Community services

Resource

Collaborative Healthcare in Northern Ireland: Delivering the services children need in the community

This report, published in June 2025, outlines how the demands on community paediatrics in Northern Ireland have increased significantly in recent times, with long waiting lists to access care and ongoing support for children and young people. We ask the NI Government to deliver a community paedia...

Community child health

Community services

Health policy

Safeguarding

Resource

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

This report, published in June 2025 (in both English and Welsh languages), outlines the devastating impact of prolonged underinvestment in community child health services on children, young people and families across Wales. We ask the Welsh Government to direct health boards, local authorities and p...

Community child health

Community services

Health policy

Safeguarding

Topic page

Strengthening community child health services

Services in all four nations of the UK are facing significant challenges in delivering care to children and their families. We have been analysing data where available and gathering insights from our members, and are calling for change.

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Collaborative healthcare in England: Delivering the services children need in the community

RCPCH has long called for a greater focus on and investment in children’s community health services, which support some of our most vulnerable children and their families. The latest available data covering March 2025 shows that more than 314,000 children and young people are waiting for community h...

Community child health

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

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

News

Collaboration or integration - from our St David's Day Conference

24 March 2025

This excellent event took place last month, curated by our trainee members. Through a series of presentations, we looked at how integrated care can help address complexity and bring efficiency, but also how to link in with others' expertise and perspective.

Document

NHS 10 year plan: A community shift that works for children - briefing

This briefing is on one of the three proposed shifts in the 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS in England. It explains the value of providing child health services in the community, and the current pressures across children's community services and primary care. We want to see the shift into the commun...

News

RCPCH responds to Care Quality Commission State of Care Report

25 October 2024

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) State of Care report is its annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England. Today’s report (25 October) outlines major challenges for children’s health and wellbeing across several key areas that the College has itself repeatedly highlighted.

News

RCPCH responds to Children’s Commissioner’s report on waiting times for neurodevelopmental conditions

18 October 2024

This report, using the Children’s Commissioner’s legislative powers, provides new insights into waiting times for children with neurodevelopmental conditions in community health and mental health services in England.