better care for children. Investment in children today will benefit the UKs health and economy tomorrow.”