Adolescent health
News
Paediatricians warn parents to be alert to signs of eating disorders over holidays
28 December 2020
Paediatricians have seen a huge rise in cases of anorexia nervosa and other food restriction disorders in this age group, with some reporting a doubling, tripling or even quadrupling of cases compared with the same period last year.
News
Updated guidance on valproate use in women and girls of childbearing years is published
14 December 2020
This guidance, updated in December 2020 and endorsed by RCPCH, has been produced to inform all healthcare professionals of best practice around the use and prescribing of valproate. It supports them to navigate situations that could arise as a result of prescribing valproate to women during childbea...
News
RCPCH statement on the ruling in the judicial review, Bell v Tavistock
8 December 2020
We have carefully reviewed this court ruling, which addresses the consent of children and young people to the use of puberty suppressing drugs as part of the treatment of gender dysphoria. We consider that the ruling should not have implications for the general ethical or legal framework for childre...
Resource
Digital by default or digital divide? Virtual healthcare consultations with young people 10 – 25 years
One effect of COVID-19 has been the rise in remote consultations. This joint statement, developed in September 2020, outlines some of the issues that need to be considered when undertaking virtual consultations with young people.
Document
COVID-19 &Us - views from RCPCH &Us
RCPCH &Us is working with young people to reflect on their experiences of COVID-19 and the lockdown.
This will help inform future planning for times of national crisis such as a natural disaster, another pandemic, terrorist incident or other cause of nationwide disruption.
News
We can’t be complacent in stubbing out smoking among young people
18 March 2020
The overall rates of smoking among UK adults and young people have declined in recent decades. Legislation around the consumption, sale and advertisement of cigarettes has become tighter, and wide-reaching public health campaigns have taken effect.
Resource
National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) annual reports
Our annual, national reports, 'Care processes and outcomes' highlight the main findings on the quality of care for children and young people with diabetes mellitus in England and Wales. On this page you can download our latest and previous reports, and find links to our reports especially for parent...
News
UK in danger of failing a generation of children and young people, says new report
4 March 2020
The RCPCH has today published State of Child Health 2020, the largest ever compilation of data on the health of babies, children and young people across all four UK nations. The report shows that for many measures of children’s health and wellbeing, progress has stalled, or is in reverse – something...
News
RCPCH responds to NHS England review of gender identity development services
3 February 2020
NHSE is conducting a review of the specification for this service and associated policies for 2020. It will also set up an independent expert group to make recommendations regarding the use of puberty suppressants and cross-sex hormones.
Resource
Protection for those at risk of FGM - consultation response
In August 2019 RCPCH Child Protection Subcommittee (Scotland) responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee Call for views on Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill.