“The growing emphasis on online and digital spaces has made childhood an even more challenging period for parents to navigate....guidance is a much welcome resource to help parents protect those short, but developmentally crucial early years." Our VP for Policy Dr Mike McKean in The Times today 👇

The Times and Sunday Times@thetimes.com · 4mo ago

Limit screen time for under-fives to an hour, parents advised

Following the outbreak of meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) in Kent, we've published a briefing page with information made available by the UK Health Security Agency. We'll keep this up to date in line with the latest government information. www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/ou...

Scotland’s paediatricians know better than anyone that children cannot wait. RCPCH Scotland members please add your name to our letter to show candidates that child health must be a priority in the next Parliament! rcpch.eaction.org.uk/ScotlandsChi... #PrescriptionForChange

Scotland’s Children Cannot Wait

rcpch.eaction.org.uk

We’re seeking an Independent Chair of our Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership and strong governance as we deliver our 2024–27 strategy and oversee our vision for paediatrics and child health. Find out more: jobs.theguardian.com/job/10039575...

Chair of the Board of Trustees - UK-based with national and international engagement job with Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) | 10039575

Lead strategic governance for a major paediatrics charity, driving impact and inclusion with flexible commitment.

jobs.theguardian.com

RCPCH Officer Dr Helen Stewart in The Times today sharing her experiences of treating measles outbreaks across the country - and stressing the urgent need to reverse the decline in childhood vaccination rates. 👇

The Times and Sunday Times@thetimes.com · 6mo ago

Fewer people are taking their children for the much-needed jabs and experts warn that even more dangerous illnesses could lurking be around the corner

Yesterday the Health and Social Care Committee presented its report on the First 1000 Days to Parliament. Thanks to Paulette Hamilton MP and the Committee for taking up our calls to Government for our child health workforce strategy 👇

RCPCH Officer Professor Andrew Rowland appeared on BBC Breakfast yesterday to discuss the thousands of children currently waiting for NHS community care. You can read more on the story on BBC News: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today the Health and Social Care Committee published its report on "The First 1,000 Days: a renewed focus" RCPCH's Dr Helen Stewart spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme about the report's recommendations, particularly the vital role health visitors play in improving childhood vaccination uptake.

Last week we hosted a workshop in Northern Ireland for members to discuss workforce issues unique to the region. Thanks to everyone who participated in the positive discussions with lots of takeaways for future advocacy work.

Our 2026 St David’s Day Conference takes place on 26 February at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff! Join expert sessions, take advantage of new networking opportunities and explore what’s new in child health across Wales. Register now: www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/...

RCPCH Scotland responds to the Scottish Budget 2026–27. There are welcome steps, such as the rise in the Scottish Child Payment, but this budget still falls short of the transformative change children and young people need. Read our response: www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/...

Today is a big moment for child health as the Less Healthy Advertising Regulations come into force across TV and online media - a long-standing priority for the Obesity Health Alliance. Our Executive Director Katharine Jenner responds ⬇️ 1/2

We welcome the news that a new pilot will see health visitors support families to access vaccinations. With the roll out of the chickenpox vaccine, these are important steps to ensure all children are protected from preventable diseases. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Children from struggling families to be offered jabs at home

The scheme is being tested in some areas of England as part of a government plan to prioritise children's health.

bbc.co.uk

We welcome the UK Government's Child Poverty Strategy with measures to lift thousands of children out of poverty. But to raise healthiest generation of children ever it will need to go further - to ensure no child grows up in poverty. Our response: www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/...

The two child limit has been scrapped! We’re delighted to see the Chancellor remove this policy which has kept thousands of children in poverty – harming their health and wellbeing. Read our full response to the Autumn Budget: www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/...

🔥 Hot Off the Press - Soft Drinks Industry Levy to be Expanded to Protect Children and Boost Nation’s Health 🔥 The levy will now cover sugary milk-based drinks and lowers the sugar threshold from 5g to 4.5g per 100ml. Read the press release here ➡️ www.gov.uk/government/n...

Soft drink levy extended to protect children and improve health

The government has announced an extension of the soft drinks industry levy to more high-sugar drinks, including milk-based drinks.

gov.uk

With a rise in flu cases among children this winter, we’ve updated our guidance for hospitals managing children with viral respiratory infections. It outlines best practice for infection preventions and protecting vulnerable children. Read the guidance: www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/gu...

Paediatricians have repeatedly raised alarm about the impact of rising rates of child poverty on children’s health. If the government is serious about raising the healthiest generation it must tackle child poverty - starting by ending the two-child limit. 👇

Child Poverty Action Group@cpaguk.bsky.social · 9mo ago

We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.

Paediatricians are seeing high rates of flu among children this winter. Flu can cause serious illness and lead to hospitalisation, even in otherwise healthy children. We are urging parents to get their child vaccinated – share our new factsheet to support families 👇 www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/fl...

“Doing nothing is not an option. More children will come to hospital for urgent care and we will continue putting sticking plasters on sticking plasters.” Our President Prof Steve Turner in the The Times today speaking about our calls for the upcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan. 👇

The Times and Sunday Times@thetimes.com · 9mo ago

Professor Steve Turner of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health warns over doing nothing as a report finds critical windows of care are being missed

Today we submitted our response to the 10-Year Workforce Plan call for evidence. With rising demand and a stretched workforce, this is a vital opportunity to invest in the paediatric workforce and improve outcomes for children and young people. Read our submission: www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/10...

The November RCPCH Safety eBulletin is coming soon! This edition features learning from Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) programme — and how we can make transfusions safer for children. Members: check your email settings to stay in the loop! 🔗 safety.rcpch.ac.uk/safety-ebull...

Our Officer for Health Improvement, Dr Helen Stewart, highlights how cutting gluten-free prescriptions for children with coeliac disease exposes deeper issues of rising child poverty, with some families unable to afford a healthy, balanced diet. #ShiftTheDial 👇 www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...

NHS suggests coeliac children use food banks as doctors blast ‘cruel’ cuts

Clinicians warn of ‘shocking levels of ignorance’ over ‘cruel and risky’ decision to cut gluten-free prescriptions

independent.co.uk

“Children are being treated as second-rate citizens in the eyes of NHS funding.” RCPCH President Prof Steve Turner highlights how our joint Emergency Care Standards aim to reshape urgent care for children making safe, timely care a reality for every child. 👇 www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...

NHS slammed for treating children who need A&E care as ‘second-rate citizens’

Many emergency departments lack the infrastructure to meet the growing needs of child patients, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said

independent.co.uk

We welcome plans to scrap the ineffective and unjust two child limit. To truly achieve the Government’s goal of creating the healthiest generation of children ever, the two child limit must be scrapped entirely. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Rachel Reeves to lift two-child benefit cap in November budget

Exclusive: Officials exploring options to change rule that affected 1.7 million children in Great Britain last year

theguardian.com

RCPCH President Professor Steve Turner on our joint panel today with @barnardos.org.uk and @thekingsfund.bsky.social on how to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. #Lab25

Today we hosted a joint session at #Lab25 with @rcpch.bsky.social, about addressing #airquality. Our panel discussed the negative impacts of #airquality across our life course, the need for stronger regulation and a UK-wide public health campaign about the health impacts of air pollution.

Our VP for Policy Dr Mike McKean speaking this morning about the impacts of air pollution on children’s health on our joint panel “Every breath counts: Action on air quality” with @rcphysicians.bsky.social at #Lab25

Tomorrow, with @rcpch.bsky.social, we’re hosting a joint session ‘Every Breath Counts – Action on Air Quality’ where our panel will consider how national and local government can tackle poor #airquality. 👉Learn more and join the discussion: ow.ly/zX5950X3xwS

Every breath counts: Action on air quality

Join our panel session as we consider how national and local government can take action on air quality and improve the health of the public.

ow.ly

This week we wrote to the Times to reaffirm the calls from child health and child protection professionals to end physical punishment. The evidence is clear. We continue to urge the government to remove the ‘reasonable punishment’ defence and protect every child from harm.