Lord Darzi Review of Health and Care – consultation response

We submitted written evidence to the Lord Darzi Review in 2018 laying out our vision for the health and care system in 2030 that is built around a properly invested interoperable information system that supports health professionals to drive innovation and quality improvement.

The independent Lord Darzi Review, coordinated by the Institute for Public Policy Research, aims to examine the state of quality in health and care services to make recommendations for future funding and reform of the system.

Our response

  • The State of Child Health Report 2017 uncovered alarming inequalities in the health and wellbeing of children across the UK and in Scotland, child health ranks among the worst in Western Europe. 
  • There are not enough paediatric consultants needed to work in hospitals during peak activity. Similar challenges are faced by community paediatricians, with an alarming 25% shortfall in the number of community paediatricians, raising concerns over the system failing to cope with the growing demand and unprecedented pressures faced by specialist community children’s doctors.
  • There has been an inadequate investment in health services for children. 

Our recommendations

  • An investment in interoperable information systems will enable services to access data across organisational and geographical boundaries to improve efficiencies and understand the needs of the local population.
  • Health organisations must ensure dedicated and protected time for clinicians is included in job plans to use for education in quality improvement and other academic/innovation interests to help drive innovation in the health system.
  • Government must ensure sufficient resource is available to fund the workforce needed to meet a standard of care for children that is high-quality, safe and sustainable.
  • Development of a cross-departmental evidence-based child health and wellbeing strategy will help to inform the financial resource required to meet the needs of children and young people in the UK.
  • Integrating health services is essential to ensure children’s physical and mental health needs are met.

We respond to a wide range of consultations to ensure that the College’s position, and ultimately children’s health, is represented. Members can get involved in current consultations by contacting the Health Policy team: health.policy@rcpch.ac.uk.