Workforce reports

Our varied reports on the paediatric workforce in the UK are based on data we have collected via the census, service audits and other research projects. These are listed by publication date.

Document

Remote and rural services: Evidence and case studies

Paediatric services in remote and rural areas of the UK face particular challenges, including limited service availability, recruitment difficulties, funding pressures and health inequalities. We explored the evidence and available service data, alongside three case studies of regional hospitals. We...

Health policy

Service design

Workforce

Resource

Paediatric workforce later careers survey: report (2026)

Senior paediatricians play a vital role in delivering high-quality services. However, as they move into the later stages of their careers, the nature of their work can change significantly. To better understand these changes, we surveyed consultant paediatricians and specialty and specialist (SAS) d...

Workforce

Resource

Thrive Paediatrics: National report 2025

The RCPCH Thrive Paediatrics programme explores how to prioritise the wellbeing of the child health workforce while addressing underlying workplace challenges, with best practice examples, resources and community networks. Our national report, published in December 2025 and available to download bel...

Workforce

Thrive Paediatrics

Wellbeing for health professionals

Resource

Workforce CCT survey 2025 report

What happens after paediatricians complete their specialist training, and how do they feel about the transition into a consultant role? We ran a survey of paediatricians who had recently completed, or were about to complete, their paediatric training. Our report, published in September 2025, highlig...

Resource

Collaborative Healthcare in Scotland: Delivering the services children need in the community

This report, published in May 2025, puts a spotlight on community child health services in Scotland, addressing challenges and providing recommendations to strengthen community paediatric services. We urge the Scottish Government and health boards to publish consistent and uniform community paediatr...

Community child health

Resource

Workforce Information - Deep dive on bed occupancy in Devolved Nations, Winter 2025

We collate and analyse paediatric workforce and service information in the UK to support members, workforce planners and policy makers. Previously, we examined bed occupancy throughout England and for our fourth data 'deep dive', we review bed occupancy rates once again but this time across Scotland...

Data

Workforce

Resource

Rota gaps survey findings 2024

According to our UK-wide survey of College members, paediatric services in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are facing rota gaps of over 20%, with Wales services at 11.3%. Tier 2 rotas were generally more impacted than Tier 1 and combined general/neonatal services had the highest gaps. Less th...

Data

Workforce

Document

Physician Associates - RCPCH response to member consultation

On 28 November 2024 RCPCH published the results of our member survey on the role of Physician Associates (PAs) in paediatrics. This follows an interim statement made on 31 October 2024 which called for a pause in recruitment of PAs in paediatrics, a step which was agreed with the RCPCH Executive Com...

Health policy

Workforce

Document

Workforce Information - Deep dive on bed occupancy, Autumn 2024

We collate and analyse paediatric workforce and service information in the UK to support members, workforce planners and policy makers. In our third data 'deep dive' we review bed occupancy rates in England.

Data

Workforce

Document

Workforce Information - Deep dive on Sickness absence rates, Summer 2024

We collate and analyse paediatric workforce and service information in the UK to support members, workforce planners and policy makers. In our second 'deep dive' into the data, we review sickness and absence in England from 2018-2023.

Workforce