Recommendations

Resource

The Prescription for Change: Transforming the future of child health - RCPCH Scotland manifesto 2026

As Scotland prepared for the 2026 Holyrood election (which took place on 7 May), we urged the next Scottish Government to put children and young people’s health and wellbeing at the heart of national policy. Our manifesto outlines clear, actionable steps, including greater investment in child health...

Public affairs and campaigning

Workforce

Document

Our campaign to strengthen community child health services - about

Against a backdrop of growing demand for services, our UK-wide campaign highlights the breadth and scope of the community child health specialty to decision-makers. We make recommendations in each UK nation on improving access and equity, adapting models of care, supporting the workforce and usi...

Community child health

Community services

Public affairs and campaigning

Document

Rhoi plant yn gyntaf: Blaenoriaethu dyfodol Cymru - Maniffesto Etholiad RCPCH Cymru 2026

Cyn etholiad Senedd Cymru ym mis Mai 2026, rydym yn nodi'r hyn y dylai Llywodraeth nesaf Cymru ei wneud i wella iechyd plant a sicrhau y gall pob plentyn yng Nghymru gyflawni Confensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau'r Plentyn (CCUHP) i gael bywyd diogel, hapus ac iach.

Senedd election 2026

Public health

Document

Putting children first: Prioritising Wales’s future - RCPCH Wales 2026 election manifesto

Before the Welsh Parliament (“Senedd”) election in May 2026, we are setting out what the next Welsh Government should do to improve child health and ensure every child in Wales can fulfil the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to have a safe, happy and healthy life.

Children and young people's voice

Document

NHS 10 Year Health Plan - insights from RCPCH workshops

In late 2024 and early 2025, the College held workshops with our members, with children and young people and with stakeholders in the health research sector in order to respond to the UK Government's 'workshop in a box' community engagement project, aimed at shaping the NHS 10 Year Health Plan in En...

Engaging children and young people

Health policy

Research

Document

NHS 10 Year Health Plan - RCPCH and RCPCH &Us organisational responses

On 2 December 2024, the RCPCH Health Policy team and the RCPCH &Us team each submitted organisational responses to the major public engagement initiative aimed at shaping the NHS 10 Year Plan in England. This effort follows the Darzi Review, which highlighted the significant challenges facing child ...

Health policy

Workforce

Resource

Medication safety: Management of the supply of unlicensed liquid medicines to children - recommendations for implementation

NHS England tasked the RCPCH/NPPG Medicines Committee to improve the safety of liquid medicines during the transition from hospital to home care. This follows several serious incidents, including the death of a child due to confusion over liquid morphine strengths. Mistakes can occur because of t...

Drugs and medicines

Patient safety

Document

ICS and STP strategic plans - recommendations

The RCPCH is committed to ensuring that children and young people's needs, and those of the workforce that serves them, are represented in the strategic plans produced by ICSs and STPs in England.

Health policy

Service design

Workforce

Resource

Winter pressures - our recommendations

We pledge to help our members be the voice for children in winter pressure plans across the whole system. Our recommendations and actions are based on our survey of members and their colleagues working in Emergency Departments (ED) that treat children across the UK.

Service design

Facing the Future - emergency care

Service planning

Winter planning

Workforce

Wellbeing for health professionals

Resource

Our vision for the NHS Long Term Plan - an NHS that plays a leading role in improving children and young people's health

The development of the NHS Long Term Plan provides an opportunity for NHS England to truly place the needs of children and young people at its heart. It is an historic opportunity to reset the social contract between the NHS and children and young people in England.

Health policy

NHS plan