Please can I start by conveying my heartfelt sorrow for the consequences of events that unfolded across the UK this past fortnight. My thoughts are with the families of those who have died or were injured in Southport last week.
I know that so many risked their lives to protect the children at the scene. I also know how, once again, our emergency response teams in the community and hospitals worked exceptionally hard and at pace to help all those impacted.
As a College, we are also deeply saddened by the riots in Southport and other towns and cities around the UK. These riots are rooted in intolerance– and I want to be clear that there is no place for any racism or faith-based hate, including Islamophobia, in our communities and the College condemns these violent attacks in the strongest possible terms. Sadly, what has occurred in the aftermath of Southport will have affected many individuals, families and communities.
As a profession we are clinical leaders – and our colleagues, NHS staff, children, patients and families always look to us for support. While we are not always or ever together in one room – we are universal in spirit, doing what we can to support children and young people, wherever they are from, and whoever they may be. When it comes to the workplace the GMC has a hub to support doctors facing racism at work and how to tackle it, whether personally or as a bystander.
Supporting children who need gender identity services
Many of you will be aware that the BMA is calling for a pause in the implementation of the Cass Review. This is a crucial time for Gender Identity Services, and we know that children on the waiting lists for these services have been let down for too long.
We have responded to this development on our gender identity services page and responded together as members of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. We will continue to monitor developments in this space and share more with our members in due course.
#WDYCD4Y: What Does Your College Do for You?
It has been a year since we launched Progress+ and there is much to celebrate. In her new blog post, Dr Cathryn Chadwick thanks all the people that made the first year such a success and reflects on the challenges and how we can learn from them to make the next year even better. You can join us in our celebrations by downloading one of our special posters to display in your workplace and don't forget to post your photos on social media using the hashtag #ProgressPlus.
Announcing our new Assistant Registrar
I am delighted to announce that Dr Bhanu Williams will be our new Assistant Registrar from 24 August. She is an expert in poverty and inequalities and with Bhanu in our teams, I know we are in safe hands. Sadly, this also means that we are saying good luck and farewell to Dr Mo Akindolie as she embarks on an exciting journey of her own as a Harkness Scholar based in the US – what a fantastic opportunity. Please join me in congratulating them both.
Coming up next week - Member consultation survey on Physicians Associates in paediatrics
As you might have seen, our Workforce & Careers team has been looking at the role of PAs in paediatrics. Our next step is a member survey that is live from next Monday, 12 August for a few weeks. If you’re based in the UK and opted in to hear from us about surveys, you’ll get an email with your personalised link to the survey. This will come from independent research agency, Research by Design, who will also bring together an independent, anonymised report that we’ll publish on our website. You can read more about our work on PAs.
And make sure your voice is heard - you can log in to your online account on this website, go to My account and Edit your contact preferences, and check the Surveys box.
Calling all foundation doctors and senior clinicians supporting them
A huge welcome to the new cohort of foundation doctors starting next week, who did in fact #ChoosePaediatrics! I remember my foundation training days well (we were called House Officers back then) – it was an enjoyable, albeit steep, learning curve. I am delighted you are at the start of this exciting journey. We have some support tools for foundation doctors and the senior clinicians you work with – which were last updated at the end of July. These give information on what to expect, preparation tips, examples of how to gain exposure in paediatrics and the latest updates for applying to paediatrics. You can also sign up for our RCPCH Foundation Doctor membership as well. Enjoy your first few weeks and good luck!
Submit an abstract or workshop proposal for RCPCH Conference 2025
There are lots of good reasons to submit an abstract or workshop proposal for next year’s conference, which takes place in Glasgow in March. By submitting your abstract you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your project and get a citation in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, event app and online programme. You will also have the chance to present your work as a plenary talk. Workshop presenters will develop and run sessions ranging from 45 to 75 minutes. Find out more about submitting an abstract or workshop proposal.
And finally… a note on SNOMED-CT - a 12 year journey
SNOMED-CT is a way to standardise patient data which will allow consistent information to be shared across health systems. Work to create paediatric SNOMED-CT reference sets began in 2012 and since then RCPCH specialty groups have collaborated to expand the sets to over 3,000 terms that apply across paediatric specialties and settings. I am delighted to say that this is now complete and the first of these will be published by NHS England this week (7 August).
I want to give my huge thanks to the College members, particularly Dr Karen Horridge, who have worked so hard with the NHS terminologists to bring this to fruition. More communications on this from the College will be available in the autumn, so do keep an eye out. For now, you can read more on our SNOMED-CT – How-to guide for clinicians page.
Best wishes,
Steve
This message was emailed to all RCPCH members who are opted in to receive College updates / professional updates. You can update your contact preferences at any time - log in to your RCPCH online account, go to My account | Your contact preferences, then make sure you've ticked College updates / professional updates.